Apple Granted Patent for Face Detection using Orientation Sensor Data

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to the field of image processing. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to a technique for selecting an orientation from which to perform face detection in a camera.

Apple's First Patent Claim: A method to automatically adjust an image capture metric on a camera device, comprising: receiving image information from an image capture sensor array prior to image capture; receiving orientation information from an orientation sensor prior to image capture, the orientation sensor determining orientation information relative to gravity; determining if the image information is suitable for a face detection operation; identifying an orientation for the image capture device prior to image capture, the orientation identified based on the orientation information; performing the face detection operation on the image information prior to image capture in accordance with the identified orientation after the image information was determined suitable for the face detection operation; identifying a candidate face from a plurality of faces detected by the face detection operation; terminating until image capture, further face detection operations for orientations not identified by the orientation information after at least one face has been detected in the image information; and adjusting an image capture metric in accordance with the identified candidate face; wherein performing a face detection operation on the image information prior to capture is only performed for the orientation identified by the orientation information.

Apple credits Ralph Brunner as the sole inventor of granted patent 8,405,736 which was originally filed in Q2 2010 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 22 granted patent claims and details, see this patent.

Apple Granted Patent for an advanced iPen which is described as a Portable Computer

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to an advanced iPen. In fact, this granted patent appears to have been re-examined by USPTO and passed. This is interesting and important as it's a patent that was first granted to Apple back in September 2011.

Apple's patent FIGS. 1 and 2 noted above illustrate the hand-held computer of the present invention which is of moulded plastics material having a triangular barrel cross section towards the forward end, that is towards the point, with radiused sides providing a diameter of approximately 15 mm. The case is shaped to have a curve so that when the forward part of the barrel of the casing is held as a writing stylus using the thumb, index finger and second finger of the user, the screen area A-A rests comfortably on the dorsal area at the back of the hand between the root of the thumb and index finger of the hand and the user's wrist. This provides some additional support to allow the entire computer to be operated using one hand only. After assembly the case is sealed using an O-ring seal much in the manner of sealing watch parts. Coating the casing with wax polythene completes the sealing of the unit so that to all intents and purposes the case is waterproofed.

The casing is weighted at one end (for example by including a rechargeable battery) at the forward end so that if the item is dropped on to a surface it tends to fall in a specified manner such that the tip which may include some impact protection, for example by being rubber cased, prevents any significant damage to internal components. The weighting also assists balancing of the unit in a user's hand.

Audio input and output devices are also provided together with an alerting device. For example, a microphone, annunciator and speaker may be included. Finger switches are provided forward of the annunciator and again may be soft programmed for functionality. Also visible are gold docking pins used for connecting the hand-held computer for recharging of the battery and transfer of data by way of a docking device to other computers, for example desk mounted personal computers.

Apple's patent was invented by the sole inventor Hilary Williams of Great Britain. To review Apple's 47 patent claims and rich details, see this patent.

Apple Granted Patent for Luminescence Shock Avoidance in Display Devices

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to display devices, and more particularly, to avoiding luminescence shock (temporary vision impairment) when a display device is activated in a dark environment.

Apple credits Kai Pantfoerder as the sole inventor of granted patent 8,405,688 which was originally filed in Q4 2011 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review more details on this, see our 2011 report on Apple's first Granted patent on this technology.

Apple Granted Five Design Patents Today

Apple has been granted five design patents today which cover an In-Store Apple product display which is used at Best Buy and other retailers, the iPod shuffle third and fourth generations, plus two iOS device user interface elements covering Passcode and Settings.

A Note for Tech Sites Covering our Report: We ask tech sites covering our report to kindly limit the use of our graphics to one image. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.

New on Patent Bolt this Week

Google Screwed Apple & their Latest Invention will Screw More

Microsoft Granted Design Patents for Surface with Surprising Twist

A New Sony Glass Patent Surfaces