Depth of Field for a Camera in a Media-Editing Application

• US 20100085351A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Abbas, Gregory B., Deb, Sidhartha, Niles, Gregory, Sheeler, Stephen, Hucking, Guido
• Granted Patent: US 9,619,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/20 Perspective computation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a method that provides tools for defining a scene including media objects in a multi-dimensional space. The method provides a set of user interface tools for adjusting a region of focus for rendering the space from a particular location within a particular field of view. In some embodiments, the region of focus is a first region in the space within the particular field of view and the space further includes a second region outside of the region of focus within the particular field of view. In some embodiments, the method also provides a set of effects for applying to the second region but not the first region to visually indicate the first region as the region of focus within the space and the second region as a region outside of the region of focus within the space.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) providing tools for defining a scene comprising media objects in a multi-dimensional space; and

b) providing a set of user interface tools for adjusting a region of focus for rendering the space from a particular location within a particular field of view.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the region of focus is a plane in the particular field of view in which the media objects are rendered in focus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the region of focus is a three-dimensional volume within the particular field of view in which the media objects are rendered in focus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the region of focus is a first region in the space within the particular field of view, wherein the space further includes a second region outside of the region of focus within the particular field of view, the method further comprising providing a set of effects for applying to the second region but not the first region to visually indicate the first region as the region of focus within the space and the second region as a region outside of the region of focus within the space.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of user interface tools comprises a tool for modifying the distance of the region of focus from the particular location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of user interface tools comprises a set of tools for modifying a size of the region of focus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein blurring effects are applied to media objects within the field of view and outside the region of focus.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing user interface tools for modifying the blurring effects.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of user interface tools for adjusting the region of focus comprises slider tools.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of user interface tools for adjusting the region of focus comprises tools for direct numerical input of parameters affecting the region of focus.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication of the region of focus within the scene.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the scene is defined in a multi-dimensional space of a media-editing application.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the region of focus is for rendering the space in a particular direction.

14. A method comprising:

a) providing a display area for displaying a scene comprising media objects in a media-editing application; and

b) providing a user interface tool within the display area to represent a particular location, particular orientation, and particular field of view from which to render the scene; and

c) providing tools within the display area for indicating a region of focus for rendering the scene.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tools for indicating the region of focus are planes within the field of view.

16. A method comprising:

a) providing a display area for displaying at least one media object in a three-dimensional space;

b) providing a tool for defining a camera user interface tool for rendering the three-dimensional space from a particular location at a particular orientation; and

c) providing user interface tools for affecting a region of focus of the camera user interface tool.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user interface tools are planes provided along a frustum of the camera user interface tool.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the planes are for dragging along the frustum to modify the depth of field parameters.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the user interface tools are handles provided along a frustum of the camera user interface tool.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the handles are for dragging along the frustum to modify the depth of field parameters.

21. A method of directing a camera user interface tool in a computer-generated space, the method comprising:

a) receiving a command to modify one or more depth of field parameter of the camera user interface tool over a set duration;

b) rendering a video from a perspective of the virtual camera in which the one or more depth of field parameter is modified in accordance with the command.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a command comprises receiving selection of a target object to render in focus at the end of the set duration.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the camera user interface tool has an apparent focal plane, wherein rendering the video comprises moving the apparent focal plane to a distance of the target object over the set duration.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a command comprises receiving a selection of the rate at which the one or more depth of field parameter is modified.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a command comprises receiving a command to expand the depth of field of the virtual camera.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a command comprises receiving a command to contract the depth of field of the virtual camera.