Focus Stacking Camera Shake Correction via Dynamic Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture technologies face challenges in generating a combined image with reduced camera shake when multiple images captured at different focus positions are combined, often resulting in blurred regions due to camera shake during the focus stacking process.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus equipped with an image sensor, processor, and memory that sets target focus positions, captures images based on these positions, calculates the actual focus positions, and adjusts the focus positions to minimize camera shake by comparing the target and calculated positions, thereby reconstructing a focused image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If focus stacking is performed by capturing multiple images at different focus positions, then the depth of field is extended and the entire object can be brought into focus, but camera shake occurs during the capturing process which causes blurring in the combined image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by detecting the actual focus position of each captured image and using this information to adjust subsequent focus positions. The system calculates the focus position based on image data, compares it with the intended focus position, and corrects deviations caused by camera shake, thereby maintaining image quality throughout the focus stacking process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focus position parameter dynamically based on detected camera shake. Instead of using fixed predetermined focus positions, the system adjusts the focus position for each image based on the calculated focus position from previous images, adapting to the actual capturing conditions to prevent blurring
2Length of moving object
If the camera position is moved backward to capture images, then the focus position shifts to shorter distances, but this causes the focus to miss the intended target region
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from focus position detection to compensate for distance measurement errors. By calculating the actual focus position from image data and comparing it with the intended position, the system detects shifts caused by camera movement and corrects them in subsequent captures
3Productivity
If multiple images are captured at predetermined focus positions, then the focus stacking process can be completed, but camera shake causes the captured images to be at incorrect positions resulting in blurred regions in the combined image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of focus positions and camera shake before final image combination. By calculating focus positions from captured images and identifying deviations early in the process, the system can correct these issues before they result in blurred final images, maintaining both speed and precision
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture apparatus sets a plurality of target focus positions, causes an image sensor to capture a plurality of images based on the target focus positions, and calculates focus positions with respect to an object of a plurality of captured images. In a case where the image capture apparatus captures a first image and a second image sequentially and where a difference between a focus position calculated for capturing the first image and a focus position calculated for capturing the second image is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the image capture apparatus resets a part of the target focus positions for images to be captured subsequently.