Image Processor Attention Region Determination for Multiple Focus Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods fail to consistently determine the attention region in images with multiple focus positions, leading to inconsistent results and user dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

An image processor with an attention region determination unit that assesses imaging information to identify the attention region based on focal length and focus position scattering, applying blurring only to regions outside the determined attention area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the attention region is determined based on one focus position, then the determination process is simple, but the result does not match user expectations when multiple focus positions exist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination process complexityVSAvoidattention region determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter basis for determining the attention region from a single focus position to multiple focus positions. By analyzing scattering degrees and selecting from multiple candidates based on imaging information, the system achieves more accurate attention region determination that matches user expectations while maintaining reasonable processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If blurring is applied to all regions outside a single focus position, then the processing is efficient, but the depth of field effect is inconsistent with user expectations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing efficiencyVSAvoiddepth of field effect accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of multiple focus positions and their scattering degrees before applying blurring. By pre-determining the appropriate attention region based on imaging information and scattering analysis, the system ensures that the subsequent blurring operation produces the correct depth of field effect while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the attention region is determined generically, then the method is universally applicable, but it cannot satisfy specific user expectations for different imaging scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethod universalityVSAvoiduser expectation matching accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic determination method that adapts to different imaging scenarios by analyzing multiple focus positions and their scattering degrees. The system selectively applies different determination strategies based on the specific imaging situation, achieving both universality and precision by adjusting its behavior according to the actual data characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2571251B1Image processor, image processing method, and computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2021.12.22 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

An apparatus includes an attention region determining unit and a blurring unit. The attention region determining unit is configured to determine an attention region of an image that includes an intended subject of the image. The blurring unit is configured to blur all of the image regions outside of the attention region.