Image Refocusing via Subject Recognition and Data Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image pickup apparatuses, refocusing requires significant user effort and time, especially when dealing with large amounts of image data, as users must manually adjust the focal position.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that automatically identifies a main subject using a subject recognition process and synthesizes unprocessed data to refocus on the main subject, reducing the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual refocusing is performed on large amounts of image data, then refocusing can be achieved, but user time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies the main subject and performs refocusing without user intervention. The image processing apparatus autonomously carries out the refocusing process by detecting subjects, determining the main subject, and synthesizing images at different focal positions, thereby eliminating the need for manual user operation and significantly reducing refocusing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs subject identification and main subject determination in advance before the user needs to refocus. By pre-processing the image data to identify what should be focused on, the system prepares the refocusing target beforehand, enabling rapid automatic refocusing when needed without requiring user analysis of the image content.
2Extent of automation
If manual refocusing is performed on large amounts of image data, then refocusing can be achieved, but user effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all refocusing operations autonomously without requiring user interaction. The image processing apparatus automatically detects subjects, determines which subject should be focused on, and synthesizes the refocused image, completely eliminating the need for manual user effort in the refocusing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies the main subject from the complex image data containing multiple subjects. By isolating the main subject through subject identification and determination processes, the system simplifies the refocusing task by focusing computational resources only on the identified target rather than requiring user analysis of all image elements.
3Extent of automation
If subject recognition process is added to identify main subject, then automatic refocusing is enabled, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing is divided into distinct modular stages: subject identification, main subject determination, and image synthesis. Each stage handles a specific aspect of the refocusing task independently, making the overall complex process manageable and systematic. This segmentation allows the system to tackle complexity by breaking it down into manageable functional blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The subject recognition process acts as an intermediary between the raw image data and the refocusing operation. This intermediate step identifies and selects the main subject, serving as a bridge that translates complex image data into a simplified refocusing target, thereby enabling automatic refocusing without requiring the entire system to simultaneously handle all aspects of image analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus which is capable of carrying out a refocusing process for an image. A plurality of pieces of unprocessed data on which developing process has not been carried out are obtained. A developing process is carried out on the piece of unprocessed data to obtain a piece of processed data, and a subject recognition process is carried out on the processed data to identify a main subject from among a plurality of subjects included in the processed data. And based on a phase difference between the plurality of pieces of unprocessed data, results of the developing process on the plurality of pieces of unprocessed data are synthesized together so that the main subject can be brought into focus.