Method of determining PSF using multiple instances of a nominally similar scene
First Claim
1. A digital image acquisition system comprising an apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for determining a camera motion blur function in a captured digital image based on a comparison of at least two sets of image data, including at least one relatively low resolution reference image, each acquired with a same sensor, such that at least a same portion of said same sensor captures at least a portion of each of said at least two sets of image data, within a temporal range that includes an exposure period of the captured digital image, and times proximately before and after said exposure period, and of nominally the same scene as that of the captured digital image, and wherein said at least two sets of image data comprise said at least one relatively low resolution reference image, or at least one processed version of said at least one reference image taken outside the exposure period of said captured digital image and modified pursuant to processing including aligning or matching pixel resolution of said at least two sets of image data, or both, and wherein said digital processing component is arranged to compare the at least two sets of image data for determining said camera motion blur function in said captured digital image, and to determine to de-blur said captured digital image only when the camera motion blur function indicates that sufficient blur exists within the captured digital image.
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Abstract
A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and de-convolves the main image using the PSF. In another embodiment, the digital processing component calculates a trajectory of at least one feature in a plurality of preview images, extrapolates such feature on to the main image, calculates a PSF in respect of the feature, and de-convolves the main image using the PSF. In another embodiment the digital processing unit after determining the degree of blur notifies the photographer of the existing blur or automatically invokes consecutive captures.
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Citations
55 Claims
- 1. A digital image acquisition system comprising an apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for determining a camera motion blur function in a captured digital image based on a comparison of at least two sets of image data, including at least one relatively low resolution reference image, each acquired with a same sensor, such that at least a same portion of said same sensor captures at least a portion of each of said at least two sets of image data, within a temporal range that includes an exposure period of the captured digital image, and times proximately before and after said exposure period, and of nominally the same scene as that of the captured digital image, and wherein said at least two sets of image data comprise said at least one relatively low resolution reference image, or at least one processed version of said at least one reference image taken outside the exposure period of said captured digital image and modified pursuant to processing including aligning or matching pixel resolution of said at least two sets of image data, or both, and wherein said digital processing component is arranged to compare the at least two sets of image data for determining said camera motion blur function in said captured digital image, and to determine to de-blur said captured digital image only when the camera motion blur function indicates that sufficient blur exists within the captured digital image.
- 30. In a digital image acquisition system including an apparatus for capturing digital images, including a lens, an image sensor and a processor, a method comprising programming said processor with program code embedded within a computer readable medium, and using said processor in determining a camera motion blur function in a captured digital image based on a comparison of at least two images each acquired with a same sensor, including at least one relatively low resolution reference image, such that at least a same portion of said same sensor captures at least a portion of each of said at least two sets of image data, within a temporal range that includes an exposure period of the captured digital image, and times proximately before and after said exposure period, and of nominally the same scene as that of the captured digital image, and wherein said at least two sets of image data comprise said at least one relatively low resolution reference image, or at least one processed version of said at least one reference image taken outside the exposure period of said captured digital image and modified pursuant to processing including aligning or matching pixel resolution of said at least two sets of image data, or both, and wherein said digital processing component is arranged to compare the at least two sets of image data for determining said camera motion blur function in said captured digital image, and to determine to de-blur said captured digital image only when the camera motion blur function indicates that sufficient blur exists within the captured digital image.
- 43. One or more processor-readable storage devices having digital code embedded therein for programming one or more processors to perform a camera motion blur function determining method that comprises capturing digital images, and determining a camera motion blur function in a captured digital image based on a comparison of at least two images each acquired with a same sensor, such that at least a same portion of said same sensor captures at least a portion of each of said at least two sets of image data, within a temporal range that includes an exposure period of the captured digital image, and times proximately before and after said exposure period, and of nominally the same scene as that of the captured digital image, and wherein said at least two sets of image data comprise at least one relatively low resolution reference image, or at least one processed version of said at least one reference image taken outside the exposure period of said captured digital image and modified pursuant to processing including aligning or matching pixel resolution of said at least two sets of image data, or both, and wherein said digital processing component is arranged to compare the at least two sets of image data for determining said camera motion blur function in said captured digital image, and to determine to de-blur said captured digital image only when the camera motion blur function indicates that sufficient blur exists within the captured digital image.
Specification