Plenoptic Camera Focus Area Display Using Disparity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In plenoptic image capturing apparatuses, it is difficult for users to immediately check the focusing state in areas not covered by the focal point detection frame, leading to decreased detection accuracy and user burden, especially when contrast-based methods are used.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a disparity amount deriving unit, focus area specifying unit, and display control unit that displays specified focus areas differently from non-focus areas, using multi-viewpoint images to determine and highlight in-focus regions within the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contrast-based focal point detection frame display is used, then the focusing state can be indicated, but the detection accuracy decreases and user burden increases for areas not covered by the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The image display area is segmented into focus areas and non-focus areas, with each segment displayed using different visual characteristics (e.g., transparency, brightness, or color intensity). This allows users to immediately identify which regions are in focus without cognitive analysis, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different visual properties are applied to different regions of the display based on their focus state. Focus areas are highlighted with distinct visual characteristics (such as increased brightness or reduced transparency) compared to non-focus areas, enabling immediate visual differentiation and eliminating the need for user analysis.
2Area of stationary object
If the focal point detection frame is extended to cover the entire image, then all areas can be checked, but the contrast analysis area increases and detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple focal point detection frames or regions, each performing contrast analysis independently. This allows comprehensive coverage of the entire image while maintaining high detection accuracy within each segment, as the analysis is distributed across multiple smaller regions rather than one large region.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple focal point detection frames are displayed simultaneously across the image, providing excessive coverage that ensures all areas are monitored. This partial redundancy maintains detection accuracy by concentrating analysis resources within each frame while achieving full image coverage through the combination of frames.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image obtained from an image capturing unit, the image capturing unit being a plenoptic image capturing unit capable of acquiring multi-viewpoint images having different viewpoints is provided. The image capturing apparatus includes: a disparity amount deriving unit that derives a disparity amount of the multi-viewpoint images in relation to a subject; a focus area specifying unit that specifies a subject area in which the derived disparity amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold as a focus area; and a display control unit that displays the specified focus area on the display unit in a manner different from an area other than the focus area.