Methods and apparatus for coordinated lens and sensor motion
US9100562B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/68
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In exemplary implements of this invention, a lens and sensor of a camera are intentionally destabilized (i.e., shifted relative to the scene being imaged) in order to create defocus effects. That is, actuators in a camera move a lens and a sensor, relative to the scene being imaged, while the camera takes a photograph. This motion simulates a larger aperture size (shallower depth of field). Thus, by translating a lens and a sensor while taking a photo, a camera with a small aperture (such as a cell phone or small point and shoot camera) may simulate the shallow DOF that can be achieved with a professional SLR camera. This invention may be implemented in such a way that programmable defocus effects may be achieved. Also, approximately depth-invariant defocus blur size may be achieved over a range of depths, in some embodiments of this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.