Method of and apparatus for generating a depth map utilized in autofocusing
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining depth information comprising:
- a. a lens for acquiring an image signal;
b. an image sensor for receiving the image signal, wherein one or more of the lens and the image sensor are movable in relation to each other; and
c. a processing module coupled to the image sensor for determining depth information by using a first blur quantity and a second blur quantity to determine a non-linear blur difference.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of and an apparatus for determining a depth map utilizing a movable lens and an image sensor are described herein. The depth information is acquired by moving the lens a short distance and acquiring multiple images with different blur quantities. An improved method of simulating gaussian blur and an approximation equation that relates a known gaussian blur quantity to a known pillbox quantity are used in conjunction with a non-linear blur difference equation. The blur quantity difference is able to be calculated and then used to determine the depth map. Many applications are possible using the method and system described herein, such as autofocusing, surveillance, robot/computer vision, autonomous vehicle navigation, multi-dimensional imaging and data compression.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining depth information comprising:
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a. a lens for acquiring an image signal; b. an image sensor for receiving the image signal, wherein one or more of the lens and the image sensor are movable in relation to each other; and c. a processing module coupled to the image sensor for determining depth information by using a first blur quantity and a second blur quantity to determine a non-linear blur difference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of determining depth information comprising:
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a. receiving a first image signal with a first blur quantity at an image sensor after the first image signal passes through a lens at a first position; b. receiving a second image signal with a second blur quantity at the image sensor after the second image signal passes through the lens at a second position; c. computing a non-linear blur difference using the first blur quantity and the second blur quantity; and d. generating a depth map from the non-linear blur difference. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method calculating depth information comprising:
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a. simulating a gaussian blur quantity using a convolution kernel; b. relating the gaussian blur quantity to a pillbox blur quantity; c. computing a non-linear blur difference; and d. generating a depth map from the non-linear blur difference. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A capture and display device comprising:
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a. a lens for receiving an image signal; b. an image sensor for receiving the received image signal, wherein one or more of the lens and the image sensor are movable in relation to each other; and c. a program coupled to the image sensor for determining depth information by using a first blur quantity and a second blur quantity to determine a non-linear blur difference. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for determining depth information comprising:
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a. a lens for receiving an image signal; b. an image sensor for receiving the received image signal, wherein one or more of the lens and the image sensor are movable in relation to each other; and c. a processing module coupled to the image sensor for determining depth information by using a first blur quantity and a second blur quantity to determine a non-linear blur difference, wherein a gaussian blur is simulated. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification