Simulated large aperture lens

• US 9,325,891 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Shuster
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Shuster
• Inventors: Shuster, Gary Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): SELBY, GEVELL V
• Application Number:
  US14/557,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20150085166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 348/222.1, 348/349, 348/362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/22 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/32 using active means, e.g. light emitter including both an active and a passive focus detecting device G02B7/285; using ultrasound G02B7/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/236 using varifocal lenses or mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/271 wherein the generated image signals comprise depth maps or disparity maps
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/671 in combination with active ranging signals, e.g. using light or sound signals emitted toward objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/676 Bracketing for image capture at varying focusing conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/681 Motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof

Abstract

A camera apparatus includes a photogrammetric range sensor, small aperture lens and a processor configured to carry out a method for simulating a large aperture lens. The method includes capturing a photographic image data of a scene using the camera with the lens set to a small aperture size. Simultaneously or near-simultaneously with capturing the image, the camera captures photogrammetric range data pertaining to depth of objects in a field of view of the camera, using the range sensor. The processor then processes the photographic image data using the photogrammetric range data to obtain second photographic data simulating an image captured using a lens set to an aperture size larger than the small aperture size.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

capturing only a single digital photograph of a scene using a camera having a lens set to a first aperture size;

concurrently with capturing the single digital photograph, capturing within the single digital photograph, photogrammetric range data pertaining to depth of objects in a field of view of the camera, using at least one additional signal-measuring component coupled to the camera to capture scene photogrammetric data; and

processing the digital photograph using the photogrammetric range data to generate second photographic data simulating an image captured using a lens set to a second aperture size, wherein the second aperture size is wider than the first aperture size.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the digital photograph associated with the measurement data in an electronic memory.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing the photogrammetric range data further comprises measuring time between emission of a signal from the camera and detection of a signal reflection at the camera.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein capturing the photogrammetric range data further comprises exposing the scene to a signal source that spreads a known spectrum in a defined pattern.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising emitting the signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal comprises a sound.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal comprises electro-magnetic energy.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal comprises electro-magnetic energy in a radio frequency.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal comprises electro-magnetic energy in an optical frequency.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein measuring the time further comprises using a plurality of signal receivers.

11. A camera apparatus comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the memory holds program instructions, that when executed by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform;

capturing only a single digital photograph of a scene using a camera having a lens set to a first aperture size;

concurrently with capturing the digital single photograph, capturing within the single digital photograph, photogrammetric range data pertaining to depth of objects in a field of view of the camera, using at least one additional signal-measuring component coupled to the camera to capture scene photogrammetric data; and

processing the digital photograph using the photogrammetric range data to generate second photographic data simulating an image captured using a lens set to a second aperture size, wherein the second aperture size is wider than the first aperture size.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the program instructions are further configured for storing the digital photograph associated with the measurement data in an electronic memory.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the program instructions are further configured for capturing the photogrammetric range data by measuring time between emission of a signal from the camera and detection of a signal reflection at the camera.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further configured for capturing the photogrammetric range data by illuminating the scene using a signal source that spreads a known spectrum in a defined pattern.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further configured for emitting the signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program instructions are further configured for emitting the signal comprising a sound.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program instructions are further configured for emitting the signal comprising electro-magnetic radiation.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program instructions are further configured for emitting the signal comprising electro-magnetic radiation in a radio frequency.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program instructions are further configured for emitting the signal comprising electro-magnetic radiation in an optical frequency.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further configured for measuring the time at least in part by using a plurality of signal receivers.