Focus-Bracketed Image Composition with Viewing-Angle Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing focus bracketing techniques in image capturing result in changes in viewing angle between captured images due to focus breathing, even with fixed settings, leading to an unnatural viewing experience.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a composition unit for combining images with different in-focus positions, a correction unit to adjust viewing angles, and a display unit to present corrected images, ensuring consistent viewing angles for a seamless composition experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If focus bracketing is performed to capture multiple images with different in-focus positions, then the depth of field coverage is improved, but the viewing angle changes between images due to focus breathing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-focus position precisionVSAvoidviewing angle consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of focus breathing characteristics before composition, measuring the viewing angle change at different focus positions. This advance knowledge allows the system to pre-calculate correction parameters and apply appropriate corrections during image composition, preventing the viewing angle inconsistency from affecting the final composite image

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter being controlled from raw captured images to corrected images with adjusted viewing angles. By detecting the actual viewing angle at each focus position and applying correction transformations, the system transforms the variable viewing angle parameter into a consistent parameter across all images in the composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If viewing angle correction is always applied to images with different in-focus positions, then the viewing angle consistency is improved, but unnecessary processing is performed when composition is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle consistencyVSAvoidprocessing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the image processing behavior based on the intended use. When images are designated for composition, viewing angle correction is applied; when images are for other purposes, the original uncorrected images are used. This dynamic adaptation eliminates unnecessary processing and associated energy consumption while maintaining viewing angle consistency when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12444031B2Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium background

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 CANON KK

AI summary

An apparatus includes a composition unit configured to perform composition on a plurality of images having different in-focus positions, a correction unit configured to perform correction on viewing angles of the plurality of images, and a display unit to configured to display the images of which the viewing angles have been corrected in a case where the correction unit performs the correction.