Method and system for providing automatic focus control for a still digital camera
First Claim
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1. A method for automatically focusing an image within a still camera, the still camera including a lens, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing initial focus and exposure values of the image, the initial focus and exposure values providing step (a) further comprising the step of (a1) setting an exposure time of the still camera to a midrange value and an analog gain value of the still camera to unity;
(b) calculating an exposure setting for the image;
(c) determining a plurality of focus zones for the image based on an aperture and length of the lens; and
(d) moving the lens through the plurality of focus zones of the image to obtain exposure and focus information concerning the image.
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Abstract
A method and system for automatically focusing an image within a still camera is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing initial focus and exposure values of the image, calculating an exposure setting for the image, and determining a plurality of focus zones for the image. The method and system includes moving the lens through the plurality of focus zones of the image to obtain exposure and focus information about the image. Through a method and system in accordance with the present invention, a digital still camera can produce a three-dimensional like data set of a scene.
202 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for automatically focusing an image within a still camera, the still camera including a lens, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing initial focus and exposure values of the image, the initial focus and exposure values providing step (a) further comprising the step of (a1) setting an exposure time of the still camera to a midrange value and an analog gain value of the still camera to unity; (b) calculating an exposure setting for the image; (c) determining a plurality of focus zones for the image based on an aperture and length of the lens; and (d) moving the lens through the plurality of focus zones of the image to obtain exposure and focus information concerning the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for automatically focusing an image within a still camera, the still camera including a lens, the system comprising:
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means for providing initial focus and exposure values of the image in which the providing means further comprises means for setting an exposure time of the still camera to a midrange value and an analog gain value of the still camera to unity; means responsive to the initial focus and exposure value providing means for calculating an exposure setting for the image; means responsive to the initial focus and exposure value providing means for determining a plurality of focus zones for the image based on an aperture and length of the lens; and a processor means responsive to the exposure setting calculating means and the determining means for moving the lens through the plurality of focus zones of the image to obtain exposure and focus information concerning the image. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification