Apparatus and method of blurring background of image in digital image processing device

• US 20090284613A1
• Filed: 04/30/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Digital Imaging Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kim, Young-geol
• Granted Patent: US 8,749,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10152 Varying illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/122 Improving the 3D impression of stereoscopic images by modifying image signal contents, e.g. by filtering or adding monoscopic depth cues H04N13/128 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/006 Pseudo-stereoscopic systems, i.e. systems wherein a stereoscopic effect is obtained without sending different images to the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects

Abstract

A digital image processor and a method, specifically, an apparatus for blurring a background of an image in a digital image processor is provided wherein an image is photographed with a flash being on and off when a shutter input signal is received once, the background of the image is blurred through comparison between an image prior to the shutter input signal being received and an image during which a flash is activated, and then a subject of the image with a flash being off is combined with the blurred background. A processor blurs an image generated by a brightness difference between a first image generated before a shutter input signal is received and a second image generated with the flash being on after the shutter input signal is received and combining a third image generated by turning off the flash after the shutter input signal, to the blurred image.

Claims

1. An apparatus for blurring a background of an image in a digital image processing device, the apparatus comprising:

a digital signal processor for blurring an image generated by a difference in brightness between a first image generated before a shutter input signal is received and a second image generated with the flash being on after the shutter input signal is received and for combining a third image generated when the flash is turned off after the shutter input signal is received, to the blurred image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first image is generated after a first input signal is received via a shutter-release button and immediately before a second input signal is received via the shutter-release button.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second image photographed with the flash being on and the third image photographed with the flash being off are generated together when the second input signal is received one time via the shutter-release button.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the digital signal processor comprises:

a comparing unit for comparing the difference in brightness information between the first image and the second image to generate a fourth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated and for comparing the difference in brightness information between the third image and the fourth image to generate a fifth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated;

an inversion unit for inverting the brightness information of the fifth image;

a blurring unit for blurring the inverted fifth image by using a low pass filter; and

a combining unit for combining the subject of the third image to the blurred fifth image.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the digital signal processor further comprises a buffer for storing the first through fifth images therein in a first in first out form.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the digital signal processor further comprises a flash controller for controlling on and off states of the flash in order to photograph the first and second images when the second input signal is received via the shutter-release button.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inversion unit separates a subject region and a background region from the fifth image.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the blurring unit masks the subject region separated from the fifth image.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a flash controller for controlling on and off of the flash in order to photograph the first and second images when second inputting the shutter-release button.

15. The method of claim 4, further comprising separating a subject region and a background region from the fifth image after (b-3).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein (b-4) comprises masking the subject region separated from the fifth image in which the brightness information is inverted and applying a low pass filter to the separated background region.

9. An apparatus for blurring a background of an image in a digital image processing device, the apparatus comprising:

a buffer for storing first, second, and third images therein, the first image being generated after a first input signal is received via the shutter-release button and before a second input signal is received via the shutter-release button, the second image being photographed with a flash being on when the second input signal is received one time via the shutter-release button, and the third image being photographed with the flash being off;

a comparing unit for comparing the difference in brightness information between the first image and the second image to generate a fourth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated and comparing the difference in brightness information between the third image and the fourth image to generate a fifth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated;

an inversion unit for inverting the brightness information of the fifth image;

a blurring unit for blurring the inverted fifth image by using a low pass filter; and

a combining unit for combining the subject of the third image to the blurred fifth image.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the buffer stores the fourth and fifth images, in addition to the first through third images, in a first in first out form.

12. A method of blurring a background of an image in a digital image processing device, the method comprising:

(a) generating a first image generated before a shutter input signal is received, a second image photographed with a flash being on when a shutter input signal is received one time, and a third image photographed with the flash being off;

(b) blurring an image generated by the difference in brightness between the first image and the second image; and

(c) combining a subject of the third image to the blurred image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first image is generated after a first input signal is received via a shutter-release button and immediately before a second input signal is received via the shutter-release button and the second and third images are generated with the flash being respectively on and off after the second input signal is received via the shutter-release button.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein (b) comprises:

(b-1) comparing the difference in brightness information between the first image and the second image to generate a fourth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated;

(b-2) comparing the difference in brightness information between the third image and the fourth image to generate a fifth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated;

(b-3) inverting the brightness information of the fifth image; and

(b-4) blurring the fifth image, in which the brightness information is inverted, by using a low pass filter.

17. A method of blurring a background of an image in a digital image processing device, the method comprising:

(a) generating first, second, and third images in the digital image processing device, the first image being generated after a first input signal is received via the shutter-release button and before a second input signal is received via the shutter-release button, the second image being photographed with a flash being on when the second input signal is received one time via the shutter-release button, and the third image being photographed with the flash being off;

(b) comparing the difference in brightness information between the first image and the second image to generate a fourth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated;

(c) comparing the difference in brightness information between the third image and the fourth image to generate a fifth image in which the difference in brightness information is generated and inverting the brightness information of the fifth image;

(d) separating a subject region and a background region from the fifth image in which the brightness information is inverted and blurring the separated background region by low pass filtering the background region; and

(e) combining the subject of the third image to the blurred fifth image.