Kodak patent for age-detecting camera system

Even despite all those face lifts, tummy tucks, fake tans, dye-jobs, and botox injections, Kodak may soon be able to accurately gauge one's age when it comes snapshot time. They apparently filed a patent in 2004 for a system which, as the above images culled from their patent filing so plainly suggest, determines the age of a photographer's subject by putting that red-eye effect to good use and metering the size and distance between those two red dots the rest of us can't seem to reliably get rid of in our photos. Apparently pupil dilation reflex time increases with age (like most other reflexes), you'll be able to find out for sure whether Grandma really is as young as she says. Though frankly we're not really sure we want to know.

[Via New Scientist]

[Woolly Mittens @ Apr 30th 2006 9:43AM]

Wouldn't it be nice if they, instead of using red-eye for a useless feature, got rid of the red-eye effect.

Also, would the camera alert the police if a picture with too much skin-tone was made of someone under the age of 18?

[Wade Menard @ Apr 30th 2006 10:33AM]

This sounds neat. I'm not sure how useful it is on it's own but cool science.

Wooly Mittens: You scare me. I can't even come up with a response to that.

[Nukes and Candy @ Apr 30th 2006 10:51AM]

The usefulness of this "oldness detection technology" is questionable. Like the study they did that each camera has its own digital finger print. Some kind of campaing againts child pornografy perhaps? Not just a funny lie detector for "FaceLift-Botox Lover Grandma'". But then again, just a quick edit on your favorite photo editing software, and Badabim! No one can tell the girl is actually 8.

How about making me a camera that can guess the persons name and telephone number i'm photographing. I find this more usefull than an age lie detector.

Just a Thought.

Alexander Wunderlich

[Jim @ Apr 30th 2006 11:02AM]

OK, you guys did this yesterday with the Apple "patents", too. This isn't a patent. It's a patent application. Maybe it'll be granted, maybe it won't. Regardless, it's a pretty important distinction, since you can't sue if all you have is an application.

[Eugene @ Apr 30th 2006 11:26AM]

Would be interesting to know if (and to what extent) tiredness/drunkness etc has on something like this, as we all know it affects reflex rates...

[Skeptik @ Apr 30th 2006 11:27AM]

Amazing!! Amazing seeing how the USPTO accepts so many stupid patents. This one could compete with the Entretainer for Cats using a Laser device... How accurate can this method be? I doubt is accurate at all. Well, all for the money. Lawyers and USPTO...

[Michiel @ Apr 30th 2006 12:46PM]

Maybe looking at the pictures is a more efficient way of determining if the person is your little brother or your grandma.

[ScottE @ Apr 30th 2006 7:31PM]

skeptik, You're an idiot. This is not a Patent, it is a patent application. Also, It's spelled Entertainer

[Torien @ Apr 30th 2006 11:20PM]

The actual accuracy of the method doesnt really matter
the actual uses of the method dont really matter
the use of the method in law enforcement doesnt matter


It is a patent application for something that seems pretty cool, that may have some uses in the real world, or may end up being a fancy gimmick on some photo viewing programs. All that really matters here is that they have filed a patent application for something pretty cool and original. It is far easier to find fault in an idea than to better it with a suggestion.

[nyckilla @ May 1st 2006 12:08AM]

at first it seems like it doesnt have any use. but maybe anti-terrorism guys can use it. make sure that the passenger is really 28 or watever. my ques is wat happens if you have a eye dilation disease...

[Alex @ May 1st 2006 5:39AM]

I believe it's a great technology (provided that it actually works, and is more accurate than an estimation you can make yourself).

What's wrong with getting a maximum amount of information out of the available details, especially if those details are considered useless?

Since when is converting a misfeature to a feature a bad thing? I say, if they can't get rid of it, let 'em use it.


How about this: you took a picture of your kid, but you forgot how old he/she was at that time. Kodak can help ;-)

[Me @ May 1st 2006 5:42AM]

Yes, wouldn't it be great to live in Toriens world? Where companies don't have to make usefull things that sell, but can just frolic along making whatever their fancy might be and dance and skip and jump on the petals of the giant flowers growing in their factories.

Because it all doesn't matter.

[xzavier @ May 1st 2006 12:52PM]

# 11, Alex, You sound like an ID10T error. Yea I forgot what my kid looks like and maybe Kodak can help. Maybe if I took a look in the mirror I just MIGHT see what my kid looks me... ME or perhaps MOMMY? Nah can't be. I need some extra help on this one! You have GOT TO work for the corporate BORG!. GET LOST!!!