Generating omnifocus images using graph cuts and a new focus measure

In this paper, we discuss how to generate omnifocus images from a sequence of different focal setting images. We first show that the existing focus measures would encounter difficulty when detecting which frame is most focused for pixels in the regions between intensity edges and uniform areas. Then we propose a new focus measure that could be used to handle this problem. In addition, after computing focus measures for every pixel in all images, we construct a three dimensional (3D) node-capacitated graph and apply a graph cut based optimization method to estimate a spatio-focus surface that minimizes the summation of the new focus measure values on this surface. An omnifocus image can be directly generated from this minimal spatiofocus surface. Experimental results with simulated and real scenes are provided.

Specular reflection reduction with multi-flash imaging

We present a novel method to reduce the effect of specularities in digital images. Our approach relies on a simple modification of the capture setup: a multi-flash camera is used to take multiple pictures of the scene, each one with a differently positioned light source. We then formulate the problem of specular highlights reduction as solving a Poisson equation on a gradient field obtained from the input images. Experimental results are demonstrated on real and synthetic images. The entire setup can be conceivably packaged into a self-contained device, no larger than existing digital cameras