Defocus Map Visualization for Multi-Position Focus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autofocus systems fail to smoothly perform focus control when intentional defocusing is used in imaging, as they cannot ascertain the relationship between defocus amounts at different positions in a captured image.
Innovation Solution
The system generates and displays defocus and depth maps to visualize the distribution of defocus and subject distances across a captured image, allowing for precise focus and depth control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only a defocus amount of a certain arbitrary point position is checked, then focus control can be performed at that point position, but the relationship between defocus amounts at different positions cannot be ascertained, making it impossible to smoothly perform focus control when intentional defocusing is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the captured image into multiple regions and calculates defocus amounts for each region separately. Instead of measuring only a single point, the system segments the image into multiple areas and computes defocus information for each segment, enabling comprehensive focus control across the entire image while maintaining measurement precision at each location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If defocus amount is measured at multiple positions, then the relationship between defocus amounts can be ascertained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the defocus measurement system universal by enabling it to measure defocus amounts at multiple positions simultaneously using the same imaging device and processing algorithms. The system uses existing image data and applies defocus calculation algorithms across multiple regions without requiring additional specialized hardware, thus achieving multi-position measurement capability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to cause a distribution of defocus amounts in a certain arbitrary region of a captured image to be displayed. A map data generation unit configured to generate defocus map data representing defocus amounts at a plurality of positions in a captured image obtained by an imaging element unit, calculated from phase difference information detected by a phase difference detection unit, and a display control unit configured to generate a defocus map image representing a distribution of defocus amounts of the captured image using the defocus map data generated by the map data generation unit and to perform display control are included.