Identification of Blur Parameters from Motion Blurred Images

The problem of restoration of images blurred by relative motion between the camera and the object scene is important in a large number of applications. The solution proposed here identifies important parameters with which to characterize the point spread function (PSF) of the blur, given only the blurred image itself. This identification method is based on the concept that image characteristics along the direction of motion are different from the characteristics in other directions. Depending on the PSF shape, the homogeneity and the smoothness of the blurred image in the motion direction are greater than in other directions. Furthermore, in this direction correlation exists between the pixels forming the blur of the original unblurred objects. By filtering the blurred image we emphasize the PSF characteristics at the expense of the image characteristics. The method proposed here identifies the direction and the extent of the PSF of the blur and evaluates its shape which depends on the type of motion during the exposure. Correct identification of the PSF parameters permits fast high resolution restoration of the blurred image.