Abstract:
A method and a system for archiving, indexing and retrieving images of persons including the steps of providing image data relating to the images of persons to a suitably programmed computer, employing a first suitably programmed computer functionality to provide face recognition of the images, employing a second suitably programmed computer functionality to group the images according to faces recognized therein and employing a third suitably programmed computer functionality to provide an index of groups of the images organized according to faces recognized therein.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/228,963 filed on Aug. 29, 2000. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to electronic archiving, indexing and retrieving images. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The following U.S. Patents are believed to represent the current state of the art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,263,113 B1; 6,108,437; 6,035,074; 6,006,231; 5,978,507; 5,963,670; 5,915,038; 5,905,807; 5,896,462; 5,793,888; 5,764,790. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention seeks to provide an improved system and methodology for archiving, indexing and retrieving images. 
   There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for indexing images of persons. The method includes providing image data relating to the images of persons to a suitably programmed computer, employing a first suitably programmed computer functionality to provide face recognition of the images, employing a second suitably programmed computer functionality to group the images according to faces recognized therein and employing a third suitably programmed computer functionality to provide an index of groups of the images organized according to faces recognized therein. 
   There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for indexing images of persons. The system includes an image data source providing image data relating to the images of persons to a suitably programmed computer, a first suitably programmed computer functionality providing face recognition of the images, a second suitably programmed computer functionality grouping the images according to faces recognized therein and a third suitably programmed computer functionality providing an index of groups of the images organized according to faces recognized therein. 
   Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes employing the index for retrieving, viewing and optionally downloading images of an individual person. 
   Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two of the first, second and third suitably programmed computer functionalities are performed by the suitably programmed computer. 
   Additionally or alternatively, all of the first, second and third suitably programmed computer functionalities are performed by the suitably programmed computer. 
   Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the index employs a recognized face as an index icon. 
   Preferably, the steps of providing image data and retrieving, viewing and optionally downloading are carried out via the Internet. 
   Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of providing image data employs a film camera and a scanner. 
   Alternatively, the step of providing image data employs a digital camera. 
   Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the index employs a recognized face as an index icon. 
   There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for classifying images of persons in photographs. The method includes the steps of photographing a plurality of persons in a plurality of scenes, wherein not all of the persons appear in all of the scenes, to provide a plurality of photographs, computer analyzing the plurality of photographs to detect at least the faces of persons in each of the scenes and automatically grouping the photographs according to at least the faces of the persons appearing therein. 
   There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for classifying images of persons in photographs. The system includes a photography subsystem photographing a plurality of persons in a plurality of scenes, wherein not all of the persons appear in all of the scenes, to provide a plurality of photographs and a computer analysis and photograph grouping subsystem for computer analyzing the plurality of photographs to detect at least the faces of persons in each of the scenes and automatically grouping the photographs according to at least the faces of the persons appearing therein. 
   Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method for classifying images also includes indexing the plurality of photographs at least partially in accordance with the faces of the persons appearing therein. 
   Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of photographing includes photographing the plurality of persons while they are bearing unique identification indications. The step of computer analyzing includes face recognition of the faces of the persons appearing in the photographs, recognition of the unique identification indications and correlation of the faces with the unique identification indications. 
   Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of computer analyzing includes image indication assisted face recognition. 
   Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of face recognition includes image indication assisted face recognition. 
   Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of grouping the photographs employs the step of correlating the faces with the unique identification indications. 
   Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the steps of grouping and indexing the photographs employs correlating the faces with the unique identification indications. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system and methodology for archiving images in accordance with two variations of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system and methodology for archiving images in accordance with two variations of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
       FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified flowchart illustrating photograph grouping and indexing functionality employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a simplified flowchart illustrating image indication assisted face recognition functionality employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system and methodology for archiving images in accordance with two variations of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1A , scenes in which various persons are present are photographed in a plurality of settings and groupings. Not all of the persons appear in each scene. The photographs are provided, typically in electronic form, from a camera  10  to a suitably programmed computer  12 , which is operative to index the photographs according to images of persons appearing therein. Transmission of image data to the computer  12  may be effected directly or via a computer network, such as the Internet, in any suitable manner. Thus, the computer  12  is operative typically to provide a thumbnail image  14  of each person photographed, which thumbnail may serve as an index icon for viewing the thumbnail images of all of the photographs  16  in which that person appears. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer  12  carries out face recognition on the images of the persons in the various photographs and is operative to recognize the same people in different photographs notwithstanding certain changes in their visual appearance and orientation. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1B  it is seen that the scenes, in which various persons are present, are similarly photographed in a plurality of settings and groupings wherein not all of the persons appear in each scene. Either or both a conventional film camera  20  and a digital camera  22  may be employed. Where a conventional film camera is employed, the photographs or negatives  24  may be scanned by a scanner  26  in a conventional manner and the electronic output thereof may be provided to a suitably programmed computer  32 . The output from digital camera  22  may be provided in electronic form to computer  32 . Transmission of image data to the computer  32  may be effected directly or via a computer network  28 , such as the Internet, in any suitable manner. Thus, the computer  32  is operative typically to provide a thumbnail image  34  of each person photographed, which thumbnail may serve as an index icon for viewing the thumbnail images of all of the photographs  36  in which that person appears. 
   As in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , computer  32  preferably carries out face recognition on the images of the people in the various photographs and is operative to recognize the same people in different photographs notwithstanding certain changes in their visual appearance and orientation. 
   It is to be appreciated that the present invention does not require that the computer  32  be located adjacent to either the scanner  26  or to the digital camera  22 . A preferred embodiment of the invention employs communication over a computer network  28 , such as the Internet, with a remote processing computer, such as computer  32 , and retrieving and viewing of the index of the icon images  34  and retrieving and viewing groups of thumbnail images  36  for each icon and optionally downloading the complete photograph of one or more of the thumbnail images  36  from the computer  32 , over the Internet to a plurality of users. This preferred Internet embodiment is also applicable to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a system and methodology for archiving images in accordance with two variations of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2A , similarly to that shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , scenes in which various persons are present are photographed in a plurality of settings and groupings wherein not all of the persons appear in each scene. 
   In distinction to that shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , each person in each scene preferably wears an identification indication  50  on the upper part of his body. This identification indication is preferably a multi-color, color coded identification indication commercially available from ImageID Inc. of One Penn Plaza, New York, N.Y. under the VIVIDOT trademark. A preferred embodiment of the identification indication is described in applicant/assignee&#39;s U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/508,300, filed Mar. 9, 2000 and entitled “Image Identification and Delivery System”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and appears in Published PCT Patent Application WO 00/04711, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The identification indication  50  worn by each person is unique and visually distinguishable from the identification indication  50  worn by each other person. 
   As in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the photographs are provided, typically in electronic form, from a camera  51  to a suitably programmed computer  52 , which is operative to group the photographs according to each person appearing therein. In this embodiment, each person is distinguished from each other person, not only by the face of the person but also by the identification indication  50  worn by that person. The computer reads the identification indication  50  and typically derives a code sequence uniquely corresponding thereto. Similarly, the computer preferably employs a code sequence uniquely corresponding to each face in each photograph. Thus, it is appreciated that in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the computer preferably employs image data taken from the photographs to key each face to a unique identification indication  50  and vice versa. 
   Thus, the computer  52  is operative, preferably by using not only face recognition but also recognition of the unique identification indications  50 , to provide a thumbnail image  54  of each person photographed, which thumbnail may serve as an icon for viewing the thumbnail images of all of the photographs  56  in which that person appears. Transmission of image data to the computer  52  may be effected directly or via a computer network, such as the Internet, in any suitable manner. 
   By virtue of the face recognition carried out by the computer  52  on the images of the people in the various photographs and by virtue of the recognition of the unique identification indications, the computer is provided with an enhanced ability to recognize the same people in different photographs notwithstanding certain changes in their visual appearance and orientation. Thus, even if only one of the face and the identification indication is recognizable in a photograph, the photograph can nevertheless be indexed. 
   It is also a particular feature of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  that the suitably programmed computer  52  carries out face recognition with the assistance of the identification indication  50 . Preferably, the computer  52  recognizes each identification indication  50  and identifies its location as the upper part of a human body. The computer  52  then looks for a face at a location generally above and adjacent to the upper part of the human body. This identification indication aided face recognition enables enhanced ease, speed and accuracy of face recognition. Thus, the computer  52  is operative typically to provide an index icon  54  for viewing all of the groups of thumbnail images  56  in which that person appears. The viewer may optionally download the complete photograph of a thumbnail image by double clicking on the thumbnail image  56 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 2B , it is seen that the scenes in which various persons are present are similarly photographed in a plurality of settings and groupings wherein not all of the persons appear in each scene. Either or both a conventional film camera  70  and a digital camera  72  may be employed. Where a conventional film camera is employed, the photographs or negatives  74  may be scanned by a scanner  76  in a conventional manner and the electronic output thereof may be provided to a suitably programmed computer  82 . The output from digital camera  72  may be provided in electronic form to computer  82 . Transmission of image data to the computer  82  may be effected directly or via a computer network  88 , such as the Internet, in any suitable manner. 
   As in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , computer  82  carries out image indication assisted face recognition on the images of the people in the various photographs and is operative to recognize the same people in different photographs notwithstanding certain changes in their visual appearance and orientation. 
   It is to be appreciated that the present invention does not require that the computer  82  be located adjacent to either the scanner  76  or to the digital camera  72 . A preferred embodiment of the invention employs communication over a computer network  88 , such as the Internet, with a remote processing computer, such as computer  82 , and retrieving and viewing of the index icons  84 . The user may then retrieve and view groups of the thumbnail images  86  for each icon and optionally download a complete photograph of one or more of the thumbnail images  86  from the computer  82 , over the Internet, to a plurality of users. This preferred Internet embodiment is also applicable to the embodiment of  FIG. 2A . 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As seen in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of scenes are photographed. Each scene typically includes one or more persons. Typically, each person photographed in a scene does not appear in all of the photographs. 
   If a film camera is employed, the film is developed and may be printed. Either the negatives or the prints are scanned using a conventional scanner. If a digital camera is employed, the electronic output thereof is downloaded from the camera using any suitable technique or media. 
   The resulting image content in electronic form may be supplied to a suitably programmed computer in any suitable manner. The computer may be any suitable computer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image content may be transmitted to a remote computer via the Internet. 
   The suitably programmed computer preferably is programmed with face recognition software. Such software may be entirely conventional. Examples of commercially available software for this purpose include: 
   FACEIT R software, commercially available from Visionics Corporation of 5600 Rowland Road, Minnetonka, Minn. 55343 U.S.A. and 
   TrueFace software, commercially available from eTrue, Inc. of 144 Turnpike Road, Suite 100, Southboro, Mass. 01772 U.S.A. 
   Upon achievement of face recognition of faces of persons in the various images represented by the image content, the same computer or another suitably programmed computer is employed to group photographs according to the persons whose faces are recognized therein. Each such group of photographs is preferably indexed. A preferred image icon is a thumbnail image of the face of each person appearing in one or more photographs. 
   Preferred functionality for carrying out the face recognition-based grouping and indexing functionalities described in the preceding paragraph is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
   Once an index of photographs organized by the face recognized therein has been generated, it may be retrieved and viewed by any authorized user. The group of thumbnail images associated with each index icon may be retrieved and viewed by any authorized user by preferably clicking on an index icon, which may advantageously be a thumbnail image of a recognized face. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified flowchart illustrating the functionality of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As seen in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of scenes are photographed. Each scene typically includes one or more persons. Typically, each person photographed in a scene does not appear in all of the photographs. 
   In distinction to that described hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 3 , each person in each scene preferably wears a unique identification indication on his body. If a film camera is employed, the film is developed and may be printed. Either the negatives or the prints are scanned using a conventional scanner. If a digital camera is employed, the electronic output thereof is downloaded from the camera using any suitable technique or media. 
   The resulting image content in electronic form may be supplied to a suitably programmed computer in any suitable manner. The computer may be any suitable computer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image content may be transmitted to a remote computer via the Internet. 
   The suitably programmed computer preferably is programmed with identification indication recognition software, which is available for license on commercial terms from ImageID Inc. Once an identification indication has been recognized, the suitably programmed computer employs the location of the identification indication as a directional cue to assist in face recognition. 
   Preferred functionality for carrying out image indication assisted face recognition is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
   Preferably once both a face and a corresponding unique identification indication have been recognized, they are keyed together and both employed for identifying a given person in a photograph. 
   Upon achievement of face recognition of faces and unique identification indications of persons in the various images represented by the image content, the same computer or another suitably programmed computer is employed to group photographs according to the persons at least one of whose faces and identification images are recognized therein. Each such group of photographs is preferably indexed. A preferred image icon is a thumbnail image of the face of each person appearing in one or more photographs. 
   Preferred functionality for carrying out the face recognition-based grouping and indexing functionalities described in the preceding paragraph is described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
   Once an index of photographs organized by the face recognized therein has been generated, it may be retrieved and viewed by any authorized user. The group of thumbnail images associated with each index icon may be retrieved and viewed by any authorized user by preferably clicking on an index icon for viewing all of the groups of the thumbnail images in which that person appears. The viewer may optionally download a complete picture of a thumbnail image by double clicking on the thumbnail image. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which is a simplified flowchart illustrating photograph grouping and indexing functionality employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIG. 5 , face detection is preferably performed on all faces appearing in a plurality of photographs to be grouped, using any suitable face detection software, such as, for example: 
   FACEIT R software, commercially available from Visionics Corporation of 5600 Rowland Road, Minnetonka, Minn. 55343 U.S.A. and 
   TrueFace software, commercially available from eTrue, Inc. of 144 Turnpike Road, Suite 100, Southboro, Mass. 01772 U.S.A. 
   Preferably, each detected face is compared with all other detected faces in order to determine which detected faces match each other to at least a predetermined extent. Additionally a similar functionality is preferably carried out with recognized identification indications in order to determine which detected identification indications match each other. Photographs each containing an image of what appears to be the same face and or an image of an identification indication corresponding to that face are grouped together. It is appreciated that within each group, the various images of the “same face” may resemble each other to a greater or lesser extent and in some cases, images of the “same face” may not resemble each other. It is preferably a condition for a photograph belonging to a group that the image of a face in the photograph resembles most of the images of the face in the other photographs in the group to at least a given extent. 
   An image index icon is selected to be a representative face image for each group. Typically it is the face image which has the highest extent of matching to the other images of the same face in the various photographs in the group. The image index icon is displayed to a user to represent to the user, the face which is common to each group and thus to indicate the identity of the person who is pictured in each of the photographs in the group. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a simplified flowchart illustrating image indication assisted face recognition functionality employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 6 , image indication assisted face recognition is preferably carried out by initially detecting the presence and location of an identification indication, preferably a VIVIDOT™ identification indication, using software commercially available from ImageID Inc. 
   Once the location of the identification indication is detected, the shape and orientation of the identification indication may be sensed to provide an indication of a person&#39;s orientation relative to the camera. The size of the identification indication provides an indication of scale. 
   The indications of orientation and scale are employed to define a preferred face detection region. Typically the relative width of this region is a positive function of the relative width of the identification indication. The preferred face detection region is preferably located above the location of the identification indication and is spaced therefrom, typically by a distance which is about one order of magnitude greater than the size of the identification indication. 
   Face recognition is carried out within the preferred face detection region, preferably using any suitable face detection software, such as, for example: 
   FACEIT R software, commercially available from Visionics Corporation of 5600 Rowland Road, Minnetonka, Minn. 55343 U.S.A. and 
   TrueFace software, commercially available from eTrue, Inc. of 144 Turnpike Road, Suite 100, Southboro, Mass. 01772 U.S.A. 
   If face recognition is not successful with the preferred face detection region, it is preferably carried out also outside of the preferred face detection region. 
   It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.