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Depth of field enhancement

  • US 6,320,979 B1
  • Filed: 10/06/1998
  • Issued: 11/20/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for using an imaging system and an array of sensor locations to construct a composite image of a three dimensional scene, the array of sensor locations defining an image plane on which is focused an image of points a focus distance in front of the image plane, the method comprising the steps of:

  • moving the imaging system relative to the image plane so as to change the focus distance;

    at each sensor location of the array, for at least two distinct focus distances;

    sensing radiation which has passed through the imaging system;

    producing image information based on the sensed radiation including a brightest pixel value and a darkest pixel value;

    calculating a contrast value as a ratio of the brightest pixel value within the sensor location to the darkest pixel value within the sensor location; and

    assigning the calculated contrast value to a plurality of pixels within the sensor location;

    recording the image information; and

    constructing a composite image by incorporating into said composite image, for each sensor location, image information from that focus distance which produces the maximum contrast.

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