Image data processing method and imaging apparatus

1. An image data processing method for sharpening a captured image using a focus function produced based on a focused image and a defocused image of a subject, comprising:

defining a first transformation equation that includes a DetailedFocus function, to change the pixel values of a defocused image into the pixel values of a focused image using the coordinates of the defocused image and the coordinates of the focused image as arguments;

calculating a DetailedFocus function as the optimal solution for the first transformation equation by using the pixel values of the focused image and the defocused image as educational data;

performing an important point selection process for extracting a predetermined number of important points on the DetailedFocus function;

defining a second transformation equation that includes a SmartFocus function, to change the pixel values of a defocused image into the pixel values of a focused image based on the important points using the coordinates of the defocused image and the coordinates of the focused image as arguments, after the important point selection process;

calculating a SmartFocus function as the optimal solution for the second transformation equation by using the pixel values of the focused image and the defocused image as educational data; and

producing a focused image from a defocused image captured by an imaging device using the SmartFocus function as said focus function.

2. The image data processing method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first transformation equation is described as

I

focus

⁡

(

x

,

y

)

=

∑

-

m

<=

i

<=

m

-

n

<=

j

<=

n

⁢

F

detail

⁢

⁡

(

i

,

j

)

·

I

defocus

⁡

(

x

+

i

,

y

+

j

)

where Fdetail(i, j) is values of the DetailedFocus function, Ifocus(x, y) is focused image pixel values, Idefocus(x+i, y+j) is defocused image pixel values, x and y are integers, and m and n are natural numbers.

3. The image data processing method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the important point selection process comprises the following steps:

(Step 1) selecting 4 corners of the DetailedFocus function as important points;

(Step 2) performing Delaunay triangulation on existing important points;

(Step 3) calculating the predictive focus function values for all points by interpolating from the focus function values of the triangulation apex that the point belongs to;

(Step 4) comparing the predictive focus function value and the actual focus function value for all points, and then add the point with the greatest difference in value as an important point; and

(Step 5) repeating Step 2 to Step 4 until the number of important points is greater than a predetermined value.

4. The image data processing method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second transformation equation is described as

I

focus

⁡

(

x

,

y

)

=

∑

-

m

<=

i

<=

m

-

n

<=

j

<=

n

⁢

w

·

F

smart

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(

i

,

j

)

·

I

defocus

⁡

(

x

+

i

,

y

+

j

)

where Fsmart(i, j) is values of the SmartFocus function, If Fsmart(i, j) is an important point then set w=1, if Fsmart(i, j) is not an important point then set w=0, x and y are integers, and m and n are natural numbers.

5. The image data processing method for sharpening image data that is defocused and blurred from being out of focus and from camera shake, comprising:

capturing multiple images in one shot;

producing a focused image of each of the multiple images using any one of image data processing methods according to claim 1 ; and thereafter

designating one of the focused images as a reference image and calculating the motion data between the reference image and each of other focused images; and

producing a blur compensation image by overlaying the reference image and other focused images using the motion data.

6. The imaging apparatus which possesses the SmartFocus function calculated based on any one of the image data processing methods according to claims 1 to 5 , comprising:

a memory device for storing multiple SmartFocus functions for each different focal distance;

a imaging means for capturing an image; and

a focused image production means for producing focused images using each of the multiple SmartFocus functions to the captured image, selecting one SmartFocus function among the multiple SmartFocus functions depending on the edge or corner values obtained from pixel values of the focused images, and outputting the focused image produced by the selected SmartFocus function as the captured image.

7. The imaging apparatus which possesses the SmartFocus function calculated based on any one of the image data processing methods according to claims 1 to 5 , comprising:

a memory device for storing multiple SmartFocus functions corresponding to coordinates on an image;

an imaging means for capturing an image; and

a focused image production means for producing a focused image by applying one or more SmartFocus functions that correspond to coordinates on the captured image, and outputting the focused image as the captured image.