Automatic focusing method and digital photographing apparatus using the same
First Claim
1. An automatic focusing method in which a photograph region is brought into focus through automatic movement of a focal lens to a focal position, in response to a photographing-command signal, the method comprising:
- (a) dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions wherein all sub-regions of the photographic region having a common horizontal position define a horizontal row, and wherein all sub-regions of the photographic region having a common vertical position define a vertical column;
(b) obtaining focal position values for the sub-regions;
(c) selecting, for each of more than one horizontal row, a first focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the horizontal rows have the same first focal position value;
(d) selecting, for each of more than one vertical column, a second focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the vertical columns have the same second focal position value;
(e) selecting from the first and second focal position values, a particular focal position value having the shortest focal distance; and
(f) moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to the particular focal position value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are an automatic focusing method in which a photograph region is brought into focus through automatic movement of a focal lens to a focal position, in response to a photographing-command signal, and a digital photographing apparatus using the method. The method includes dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions, focusing on the sub-regions and obtaining focal position values, selecting a same focal position value if sub-regions in the same horizontal position have the same focal position value, selecting a same focal position value if sub-regions in the same vertical position have the same focal position value, and moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to a focal position value having the shortest focal distance among the selected focal position values.
21 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An automatic focusing method in which a photograph region is brought into focus through automatic movement of a focal lens to a focal position, in response to a photographing-command signal, the method comprising:
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(a) dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions wherein all sub-regions of the photographic region having a common horizontal position define a horizontal row, and wherein all sub-regions of the photographic region having a common vertical position define a vertical column; (b) obtaining focal position values for the sub-regions; (c) selecting, for each of more than one horizontal row, a first focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the horizontal rows have the same first focal position value; (d) selecting, for each of more than one vertical column, a second focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the vertical columns have the same second focal position value; (e) selecting from the first and second focal position values, a particular focal position value having the shortest focal distance; and (f) moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to the particular focal position value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A digital photographing apparatus, comprising;
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a lens; a lens driver that moves the lens to a focal position specified by a focal position value; a processor for running an automatic focusing operational algorithm in response to a photographing command signal that performs; (a) dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions wherein all sub-regions of the photograph region having a common horizontal position define a horizontal row, and wherein all sub-regions of the photographic region having a common vertical position define a vertical column; (b) obtaining focal position values for the sub-regions; (c) selecting a first focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the horizontal rows have the same first focal position value; (d) selecting, for each of more than one vertical column, a second focal position value from the sub-regions, if all sub-regions of one of the vertical columns have the same second focal position value; (e) selecting from the first and second focal position values, a particular focal position value having the shortest focal distance; and (f) moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to the particular focal position value. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification