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DisneyGranted patentAI & softwareInterest 6/10

Disney patents photo tool that removes crowds and auto-focuses subjects

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Disney has been granted a patent for a computer method that analyzes photos to separate people or objects from background distractions. The system uses depth data and scoring to identify the main subject, then modifies the image to remove obstructions or adjust focus automatically.

Why it mattersThis technology could make it easier for photographers to clean up busy scenes without manually editing each photo.

In the filing’s own words

A computer implemented method includes receiving, by a processor, an image including one or more subjects and one more obstructions. The method further includes partitioning, by the processor, the image into a plurality of image segments, where the one or more subjects and one or more obstructions are represented as separate image segments of the plurality of image segments. The method further includes obtaining, by the processor, depth information for the plurality of image segments. The method further includes identifying one or more focal image segments of the plurality of image segments based on the depth information of the plurality of image segments and modifying the image based on the one or more focal image segments to generate a modified image.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A computer implemented method comprising: receiving, by a processor, an image including one or more subjects and one or more obstructions; partitioning, by the processor, the image into a plurality of image segments, wherein combinations of the one or more subjects and the one or more obstructions are represented as separate image segments of the plurality of image segments; obtaining, by the processor, depth information for the plurality of image segments; determining a segment score of each of the plurality of image segments based on the depth information, an image segment size, and an image segment position of the plurality of image segments, wherein the segment score comprises a ranked numerical value associated with the one or more subjects and the one or more obstructions; automatically identifying one or more focal image segments of the plurality of image segments based on the segment score of each of the plurality of image segments; and modifying the image based on the one or more focal image segments to generate a modified image.

Facts

Company
Disney (DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.)
Official title
Crowd removal and automatic focus for images
Patent number
US12755391B2
Application number
18437878
Filed
Feb 9, 2024
Granted
Oct 6, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
23

Classified under

G06T 7/11 Physics & computingG06T 2207/10028 Physics & computingG06T 2207/30196 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.