Method and apparatus for controlling the depth of field using multiple user interface markers

• US 6,801,717 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hofer, Gregory V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Arthur A
• Application Number:
  US10/406,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20040197096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 396/121, 396/130, 396/147, 396/287, 396/288
• US Class Current: 396/121
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/34 Power focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• 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 23/959 by adjusting depth of field during image capture, e.g. maximising or setting range based on scene characteristics

Abstract

A digital imaging device that allows the user to mark multiple objects with UI markers is disclosed. The digital imaging device automatically adjusts the focus and aperture to include the marked objects in the depth of field of the digital imaging device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying a scene on an electronic display;

reading user input identifying a first object in a field of view in an imaging device;

marking the first object in the scene with a first UI marker;

tracking the first object in the field of view as the imagine device is moved so that the first UI marker remains on the first object;

focusing a lens on the first object;

reading user input identifying a second object in a field of view in an imaging device;

marking the second object in the scene with a second UI marker;

tracking the second object in the field of view as the imaging device is moved so that the first UI marker remains on the first object;

focusing the lens on the second object;

focusing the lens at a distance between the first and second objects;

adjusting an aperture setting to adjust a depth of field to include both objects in the depth of field.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating when both objects are in focus.

3. The method of claim 1 where the lens is automatically focused between the two objects.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

changing the color of the UI markers to indicate the focus condition of the two marked objects.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

changing the brightness of the UI markers to indicate the focus condition of the two marked objects.

6. The method of claim 1 where the UI markers are displayed as a set of square brackets that enclose the designated objects.

7. The method of claim 1 where the objects are designated to be marked by centering the objects in the display, and then activating a UI control.

8. The method of claim 1 where the first object and the second object are different areas of a single object.

9. The method of claim 1 where the electronic display is a view finder in a camera.

10. The method of claim 1 where the electronic display is located on the back of a camera.

11. A digital imaging device, comprising:

an image sensor;

a lens configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor;

an aperture that can adjust the amount of light allowed through the lens;

an electronic display configured to display the scene focused onto the image sensor;

at least one UI control configured to allow user input into the digital imaging device;

a processor configured to monitor the at least, one UI control;

the processor configured to receive a user identification from the at least one UI control identifying a first object in the scene;

the processor configured to display a UI marker on the display that identifies the first object;

the processor configured to receive a user identification from the at least one UI control identifying second object in the scene;

the processor configured to display a UI marker on the display that identifies the second object;

the processor configured to track the first and second objects in the scene as the digital imaging device is moved so that the UI markers remain on the first and second objects;

the processor configured to determine the distance to the first and second objects;

the

the processor configured to focus the lens at a distance between the two objects and to adjust the aperture to cause the field of view to include both objects.

12. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the processor is also configured to indicate when both objects are included in the depth of field.

13. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the UI markers are displayed as a set of square brackets that enclose the objects.

14. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the UI markers are changed to indicate the focus condition of the two marked objects.

15. The digital imaging device of claim 14 where the color of the UI markers are changed to indicate the focus condition of the two marked objects.

16. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the objects are designated to be marked by centering the objects in the display, and then activating the UI control.

17. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the display is a viewfinder.

18. The digital imaging device of claim 11 where the display is a display on the back of the digital imaging device.

19. A digital imaging device, comprising:

a means for capturing an image of a scene;

a means for displaying the scene;

a means for obtaining user input designating at least two objects in the scene;

a means for tracking the designated objects;

a means for displaying at least two UI markers that identify the designated objects;

a means for determining the distance to each designated object when two objects have been designated;

a means for including both designated objects in the field of view of the digital imaging device.

20. The digital imaging device of claim 19 where the digital imaging device is also configured to indicate when both objects are included in the depth of field.

21. The digital imaging device of claim 19 where the UI markers are displayed as a set of square brackets that enclose the objects.

22. A method comprising:

displaying a scene on an electronic display;

reading uses input identifying a first object in a field of view in an imaging device;

marking the first object in the scene with a first UI marker;

determining the distance to the first object;

reading user input identifying a first object in a field of view in an imaging device;

marking the second object in the scene with a second UI marker;

determining the distance to the second object;

automatically focusing the lens at a distance between the first and second objects;

adjusting an aperture setting to adjust a depth of field to include both objects in the depth of field.