Patent Description:
There is an increasing trend where a plurality of camera modules are applied to an electronic device. For example, a plurality of cameras may be mounted on different sides of an electronic device, and they may be used to capture images in different directions. Further, a plurality of cameras may be mounted on the same side of an electronic device, and they may be used to generate a corrected image (e.g., out-of-focus image or bokeh-effect image) in which at least parts of one or more external objects are blurred. In similar regards, publication <CIT> discloses methods for obtaining determining a main camera and a sub camera from a first and a second cameras in a device based on ambient brightness, and publication <CIT> discloses methods of using depth information from a 3D for applying a blur filter to images. Z f <NPL>, discloses using a dual pixels in a single camera for depth based blurring.

The most important factor deteriorating a picture quality in the case where an electronic device captures an image using cameras is a low-illumination environment, and thus research and development for acquiring a high-quality image using cameras in a low-illumination environment have been continuously made.

The above information is presented as background information only, and to assist with an understanding of the disclosure.

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages, and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device and a method thereof which can improve a picture quality in the case where a corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects are blurred using a plurality of cameras in a low-illumination environment.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first camera deployed on one side of the electronic device, a second camera deployed on the one side, a memory, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to acquire a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquire a second image frame for the one or more external objects using the second camera while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generate depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the depth information, wherein the designated image frames are determined by at least one of a blur degree and a handshake amount among the plurality of the first image frames, and generate a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, another electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first camera deployed on one side of the electronic device, a second camera deployed on the one side, a memory, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to acquire a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquire a second image frame for the one or more external objects using the second camera while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generate depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the depth information, and generate a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for driving an electronic device is provided. The method includes acquiring a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using a first camera based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquiring a second image frame for the one or more external objects using a second camera while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generating depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generating a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the depth information, wherein the designated image frames are determined by at least one of a blur degree and a handshake amount among the plurality of the first image frames, and generating a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

According to the various embodiments of the disclosure, the picture quality can be improved in the case where the corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects are blurred using the plurality of cameras in the low-illumination environment.

It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only, and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value, need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may also communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a dis device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, and/or an antenna module <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory <NUM> which can include embedded memory <NUM> and/or eternal memory <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> may receive a command or data to be used by other components (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM>, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board (PCB)).

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a camera module according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> of block diagram <NUM> may include a lens assembly <NUM>, a flash <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, an image stabilizer <NUM>, memory <NUM> (e.g., buffer memory), and/or an image signal processor <NUM>. The lens assembly <NUM> may collect light emitted or reflected from an object whose image is to be taken. The lens assembly <NUM> may include one or more lenses. According to an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may include a plurality of lens assemblies <NUM>. In such a case, the camera module <NUM> may form, for example, a dual camera, a <NUM>-degree camera, or a spherical camera. Some of the plurality of lens assemblies <NUM> may have the same lens attribute (e.g., view angle, focal length, auto-focusing, f number, or optical zoom), or at least one lens assembly may have one or more lens attributes different from those of another lens assembly. The lens assembly <NUM> may include, for example, a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

The flash <NUM> may emit light that is used to reinforce light reflected from an object. According to an embodiment, the flash <NUM> may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB) LED, a white LED, an infrared (IR) LED, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED) or a xenon lamp. The image sensor <NUM> may obtain an image corresponding to an object by converting light emitted or reflected from the object and transmitted via the lens assembly <NUM> into an electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the image sensor <NUM> may include one selected from image sensors having different attributes, such as an RGB sensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, or a UV sensor, a plurality of image sensors having the same attribute, or a plurality of image sensors having different attributes. Each image sensor included in the image sensor <NUM> may be implemented using, for example, a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.

The image stabilizer <NUM> may move the image sensor <NUM> or at least one lens included in the lens assembly <NUM> in a particular direction, or control an operational attribute (e.g., adjust the read-out timing) of the image sensor <NUM> in response to the movement of the camera module <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM> including the camera module <NUM>. This allows compensating for at least part of a negative effect (e.g., image blurring) by the movement on an image being captured. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer <NUM> may sense such a movement by the camera module <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM> using a gyro sensor (not shown) or an acceleration sensor (not shown) disposed inside or outside the camera module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer <NUM> may be implemented, for example, as an optical image stabilizer.

The memory <NUM> may store, at least temporarily, at least part of an image obtained via the image sensor <NUM> for a subsequent image processing task. For example, if image capturing is delayed due to shutter lag or multiple images are quickly captured, a raw image obtained (e.g., a Bayer-patterned image, a high-resolution image) may be stored in the memory <NUM>, and its corresponding copy image (e.g., a low-resolution image) may be previewed via the display device <NUM>. Thereafter, if a specified condition is met (e.g., by a user's input or system command), at least part of the raw image stored in the memory <NUM> may be obtained and processed, for example, by the image signal processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the memory <NUM> may be configured as at least part of the memory <NUM> or as a separate memory that is operated independently from the memory <NUM>.

The image signal processor <NUM> may perform one or more image processing with respect to an image obtained via the image sensor <NUM> or an image stored in the memory <NUM>. The one or more image processing may include, for example, depth map generation, three-dimensional (3D) modeling, panorama generation, feature point extraction, image synthesizing, or image compensation (e.g., noise reduction, resolution adjustment, brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, or softening). Additionally or alternatively, the image signal processor <NUM> may perform control (e.g., exposure time control or read-out timing control) with respect to at least one (e.g., the image sensor <NUM>) of the components included in the camera module <NUM>. An image processed by the image signal processor <NUM> may be stored back in the memory <NUM> for further processing, or may be provided to an external component (e.g., the memory <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM>, or the server <NUM>) outside the camera module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the image signal processor <NUM> may be configured as at least part of the processor <NUM>, or as a separate processor that is operated independently from the processor <NUM>. If the image signal processor <NUM> is configured as a separate processor from the processor <NUM>, at least one image processed by the image signal processor <NUM> may be displayed, by the processor <NUM>, via the display device <NUM> as it is or after being further processed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of camera modules <NUM> having different attributes or functions. In such a case, at least one of the plurality of camera modules <NUM> may form, for example, a wide-angle camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules180 may form a telephoto camera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of camera modules <NUM> may form, for example, a front camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules180 may form a rear camera.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first camera (first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) deployed on one side of the electronic device <NUM>, a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) deployed on the one side, a memory (e.g., memory <NUM> of <FIG>), and at least one processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>), wherein the processor <NUM> is configured to acquire a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera <NUM> based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquire a second image frame for the one or more external objects using the second camera <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generate depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames, and generate a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information. The processor <NUM> may be further configured to determine a reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames based on a designated condition as a part of an operation of generating the first corrected image, generate a combined image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the reference image frame, perform image compensation with respect to the combined image, and generate the first corrected image by applying noise reduction with respect to the image-compensated combined image. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to divide the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on the depth information as a part of an operation of generating the first corrected image, determine operating weights for the plurality of regions, and generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the operating weights. The first camera <NUM> may include a first lens group having a first focal length and a first view angle, and the second camera <NUM> may include a second lens group having a second focal length that is shorter than the first focal length and a second view angle that is equal to or larger than the first view angle. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to acquire a plurality of second image frames corresponding to the plurality of first image frames as a part of an operation of acquiring the second image frame, and generate the depth information based on the reference image frame and the image frame corresponding to the reference image frame among the plurality of second image frames as a part of an operation of generating the depth information. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to generate the depth information based on the first image frame acquired in a first frame period among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames and the second image frame as a part of an operation of generating the depth information. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to determine a second reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames acquired in a plurality of designated frame periods among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames as a part of an operation of generating the depth information, and generate the depth information based on the second reference image frame and the image frame corresponding to the second reference image frame among the plurality of second image frames.

An electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments of the disclosure includes a first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM>) deployed on one side of the electronic device <NUM>, a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) deployed on the one side, a memory (e.g., memory <NUM> of <FIG>), and at least one processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>), wherein the processor <NUM> is configured to acquire a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera <NUM> based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquire a second image frame for the one or more external objects using the second camera <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generate depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the depth information, and generate a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information. The processor <NUM> may be further configured to determine a reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames based on a designated condition as a part of an operation of generating the first corrected image, divide the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on the depth information, determine operating weights for the plurality of regions, and generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the operating weights determined for the plurality of regions. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to generate a combined image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the operating weights determined for the plurality of regions, apply image compensation with respect to the combined image based on the operating weights determined for the plurality of regions, and generate the first corrected image by applying noise reduction with respect to the combined image to which the image compensation has been applied based on the operating weights determined for the plurality of regions. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to acquire a plurality of second image frames corresponding to the plurality of first image frames as a part of an operation of acquiring the second image frame. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to generate the depth information based on the first image frame acquired in a first frame period among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames and the second image frame as a part of an operation of generating the depth information. The processor <NUM> may be still further configured to determine a second reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames acquired in a plurality of designated frame periods among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames as a part of an operation of generating the depth information, and generate the depth information based on the second reference image frame and the image frame corresponding to the second reference image frame among the plurality of second image frames.

The electronic device <NUM> (e.g., electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the first camera <NUM> (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>), the second camera <NUM> (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>), a display <NUM> (e.g., display device <NUM> of <FIG>), and/or the processor <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may be deployed on one side of the electronic device <NUM> to be spaced apart from each other for a designated distance. For example, the first camera <NUM> may be deployed on one side of the electronic device <NUM>, and the second camera <NUM> may be deployed on the one side of the electronic device <NUM> to be spaced apart from the first camera <NUM> for the designated distance.

According to an embodiment, the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may have the same optical property. For example, the optical property may mean a view angle of a lens, an iris numerical value (e.g., focus (F) value), a pixel pitch of an image sensor, or existence/nonexistence of a color filter, and the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may be configured to have substantially the same conditions as described above.

According to another embodiment, the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may have different optical properties. For example, the first camera <NUM> may include a first lens group having a first focal length and a first view angle, and a first image sensor, and the first lens group may be a standard view angle lens or a telephoto angle lens. The second camera <NUM> may include a second lens group having a second focal length that is shorter than the first focal length and a second view angle that is equal to or larger than the first view angle, and a second image sensor, and the second lens group may be a wide-angle lens.

According to an embodiment, any one of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may be defined as a main camera, and the other may be defined as a sub-camera.

According to an embodiment, at least a part of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> may include an illumination sensor. For example, the illumination sensor may be deployed adjacent to the first lens group or the second lens group on one side of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the illumination sensor may be omitted, and in this case, the image sensor of the first camera <NUM> or the image sensor of the second camera <NUM> may be used as the illumination sensor.

According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may display a preview image, a captured image, or a user interface related to camera functions under the control of the processor <NUM>. For example, the user interface may provide a screen for zoom adjustment function, preview mode, focus region selection, or photographing command selection.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be operatively connected to the first camera <NUM>, the second camera <NUM>, or the display <NUM>, and it may perform overall control of the first camera <NUM>, the second camera <NUM>, or the display <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may control drive (on) of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>, drive mode (e.g., sleep, standby, or active), frame rate, or digital zoom.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may acquire image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera <NUM> and/or the second camera <NUM>, and it may generate a corrected image (e.g., out-of-focus image or bokeh-effect image) in which at least parts of the one or more external objects are blurred through correction of the acquired image frames.

Hereinafter, in the description, the term "corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects are blurred" is defined as "bokeh-effect image". The "bokeh-effect image" used in the description may be substantially the same expression as "out-focus image", "out-of-focus image", or "bokeh image", and it may mean a defocused blur image in which a remaining portion excluding a specific portion (e.g., focus region <NUM> of <FIG>) among the whole image region has been defocused.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include an image capturing unit <NUM>, a depth information generation unit <NUM>, a first correction unit <NUM>, or a second correction unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the image capturing unit <NUM> may acquire at least one image frame by controlling drive (on) of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>, drive mode (e.g., sleep, standby, or active), frame rate, or digital zoom. For example, the image capturing unit <NUM> may acquire image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera <NUM> and/or the second camera <NUM> in response to a user input corresponding to a photographing signal.

<FIG> is a diagram explaining a method by an electronic device for generating depth information according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, as another example, if a user input corresponding to a photographing signal is received, the image capturing unit <NUM> may acquire a plurality of first image frames <NUM> for the one or more external objects using the first camera <NUM>, and it may acquire a plurality of second image frames <NUM> for the one or more external objects using the second camera <NUM> while acquiring the plurality of first image frames <NUM>. According to a certain embodiment, the image capturing unit <NUM> may acquire at least one of the second image frames <NUM> using the second camera <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may generate a depth map <NUM> based on the image frames acquired using the first camera <NUM> and the image frames acquired using the second camera <NUM>. For example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may generate the depth map <NUM> including depth information for one or more external objects based on the designated image frame that is any one of the plurality of first image frames <NUM> acquired using the first camera <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> corresponding to the designated image frame and acquired using the second camera <NUM>. For example, the fact that the second image frame <NUM> corresponds to the designated image frame may mean that the two image frames have the same time information. As another example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may generate the depth map <NUM> using the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> captured at the same time (e.g., frame period).

According to an embodiment, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may generate the depth information based on the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> that are acquired in the first frame period among the plurality of frame periods in which the plurality of first image frames <NUM> are acquired.

The depth information generation unit <NUM> determines any one of the plurality of first image frames <NUM> based on the designated condition, and generates the depth information based on the second image frame <NUM> corresponding to the determined image frame. The designated condition includes the blur degree of the first image frame or the handshake amount. For example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may determine the image frame having the lowest blur degree and/or the smallest handshake amount among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> as the designated image frame.

According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate a single image having an improved picture quality by combining the designated image frames among the plurality of image frames acquired using the first camera <NUM>. For example, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate a first corrected image by combining the plurality of image frames acquired using the first camera <NUM>. Further, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining only parts of the plurality of image frames acquired using the first camera <NUM>. According to a certain embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate a single image having an improved picture quality by combining the plurality of image frames acquired using the second camera <NUM> in a similar manner to combining of the first image frames <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames <NUM>. For example, the first correction unit <NUM> may measure an external illumination using an illumination sensor, and it may determine the number of designated image frames used to combine the images based on the external illumination. According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may configure a relatively small number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes brighter, and it may configure a relatively large number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes darker. For example, if the external illumination is lowered below a designated value, the first correction unit <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of first image frames <NUM> in all.

The first correction unit <NUM> determines a reference image frame among the designated image frames, and combines the designated image frames based on the reference image frame. The designated condition includes the blur degree of the first image frame or the handshake amount. For example, the first correction unit <NUM> may determine the image frame having the lowest blur degree and/or the smallest handshake amount among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> as the reference image frame.

According to a certain embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may further use the depth information in combining the designated image frames. For example, the first correction unit <NUM> may divide the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on the depth information, and it may determine operating weights for the plurality of regions.

<FIG> is a diagram explaining a method for generating a blur image in which a remaining portion excluding a specific portion is defocused using a depth map according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, based on the depth information, the first correction unit <NUM> may divide the reference image frame into a first region that is a focus region <NUM>, a second region (e.g., foreground region <NUM>) having a focal length that is shorter than the focal length of the first region, or a third region (e.g., background region <NUM>) having a focal length that is longer than the focal length of the first region. According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may differently determine the operating weights for the divided first to third regions, and it may configure a relatively high operating weight with respect to the first region that is the focus region <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may combine the designated image frames based on the determined operating weight. Because the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure generates the first corrected image using the depth information, it can use more memory resources or processing resources in improving the picture quality for the focus region <NUM>, and thus it can generate a bokeh-effect image with an improved picture quality.

According to an embodiment, the second correction unit <NUM> may generate a second corrected image that is a bokeh-effect image through correction of the first corrected image. For example, the second correction unit <NUM> may generate the second corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information. According to an embodiment, the second correction unit <NUM> may generate the second corrected image by blurring the remaining region excluding the focus region <NUM> from the first corrected image using the depth information.

According to an embodiment, if the second corrected image is generated, the second correction unit <NUM> may output the second corrected image by controlling the display <NUM>.

According to a certain embodiment, at least parts of the image capturing unit <NUM>, the depth information generation unit <NUM>, the first correction unit <NUM>, and the second correction unit <NUM> in the processor <NUM> may be included in an image signal processor <NUM> (e.g., image signal processor <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, at least partial operations of the respective operations of the image capturing unit <NUM>, the depth information generation unit <NUM>, the first correction unit <NUM>, and the second correction unit <NUM> may be performed by the image signal processor <NUM> or <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a depth information generation unit (e.g., depth information generation unit <NUM> of <FIG>) of a processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may generate the depth information using the parallax between the first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, as denoted by <NUM> in <FIG>, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may acquire the first image frame <NUM> using the first camera <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> corresponding to the first image frame <NUM> using the second camera <NUM>. According to an illustrated example, the first image frame <NUM> may be an image obtained by photographing one or more external objects with a first view angle in a specific frame period (e.g., first frame period or designated frame period), and the second image frame <NUM> may be and image obtained by photographing the one or more external objects with a second view angle that is larger than the first view angle in the specific frame period.

According to an embodiment, as denoted by <NUM> of <FIG>, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may adjust the respective view angles of the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> and coordinates of the focal regions <NUM> so that they respectively coincide with each other. According to an embodiment, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may adjust the alignment of the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> by matching the respective objects of the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> with each other. For example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may shift the second image frame <NUM> so that the coordinates of the focus region <NUM> of the first image frame <NUM> coincide with the coordinates of the focus region <NUM> of the second image frame <NUM>. According to an embodiment, if the alignment of the second image frame <NUM> is adjusted, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may adjust the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> with the same view angle based on calibration information of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>. For example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may crop the second image frame <NUM> so that the second image frame <NUM> has the same view angle as the view angle of the first image frame <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the calibration information may be values determined through a calibration process during manufacturing of the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>, and for example, the calibration information may include an intrinsic parameter and an extrinsic parameter. The intrinsic parameter may be the property of each camera, and it may include an optical center, a focal length, or a lens distortion. The extrinsic parameter may indicate a relative location between the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>, and it may be a tilt or shift.

According to an embodiment, as denoted by <NUM> of <FIG>, if the view angles of the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM> and the coordinates of the focus regions <NUM> respectively coincide with each other, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may generate the depth map <NUM> while matching the remaining objects excluding the external objects corresponding to the focus regions <NUM>. For example, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may search for the same object from the first image frame <NUM> and the second image frame <NUM>, and it may convert the shift degree in which the coordinates corresponding to the same object in the respective image frames are shifted into the depth information. According to an embodiment, if the shift degree in which the coordinates corresponding to the same object in the respective image frames are shifted is high, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may determine that the corresponding object is at a short distance, whereas if the shift degree in which the coordinates corresponding to the same object in the respective image frames are shifted is low, the depth information generation unit <NUM> may determine that the corresponding object is at a long distance.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> according to the disclosure may acquire the depth information using various methods in addition to that as exemplarily mentioned above. For example, methods by the electronic device <NUM> for acquiring the depth information are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

A second correction unit (e.g., second correction unit <NUM> of <FIG>) of a processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may determine a focus region <NUM> from a first corrected image <NUM>, and it may generate a blur weight map <NUM> based on the focus region <NUM> and the depth map <NUM>. For example, the second correction unit <NUM> may divide the first corrected image <NUM> into a plurality of regions based on the focus region <NUM>, and it may differently determine the blur weights for the plurality of regions. According to an embodiment, the second correction unit <NUM> may configure a relatively low blur weight with respect to a foreground region <NUM> located at a shorter distance than the distance of the focus region <NUM>, and it may configure a relatively high blur weight with respect to a background region <NUM> located at a longer distance than the distance of the focus region <NUM>. For example, the second correction unit <NUM> may configure the blur weight as a value in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, and in this case, the second correction unit <NUM> may configure the blur weight that is close to <NUM> with respect to the foreground region <NUM>, whereas the second correction unit <NUM> may configure the blur weight that is close to <NUM> with respect to the background region <NUM>. Further, regardless of the division of the foreground region <NUM> and the background region <NUM>, the second correction unit <NUM> may configure a low blur weight with respect to a region relatively close to the focus region <NUM>, whereas it may configure a high blur weight with respect to a region relatively far from the focus region <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the second correction unit <NUM> of the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate a second corrected image <NUM> by applying the blur effects for the plurality of regions of the first corrected image <NUM> based on the blur weight map <NUM>. For example, the second correction unit <NUM> may apply a high blur effect with respect to a region having a relatively high blur weight, whereas it may apply a low blur effect with respect to a region having a relatively low blur weight.

A method for driving an electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include acquiring a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using a first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal, acquiring a second image frame for the one or more external objects using a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames, generating depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame, generating a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames, and generating a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information. Generating the first corrected image may include determining a reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames based on a designated condition, generating a combined image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the reference image frame, performing image compensation with respect to the combined image, and generating the first corrected image by applying noise reduction with respect to the combined image to which the image compensation has been applied. Generating the first corrected image may include dividing the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on the depth information, determining operating weights for the plurality of regions, and generating the first corrected image by combining the plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the operating weights. Acquiring the second image frame may include acquiring a plurality of second image frames corresponding to the plurality of first image frames. Generating the depth information may include generating the depth information based on the reference image frame and the image frame corresponding to the reference image frame among the plurality of second image frames. Generating the depth information may include generating the depth information based on the first image frame acquired in a first frame period among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames and the second image frame. Generating the depth information may include determining a second reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames acquired in a plurality of designated frame periods among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames, and generating the depth information based on the second reference image frame and the image frame corresponding to the second reference image frame among the plurality of second image frames.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a method by an electronic device for generating a blur image in which a remaining portion excluding a specific portion is defocused using a plurality of cameras according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

At operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may acquire a plurality of image frames using a first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (main camera) and a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (sub-camera). For example, the processor <NUM> may acquire a plurality of first image frames <NUM> for one or more external objects through the first camera <NUM> based on a user input corresponding to a photographing signal, and it may acquire at least one second image frame <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate a depth map <NUM> based on the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> corresponding to the first image frames <NUM>. For example, the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> may be image frames acquired in a first frame period among a plurality of frame periods in which the first image frames <NUM> are acquired.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may measure external illumination using an illumination sensor, and the processor <NUM> may determine the number of designated image frames used to combine the images based on the external illumination. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may configure a relatively small number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes brighter, and it may configure a relatively large number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes darker. For example, if the external illumination is lowered below a designated value, the processor <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of first image frames <NUM> in all. Operation <NUM> will be described in detail later with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate a second corrected image by partially applying a blur effect to the first corrected image based on the depth map <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may generate the second corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the display <NUM> to display the second corrected image.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method by an electronic device for generating a first corrected image according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating in detail a method by an electronic device for generating a first corrected image according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams explaining in detail operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method by the electronic device <NUM> for generating a first corrected image according to an embodiment will be described.

At operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment determines a plurality of designated image frames among a plurality of first image frames <NUM>, and determines a reference image frame among the plurality of designated image frames. The designated condition includes the blur degree of the first image frame or the handshake amount. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the image frame having the lowest blur degree and/or the smallest handshake amount among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> as the reference image frame. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may determine the handshake amount based on the movement amount measured using an acceleration sensor during an exposure time of an image sensor.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate a combined image by combining the designated image frames that are at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM> based on the reference image frame. For example, the processor <NUM> may combine the plurality of objects included in the remaining image frames based on the plurality of objects included in the reference image frame with the reference image frame.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may perform image compensation with respect to the combined image. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform a compensation algorithm to improve brightness, contrast, or sharpness with respect to the combined image. According to various embodiments, the compensation algorithm to improve the brightness, contrast, or sharpness may be one of methods known in the corresponding technical field. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform the compensation algorithm to improve the brightness, contrast, or sharpness, and it may perform image compensation with respect to the combined image using a low-illumination image processing method disclosed in <CIT> or <CIT>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate the first corrected image by performing noise reduction with respect to the image-compensated combined image. According to various embodiments, the compensation algorithm to reduce a noise of the image may be one of methods known in the corresponding technical field. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform the noise reduction with respect to the combined image using a noise reduction method disclosed in <CIT> or <CIT>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an example which does not form part of the invention.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a method by an electronic device for generating a blur image in which a remaining portion excluding a specific portion is defocused using a plurality of cameras according to an example which does not form part of the invention. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method for operating an electronic device according to the example which does not form part of the invention will be described.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may acquire a plurality of image frames using a first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (main camera) and a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (sub-camera). For example, the processor <NUM> may acquire a plurality of first image frames <NUM> for one or more external objects through the first camera <NUM> based on a user input corresponding to a photographing signal, and it may acquire at least one second image frame <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may measure external illumination using an illumination sensor, and it may determine the number of designated image frames used to combine the images based on the external illumination. The processor <NUM> may configure a relatively small number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes brighter, and it may configure a relatively large number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes darker. For example, if the external illumination is lowered below a designated value, the processor <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of first image frames <NUM> in all.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may generate depth map <NUM> based on a reference image frame used during generation of the first corrected image. For example, if the first image frame <NUM> acquired in the x-th frame period during generation of the first corrected image is determined as the reference image frame, the processor <NUM> may generate the depth map <NUM> based on the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> acquired in the x-th frame period.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may generate a second corrected image by partially applying the blur effect to the first corrected image based on the depth map <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may generate the second corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display the second corrected image.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a method by an electronic device for generating a blur image in which a remaining portion excluding a specific portion is defocused using a plurality of cameras according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method for operating an electronic device according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

At operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>) according to another embodiment may acquire a plurality of image frames using a first camera (e.g., first camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (main camera) and a second camera (e.g., second camera <NUM> of <FIG>) (sub-camera). For example, the processor <NUM> may acquire a plurality of first image frames <NUM> for one or more external objects through the first camera <NUM> based on a user input corresponding to a photographing signal, and it may acquire at least one second image frame <NUM> while acquiring at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate a depth map <NUM> based on the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> corresponding to the first image frame <NUM>. For example, the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> may be image frames acquired in a first frame period among a plurality of frame periods in which the first image frames <NUM> are acquired.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> based on the depth map <NUM>. For example, a first correction unit (e.g., first correction unit <NUM> of <FIG>) of the processor <NUM> may further use the depth information in combining the designated image frames. For example, the first correction unit <NUM> may divide the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on the depth information, and it may determine operating weights for the plurality of regions. According to an embodiment, based on the depth information, the first correction unit <NUM> may divide the reference image frame into a first region that is a focus region <NUM>, a second region (e.g., foreground region <NUM>) having a focal length that is shorter than the focal length of the first region, or a third region (e.g., background region <NUM>) having a focal length that is longer than the focal length of the first region. According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may differently determine the operating weights for the divided first to third regions, and it may configure a relatively high operating weight with respect to the first region that is the focus region <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first correction unit <NUM> may combine the designated image frames based on the determined operating weight. Because the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure generates the first corrected image using the depth information, it can use more memory resources or processing resources in improving the picture quality for the focus region <NUM>, and thus it can generate a bokeh-effect image with an improved picture quality.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate a second corrected image by partially applying a blur effect to the first corrected image based on the depth map <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may generate the second corrected image in which at least parts of one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may control the display <NUM> to display the second corrected image.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method by an electronic device for generating a first corrected image according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating in detail a method by an electronic device for generating a first corrected image according to another embodiment of the disclosure. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams explaining in detail operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method by an electronic device for generating a first corrected image according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines a plurality of designated image frames among a plurality of first image frames <NUM>, and determines a reference image frame among the plurality of designated image frames. The designated condition includes the blur degree of the first image frame or the handshake amount. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the image frame having the lowest blur degree and/or the smallest handshake amount among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> as the reference image frame. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may determine the handshake amount based on the movement amount measured using an acceleration sensor during an exposure time of an image sensor.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may divide the reference image frame into a plurality of regions based on depth information. For example, based on the depth information, a first correction unit (e.g., first correction unit <NUM> of <FIG>) of the processor <NUM> may divide the reference image frame into a first region that is a focus region <NUM>, a second region (e.g., foreground region <NUM>) having a focal length that is shorter than the focal length of the first region, or a third region (e.g., background region <NUM>) having a focal length that is longer than the focal length of the first region.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may differently determine operating weights for the plurality of regions. For example, the processor <NUM> may differently determine the operating weights for the divided first to third regions, and it may configure a relatively high operating weight with respect to the first region that is the focus region <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate a combined image by combining the designated image frames that are at least parts of the plurality of first image frames <NUM> based on the reference image frame, and it may differently determine the combination amount for the plurality of regions based on the determined operating weight during the combining. For example, the processor <NUM> may combine more image frames with respect to a region that is relatively close to the focus region <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may perform image compensation with respect to the combined image based on the determined operating weight. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform a compensation algorithm to improve brightness, contrast, or sharpness with respect to the combined image, and it may differently determine the operating amount for performing the compensation algorithm for the plurality of regions. For example, the processor <NUM> may further perform the compensation algorithm to improve the brightness, contrast, or sharpness with respect to a region that is relatively close to the focus region <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate the first corrected image by performing noise reduction with respect to the image-compensated combined image based on the determined operating weight. For example, the processor <NUM> may further perform a noise reduction algorithm with respect to the region that is relatively close to the focus region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may determine a second reference image frame among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> acquired during a plurality of designated frame periods among a plurality of frame periods for acquiring the first image frames <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the image frame having the lowest blur degree and/or the smallest handshake amount among the plurality of first image frames <NUM> as the second reference image frame.

The processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate depth map based on the second reference image frame and an image frame corresponding to the second image frame <NUM> among the plurality of second image frames <NUM>. For example, if the first image frame <NUM> acquired in the x-th frame period is determined as the second reference image frame, the processor <NUM> may generate the depth map <NUM> based on the first image frames <NUM> and the second image frames <NUM> acquired in the x-th frame period.

At operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to another embodiment may generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may measure an external illumination using an illumination sensor, and it may determine the number of designated image frames used to combine the images based on the external illumination. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may configure a relatively small number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes brighter, and it may configure a relatively large number of the designated image frames as the external illumination becomes darker. For example, if the external illumination is lowered below a designated value, the processor <NUM> may generate the first corrected image by combining the plurality of first image frames <NUM> in all. The operation <NUM> may be equal to or similar to the operations <NUM> to <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> according to the disclosure may adaptively select the above-described methods of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG> based on surrounding environmental information in generating a bokeh-effect image using a plurality of cameras. For example, the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments may generate the bokeh-effect image by adaptively selecting the methods of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG> based on external illumination. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the bokeh-effect image using the method illustrated in <FIG> in an illumination environment in which the illumination is darker than the first illumination, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the bokeh-effect image using the method illustrated in <FIG> in the second to third illumination environments in which the illumination is brighter than the first illumination, and/or the electronic device <NUM> may generate the bokeh-effect image using the method illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG> in an illumination environment in which the illumination is brighter than the third illumination.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first camera (<NUM>) deployed on one side of the electronic device;
a second camera (<NUM>) deployed on the one side;
a memory (<NUM>); and
at least one processor (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
acquire a plurality of first image frames for one or more external objects using the first camera (<NUM>) based on an input corresponding to a photographing signal,
acquire a second image frame for the one or more external objects using the second camera (<NUM>) while acquiring at least parts of the first image frames,
generate depth information for the one or more external objects based on the image frame corresponding to the second image frame among the plurality of first image frames and the second image frame,
generate a first corrected image by combining a plurality of designated image frames among the plurality of first image frames based on the depth information, wherein the designated image frames are determined by at least one of a blur degree and a handshake amount among the plurality of the first image frames, and
generate a second corrected image in which at least parts of the one or more external objects included in the first corrected image are blurred at least based on the depth information.