Image capture for later refocusing or focus-manipulation
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method for capturing images for later refocusing, comprising:
- estimating a depth map for a scene;
determining a number of principal depths via selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths;
capturing a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and
processing captured images to produce an output image.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product for capturing images for later refocusing. Embodiments estimate a distance map for a scene, determine a number of principal depths, capture a set of images, with each image focused at one of the principal depths, and process captured images to produce an output image. The scene is divided into regions, and the depth map represents region depths corresponding to a particular focus step. Entries having a specific focus step value are placed into a histogram, and depths having the most entries are selected as the principal depths. Embodiments may also identify scene areas having important objects and include different important object depths in the principal depths. Captured images may be selected according to user input, aligned, and then combined using blending functions that favor only scene regions that are focused in particular captured images.
50 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A processor-implemented method for capturing images for later refocusing, comprising:
-
estimating a depth map for a scene; determining a number of principal depths via selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths; capturing a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and processing captured images to produce an output image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A computer program product comprising a machine-readable medium tangibly embodying non-transitory program instructions thereon that, when executed by the machine, cause the machine to capture images for later refocusing by:
-
estimating a depth map for a scene; determining a number of principal depths via selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths; capturing a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and processing captured images to produce an output image.
-
-
21. A system for capturing images for later refocusing, comprising:
-
means for estimating a depth map for a scene; means for determining a number of principal depths, wherein the means for determining comprises means for selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths; means for capturing a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and means for processing captured images to produce an output image.
-
-
22. A system for capturing images for later refocusing, comprising:
-
a processor; and a memory that stores instructions, the processor instruction execution causing the processor to; estimate a depth map for a scene; determine a number of principal depths via selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths; capture a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and process captured images to produce an output image.
-
-
23. An integrated circuit for capturing images for later refocusing, comprising:
-
a first circuit element for estimating a depth map for a scene; a second circuit element for determining a number of principal depths via selecting a plurality of depths having the largest areas in the depth map as the principal depths; a third circuit element for capturing a set of images, each image focused at one of the principal depths; and a fourth circuit element for processing captured images to produce an output image.
-
Specification