Image Pickup Apparatus Refocusing Possibility Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses using refocusing technology face challenges in determining whether multiple objects on a photographed image can be brought into focus, as the refocusable view angle range is narrowed when the image pickup plane is virtually moved, making it difficult to quickly assess the possibility of refocusing for multiple objects.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus that includes an acquisition unit for image data, an object detecting unit to calculate object areas and distances, and a refocusing possibility determining unit to calculate the refocusable view angle range and determine if the object area falls within this range, allowing for quick assessment of refocusing possibilities for multiple objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image pickup plane is virtually moved in the fore-and-aft direction for refocusing, then the refocused image can be generated with objects at different depths, but the refocusable view angle range is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a view angle dimension to the refocusing assessment. Instead of only checking depth range, the system calculates whether objects fall within a refocusable view angle range by comparing object positions with calculated view angle boundaries. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by providing a comprehensive refocusability assessment that accounts for both depth and angular constraints.
2Measurement precision
If the refocusable view angle range is calculated and compared for multiple objects, then the possibility of refocusing for each object can be determined, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refocusing assessment into distinct computational steps: calculating the refocusable view angle range based on photographing conditions, detecting object positions and areas, and comparing objects against the calculated range. This segmentation makes the complex determination process more manageable and efficient by breaking it into modular operations that can be executed systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image pickup apparatus and a method of controlling the image pickup apparatus, capable of quickly determining possibility of refocusing for bringing each of objects located at different view angle positions on a photographed image into focus. The image pickup apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image photographed by using an image pickup element having a pupil-division pixel area together with photographing information of an optical system at a time of photographing, an object detecting unit configured to calculate an object area of an object and to calculate an object distance corresponding to a depth distance to the object, and a refocusing possibility determining unit configured to determine possibility of refocusing for bringing the object into focus by calculating a refocusable view angle range and determining whether or not the object area is included in the refocusable view angle range through comparison.