Automated extended depth of field imaging apparatus and method

摘要

An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.

主权项

1. A system for extended depth-of-field imaging comprising:
an imaging apparatus; at least one processing element integrated on said imaging apparatus; and storage means embodying program logic for automatically acquiring at least one stack of images having depths of field covering at least one specified range of distances, wherein execution of said program logic by said at least one processing element causes said system to acquire said at least one stack of images, wherein said program logic for acquiring a stack of images having depths of field covering at least a specified range of distances comprises program logic for: iteratively computing a focus distance for each stack image based on a hyperfocal distance and the near and far limits of the at least one specified range of distances until at least the specified range of distances is covered.