Image Pickup Apparatus Synchronizing Live View and Composite Field Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
When capturing images of subjects at different distances with an image pickup apparatus, such as a digital camera, the depth of field issues lead to only part of the subject being in focus, and existing methods require pre-imaging for generating composite images, which complicates the imaging process and lengthens operation time.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with an imaging unit, display unit, and control unit that extracts in-focus areas from multiple images, corrects image magnifications, and composites them to ensure the field angle of the live view image matches the composite image, allowing for convenient verification and capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured at different in-focus positions to solve depth of field issues, then the composite image quality is improved, but the field angle of the live view image becomes different from the composite image requiring cut-out processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying a verification image before actual composite image capture. This verification image shows the predetermined field angle that will be used for composite image generation, allowing the user to confirm the field angle in advance. By performing this verification step beforehand, the system avoids the problem of field angle mismatch between live view and composite image, eliminating the need for cut-out processing while maintaining high composite image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-imaging is performed to generate composite images, then image composition accuracy is improved, but the imaging operation time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the essential verification information (the predetermined field angle) before composite image capture. Instead of performing full pre-imaging and processing, the system extracts the key parameter (field angle) and displays it as a verification image. This allows the user to confirm the field angle quickly without the time-consuming pre-imaging process, thereby reducing imaging operation time while maintaining composition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the field angle information through the verification image. Rather than performing the complete pre-imaging process, the system generates a visual copy showing the predetermined field angle that will be used. This copying approach provides sufficient verification information to the user without requiring the full pre-imaging sequence, thus reducing the overall imaging operation time.
3Ease of operation
If the live view field angle is adjusted to match the composite image field angle, then verification convenience is improved, but additional image processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a verification image as an intermediary between the live view display and the composite image generation process. This verification image serves as a mediator that shows the predetermined field angle without requiring actual adjustment of the live view field angle or complex image processing. The verification image provides the necessary information for verification convenience while avoiding the complexity of additional image processing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Image pickup apparatuses, control methods and storage mediums for use therewith are provided herein. At least one image pickup apparatus includes: a display unit that displays an image generated by an imaging unit; an image processing unit that extracts in-focus areas from a plurality of images different in in-focus position that are generated by the imaging unit and that composites the extracted areas; and a control unit. The control unit acquires, out of image magnifications corresponding to the plurality of images different in in-focus position, a reference image magnification, and the image processing unit corrects the image to be displayed on the display unit based on an image magnification corresponding to the image to be displayed on the display unit and the reference image magnification.