PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9055276-B2
Application Number: US-201113193687-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Camera having processing customized for identified persons

Abstract:
A digital camera system that implements a method for providing image processing customized according to an identified person. The method includes: capturing an input digital image of a scene; identifying at least one particular person in the input digital image by analyzing signals received from an electronic device associated with the particular person; retrieving image processing preferences, wherein the retrieved image processing preferences are associated with one of the identified particular persons; processing the input digital image to form a modified digital image according to retrieved image processing preferences; and storing the modified digital image in a storage memory.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A digital camera system providing customized image processing, comprising:
 a data processing system; 
 an image sensor communicatively connected to the data processing system; 
 an optical system communicatively connected to the data processing system and configured to form an image of a scene onto the image sensor; 
 a memory communicatively connected to the data processing system; 
 a data memory communicatively connected to the data processing system and configured to store image processing preferences associated with a plurality of persons; and 
 a program memory communicatively connected to the data processing system and storing executable instructions configured to cause the digital camera system to:
 capture an image of a scene using the image sensor; 
 analyze the image; 
 identify a first person in the image based on the image analysis; 
 obtain first image processing preferences specific to the first identified person; 
 process the entire image to form a modified image according to the first image processing preferences; and 
 store the first modified image in the memory. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the first image processing preferences include at least one of a sharpening setting, a color reproduction setting, a compression setting, a noise reduction setting, a defect correction setting, an image size setting, an aspect ratio setting and a file format setting. 
     
     
       3. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the first modified image is transmitted to the identified first person. 
     
     
       4. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the executable instructions configured to cause the digital camera system to identify are further configured to cause the digital camera system to identify a second person, different from the identified first person, based on the image analysis; 
 the executable instructions configured to cause the digital camera system to obtain are further configured to cause the digital camera system to—
 obtain second image processing preferences different from the first image processing preferences and specific to the identified second person, 
 obtain a first value indicative of a priority of the first image processing preferences, and 
 obtain a second value indicative of a priority of the second image processing preferences; and 
 
 the executable instructions configured to cause the digital camera system to process comprise executable instructions configured to cause the digital camera system to—
 process the entire image to form a modified image according to the first image processing preferences when the first value is indicative of a priority that is higher than the second value, and 
 process the entire image to form a modified image according to the second image processing preferences when the second value is indicative of a priority that is higher than the first value. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein when a first plurality of people are identified in the image, the entire image is processed a second plurality of times to form a second plurality of modified images, each modified image corresponding to, and based on, image processing preferences specific to one identified person. 
     
     
       6. The digital camera system of  claim 5  wherein each of the second plurality of modified images are transmitted to the corresponding identified person. 
     
     
       7. The digital camera system of  claim 1  further including:
 user interface elements; and 
 executable instructions stored in the program memory configured to cause the digital camera system to—
 identify a new person in the input image who does not have associated image processing preferences stored in the data memory, 
 designate, by way of the user interface elements, new image processing preferences, 
 associate the new image processing preferences with the new person, and 
 store the new image processing preferences in the data memory. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The digital camera system of  claim 7 , further including a wireless network interface communicatively connected to the data processing system and configured to receive the new image processing preferences from a wireless network. 
     
     
       9. The digital camera system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless network comprises at least one of a social networking account and an image sharing website account. 
     
     
       10. The digital camera system of  claim 7 , wherein the instructions to cause the digital camera system to store the new image processing preferences further comprise instructions to store indication of the new person&#39;s identity as metadata in a digital image file used to store the first modified image. 
     
     
       11. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the image comprises one of a still image and a video sequence. 
     
     
       12. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the first person is identified, at least in part, by analyzing a signal received from an electronic device associated with the person. 
     
     
       13. The digital camera system of  claim 1  wherein the memory comprises memory that is, at least in part, distal from the digital camera system. 
     
     
       14. The digital camera system of  claim 12  wherein the electronic device comprises one or more of another digital camera, a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, and an RFID tag. 
     
     
       15. The digital camera system of  claim 12  wherein the signal includes geographical location data of the electronic device. 
     
     
       16. The digital camera system of  claim 12  wherein the electronic device comprises an RFID tag, and wherein the signal provides an identifier. 
     
     
       17. A method for providing customized image processing, comprising;
 receiving an input digital image of a scene; 
 identifying at least one particular person in the input digital image by analyzing a signal received from an electronic device associated with the at least one particular person; 
 retrieving image processing preferences specific to each of the at least one identified particular persons from a memory; 
 using a data processor to process the input digital image to form a modified digital image for each of the identified particular persons according to each identified particular person&#39;s retrieved image processing preferences; and 
 storing each of the at least one modified digital images in the memory. 
 
     
     
       18. A digital camera system, comprising:
 a data processing system; 
 an image sensor communicatively connected to the data processing system; 
 an optical system communicatively connected to the data processing system and configured to form an image of a scene onto the image sensor; 
 a network interface communicatively connected to the data processing system; 
 a memory communicatively connected to the data processing system, the image sensor and the network interface, wherein the memory is configured to store one or more one image processing preferences each specific to an individual person, and further configured to store executable instructions to cause the data processing system to—
 capture an image of a scene using the image sensor; 
 analyze the captured image; 
 identify a first specific person in the captured image based on the image analysis; 
 obtain, from a profile database, first image processing preferences specific to the identified first specific person; 
 process the entire image to form a first modified image according to the first image processing preferences; and 
 store the first modified image in the memory. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The digital camera system of  claim 18  wherein the instructions to store further comprise instructions to cause the data processing system to transmit the first modified image to the identified first person through the network interface. 
     
     
       20. The digital camera system of  claim 18  wherein the instructions to cause the data processing system to obtain comprise instructions to cause the data processing system to retrieve the first image processing preferences from a remote profile database through the network interface. 
     
     
       21. The digital camera system of  claim 18  wherein the instructions to cause the data processing system to identify a first person further comprise instructions to cause the data processing system to identify an additional one or more specific people in the captured image based on the image analysis. 
     
     
       22. The digital camera system of  claim 21  wherein the instructions to cause the data processing system to obtain further comprise instructions to cause the data processing system to obtain, from the profile database, image processing preferences for each of the additional one or more specific people, each image processing preference specific to one of the additional one or more specific people. 
     
     
       23. The digital camera system of  claim 22  wherein the instructions to cause the data processing system to process further comprise instructions to cause the data processing system to:
 process the entire image to form a first modified image according to the first image processing preferences; and 
 process the entire image to form an additional one or more modified images according to the one or more image processing preferences, each modified image corresponding to one of the one or more image processing preferences.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/769,954, entitled: “Digital imaging method employing user personalization and image utilization profiles”, by Cok et al., and to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/193,678, entitled “Camera having processing customized for recognized persons”, by Parulski, both of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to the field of digital cameras, and more particularly to a digital camera having image processing which is modified based on a person pictured in the image. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Digital cameras capture, process, and store digital images. These digital images can be transferred to other devices (e.g., by a network) for viewing, storage and printing. In many cases, digital images are captured of a particular person, and then “shared” with that person. 
     Digital cameras typically offer a variety of different camera settings or modes for different types of situations and subjects. For example, digital cameras can include automatic mode selection to select portrait mode, macro mode, sunset mode, etc. The image processing applied by the digital camera is then adjusted in accordance with the selected settings. 
     It is known to customize the image processing used in a digital camera based on the user of the digital camera. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,762 to Prabhu, et al., entitled “Customizing a digital camera for a plurality of users,” which incorporated herein by reference, discloses a user customization method for a digital camera wherein when the digital camera is powered on, the user selects their name from a list of users displayed on the image display. A processor in the digital camera then uses the appropriate stored settings to provide a customized feature set for the particular user of the digital camera. These settings can include image processing parameters, such as an image sharpness setting and a color balance setting. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,227, to Baum et al., entitled “Producing printed images having personalization features,” teaches an architecture for producing printed images according to personalized image adjustment preferences for a user. 
     Recently, digital cameras have been developed that automatically detect the presence of a face in an image and automatically set the digital camera to a mode suitable for capturing people, such as a portrait mode. It is also known to provide a digital camera that uses a face recognition algorithm to identify particular people in an image. Metadata is then stored in association with the captured digital image that identifies one or more people depicted in the captured digital image. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0140532 to Goffin, entitled “Method and apparatus for providing user profiling based on facial recognition,” discloses the use of user profiles for digital imaging devices based on facial recognition. This patent application describes electronic devices that capture an image of the user of the device, and then use face recognition to determine the identity of the user. Various device parameters (such as the volume level) can then be automatically adjusted according to the preferences of the identified user. This approach can be used for a variety of different electronic devices such as personal computers, telephones, videophones, automated teller machines, personal data assistance and media players. 
     While the above methods can be used to provide customization according to the personal preferences of the user of a digital camera, it makes no provision for the fact that the subjects of captured images often have personal preferences concerning photographs in which they are depicted. For example, they might prefer images with a particular sharpness setting or color saturation. 
     In order to obtain an image that the subject prefers, current approaches require the photographer to manually adjust the settings of the digital camera according to the preferences of the subject. However, it can be awkward and time consuming for the subject to wait for the photographer to adjust the camera settings. Alternatively, the photographer can capture the image using a set of default settings, and the photographer or the subject can manually edit the image at a later time to adjust the image according to the preferences of the subject. 
     There remains a need to provide digital images that are preferred by the subject of the photograph, rather than by the photographer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention represents a digital camera providing customized image processing, comprising: 
     an image sensor for capturing a digital image; 
     an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the image sensor; 
     a data processing system; 
     a storage memory for storing captured images; 
     a data memory for storing image processing preferences associated with a plurality of persons; and 
     a program memory communicatively connected to the data processing system and storing executable instructions configured to cause the data processing system to implement a method for providing image processing customized according to an identified person, wherein the method includes:
         capturing an input digital image of a scene using the image sensor;   identifying at least one particular person in the input digital image by analyzing a signal received from an electronic device associated with the particular person;   retrieving image processing preferences from the data memory, wherein the retrieved image processing preferences are associated with one of the identified particular persons;   processing the input digital image to form a modified digital image according to the retrieved image processing preferences; and   storing the modified digital image in the storage memory.       

     The present invention has the advantage that customized digital images are provided according to the preferences of the persons pictured in the digital images. 
     It has the additional advantage that when a photographer shares a digital image with a person pictured in the digital image, the satisfaction level of the person will be higher since it will have been processed according to their personal preferences. 
     It has the further advantage that when a digital image contains multiple persons, individualized versions of the digital image can be provided for each of the persons. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a high-level diagram showing the components of a digital camera system; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram depicting image processing operations used to process digital images captured by the digital camera of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating a photographic capture situation; 
         FIGS. 3B-3D  illustrate example images captured according to the photographic capture situation of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method for providing customized image processing according to the preferences of a person contained in a captured digital image; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example of a profile database; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a photographic capture situation according to an alternate embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart for an alternate embodiment of a method for providing customized image processing according to the preferences of a person contained in a captured digital image. 
     
    
    
     It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and may not be to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms that would ordinarily be implemented as a software program. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the equivalent of such software can also be constructed in hardware. Because image manipulation algorithms and systems are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to algorithms and systems forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the system and method in accordance with the present invention. Other aspects of such algorithms and systems, and hardware or software for producing and otherwise processing the image signals involved therewith, not specifically shown or described herein, can be selected from such systems, algorithms, components and elements known in the art. Given the system as described according to the invention in the following materials, software not specifically shown, suggested or described herein that is useful for implementation of the invention is conventional and within the ordinary skill in such arts. 
     Still further, as used herein, a computer program for performing the method of the present invention can be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, which can include, for example; magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disk (such as a hard drive or a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical storage media such as an optical disc, optical tape, or machine readable bar code; solid state electronic storage devices such as random access memory (RAM), or read only memory (ROM); or any other physical device or medium employed to store a computer program having instructions for controlling one or more computers to practice the method according to the present invention. 
     The invention is inclusive of combinations of the embodiments described herein. References to “a particular embodiment” and the like refer to features that are present in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “an embodiment” or “particular embodiments” or the like do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or embodiments; however, such embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so indicated or as are readily apparent to one of skill in the art. The use of singular or plural in referring to the “method” or “methods” and the like is not limiting. It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly noted or required by context, the word “or” is used in this disclosure in a non-exclusive sense. 
     Because digital cameras employing imaging devices and related circuitry for signal capture and processing, and display are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Elements not specifically shown or described herein are selected from those known in the art. Certain aspects of the embodiments to be described are provided in software. Given the system as shown and described according to the invention in the following materials, software not specifically shown, described or suggested herein that is useful for implementation of the invention is conventional and within the ordinary skill in such arts. 
     The following description of a digital camera will be familiar to one skilled in the art. It will be obvious that there are many variations of this embodiment that are possible and are selected to reduce the cost, add features or improve the performance of the camera. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a digital photography system, including a digital camera  10  in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the digital camera  10  is a portable battery operated device, small enough to be easily handheld by a user when capturing and reviewing images. The digital camera  10  produces digital images that are stored as digital image files using image memory  30 . The phrase “digital image” or “digital image file”, as used herein, refers to any digital image file, such as a digital still image or a digital video file. 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  captures both motion video images and still images. The digital camera  10  can also include other functions, including, but not limited to, the functions of a digital music player (e.g. an MP3 player), a mobile telephone, a GPS receiver, or a programmable digital assistant (PDA). 
     The digital camera  10  includes a lens  4  having an adjustable aperture and adjustable shutter  6 . In a preferred embodiment, the lens  4  is a zoom lens and is controlled by zoom and focus motor drives  8 . The lens  4  focuses light from a scene (not shown) onto an image sensor  14 , for example, a single-chip color CCD or CMOS image sensor. The lens  4  is one type optical system for forming an image of the scene on the image sensor  14 . In other embodiments, the optical system may use a fixed focal length lens with either variable or fixed focus. 
     The output of the image sensor  14  is converted to digital form by Analog Signal Processor (ASP) and Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter  16 , and temporarily stored in buffer memory  18 . The image data stored in buffer memory  18  is subsequently manipulated by a processor  20 , using embedded software programs (e.g. firmware) stored in firmware memory  28 . In some embodiments, the software program is permanently stored in firmware memory  28  using a read only memory (ROM). In other embodiments, the firmware memory  28  can be modified by using, for example, Flash EPROM memory. In such embodiments, an external device can update the software programs stored in firmware memory  28  using the wired interface  38  or the wireless modem  50 . In such embodiments, the firmware memory  28  can also be used to store image sensor calibration data, user setting selections and other data which must be preserved when the camera is turned off. In some embodiments, the processor  20  includes a program memory (not shown), and the software programs stored in the firmware memory  28  are copied into the program memory before being executed by the processor  20 . 
     It will be understood that the functions of processor  20  can be provided using a single programmable processor or by using multiple programmable processors, including one or more digital signal processor (DSP) devices. Alternatively, the processor  20  can be provided by custom circuitry (e.g., by one or more custom integrated circuits (ICs) designed specifically for use in digital cameras), or by a combination of programmable processor(s) and custom circuits. It will be understood that connectors between the processor  20  from some or all of the various components shown in  FIG. 1  can be made using a common data bus. For example, in some embodiments the connection between the processor  20 , the buffer memory  18 , the image memory  30 , and the firmware memory  28  can be made using a common data bus. 
     The processed images are then stored using the image memory  30 . It is understood that the image memory  30  can be any form of memory known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, a removable Flash memory card, internal Flash memory chips, magnetic memory, or optical memory. In some embodiments, the image memory  30  can include both internal Flash memory chips and a standard interface to a removable Flash memory card, such as a Secure Digital (SD) card. Alternatively, a different memory card format can be used, such as a micro SD card, Compact Flash (CF) card, MultiMedia Card (MMC), xD card or Memory Stick. 
     The image sensor  14  is controlled by a timing generator  12 , which produces various clocking signals to select rows and pixels and synchronizes the operation of the ASP and A/D converter  16 . The image sensor  14  can have, for example, 12.4 megapixels (4088×3040 pixels) in order to provide a still image file of approximately 4000×3000 pixels. To provide a color image, the image sensor is generally overlaid with a color filter array, which provides an image sensor having an array of pixels that include different colored pixels. The different color pixels can be arranged in many different patterns. As one example, the different color pixels can be arranged using the well-known Bayer color filter array, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,065, “Color imaging array” to Bayer, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As a second example, the different color pixels can be arranged as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0024931 to Compton and Hamilton, entitled “Image sensor with improved light sensitivity,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. These examples are not limiting, and many other color patterns may be used. 
     It will be understood that the image sensor  14 , timing generator  12 , and ASP and A/D converter  16  can be separately fabricated integrated circuits, or they can be fabricated as a single integrated circuit as is commonly done with CMOS image sensors. In some embodiments, this single integrated circuit can perform some of the other functions shown in  FIG. 1 , including some of the functions provided by processor  20 . 
     The image sensor  14  is effective when actuated in a first mode by timing generator  12  for providing a motion sequence of lower resolution sensor image data, which is used when capturing video images and also when previewing a still image to be captured, in order to compose the image. This preview mode sensor image data can be provided as HD resolution image data, for example, with 1280×720 pixels, or as VGA resolution image data, for example, with 640×480 pixels, or using other resolutions which have significantly fewer columns and rows of data, compared to the resolution of the image sensor. 
     The preview mode sensor image data can be provided by combining values of adjacent pixels having the same color, or by eliminating some of the pixels values, or by combining some color pixels values while eliminating other color pixel values. The preview mode image data can be processed as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,218 to Parulski, et al., entitled “Electronic camera for initiating capture of still images while previewing motion images,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The image sensor  14  is also effective when actuated in a second mode by timing generator  12  for providing high resolution still image data. This final mode sensor image data is provided as high resolution output image data, which for scenes having a high illumination level includes all of the pixels of the image sensor, and can be, for example, a 12 megapixel final image data having 4000×3000 pixels. At lower illumination levels, the final sensor image data can be provided by “binning” some number of like-colored pixels on the image sensor, in order to increase the signal level and thus the “ISO speed” of the sensor. 
     The zoom and focus motor drivers  8  are controlled by control signals supplied by the processor  20 , to provide the appropriate focal length setting and to focus the scene onto the image sensor  14 . The exposure level of the image sensor  14  is controlled by controlling the f/number and exposure time of the adjustable aperture and adjustable shutter  6 , the exposure period of the image sensor  14  via the timing generator  12 , and the gain (i.e., ISO speed) setting of the ASP and A/D converter  16 . The processor  20  also controls a flash  2  which can illuminate the scene. 
     The lens  4  of the digital camera  10  can be focused in the first mode by using “through-the-lens” autofocus, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,597, entitled “Electronic Camera with Rapid Automatic Focus of an Image upon a Progressive Scan Image Sensor” to Parulski et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. This is accomplished by using the zoom and focus motor drivers  8  to adjust the focus position of the lens  4  to a number of positions ranging between a near focus position to an infinity focus position, while the processor  20  determines the closest focus position which provides a peak sharpness value for a central portion of the image captured by the image sensor  14 . The focus distance which corresponds to the closest focus position can then be utilized for several purposes, such as automatically setting an appropriate scene mode, and can be stored as metadata in the image file, along with other lens and camera settings. 
     The processor  20  produces menus and low resolution color images that are temporarily stored in display memory  36  and are displayed on the image display  32 . The image display  32  is typically an active matrix color liquid crystal display (LCD), although other types of displays, such as organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, can be used. A video interface  44  provides a video output signal from the digital camera  10  to a video display  46 , such as a flat panel HDTV display. In preview mode, or video mode, the digital image data from buffer memory  18  is manipulated by processor  20  to form a series of motion preview images that are displayed, typically as color images, on the image display  32 . In review mode, the images displayed on the image display  32  are produced using the image data from the digital image files stored in image memory  30 . 
     The graphical user interface displayed on the image display  32  is controlled in response to user input provided by user controls  34 . The user controls  34  are used to select various camera modes, such as video capture mode, still capture mode, and review mode, and to initiate capture of still images, recording of motion images. The user controls  34  are also used to set user processing preferences, and to choose between various photography modes based on scene type and taking conditions. In some embodiments, various camera settings may be set automatically in response to analysis of preview image data, audio signals, or external signals such as GPS, weather broadcasts, or other available signals. 
     In some embodiments, when the digital camera is in a still photography mode the above-described preview mode is initiated when the user partially depresses a shutter button, which is one of the user controls  34 , and the still image capture mode is initiated when the user fully depresses the shutter button. The user controls  34  are also used to turn on the camera, control the lens  4 , and initiate the picture taking process. User controls  34  typically include some combination of buttons, rocker switches, joysticks, or rotary dials. In some embodiments, some of the user controls  34  are provided by using a touch screen overlay on the image display  32 . In other embodiments, the user controls  34  can include a means to receive input from the user or an external device via a tethered, wireless, voice activated, visual or other interface. In other embodiments, additional status displays or images displays can be used. 
     The camera modes that can be selected using the user controls  34  include a “timer” mode. When the “timer” mode is selected, a short delay (e.g., 10 seconds) occurs after the user fully presses the shutter button, before the processor  20  initiates the capture of a still image. 
     In some embodiments, a global position system (GPS) sensor  54  in the digital camera  10  can be used to provide geographical location information which is used for implementing the present invention, as will be described later with respect to  FIG. 3 . GPS sensors  54  are well-known in the art and operate by sensing signals emitted from GPS satellites. A GPS sensor  54  receives highly accurate time signals transmitted from GPS satellites. The precise geographical location of the GPS sensor  54  can be determined by analyzing time differences between the signals received from a plurality of GPS satellites positioned at known locations. 
     In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  includes contains an orientation sensor  56  for sensing an orientation of the digital camera  10 . Orientation sensors  56  are well-known in the art and generally use components such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and electronic compasses to sense an orientation. 
     An audio codec  22  connected to the processor  20  receives an audio signal from a microphone  24  and provides an audio signal to a speaker  26 . These components can be used to record and playback an audio track, along with a video sequence or still image. If the digital camera  10  is a multi-function device such as a combination camera and mobile phone, the microphone  24  and the speaker  26  can be used for telephone conversation. 
     In some embodiments, the speaker  26  can be used as part of the user interface, for example to provide various audible signals which indicate that a user control has been depressed, or that a particular mode has been selected. In some embodiments, the microphone  24 , the audio codec  22 , and the processor  20  can be used to provide voice recognition, so that the user can provide a user input to the processor  20  by using voice commands, rather than user controls  34 . The speaker  26  can also be used to inform the user of an incoming phone call. This can be done using a standard ring tone stored in firmware memory  28 , or by using a custom ring-tone downloaded from a wireless network  58  and stored in the image memory  30 . In addition, a vibration device (not shown) can be used to provide a silent (e.g., non audible) notification of an incoming phone call. 
     According to some embodiments, during preview mode, the processor  20  analyzes the input digital image using a person recognition algorithm to identify at least one particular person in the input digital image. Any type of person recognition algorithm known in the art can be used in accordance with the present invention. Examples of person recognition algorithms include facial recognition algorithms such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,545 to Ray et al., entitled “Face detecting camera and method,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,969 to Tal, entitled “Method and apparatus for uniquely identifying individuals by particular physical characteristics and security system utilizing the same,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,599,527 to Shah et al., entitled “Digital image search system and method,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Facial recognition algorithms typically work by determining various facial parameters corresponding to ratios of distances between identifiable points on the human face. The facial parameters determined for a face in a particular digital image can be compared to reference facial parameters determined for a set of predefined persons to determine whether there is a statistically significant match. 
     The processor  20  also provides additional processing of the image data from the image sensor  14 , in order to produce rendered sRGB image data which is compressed and stored within a “finished” image file, such as a well-known Exif-JPEG image file, in the image memory  30 . 
     The digital camera  10  can be connected via the wired interface  38  to an interface/recharger  48 , which is connected to a computer  40 , which can be a desktop computer or portable computer located in a home or office. The wired interface  38  can conform to, for example, the well-known USB 2.0 interface specification. The interface/recharger  48  can provide power via the wired interface  38  to a set of rechargeable batteries (not shown) in the digital camera  10 . 
     The digital camera  10  can include a wireless modem  50 , which interfaces over a radio frequency band  52  with the wireless network  58 . The wireless modem  50  can use various wireless interface protocols, such as the well-known Bluetooth wireless interface or the well-known 802.11 wireless interface. The computer  40  can upload images via the Internet  70  to a photo service provider  72 , such as the Kodak EasyShare Gallery. Other devices (not shown) can access the images stored by the photo service provider  72 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the wireless modem  50  communicates over a radio frequency (e.g. wireless) link with a mobile phone network (not shown), such as a 3GSM network, which connects with the Internet  70  in order to upload digital image files from the digital camera  10 . These digital image files can be provided to the computer  40  or the photo service provider  72 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram depicting image processing operations that can be performed by the processor  20  in the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 1 ) in order to process color sensor data  100  from the image sensor  14  output by the ASP and A/D converter  16 . In some embodiments, the processing parameters used by the processor  20  to manipulate the color sensor data  100  for a particular digital image are determined by various photography mode settings  175 , which are typically associated with photography modes that can be selected via the user controls  34 , which enable the user to adjust various camera settings  185  in response to menus displayed on the image display  32 . 
     The color sensor data  100  which has been digitally converted by the ASP and A/D converter  16  is manipulated by a white balance step  95 . In some embodiments, this processing can be performed using the methods described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,542,077 to Miki, entitled “White balance adjustment device and color identification device”, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The white balance can be adjusted in response to a white balance setting  90 , which can be manually set by a user, or can be automatically set to different values in accordance with the preferences of the person being photographed, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The color image data is then manipulated by a noise reduction step  105  in order to reduce noise from the image sensor  14 . In some embodiments, this processing can be performed using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,056 to Gindele et al., entitled “Noise cleaning and interpolating sparsely populated color digital image using a variable noise cleaning kernel,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The level of noise reduction can be adjusted in response to a noise reduction setting  110 . The noise reduction setting  110  is generally tied to the camera ISO exposure index setting, so that more filtering is performed at higher ISO exposure index settings. The level of noise reduction can also be automatically set to different values in accordance with the preferences of the person being photographed, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 4   
     The color image data is then manipulated by a demosaicing step  115 , in order to provide red, green and blue (RGB) image data values at each pixel location. Algorithms for performing the demosaicing step  115  are commonly known as color filter array (CFA) interpolation algorithms or “deBayering” algorithms. In one embodiment of the present invention, the demosaicing step  115  can use the luminance CFA interpolation method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,621, entitled “Adaptive color plane interpolation in single sensor color electronic camera,” to Adams et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The demosaicing step  115  can also use the chrominance CFA interpolation method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,678, entitled “Signal processing method and apparatus for producing interpolated chrominance values in a sampled color image signal”, to Cok, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the user can select between different pixel resolution modes, so that the digital camera can produce a smaller size image file. Multiple pixel resolutions can be provided as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,335, entitled “Single sensor color camera with user selectable image record size,” to Parulski et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, a resolution mode setting  120  can be selected by the user to be full size (e.g. 3,000×2,000 pixels), medium size (e.g. 1,500×1000 pixels) or small size (750×500 pixels). 
     The color image data is color corrected in color correction step  125 . In some embodiments, the color correction is provided using a 3×3 linear space color correction matrix, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511, entitled “Method and apparatus for improving the color rendition of hardcopy images from electronic cameras” to Parulski, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, different user-selectable color modes can be provided by storing different color matrix coefficients in firmware memory  28  of the digital camera  10 . For example, four different color modes can be provided, so that the color reproduction setting  130  is used to select one of the following color correction matrices: 
     Setting 1 (normal color reproduction) 
                     [           R   out               G   out               B   out           ]     =       [         1.50         -   0.30           -   0.20               -   0.40         1.80         -   0.40               -   0.20           -   0.20         1.40         ]     ⁡     [           R     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 G     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 B     i   ⁢           ⁢   n             ]               (   1   )               
Setting 2 (saturated color reproduction)
 
                     [           R   out               G   out               B   out           ]     =       [         2.00         -   0.60           -   0.40               -   0.80         2.60         -   0.80               -   0.40           -   0.40         1.80         ]     ⁡     [           R     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 G     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 B     i   ⁢           ⁢   n             ]               (   2   )               
Setting 3 (de-saturated color reproduction)
 
                     [           R   out               G   out               B   out           ]     =       [         1.25         -   0.15           -   0.10               -   0.20         1.40         -   0.20               -   0.10           -   0.10         1.20         ]     ⁡     [           R     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 G     i   ⁢           ⁢   n                 B     i   ⁢           ⁢   n             ]               (   3   )               
Setting 4 (monochrome)
 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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     In other embodiments, a three-dimensional lookup table can be used to perform the color correction step  125 . In some embodiments, the color reproduction setting  130  can be automatically selected in accordance with the preferences of the person being photographed, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The color image data is also manipulated by a tone scale correction step  135 . In some embodiments, the tone scale correction step  135  can be performed using a one-dimensional look-up table as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511, cited earlier. In some embodiments, a plurality of tone scale correction look-up tables is stored in the firmware memory  28  in the digital camera  10 . These can include look-up tables which provide a “normal” tone scale correction curve, a “high contrast” tone scale correction curve, and a “low contrast” tone scale correction curve. A user selected contrast setting  140  is used by the processor  20  to determine which of the tone scale correction look-up tables to use when performing the tone scale correction step  135 . 
     The color image data is also manipulated by an image sharpening step  145 . In some embodiments, this can be provided using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,162 entitled “Edge enhancing colored digital images” to Hamilton, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the user can select between various sharpening settings, including a “normal sharpness” setting, a “high sharpness” setting, and a “low sharpness” setting. In this example, the processor  20  uses one of three different edge boost multiplier values, for example 2.0 for “high sharpness”, 1.0 for “normal sharpness”, and 0.5 for “low sharpness” levels, responsive to a sharpening setting  150  selected by the user of the digital camera  10 . In some embodiments, the sharpness setting  150  can be automatically adjusted in accordance with the preferences of the person being photographed, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 4   
     The color image data is also manipulated by an image compression step  155 . In some embodiments, the image compression step  155  can be provided using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,574, entitled “Adaptive block transform image coding method and apparatus” to Daly et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the user can select between various compression settings. This can be implemented by storing a plurality of quantization tables, for example, three different tables, in the firmware memory  28  of the digital camera  10 . These tables provide different quality levels and average file sizes for the compressed digital image file  180  to be stored in the image memory  30  of the digital camera  10 . A user selected compression setting  160  is used by the processor  20  to select the particular quantization table to be used for the image compression step  155  for a particular image. In some embodiments, the compression setting  160  can be automatically adjusted in accordance with the preferences of the person being photographed, as will be described later in reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The compressed color image data is stored in a digital image file  180  using a file formatting step  165 . The image file can include various metadata  170 . Metadata  170  is any type of information that relates to the digital image, such as the model of the camera that captured the image, the size of the image, the date and time the image was captured, and various camera settings, such as the lens focal length, the exposure time and f-number of the lens, and whether or not the camera flash fired. In a preferred embodiment, all of this metadata  170  is stored using standardized tags within the well-known Exif-JPEG still image file format. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metadata  170  includes information about various camera settings  185 , including any photography mode settings  175  that were selected in accordance with the person being photographed. The metadata can also include an indication of the identities of any persons that were identified to be in the captured digital image stored in the digital image file  180 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a photographic capture situation where a photographer  210  is using a digital camera  10  to photograph a scene containing a first person  220  and a second person  222 .  FIGS. 3B-3D  illustrate a series of different digital images that can be captured in the photographic capture situation of  FIG. 3A . In  FIG. 3B , a digital image  230  is captured that contains only the first person  220 ; in  FIG. 3C , a digital image  232  is captured that contains only the second person  222 ; and in  FIG. 3D , a digital image  234  is captured that contains both the first person  220  and the second person  222 . In accordance with the present invention, the captured digital images  230 ,  232  and  234  are analyzed using a person recognition algorithm, and are then processed using different image processing preferences in accordance with the corresponding identified person(s). 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method for providing customized image processing according to the preferences of a person contained in a captured digital image according to one embodiment. A capture input digital image step  400  is used to capture an input digital image  405  of a scene, which can include one or more persons. The capture input digital image step  400  will commonly be initiated by a photographer activating an image capture control (e.g., a shutter button) on a digital camera  10  ( FIG. 3A ). However, any method known in the art can be used to initiate the capture input digital image step. The input digital image  405  can be a digital still image, or alternately can be a digital video sequence including a time sequence of digital image frames. 
     A perform person recognition step  410  is used to automatically analyze the input digital image  405  to identify one or more recognized person(s)  415 . The perform person recognition step  410  can use any person recognition method known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the person recognition method uses a face recognition algorithm to compare the characteristics of any faces detected in the input digital image  205  with the facial characteristics for a set of reference individuals that the face recognition algorithm has been trained to identify. The facial characteristics of the reference individuals can be stored as person recognition data in a profile database  425 . In other embodiments, the person recognition algorithm can use other features that are characteristic of the person instead of, or in addition to, the facial characteristics during the process of determining the recognized person(s)  415 . Examples of other characteristics that can be used by a person recognition algorithm in accordance with the present invention would include height, body shape, hair color or eye color. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the perform person recognition step  410 , as well as the other following steps in  FIG. 4 , are performed in the digital camera  10  using the processor  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Alternately, the various processing steps can be performed on the host computer or server at a later time after the input digital image  405  has been uploaded off the digital camera  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the person recognition data stored in the profile database for the set of reference individuals is determined by capturing training images of the reference individuals and analyzing them to determine the corresponding person recognition data. In some embodiments, a special training process can be initiated using the user interface of the digital camera  10  which instructs the user to photograph an individual and then prompts the user to enter associated information such as the person&#39;s name and various person-specific preferences. In other embodiments, the user interface of the digital camera  10  can enable the user to select a face in a previously captured digital image and designate that the person should be added to the profile database  425 . In some embodiments, any time the perform person recognition step  410  detects the presence of a person in the input digital image  405  that does not correspond to any of the reference persons in the profile database  425 , the user can be presented with the opportunity to add that person as a new entry in the profile database  425 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of the types of information that can be stored in the profile database  425  in accordance with the present invention. In this example, the profile database  425  contains profiles for three different persons. The person #1 profile  500  contains information pertaining to a first person, Jonathan; the person #2 profile  505  contains information pertaining to a second person, David; and the person #3 profile  510  contains information pertaining to a third person, Susan. The use of user profiles for specifying person-specific preferences has been described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/769,954, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The profile for each of the persons includes text strings identifying the person&#39;s name, and optionally a nickname. In this exemplary embodiment, each profile also includes an image of the persons which can be a relatively low-resolution “thumbnail” image. The images can be stored using any image format known in the art (e.g., using the well-known JPEG image format). This image can be used for various purposes such as to display in a menu of reference individuals on the user interface of the digital camera  10 . In some embodiments, the profile images correspond to images of the persons that were captured during the process of training the person recognition algorithm. 
     The profile for each of the persons also includes person recognition data that is adapted to be used by the perform person recognition step  410 . The person recognition data corresponds to the characteristic data used by the person recognition algorithm to compare a detected person in the input digital image  405  with the reference persons in the profile database  425 . In a preferred embodiment, the person recognition data includes a plurality of facial parameters corresponding to ratios of distances between identifiable points on the human face. The person recognition data can also include various parameters that can be useful in identifying a person (e.g., hair color, eye color and skin color). In other embodiments, the person recognition data can include one or more reference face images. 
     The profile for each of the persons also includes various preferences associated with the different persons. In the illustrated example, the preferences include image adjustment preferences, image template preferences, image format preferences and sharing preferences. 
     Image adjustment preferences can relate to preferences for the way the captured input digital image  405  is processed using various image processing steps such as the user settings  175  shown in  FIG. 2 . As discussed earlier, the user settings  175  can include white balance settings  90 , noise reduction settings  110 , resolution mode settings  120 , color reproduction settings  130 , contrast settings  140 , sharpening settings  150  and compression settings  160 . The image processing settings can also include any other type of image processing setting known in the art. For example, the image processing settings can include defect correction settings associated with defect correction algorithms such as red-eye correction algorithms or blemish removal algorithms. 
     In some embodiments, the image processing preferences for a particular person are generated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,051 entitled “Customizing a digital imaging device using preferred images,” to Miller, et al, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the image processing preferences can be provided by image analysis of the person&#39;s favorite images in an image collection associated with the person. For example, the person&#39;s Facebook images can be analyzed to determine the type of image settings preferred by the person. 
     In some embodiments, rather than storing individual settings for each of the image processing steps, the profile can store an identifier for a preferred “processing mode.” Each processing mode can be associated with a particular configuration of the lower level image processing settings. For example, a “high color” processing mode can use a “saturated color reproduction” color reproduction setting  130 , a high-contrast contrast setting  140 , and a moderate sharpening setting  150 , and can use default values for the other image processing settings. 
     Image product preferences can provide an indication of the person&#39;s preference for certain types of products (e.g., individual prints, calendars, greeting cards or photo books), or for particular print formats (e.g., 4×6 or 3×5, glossy or matte finish, border or no border). They can also provide preferences relevant to the selection of appropriate image templates that can be used with the input digital image  405  in various products. For example, the image template preferences can include an identifier for preferred borders and backgrounds that can be used with the input digital image  405 . Alternately, the image product preferences can relate to lower level aspects that relate to the selection of templates, background and other design elements (e.g., most preferred and least preferred colors and patterns, and preferred font types and graphics). 
     Image format preferences can relate to various aspects of the way a digital image file is formatted. For example, they can include preferred aspect ratios (e.g., 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9) or preferred image sizes. They can also include preferred file formats (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, MPEG or WMV). 
     Sharing preferences can relate to preferred methods to share the input digital image  405  with the person. For example, the sharing preferences can include the specification of an E-mail address, a cell phone number or a Facebook account name for the individual, or an indication that they prefer to view images using the Kodak Gallery website. When images are detected to contain that person, they can be automatically shared with the individual using their preferred sharing method. Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,111 to McIntyre et al., entitled “Electronic camera and system for transmitting digital over a communication network,” which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for automatically sharing a digital image file with an identified party in response to automatically recognizing image content. This approach can be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     The personalization profile can also include any other information known in the art about the person or the person&#39;s preferences. This information can, in some embodiments, be automatically determined by analyzing one or more social network web sites associated with the person, such as their personal MySpace or Facebook page. The information in the personalization profile can include, for example, the person&#39;s favorite music genres and groups, the person&#39;s hobbies and interests, and the person&#39;s favorite sports, athletes and sports teams. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the profile database  425  is stored in a data memory within the digital camera  10  (for example, in the image memory  30 ). In other embodiments, the profile database  425  can be stored elsewhere, such as on a host computer or a server. For example, in some embodiments, the person-specific profiles can be stored in an on-line repository. In this case, the digital camera  10  can remotely access the profile database (e.g., using the wired interface  38  or the wireless modem  50 ). The person-specific profiles can be collected together and stored as a unified profile database  425 . Alternately, each person-specific profiles can be stored in different files, possibly in different locations. For example, the person-specific profile for a particular individual can be stored in a location associated with the individual. For example, the person-specific profile can be stored in association with an individual&#39;s social networking account (e.g., the individual&#39;s Facebook account) or the individual&#39;s image sharing website account (e.g., the individual&#39;s Kodak Gallery account or Picassa Web account), or in an electronic device associated with the particular individual (e.g., a digital camera, a mobile computing device or a mobile communication device such as a smart phone). In this case, the set of person-specific profiles can be viewed as being part of a virtual profile database  425 . 
     Returning to a discussion of  FIG. 4 , once the perform person recognition step  410  has identified one or more recognized person(s)  415 , a retrieve preferences step  420  is used to retrieve person-specific preferences  430  from the profile database  425 . The preferences  420  can include one or more of the preference types discussed with respect to  FIG. 5 , or any other type of person-specific preference that is known in the art. 
     For the case where only a single recognized person  415  was identified in the input digital image, the retrieve preferences step  420  can simply retrieve the preferences  430  associated with that particular person. For example, consider the case where the input digital image  405  is the digital image  230  shown in  FIG. 3B . This image contains first person  220 , which corresponding to person #1 in the profile database  425  of  FIG. 5 . In this case, the retrieve preference step  420  would retrieve the preferences from the person #1 profile  500 . Similarly, if input digital image  405  is the digital image  232  shown in  FIG. 3C , the retrieve preference step  420  would retrieve the preferences from the person #2 profile  505  in  FIG. 5 , which corresponds to the second person  222  in  FIG. 3C . 
     If input digital image  405  is the digital image  234  shown in  FIG. 3D , the perform person recognition step  410  would determine that the input digital image contains both the first person  220  and the second person  222 . In this case, there are a number of different approaches that can be used by the retrieve preferences step  420  according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, each person in the profile database  425  can be assigned a priority value. Then when the perform person recognition step  410  identifies multiple recognized persons  415 , the preferences  430  corresponding to the highest priority individual depicted in the input digital image  405  can be retrieved. For example, if the profile database  425  included data indicating that the second person  222  had a higher priority than the first person  220 , then for the digital image  234  shown in  FIG. 3D , the retrieve preference step  420  in  FIG. 4  would retrieve the preferences from the person #2 profile  505  in  FIG. 5 . In other embodiments, the retrieve preferences step  420  can retrieve the preferences for each of the recognized persons  415 . The input digital image  405  can then be processed according to each person&#39;s preferences to create a plurality of resulting images, one for each of the recognized persons  415 . 
     If the input digital image  405  does not contain any persons, or if the perform person recognition step  410  does not identify any persons corresponding to those having profiles in the profile database  425 , then the retrieve preferences step  420  can retrieve a default set of preferences  430 , or can set the preferences  430  according to any method known in the art. For example, the preferences can be selected by the photographer using the user controls  34  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In cases where the perform person recognition step  410  determines that the input digital image  405  includes a person, but the person is not recognizable as one of the persons in the profile database, the photographer can be invited to create a new profile for the detected person, and to define an associated set of image processing preferences. 
     Once the preferences  430  have been retrieved, a process image step  435  is used to process the input digital image  405  according to the preferences  430  to produce a modified digital image  440 . In some embodiments, multiple modified digital images  440  can be produced corresponding to multiple sets of preferences  430  that were retrieved when a plurality of recognized persons  415  were identified in the perform person recognition step  410 . In some embodiments, the process image step  435  can also produce a version of the modified digital image  440  according to the preferences of the photographer in addition to the version that is produced according to the preferences  430  of the recognized person(s)  415 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the process image step  435  processes the input digital image  405  according to the image processing path of  FIG. 2 , wherein one or more of the user settings  175  ( FIG. 2 ) are adjusted according to image adjustment preferences specified in the preferences  430 . Various settings associated with the file formatting step  165  may also be adjusted according to image format preferences specified in the preferences  430 . As discussed earlier, the image format preferences may include a preferred image size or aspect ratio. In this case, an image resizing may be applied to adjust the image size, or an image cropping operation may be applied to fit the specified aspect ratio. 
     A store modified digital image(s) step  445  is used to store the modified digital image(s)  440  thereby providing stored modified digital image(s)  450 . Preferably, metadata providing an indication of the identities of any recognized person(s)  415  is stored in association with the stored modified digital image(s)  450 . For example, if a stored modified digital image  450  is stored using the standard EXIF file format, the indication of the identities of any recognized person(s)  415  can be stored using the standard EXIF metadata tags. This metadata is useful for a wide variety of different applications, such as image organization and searching. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the stored modified digital image(s)  450  are stored in the image memory  30  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10 . In other embodiments, the stored modified digital image(s)  450  can be stored in other processor-accessible memories such as a network server. In some embodiments, the stored modified digital image(s)  450  may be stored for only a temporary time period until they can be shared with the recognized person(s)  415  according to the sharing preferences in the person&#39;s user profile. 
     An optional share modified digital image(s) step  455  can be used to share the stored modified digital image(s) with the recognized person(s)  415 . In some embodiments this step is performed in accordance with sharing preferences associated with the person&#39;s user profile. The stored modified digital image(s) can be shared using any method known in the art. For example, they can be sent to an E-mail address, uploaded to an on-line photo storage location associated with the photographer (e.g., a Kodak Gallery account, a Picassa Web account or a Facebook account) where they can be shared with the recognized person(s)  415 , uploaded directly to on-line photo storage location(s) associated with the recognized person(s)  415 , or they can be sent to a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) associated with the recognized person  415  in the form of a picture text. The share modified digital image(s) step  455  can transfer the stored modified digital image(s)  450  using either a wired or wireless network interface. In the preferred embodiment, the method of  FIG. 4  is performed in the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 1 ), and the stored modified digital image(s)  450  are transferred using either the wired interface  38  ( FIG. 1 ) or the wireless modem  50 . 
     In some embodiments, the share modified digital image(s) step  455  can be performed immediately after the stored modified digital image(s)  450  are formed. In other embodiments, the stored modified digital image(s)  450  are marked for sharing, but the actual share modified digital image(s) step is not performed until the stored modified digital image(s)  450  are uploaded to a host computer at a later time. U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,927, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches one method for marking images for sharing by printing, E-mailing or uploading to a server at a later time that can be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     It will be recognized that in alternate embodiments different methods besides automatically analyzing the input digital image  405  using a person recognition algorithm can be used to identify the persons that are contained in the input digital image  405 . For example, a user interface can be provided to enable the photographer to manually identify the persons contained in a particular input digital image  405  (e.g., by selecting a name from a list of persons contained in the profile database). 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment that makes use of various wireless technologies to identify the persons in a captured image. In this example, the first person  220  is wearing an RFID tag  600  that emits a radio frequency signal providing information identifying the wearer of the RFID tag  600 . The use of RFID tags  600  for identification purposes is well-known in the art. In some embodiments, the RFID tag  600  can be an active device that contains a battery that is used to power a radio frequency transmitter. In other embodiments the RFID tag  600  can be a passive device that does not contain a battery and only transmits a signal when it is in close proximity to a reader. The use of RFID tags to identify persons in a photograph is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,158 to Goldberg, entitled “Method and system for obtaining person-specific images in a public venue.” This method involves the automatic distribution of images captured in a public venue such as an amusement park to the persons contained in the images. However, they do not teach or suggest that captured images can be processed according to personalized image processing preferences for the identified individuals. 
     The second person  222  in  FIG. 6  has a mobile communication device  610 , such as a cell phone, which can also be used to provide identifying information in some embodiments. Many cell phones have global positioning system (GPS) sensors that allow the geographical location of the cell phone to be determined by analyzing signals received from GPS satellites. Many cell phones include applications that enable the cell phone to share the GPS-determined geographical location with other devices, for example to enable friends, family or law enforcement officials to determine the location of the user of the cell phone. In a similar way, the digital camera  10  can be enabled to receive GPS-determined geographical locations that are made available by applications running on the cell phones of persons that have profiles stored in the profile database  425 . The received GPS-determined geographical locations can be compared to a geographical location determined using the GPS sensor  54  in the digital camera  10  to determine whether the person is nearby. An orientation sensor  56  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10  can be used to determine whether the digital camera  10  is pointed toward the person. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart of a method for providing customized image processing according to the preferences of a person contained in a captured digital image according to an alternate embodiment. This embodiment parallels that described with reference to  FIG. 4  except that a different method is used to identify the person(s) in the input digital image  405 . Where the elements of  FIG. 7  are equivalent to those shown in  FIG. 4 , they have been labeled with the same reference numbers. 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the perform person recognition step  410  of  FIG. 4  has been replaced by an identify person(s) step  710  which determines one or more identified person(s)  715  that are pictured in the captured input digital image  405 . In some embodiments, the identify person(s) step  710  receives a signal  705  from an electronic device associated with one or more persons located in positions near the digital camera  10  ( FIG. 6 ). For example, the signal  705  can be a wireless signal received from electronic devices such as the RFID tag  600  or the mobile communication device  610  depicted in  FIG. 6 . In other embodiments, the signal  705  can be received from other types of electronic devices associated with the person such as another digital camera or a mobile computing device (e.g., a PDA). In some embodiments, the signal  705  can be received over a wired connection rather than being received wirelessly. Identifying information pertaining to devices associated with the persons can be stored in the profile database  425 . This identifying information can be compared to information derived from the wireless signals received by the digital camera  10  to determine whether any of the electronic devices are associated with the person profiles in the profile database  425  to determine whether any of those persons are nearby. 
     For embodiments where the received signal  705  is a signal transmitted by an RFID tag  600  associated with a particular person, the received signal  705  will generally include an identifier associated with the particular RFID tag  600 . This can be compared to known RFID tag identifiers stored in the profile database  425  in order to identify the particular person. In this case, the particular person can be assumed to be pictured in the input digital image  405  if the received signal  705  meets specified conditions. For example, the strength of the received signal  705  from the RFID tag  600  will be a function of the distance between the digital camera  10  and the RFID tag  600 . Therefore, if the strength of the received signal  705  exceeds a predefined threshold the person who is associated with the particular RFID tag  600  can be designated to be an identified person  715 . In some embodiments, the digital camera  10  can include a directional receiver that preferentially receives signals  705  originating in the field of view of the digital camera  10 . This can be useful to help avoid false positives where a nearby person that is not in the field of view is designated to be an identified person  715 . 
     For embodiments where the received signal  705  includes a GPS-determined geographical location for the person&#39;s electronic device, it can be compared with a GPS-determined geographical location determined for the digital camera to determine a relative position of the two devices. In some implementations, it can be assumed that if the geographical location of the digital camera  10  is closer than a predetermined threshold distance to the geographical location of the person&#39;s electronic device that person is probably pictured in the input digital image  405 . That person is therefore designated to be an identified person  715 . In other variations, an orientation sensor  56  ( FIG. 1 ) in the digital camera  10  can be used to determine the direction that the digital camera  10  is pointing. In this case, the person is only designated as an identified person  715  if the digital camera  10  is nearby and pointing toward the geographical location of the person&#39;s electronic device. 
     Color Labs, Inc. has recently introduced an iPhone App called “Color” which allows iPhone users to instantly share images captured with their iPhone with other iPhone users that are near the same location. This makes it possible for a person to view images of themselves captured on other people&#39;s iPhones. In accordance with the present invention, a similar application could be developed that includes the added feature of processing the captured digital images that are shared with another person according to the personal preferences of the person pictured in the captured image who receives the captured image from another person&#39;s smart phone. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           2  flash 
           4  lens 
           6  adjustable aperture and adjustable shutter 
           8  zoom and focus motor drives 
           10  digital camera 
           12  timing generator 
           14  image sensor 
           16  ASP and A/D Converter 
           18  buffer memory 
           20  processor 
           22  audio codec 
           24  microphone 
           26  speaker 
           28  firmware memory 
           30  image memory 
           32  image display 
           34  user controls 
           36  display memory 
           38  wired interface 
           40  computer 
           44  video interface 
           46  video display 
           48  interface/recharger 
           50  wireless modem 
           52  radio frequency band 
           54  GPS sensor 
           56  orientation sensor 
           58  wireless network 
           70  Internet 
           72  photo service provider 
           90  white balance setting 
           95  white balance step 
           100  color sensor data 
           105  noise reduction step 
           110  noise reduction setting 
           115  demosaicing step 
           120  resolution mode setting 
           125  color correction step 
           130  color reproduction setting 
           135  tone scale correction step 
           140  contrast setting 
           145  image sharpening step 
           150  sharpening setting 
           155  image compression step 
           160  compression setting 
           165  file formatting step 
           170  metadata 
           175  user settings 
           180  digital image file 
           185  camera settings 
           210  photographer 
           220  first person 
           222  second person 
           230  digital image 
           232  digital image 
           234  digital image 
           400  capture input digital image step 
           405  input digital image 
           410  perform person recognition step 
           415  recognized person(s) 
           420  retrieve preferences step 
           425  profile database 
           430  preferences 
           435  process image step 
           440  modified digital image(s) 
           445  store modified digital image(s) step 
           450  stored modified digital image(s) 
           455  share modified digital image(s) step 
           500  person #1 profile 
           505  person #2 profile 
           510  person #3 profile 
           600  RFID tag 
           610  mobile communication device 
           705  signal 
           710  identify person(s) step 
           715  identified person(s) step

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110729
Publication Date: 20150609
Grant Date: 20150609
Priority Date: 20110729
Inventors: PARULSKI KENNETH ALAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/611", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/61", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/631", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/611", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/61", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/631", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/23219", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/232", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/772", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/907", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8211", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8211", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8211", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/772", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/907", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/772", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/907", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N9/8205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47596929