Methods and apparatus for rendering an image with depth-of-field display
AssigneeSony Computer Entertainment Inc.
InventorsTadashi Nakamura, Dylan Simon Cuthbert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A depth of field rendering apparatus, method and program displays a sense of distance using a Z buffer to establish a depth direction of objects in an image and generating an image in a just-in-focus state while writing a Z value of each of dots in the image into the Z-buffer. A blurred image is produced from the just-in-focus image and portions of the blurred image are selectively overwritten on the just-in-focus image by comparing a preset Z value to the Z value of each of the data in the Z buffer.
Claims21
A rendering apparatus for showing depth of field in an image, comprising:
- (a) a Z buffer operable to establish a depth value of objects in an image;
- (b) an image generator unit to generate an image in a just-in-focus state while writing a Z value of each of dots in the image into the Z buffer;
- (c) a blurring unit operable to produce a blurred image of the image in the just-in-focus state;
- and
- (d) an overwriting unit operable to selectively overwrite portions of the blurred image on the image in the just-in-focus state by comparing a preset Z value to the Z value of each of the dots in the Z buffer.
A method for showing depth of field in an image, comprising:
- (a) establishing a depth value of objects in an image;
- (b) generating an image in a just-in-focus state while writing a Z value of each of dots in the image into a Z buffer;
- (c) producing a blurred image of the image in the just-in-focus state;
- and
- (d) selectively overwriting portions of the blurred image on the image in the just-in-focus state by comparing a preset Z value to the Z value of each of the dots in the Z buffer.
A storage medium for storing an image-generating program capable of execution by a microprocessor to perform steps for showing depth of field in an image, the steps comprising:
- (a) establishing a depth value of objects in an image;
- (b) generating an image in a just-in-focus state while writing a Z value of each of dots in the image into a Z buffer;
- (c) producing a blurred image of the image in the just-in-focus state;
- and
- (d) selectively overwriting portions of the blurred image on the image in the just-in-focus state by comparing a preset Z value to the Z value of each of the dots in the Z buffer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.