Multiple depth layers and all-in-focus image generations by blurring and deblurring operations

In this work, we propose novel methods for the generation of multiple depth layers and all-in-focus images. Multiple depth layers are produced by applying a sequence of blurring and deblurring operations to determine the depth. The proposed method makes no assumptions with regard to the properties of the scene in resolving depth ambiguity in complex images. We also developed a method by which to generate all-in-focus images, in which the sharpness is preserved and instabilities imposed by conventional deblurring operations largely eliminated. This method involves updating outliers, for which depth was over-estimated, while compensating for errors in the estimation of depth imposed by deblurring. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.