Method and image capture device for autofocus via specific light signal

• US 20070086768A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Premier Image Technology Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Premier Image Technology Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hung, Chinfu
• Application Number:
  US11/373,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20070086768A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/106
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/00 Viewfinders; Focusing aids for cameras; Means for focusing for cameras; Autofocus systems for cameras

Abstract

A method and image capture device for autofocus (AF) via a specific light signal, comprises the steps of: (a) emitting a light signal from an object in a scene to an image capture device, for example, a digital camera or a digital camcorder; (b) receiving and detecting the position of the light signal; (c) moving the lens of the image capture device to an acquired AF according to the position of the light signal; (d) setting the exposure and white balance data with weighting on the position of the light signal; and (e) capturing the image with the AF, exposure and white balance data. Therefore, even an unprofessional photographer can use such a device to focus on the object perfectly and rapidly.

Claims

1. A method for image capture device for autofocus via a specific light signal comprising the steps of:

emitting a light signal from a scene;

proceeding an autofocus function of the image capture device according to the position of the light signal; and

capturing an image.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of setting exposure and white balance of the image, wherein the setting is claculated by weighting on the position of the light signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of proceeding the autofocus function according to the position of the light signal includes a step of detecting the position of the light signal by a light signal position detecter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the light signal position detecter performing a step of searching a light signal database via a programmed firmware in the image capture device.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of comparing the light signal detected by the light signal position detecter with a light signal database to identify the light signal from a plurality of suspected bright points and detect the position of the light signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of comparing the light signal includes a step of searching the light signal database from a memory unit.

7. A method for image capture device for autofocus via a specific light signal comprising the steps of:

receiving the light signal form a light source in a scene;

detecting the position of the light signal;

proceeding an autofocus function;

setting an exposure and white balance according to the position of the light signal; and

capturing an image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving light signal includes receiving visible light and invisible light which can be detected by an image sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving light signal includes receiving a light from a shinning decorations.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving light signal includes receiving a light from a flashlight.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving light signal includes receiving a light from a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of setting of the exposure and white balance are calculated weighting on the position of the light signal.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of detecting the position of the light signal is performed by a light signal position detecter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the light signal position detecter performing the step of searching by a programmed firmware in the image capture device.

15. A image capture device for autofocus via a specific light signal, comprising:

a lens for capturing an image and a light signal in a scene;

an autofocus module for moving the lens to a focus position according to the position of the light signal;

an image sensor for detecting the light of image and the light signal via the lens and transferring both of the lights into an image;

a light signal position detecter for detecting the position of the light signal in the image, and providing the position to the autofocus module; and

a white balance and exposure setting device for setting a white balance data and exposure of the image.

16. The image capture device of claim 15, further comprising a light signal database, said light signal database having a plurality of comparison samples of light signal, wherein the light signal position detecter using the samples to identify and detect the position of the light signal.

17. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the light signal position detecter includes a firmware programmed in the image capture device.

18. The image capture device of claim 15, wherein the white balance and exposure setting device set the white balance data and exposure by weighting on the position of the light signal provided by the light signal position detecter.