US 11671702

US Patent 11671702, titled "Real time assessment of picture quality," was issued on June 6, 2023, from an application filed on February 8, 2022, under application number US17/666,585. The patent is assigned to Snapaid Ltd., and the sole inventor is Ishay Sivan.

Abstract:
The patent describes a computerized method for real-time photo quality assessment within a device's image acquisition system. This method involves combining multiple quality indicators (QIs) derived from the current and previous image frames, along with a confidence level for at least one of these QIs. A processor then uses this combined information to determine if the photo quality is acceptable and takes different actions based on whether the quality is or is not acceptable.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1: This claim details a method for estimating image quality in a device equipped with a camera, motion/location sensor, and processor. The method utilizes four specific quality indicators (QIs) to provide suggestions to the user:

  • QI1 (Device Motion): A value obtained from a motion or location sensor that indicates the device's movement.
  • QI2 (Exposure): A measurement of under- or overexposure in parts of the image or of faces.
  • QI3 (Face Analysis): A value derived from detecting faces in the image and assessing properties like whether faces are looking at the camera, smiling, crying, or their overall detection quality, exposure, or movement.
  • QI4 (Lens Obstruction): A value indicating if the optical lens is obstructed, coupled with an estimated weight for this value.
    Based on these four QIs, the system selects and presents appropriate suggestions from a pre-stored table to help the user improve image quality by adjusting relevant parameters to meet or exceed a specified threshold.

• Claim 11: This claim presents another method for estimating image quality in a device with a camera, a motion sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, or both), and a processor. This method focuses on two primary quality indicators to offer user suggestions:

  • QI1 (Device Angle): A value reflecting the device's angle relative to the horizon.
  • QI2 (Aesthetic Quality): A value associated with the aesthetic composition of the image.
    If either QI1 or QI2 falls below a certain threshold, the system provides appropriate suggestions from a pre-stored table to the user, guiding them to adjust the device or composition to reach the desired quality threshold.

Litigation Activity:
US Patent 11671702 is involved in litigation. A PTAB case, IPR2025-01520, was filed, though it was "Not Instituted - Procedural." Additionally, a case (2:25-cv-00378) was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court by Snapaid, Ltd. against [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., asserting patent infringement. This district court case is scheduled for trial in April 2027. Samsung has filed actions with the USPTO challenging the validity of the asserted claims in this litigation, seeking reexamination for several patents, including US11671702. As of November 2025, Samsung sought a stay of the district court litigation pending ex parte reexamination proceedings. The PTAB proceedings related to IPR2025-01520 involve arguments regarding discretionary denial, with SnapAid arguing against institution due to the age of the patent family and Samsung asserting that the '702 patent is a recently issued and independently claimed invention. While the PTAB case IPR2025-01520 was not instituted, other related IPR/PGR petitions were filed by Samsung, challenging five of the eight asserted patents.