Face Detection for Automatic Digital Image Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital image processing techniques fail to effectively detect and utilize face information for enhancing or correcting digital images, especially in complex backgrounds or when multiple faces are present, limiting the ability to automatically improve image quality, orientation, exposure, and composition.

Innovation Solution

A method within a digital acquisition device that uses face detection to adjust acquisition parameters such as exposure, orientation, and color balance by identifying face pixels and comparing them to default values, allowing for automatic enhancement of digital images through software or firmware, either in the camera or external equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional digital image processing techniques are used, then general image processing is performed, but face detection and automatic enhancement capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic image enhancementVSAvoidface detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task by first detecting face regions separately from the rest of the image, then applying specific enhancement operations to detected faces. The face detection module identifies facial regions, and subsequent processing operations are selectively applied to these segmented regions, enabling automated enhancement while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces face detection algorithms as an intermediary component between the captured image and the enhancement processing. This intermediary analyzes the image to identify face regions, provides location and characteristic information, and guides the subsequent enhancement operations, thereby bridging the gap between general image processing and targeted face enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If face detection is implemented to enhance images, then automatic enhancement capability is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic parameter adjustmentVSAvoidsoftware/firmware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal face detection and enhancement system that can automatically perform multiple functions: detecting faces, determining their locations, analyzing their characteristics, and applying appropriate enhancement operations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual processing steps into a single automated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The enhancement system operates autonomously by automatically detecting faces and applying appropriate enhancements without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts parameters based on detected face characteristics, performs selective enhancement on identified regions, and outputs the enhanced image automatically, making the entire process self-serving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If selective enhancement of face regions is applied, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality enhancementVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by selectively processing only the detected face regions rather than the entire image. The system identifies specific facial regions that need enhancement and applies processing operations only to those localized areas, maintaining high image quality while reducing the overall processing burden compared to full-image processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by applying enhancement operations only to the extent necessary for face regions. Instead of uniformly processing the entire image, the system performs partial processing on identified face areas, which reduces the total processing time while still achieving the desired enhancement效果 for the important facial regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7616233B2Perfecting of digital image capture parameters within acquisition devices using face detection
Publication Date: 2009.11.10 ADEIA IMAGING LLC
  • US7616233B2 patent drawing
  • US7616233B2 patent drawing
  • US7616233B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within said captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values.