Earlier this month, FotoNation Ireland Ltd received a U.S. patent regarding several methods and apparatuses which, according to the patent, “eliminat[es] red-eye phenomenon within a miniature digital camera having a flash without the distraction of a pre-flash.” U.S. Patent No. 7,042,505 ("Red-eye filter method and apparatus"), issued on May 9th, claims a “digital apparatus having no photographic film, comprising: (a) a source of light for providing illumination during image acquisition; (b) a digital image detector for acquiring an image; and (c) a red-eye filter for modifying pixels within the image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon.” A camera of the invention includes an exposure control that “initiates and controls the digital photographic process” in response to user input, including a light sensor that determines if the level of ambient light requires a flash to be used. In addition, a focusing means determines distance of the subject and focuses the image on an image capture means that “digitally records the image in color.” If the camera determines that a flash should be used, the exposure control means causes a flash to be generated “in substantial coincidence with the recording of the image” by means of capturing the image. This technology, according to the patent, eliminates the red-eye phenomenon caused by both digital and film cameras that do not utilize a “pre-flash.”

U.S. Patent No. 7,042,505: LINK
Cameratown.com News Article: LINK
FotoNation’s Website: LINK