Focus Display Image Blending Without Peaking Overlay

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Solution Overview

Problem

In imaging apparatuses with high-resolution imaging sensors, it is challenging to display images with a resolution equal to or greater than the sensor due to cost and miniaturization constraints, making it difficult to express the original sense of resolution and focus position, and superimposing peaking signals can be distracting or resistive for users.

Innovation Solution

The imaging apparatus generates an image signal by extracting edge detection signals from a high-frequency band, performing resolution conversion, and blending them with a normal image signal to create a display image that emphasizes focused areas without superimposing peaking signals, using band-limiting and high-pass filters to adjust the frequency components based on lens information and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a peaking signal is superimposed on a captured image to indicate focus position, then the focus position can be confirmed, but the user may feel resistance to use and it becomes difficult to see depending on the imaging target

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus position indicationVSAvoiduser acceptance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information (focus position) from the complex task of superimposing peaking signals, and presents it through a different mechanism - by extracting high-frequency components that naturally emphasize focused areas without requiring artificial signal superposition. This removes the harmful element (superimposed peaking signals) while preserving the useful function (focus indication).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of copying the captured image and adding peaking signals on top, the patent creates a new image signal by processing the original image through high-frequency component extraction and blending, producing a synthesized image that inherently shows focus information without the need for separate peaking signal layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If a display system has fewer pixels than the imaging sensor due to cost and miniaturization constraints, then the device can be miniaturized and cost-effective, but the original sense of resolution and focus position cannot be expressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost and miniaturizationVSAvoidresolution and focus expression
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by selectively emphasizing high-frequency components in regions where focus is detected, while maintaining lower frequencies in other areas. This creates a display image where focused areas stand out with enhanced detail, allowing the lower-resolution display to effectively communicate focus information that would otherwise be lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameters of the image signal by extracting and blending high-frequency components with the original image. This parameter transformation allows the display system to convey focus information and enhanced resolution characteristics despite having fewer physical pixels than the imaging sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4002828B1Image processing apparatus, imaging device and image processing method
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An image capable of confirming a focus position is generated without superimposing a peaking signal on a captured image. Therefore, an image processing apparatus according to the present technology includes an image signal generation unit that generates a plurality of image signals having frequency characteristics different from each other from one captured image signal, and a blending processing unit that blends the plurality of image signals on the basis of a blend ratio determined on the basis of a peaking signal for the one captured image signal.