METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING AUTOFOCUS BASED ON PRIORITY

• US 20130169853A1
• Filed: 12/29/2011
• Published: 07/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Luong, Francis
• Granted Patent: US 9,077,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/345
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions

Abstract

An approach for enabling the autofocus feature of a camera to be directed towards priority targets within a frame is described. A camera retrieves a stored object image. An autofocus platform then compares an object viewed by the camera within a scene with the stored object image. The autofocus platform then determines a focus point within the scene based on the comparison. The image is captured by the camera using the determined focus point.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

viewing, by a camera, a scene that includes an object;

retrieving, by the camera, a stored object image, wherein the object image is retrieved over a communication network as part of a subscription service;

comparing the object with the stored object image;

determining a focus point within the scene based on the comparison; and

capturing, by the camera, the image using the determined focus point.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining further comprises:

determining a priority associated with the object image,

wherein the priority is based on a ranking assigned to the object image by a user of the camera.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a frequency of capture of the object by the camera meets a predetermined threshold; and

updating or assigning a priority to an object image of the object based on the determination.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an object image, relationship type, ranking, or a combination thereof associated with a social networking profile of the user of the camera; and

updating or assigning a priority to the object image based on the determination.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing, by the camera, an image that includes an object; and

storing the image of the object,

wherein the image is determined not to match a stored object image.

6. A method of claim 5, further comprising:

associating a label, context information, or a combination thereof with the object image,

wherein the label, the context information, or a combination thereof is associated with the camera, a user of the camera, the object, or a combination thereof.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a condition associated with the camera, a user of the camera, the object, or a combination thereof is met; and

determining a focus point within a scene based on the determination.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein the condition is based on a location of the user, a location of the object, an activity associated with the scene, a time associated with the scene, or a combination thereof.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein the object image is retrieved by the camera from a remote repository, and the camera is a standalone device or integrated with a mobile device.

10. A method of claim 1, wherein the object is a face, a symbol, a specified item, a keyword, or a combination thereof.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

view, by a camera, a scene that includes an object

retrieve, by the camera, a stored object;

image, wherein the object image is retrieved over a communication network as part of a subscription service;

compare the object with the stored object image;

determine a focus point within the scene based on the comparison; and

capture, by the camera, the image using the determined focus point.

12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine a priority associated with the object image

13. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine a frequency of capture of the object by the camera meets a predetermined threshold; and

update or assigning a priority to an object image of the object based on the determination.

14. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine an object image, relationship type, ranking, or a combination thereof associated with a social networking profile of the user of the camera; and

update or assign a priority to the object image based on the determination.

15. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

capture, by the camera, an image that includes an object; and

store the image of the object,

wherein the image is determined not to match a stored object image.

16. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

associate a label, context information, or a combination thereof with the object image,

wherein the label, the context information, or a combination thereof is associated with the camera, a user of the camera, the object, or a combination thereof.

17. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine a condition associated with the camera, a user of the camera, the object, or a combination thereof is met; and

determine a focus point within a scene based on the determination.

18. An apparatus of claim 17, wherein the condition is based on a location of the user, a location of the object, an activity associated with the scene, a time associated with the scene, or a combination thereof.

19. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the object image is retrieved by the camera from a remote repository, and the camera is a standalone device or integrated with a mobile device.

20. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the object is a face, a symbol, a specified item, a keyword, or a combination thereof.