Relative focus map estimation using blind deconvolution

An automatic focus map extraction method is presented that uses a modification of blind deconvolution for estimation of localized blurring functions. We use these local blurring functions [so-called point-spread functions (PSFs)] for extraction of focus areas on ordinary images. In this inverse task our goal is not image reconstruction but the estimation of localized PSFs and the relative focus map. Thus the method is less sensitive than general deconvolution is to noise and ill-posed deconvolution problems. The focus areas can be estimated without any knowledge of the shooting conditions or of the optical system used.