Apple just filed a patent for light field image editing software

Apple just a filed a patent for something called “Method and UI for Z depth image segmentation,” some new software that the company is working on a way for users to manipulate image data to change in order to change the depth of field or focus. This software would enable users to edit data that has been produced by a special type of camera that Apple also detailed in the patent, one that produces imaging data necessary for advanced refocusing computations.

A patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday reveals Apple is continuing to explore light field camera applications, in this case imagining how users would manipulate image data to change focus or depth of field in a photo editing app. Published under the wordy title “Method and UI for Z depth image segmentation,” Apple’s application covers the software side of light field imaging, describing an application that edits data produced by highly specialized imaging sensors. At its most basic level, the filing imagines steps a user could take to focus, and later refocus, an image captured by a light field camera. Apple starts off by outlining hardware capable of producing imaging data necessary for advanced refocusing computations. A generic “light field camera” is described as being a camera that not only captures light, but also information about the direction at which light rays enter the system. This rich data set can be used to produce a variety of images, each with a slightly different perspective.