IP Library Granted Patent US 12,273,630
Granted Patent B2
US 12,273,630 · App. 18/153,500 · Granted Apr 8, 2025

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium

Inventors: Tokuro Nishida (Kanagawa, JP); Kengo Takeuchi (Kanagawa, JP); Hiroyuki Hasegawa (Chiba, JP); Kazuya Kitamura (Kanagawa, JP); Koki Nakamura (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
H04N23/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,273,630
App. No.
18/153,500
Granted
Apr 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of output units outputting arithmetic operation results; a memory storing instructions; and a processor executing the instructions causing the image processing apparatus to: acquire images from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints, perform an arithmetic operation for converting the acquired images into distance information, and perform control to output arithmetic operation results from the plurality of output units, wherein the processor assigns the plurality of arithmetic operation results requiring different amounts of arithmetic operation obtained in the arithmetic operation process to the plurality of output units, and selectively switches the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with an operation condition of the image processing apparatus.

Claims (43)

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of output units outputting arithmetic operation results;

a memory storing instructions; and

a processor executing the instructions causing the image processing apparatus to:

acquire images from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints;

perform an arithmetic operation for converting the acquired images into distance information; and

perform control to output the arithmetic operation results from the plurality of output units,

wherein the processor assigns a plurality of arithmetic operation results requiring different amounts of arithmetic operation obtained in an arithmetic operation process to the plurality of output units and selectively switches the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with an operation condition of the image processing apparatus, and

the processor selectively switches the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with a reading mode in a sensor.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arithmetic operation results include an initial result, an intermediate result, and a final result.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor performs control for assigning the plurality of arithmetic operation results to the plurality of output units on the basis of a user's setting.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a lens unit including a lens for forming an optical image,

wherein the processor performs control for selectively switching the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in a case where the lens is operated.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor selects an arithmetic operation result that is able to be output from among the plurality of arithmetic operation results in accordance with lens properties or an imaging object condition.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor selectively switches the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with setting values of the amounts of arithmetic operations set by a user.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the processor further executes an instruction causing the image processing apparatus to

save the plurality of arithmetic operation results, and

selectively switch the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with whether or not to save the plurality of arithmetic operation results.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor performs control not to perform an auxiliary arithmetic operation for enhancing reliability of the distance information in accordance with a set amount of arithmetic operation and a frame rate.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the processor further executes an instruction causing the image processing apparatus to display the plurality of arithmetic operation results, and

wherein the processor displays that arithmetic operation results requiring a smaller amount of arithmetic operation are able to be displayed in a case where the image processing apparatus is driven with a battery.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the initial result includes images at least from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints.

11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the intermediate result is information obtained in a process until the distance information is computed after disparity information is acquired.

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the final result is the distance information.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes an instruction causing the image processing apparatus to convert the distance information into distance layer information.

14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is able to arbitrarily change a destination to which each of the arithmetic operation results is to be assigned.

15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the processor further executes an instruction causing the image processing apparatus to acquire reliability information from the intermediate result, and

wherein the processor switches the arithmetic operation results in accordance with the reliability information.

16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the reliability information is determined by a correlation of images from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints.

17. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus including a plurality of output units capable of outputting distance information, the method comprising:

acquiring images from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints;

performing an arithmetic operation for converting the acquired images into distance information; and

assigning a plurality of arithmetic operation results requiring different amounts of arithmetic operation which are obtained in an arithmetic operation process to the plurality of output units, selectively switching the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with an operation condition of the image processing apparatus, and outputting the arithmetic operation results from the plurality of output units, and

selectively switching the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with a reading mode in a sensor.

18. A non-transitory storage medium on which is stored a computer program related to a method for controlling an image processing apparatus that includes a plurality of output units capable of outputting distance information, the method comprising:

acquiring images from a plurality of mutually different viewpoints;

performing an arithmetic operation for converting the acquired images into distance information; and

assigning a plurality of arithmetic operation results requiring different amounts of arithmetic operation which are obtained in an arithmetic operation process to the plurality of output units, selectively switching the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with an operation condition of the image processing apparatus, and outputting the arithmetic operation results from the plurality of output units, and

selectively switching the arithmetic operation results to be assigned in accordance with a reading mode in a sensor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2023
From: NISHIDA, TOKURO; TAKEUCHI, KENGO; HASEGAWA, HIROYUKI; KITAMURA, KAZUYA; NAKAMURA, KOKI
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 062621/0027 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-006784 · Jan 19, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230300474A1 · Sep 21, 2023
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