Implementing autofocus in an image capture device while compensating for movement
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for focusing an image capture device on an object of interest, comprising:
- capturing a first focus image when an autofocus lens is at a first focus position, the first focus image having an autofocus window that is directed towards a target object upon which the image capture device is to focus on;
detecting movement of the image capture device, the movement occurring between capture of the first focus image and a second focus image;
adjusting position of the autofocus window, the adjustment corresponding to the detected movement such that the target object remains stationary within the autofocus window during the detected movement; and
capturing a second focus image when the autofocus lens is at a second focus position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for focusing an image capture device are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising moving an autofocus window in response to detected movement of the image capture device.
88 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. A method for focusing an image capture device on an object of interest, comprising:
-
capturing a first focus image when an autofocus lens is at a first focus position, the first focus image having an autofocus window that is directed towards a target object upon which the image capture device is to focus on;
detecting movement of the image capture device, the movement occurring between capture of the first focus image and a second focus image;
adjusting position of the autofocus window, the adjustment corresponding to the detected movement such that the target object remains stationary within the autofocus window during the detected movement; and
capturing a second focus image when the autofocus lens is at a second focus position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An image capture device, comprising:
-
a photosensor configured to capture an image of an object of interest;
an autofocus window defined as a grouping of pixels residing in the photosensor, the autofocus window being directed towards a target object upon which the image capture device is to focus on;
an adjustable-focus lens configured to focus the image of the object of interest onto the photosensor; and
a processor system configured to execute logic that determines movement of the image capture device occurring between capture of a first focus image when the adjustable-focus lens is at a first focus position and capture of a second focus image when the adjustable-focus lens is at a second focus position, configured to execute logic to adjust position of the autofocus window such that the target object remains stationary within the autofocus window during the detected movement, and further configured to generate a signal that causes the adjustable-focus lens to focus the image of the object of interest onto the photosensor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
- 25. An autofocus window comprising a group of pixels residing in a photosensor of an image capture device having an autofocus system and an autofocus lens, wherein when the autofocus window is directed towards at least a portion of an object of interest upon which the image capture device is to focus on, such that position of the autofocus window remains stationary during detected movement of the image capture device.
-
31. A system for focusing an image capture device, comprising:
-
means for capturing a first focus image at a first time when an autofocus lens is at a first focus position, the first focus image having an autofocus window that is directed towards at least a portion of an object of interest upon which the image capture device is to focus on;
means for detecting movement of the image capture device, the movement occurring between capture of the first focus image and a second focus image at a second time, means for adjusting position of the autofocus window, the adjustment corresponding to the detected movement such that the portion of the object of interest remains substantially stationary within the autofocus window during the detected movement; and
means for capturing the second focus image when the autofocus lens is at a second focus position.
-
-
32. A program for focusing an image capture device, stored on computer-readable medium, the program comprising logic configured to perform:
-
receiving information from a photosensor corresponding to a captured first focus image when an autofocus lens is at a first focus position, the first focus image having an autofocus window that is directed towards a target object upon which the image capture device is to focus on;
detecting movement of the image capture device, the motion occurring between the captured first focus image and a second captured focus image;
adjusting position of the autofocus window, the adjustment corresponding to the detected movement such that the target object remains stationary within the autofocus window during the detected movement; and
receiving the information from the photosensor corresponding to the second captured focus image when the autofocus lens is at a second focus position.
-
- 34. A method for focusing an image capture device, comprising moving an autofocus window in response to detected movement of the image capture device.
-
37. A method for focusing an image capture device, comprising:
-
identifying at least one direction of movement of the image capture device; and
shifting position of an autofocus window in a direction that is opposite to the direction of the image capture device movement. - View Dependent Claims (38)
-
Specification