Method and system for automatically focusing a camera
First Claim
1. A method in an image capture unit having at least a first light path adjustment element for automatically focusing an image received by the image capture unit relative to a target, the target being present in a sequence of multiple scanned frames, the method comprising:
- dividing into a plurality of sections, each frame from the sequence of multiple scanned frames; and
iteratively performing a plurality of times in connection with each frame as the frame is scanned from the image capture unit, wherein each iteration is performed relative to alternate sections of the frame,a determination of a relative focus of the target within the corresponding section of the frame, andan adjustment of a position of at least the first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for automatically focusing an image received by an image capturing unit (100) relative to a target is disclosed. The target is present in a sequence of one or more scanned frames. The method includes dividing (302) each frame from the sequence of one or more scanned frames in a plurality of sections. The method further includes iteratively determining (304) a relative focus of the target within each section of the plurality of sections. The method further includes adjustment (306) of a position of at least a first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method in an image capture unit having at least a first light path adjustment element for automatically focusing an image received by the image capture unit relative to a target, the target being present in a sequence of multiple scanned frames, the method comprising:
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dividing into a plurality of sections, each frame from the sequence of multiple scanned frames; and iteratively performing a plurality of times in connection with each frame as the frame is scanned from the image capture unit, wherein each iteration is performed relative to alternate sections of the frame, a determination of a relative focus of the target within the corresponding section of the frame, and an adjustment of a position of at least the first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method in an image capture unit having at least a first light path adjustment element for determining an initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element, in conjunction with automatically focusing an image received by the image capture unit relative to a target, the method comprising:
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capturing an image by the image capture unit; dividing a captured image into a plurality of sections; determining a relative focus for alternate sections of the captured image; comparing the relative focus for the alternate sections of the captured images; and if the relative focus for the alternate sections are within a predetermined tolerance, then the initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element, corresponds to a focal distance, which is a more proximal one of two predetermined focal distances relative to the image capture unit, otherwise if the relative focus for the alternate sections are not within a predetermined tolerance, then the initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element corresponds to a focal distance, which is a more distal one of the two predetermined focal distances relative to the image capture unit.
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20. A method in an image capture unit having at least a first light path adjustment element for determining an initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element, in conjunction with automatically focusing an image received by the image capture unit relative to a target, the method comprising:
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capturing an image by the image capture unit; determining a color content of the captured image; if the image includes monochromatic content, then the initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element, corresponds to a focal distance, which is a more proximal one of two predetermined focal distances relative to the image capture unit, otherwise if the image includes non-monochromatic content, then the initial starting position of at least the first light path adjustment element corresponds to a focal distance, which is a more distal one of the two predetermined focal distances relative to the image capture unit.
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Specification