Desktop App for a Photo Scanner

Analog photo scanning with image optimization algorithms

Epson is one of the leading manufacturers of computer printers and imaging-related equipment. They needed an app to digitize photos and enhance image quality.

Case Highlights

Softeq developed a desktop app for an Epson photo scanner. The software enables fast processing of analog photos using unique algorithm-based red-eye reduction technology.

Automatic installation
Scanning multiple photos at once
Fast image processing and enhancement
Automatic red-eye reduction
70% accuracy for 300 dpi photo scans regardless of photo orientation, head position and eye shape
Upload to Google Drive and Dropbox, sharing to social media

Problem

Epson were looking to augment their new product with a desktop application. It would digitize many photos at once and allow them to be uploaded easily locally or to the cloud. The app would include automatic red-eye reduction, color restoration, and image enhancement.

Solution

Desktop App

The team created a desktop app that automatically installs on a PC once the scanner is connected to the computer. With the app, users can scan multiple photos (up to 30 items per batch) and upload them to a designated hard drive, cloud storage service (Google, Dropbox), or social media network (Facebook).

Key Features

Softeq implemented a set of features to enable fast analog photo processing and more convenient image management in line with the latest UX trends.

Automatically installs the device driver, FastFoto, and other designated Epson software
Scans photos (by batches up to 30 items per load), uploads them to custom-named folders, and assigns a unique name to each file
Allows for automatic (upon scanning) and manual image enhancement, color restoration, and red-eye effect reduction

Red-eye Effect Reduction Tool

The resulting solution displays 70% accuracy for 300 dpi photo scans, regardless of the photo orientation, head position, and subject’s eye shape.

To implement the required image processing functionality, the team developed three algorithms supporting:

Photo enhancement
Color restoration
Red-eye effect reduction

There are no other automatic red-eye reduction image retouching algorithms on the market with the same functionality as FastFoto. Implementing this was the most challenging task in the project, involving two main subtasks: detecting and isolating red pupils in photos, and creating an accurate mask to match the affected area in order to autofill it with an appropriate color.

How the red-eye effect removal tool works

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Result

System Enhancements

Satisfied with the end result, Epson released the device with our accompanying software to the market.

Compared to scanning photos on a flatbed scanner, which can take a significant amount of time, or sending photos out to a costly scanning service, the complete scanning system offers a fast, easy, and affordable solution for preserving and sharing a family’s legacy.

A typical photo before and after applying auto-enhancements.