Real time camera and lens control system for image depth of field manipulation
OwnerChristopher A. Mayhewinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for real time control and manipulation of a moving imaging system lens's (prime, close-up, zoom, or anamorphic) depth of field. A computer control system is programed to perform a coordinated adjustment of a closed loop lens iris (aperture) and the shutter angle of a motion picture camera. The iris of the lens is reduced in size while simultaneously increasing the motion picture camera shutter angle an equal exposure (light transmission) amount, therefore, increasing the apparent image depth of field without a perceivable luminance shift. The image depth of field can be reduced by performing the above operation in reverse.
Claims11
A motion picture system, including a motion picture camera, said system comprising:
- a computer controller;
- a computer controlled aperture;
- and
- a computer controlled adjustable shutter having a shutter angle;
- wherein said aperture and said shutter are controlled by said controller to produce a depth of field fade without a visible luminance shift in a film exposed by said camera.
A method of producing a depth of field fade in a moving imaging system without a visible luminance shift comprising the steps of:
- adjusting an aperture size of a moving imaging camera to change a depth of field of said camera;
- and
- adjusting an exposure time of said camera to compensate for a change in illumination due to said aperture adjustment;
- wherein said aperture adjustment and said exposure adjustment are synchronized to avoid a visible luminance shift in images produced by said camera.
A motion picture system, including a motion picture camera, said system comprising:
- a computer controller;
- a computer controlled lens;
- a computer controlled aperture;
- and
- a computer controlled adjustable shutter having a shutter angle;
- wherein the operation of said aperture, said shutter, and said lens are synchronized by said controller to produce a depth of field fade without a visible luminance shift in a film exposed by said camera.
A method of producing a depth of field fade in a moving imaging system without a visible luminance shift comprising the steps of:
- adjusting the object distance of a lens to change a depth of field of a camera;
- adjusting an aperture size to change said depth of field of said camera;
- and
- adjusting an exposure time to compensate for said aperture adjustment;
- wherein said aperture adjustment and said exposure adjustment are synchronized to avoid a visible luminance shift in images produces by said camera.
A video system, including a video camera, said system comprising:
- a computer controller;
- a computer controlled aperture;
- and
- a computer controlled electronic shutter;
- wherein said aperture and said shutter are controlled by said controller to produce a depth of field fade without a visible luminance shift in video images produced by said camera.
A video system, including a video camera, said system comprising:
- a computer controller;
- a computer controlled lens;
- a computer controlled aperture;
- and
- a computer controlled electronic shutter;
- wherein the operation of said aperture, said shutter, and said lens are synchronized by said controller to produce a depth of field fade without a visible luminance shift in video images produced by said camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.