Image processing apparatus and method for image synthesis
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorKazuhiro Yahata
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Abstract
A plurality of first image data having a first resolution, which are obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints, and capturing information in the capturing operation are input. Based on the capturing information, a plurality of candidate values are set as a synthesis parameter required to synthesize second image data having a second resolution higher than the first resolution from the first image data. Using a candidate value selected from the plurality of candidate values as a synthesis parameter, the second image data is synthesized from the plurality of first image data.
Claims18
An image processing apparatus comprising:
- an input section configured to input a plurality of pieces of first image data having a first resolution obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints;
- a synthesizer configured to align and synthesize the plurality of pieces of first image data to generate second image data having a second resolution higher than the first resolution;
- a setting section configured to set as candidates for a synthesis parameter to be used for the synthesis, a plurality of synthesis parameters which are included in synthesis parameters eligible to be candidates and which meet a condition required to achieve predetermined image quality of the second image data, wherein each synthesis parameter indicates a position shift amount of the first image data used for the alignment;
- and
- a selector configured to select one of the synthesis parameters set as candidates based on a user input,
- wherein the synthesizer is configured to generate the second image data using the synthesis parameter selected by the selector,
- wherein at least one of the input section, the setting section, the selector, or the synthesizer is implemented by a processor of the image processing apparatus.
An image processing method comprising:
- using a processor to perform the steps of:
- inputting a plurality of pieces of first image data having a first resolution obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints;
- aligning and synthesizing the plurality of pieces of first image data to generate second image data having a second resolution higher than the first resolution;
- setting, as candidates for a synthesis parameter to be used for the synthesis, a plurality of synthesis parameters which are included in synthesis parameters eligible to be candidates and which meet a condition required to achieve predetermined image quality of the second image data, wherein each synthesis parameter indicates a position shift amount of the first image data used for the alignment;
- and
- selecting one of the synthesis parameters set as the candidates based on a user input,
- wherein, in the aligning and synthesizing step, the second image data is generated using the synthesis parameter selected in the selecting step.
An image processing apparatus configured to supply a user interface for setting a focus state of second image data, having second resolution, generated by aligning and synthesizing a plurality of pieces of first image data, having a first resolution lower than the second resolution, obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints, comprising:
- a setting section configured to set, as focus states for the synthesis, a plurality of focus states corresponding to position shift amounts of the first image data used for the alignment that meet a condition required to achieve a predetermined image quality of the second image data;
- and
- a generating section configured (i) to generate a graphical user interface for a user to set the focus state of the second image data, wherein the graphical user interface is an interface for a user to select a focus state of the second image data from a plurality of focus states that can be set as the focus state of the second image data, and (ii) to generate, as the graphical user interface, a display image that indicates which of the plurality of focus states that can be set as the focus state of the second image data is set as the focus state by the setting section,
- wherein at least one of the setting section or the generating section is implemented by a processor.
An image processing apparatus configured to supply a user interface for setting a focus state of second image data, having second resolution, generated by aligning and synthesizing a plurality of pieces of first image data, having a first resolution lower than the second resolution, obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints, comprising:
- a setting section configured to set, as focus states for the synthesis, a plurality of focus states corresponding to position shift amounts of the first image data used for the alignment that meet a condition required to achieve a predetermined image quality of the second image data;
- a generating section configured to generate a user interface for a user to set a focus state of the second image data;
- and
- a restricting section configured to restrict selection of a focus state that is not set as the focus states in setting the focus state of the second image data using the user interface,
- wherein at least one of the setting section, the generating section, or the restricting section is implemented by a processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.