GB2010631A - Multi planar camera - Google Patents

Abstract

Television/photographic camera arrangement includes an optical arrangement which causes the image light from the camera's main lens system to be focused on two or more planes at different distances from the main lens system, e.g. for three such planes the resulting sub-images are arranged to include in-focus objects located in the far, middle and near distance ranges respectively from the main lens system. These sub-images are then analysed and the in-focus portions thereof selected and used to form a composite image which is substantially in-focus at all points. The sub-images are analysed by television cameras e.g. three colour television cameras, and the resulting video signals (specifically the luminance signals) are analysed e.g. by digital filtering, to determine those regions of each sub-image which are more in-focus than the corresponding regions of the other sub-images. From this in-focus determination a switching control signal is formed for selecting the in-focus video signals for transmission or recording. The in- focus selection may be effected by first recording the sub-image video signals on magnetic tapes and erasing the out-of-focus portions. Cine or still photographic cameras may simultaneously record the sub- images and during the processing of the films those portions not in-focus are suppressed from each frame according to the compared television signals, the films then being combined to form a master film. Also described in an arrangement in which a single image is photographed or televised, and those regions which are determined to be out of focus e.g. by digital filtering, are mathematically enhanced under operator control to improve their sharpness so that they appear to be in focus.