Autofocus using a filter with multiple apertures
First Claim
1. An auto-focus system comprising:
- an image sensing device including light sensitive elements for providing computer readable data from the light sensitive elements;
an optical system optically aligned with the image sensing device and separated from the image sensing device by an image distance;
a filter including multiple apertures optically aligned with the optical system and the image sensing device for forming multiple images of a same image on the image sensing device;
a defocus determination module communicatively coupled to the image sensing device for determining defocus of an image based on the computer readable data from the light sensitive elements and determining an image distance adjustment; and
an adjustment module for adjusting the image distance between the optical system and the image sensing device based on the image distance adjustment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A filter including multiple apertures for use in a camera'"'"'s autofocus system is described. A variety of implementation examples of the filter are described. In one implementation, the filter includes an opaque portion which blocks light and apertures through which light travels. In another version, the apertures each include a color filter corresponding to a different color. In another example, the filter comprises a light blocking opaque portion with asymmetrically shaped apertures through which light travels. A defocus determination based on the filtered light is performed, and an adjustment to the distance between the optical system and an image sensing device is determined based on the determined defocus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An auto-focus system comprising:
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an image sensing device including light sensitive elements for providing computer readable data from the light sensitive elements;
an optical system optically aligned with the image sensing device and separated from the image sensing device by an image distance;
a filter including multiple apertures optically aligned with the optical system and the image sensing device for forming multiple images of a same image on the image sensing device;
a defocus determination module communicatively coupled to the image sensing device for determining defocus of an image based on the computer readable data from the light sensitive elements and determining an image distance adjustment; and
an adjustment module for adjusting the image distance between the optical system and the image sensing device based on the image distance adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A filter for use in an auto-focus system of a camera, the filter comprising multiple apertures optically aligned with an optical system and an image sensing device in the camera for forming multiple images of a same image on the image sensing device.
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17. A method for autofocus comprising:
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generating multiple image representations of a same image on an image sensing device;
determining defocus for the image based on data for the multiple representations;
determining an adjustment amount to an image distance between an optical system optically aligned with the image sensing device; and
adjusting the image distance based on the determined adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A computer usable medium comprising instructions for causing a processor to execute a method for autofocus, the method comprising:
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generating multiple image representations of a same image on an image sensing device;
determining defocus for the image based on data for the multiple representations;
determining an adjustment amount to an image distance between an optical system optically aligned with the image sensing device; and
adjusting the image distance based on the determined adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification