Method and apparatus for the automatic real-time detection and correction of red-eye defects in batches of digital images or in handheld appliances

Abstract

An automatic, red-eye detection and correction system for digital images capable of real-time processing of images, including a red-eye detector module that determines without user intervention if a red-eye defect exists. If a defect is located in an image the portion of the image surrounding the defect is passed to a correction module that de-saturates the red components of the defect while preserving the other color characteristics of the defect region. The invention is designed to minimize the computational resources required to detect and correct red-eye defects and thus is particularly suited to applications requiring real-time processing of large volumes of digital images prior to acquisition or printing. This system can operate on images stored on personal computers, commercial printers or inside digital cameras as part of the acquisition process, or prior to display on personal digital assistants, mobile phones and other digital imaging appliances.