FotoNation Awarded Patent for Red-eye Correction

FotoNation Press Release

May 19, 2006, Galway, Ireland – FotoNation, Inc. (http://www.fotonation.com), one of the world’s leading award-winning imaging and connectivity solutions companies for the digital photography industry, announced today that it has been awarded a patent for Red-Eye detection and correction. Issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), U.S. patent #7,042,505 for “Red-Eye Filter Method and Apparatus” claims priority as of October 1997.  The patent describes the process of red-eye detection and red-eye removal for any digital filmless apparatus and illustrates FotoNation’s offering of red-eye correction technology for devices, such as digital cameras, imaging-equipped cell phones as well as digital printers.  The patent is the latest addition to FotoNation’s extensive list of granted and patent-pending applications in the U.S. as well as in Europe and Japan.

About Red-Eye
Red-eye is the sinister-looking red color which eyes often take on when flash is used to photograph people, spoiling otherwise great images.  It is caused when the camera’s flash reflects off the capillaries in the retina at the back of the eye.  Consumers say that red-eye causes the most disappointment when they view their captured memories.  And fear of getting red-eye is the biggest anxiety photographers face when taking pictures.  FotoNation solves this problem with innovative in-camera technology that stops red-eye directly in the camera, so software re-touching is not necessary.

“The USPTO has acknowledged FotoNation’s inventive concept of implementing red eye in embedded acquisition systems,” said Eran Steinberg, CEO, FotoNation. “We are presenting this patent to our customers as yet another guarantee of the protection one may have licensing our red-eye technology.”

FotoNation’s in-camera red-eye customers include Kodak, Nikon, Pentax, and others.  For more information on FotoNation, see http://www.fotonation.com.

About FotoNation
Innovative imaging is FotoNation’s business.

FotoNation identifies current challenges and future opportunities in digital photography and imaging. Using its extensive industry experience and in-depth research capabilities, together with revolutionary approaches, FotoNation develops innovative solutions, techniques and features to enhance, extend and simplify the picture making and sharing experience for everyone. Clients include the world leaders in photography, including AOL, Kodak, Nikon, Pentax, Sanyo, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and Microsoft, among others.

FotoNation’s extensive portfolio of patented innovations includes wireless connectivity, embedded red-eye removal technology and face recognition software.  Its copyrighted PTP-IP Specification is the basis of the international camera connectivity CIPA-005/2005 standard.

FotoNation is the first in the world to develop a wireless printing accessory that converts any PictBridge printer into a wireless one.  The company was recently nominated as Finalist for the 2006 European IST Grand Prize for its innovative Red Eye removal technology. 

Published: Monday, May 22, 2006

Reader Comments

1. Uh oh! I foresee a patent infringement suit being filed against HP.

   GARY POGODA at 05:13pm on Monday, May 22, 2006