Image processing apparatus and image processing method

• US 10,156,695 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Shota
• Primary Examiner(s): Worku, Negussie
• Application Number:
  US15/628,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20170371129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 382299, 382103, 382300, 382132, 382141, 382167, 382266, 382278, 382298, 382107, 382162, 382173, 382182, 382190, 382192, 382209, 382210, 382215, 382218, 382236, 382254, 382260, 382261, 382264, 382269, 382272, 382275, 382280, 382284, 358474, 358448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0075 with means for altering, e.g. increasing, the depth of field or depth of focus
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/36 using image sharpness techniques , e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/743 Bracketing, i.e. taking a series of images with varying exposure conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/959 by adjusting depth of field during image capture, e.g. maximising or setting range based on scene characteristics

Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of images having different depths of field for an object; a designation unit configured to instruct a user to designate an area of the object; a presentation unit configured to present at least two candidate images from the plurality of images based on the depths of field and an object distance of the area; and a selection unit configured to instruct the user to select an image from the candidate images.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a program which, when executed by the processor, causes the image processing apparatus to;

acquire a plurality of images having different depths of field for an object;

designate an area of the object in response to designation by a user;

select, from the plurality of images, at least two candidate images having the depths of field which include an object distance of the designated area;

present the candidate images on a display unit;

select at least one image from the candidate images in response to designation by the user; and

record the selected candidate image on a storage medium.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of images is generated by focus-stacking a plurality of images having different focus positions.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of images is captured at an aperture value that is different from an aperture value at which another image of the plurality of images is captured.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in designating the area of the object, the program, when executed by the processor, causes the image processing apparatus to determine the area by detecting a touch operation by the user.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, further causes the image processing apparatus to, when no candidate image is selected, present an alarm on the display unit.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, further causes the image processing apparatus to, when no candidate image is selected, present an image having the greatest depth of field among the plurality of images on the display unit.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, further causes the image processing apparatus to set a priority of presentation for the candidate images in response to designation by the user.

8. An image processing method comprising:

acquiring a plurality of images having different depths of field for an object;

designating an area of the object in response to designation by a user;

selecting, from the plurality of images, at least two candidate images having the depths of field which include an object distance of the designated area;

presenting the candidate images on a display unit;

selecting at least one image from the candidate images in response to designation by the user; and

recording the selected candidate image on a storage medium.

9. A non-transitory storage medium that stores in a computer readable manner a program for causing a computer to execute a following image processing method including:

acquiring a plurality of images having different depths of field for an object;

designating an area of the object in response to designation by a user;

selecting, from the plurality of images, at least two candidate images having the depths of field which include an object distance of the designated area;

presenting the candidate images on a display unit;

selecting at least one image from the candidate images in response to designation by the user; and

recording the selected candidate image on a storage medium.