AUTOFOCUSING STILL AND VIDEO IMAGES
First Claim
1. A method for operating an autofocus system for focusing an image on an electronic imager, comprising:
- a. providing an adjustable lens system defining an optical path for scene light and having at least one movable lens to focus an image of the scene onto the electronic imager;
b. causing a first portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a first autofocus image and causing a second different portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a second autofocus image wherein portions of the first and second autofocus images are offset; and
c. moving the movable lens in response to the offset to a position so that an image to be captured will be in focus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating an autofocus system for focusing an image on an electronic imager includes providing an adjustable lens system defining an optical path for scene light and having at least one movable lens to focus an image of the scene onto the electronic imager; and causing a first portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a first autofocus image and causing a second different portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a second autofocus image wherein portions of the first and second autofocus images are offset. The method further includes moving the movable lens to a position so that an image to be captured will be in focus.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for operating an autofocus system for focusing an image on an electronic imager, comprising:
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a. providing an adjustable lens system defining an optical path for scene light and having at least one movable lens to focus an image of the scene onto the electronic imager; b. causing a first portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a first autofocus image and causing a second different portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a second autofocus image wherein portions of the first and second autofocus images are offset; and c. moving the movable lens in response to the offset to a position so that an image to be captured will be in focus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An autofocus system for focusing an image on an electronic imager, comprising:
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a. an adjustable lens system defining an optical path having at least one movable lens to focus an image onto the electronic imager; b. a split aperture device which includes first and second light transmitting portions each being effective in first and second conditions for respectively restricting light along the optical path from reaching the electronic imager and transmitting light onto the electronic imager; c. means for operating the split aperture device to cause the first portion to be in the first condition and the second portion to be in the second condition so that the electronic imager captures a first autofocus image and then to cause the first portion to be in the second condition and the second portion to be in the first condition so that the electronic imager captures a second autofocus image wherein portions of the first and second autofocus images are offset; d. means responsive to the offset for causing the adjustable lens system to focus the image onto the electronic imager; and e. means for causing the first portion and the second portion of the split aperture device to be in the second condition when the electronic imager captures a focused image. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification