Image capturing device and auto-focus method thereof
US7801431B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/673
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image capturing device includes a lens unit, an image sensor, a face recognition unit, a selecting unit, an auto-focusing (AF) unit and a driving unit. The lens unit focuses images onto the image sensor. The image sensor converts the images into electronic signals. The face recognition unit locates any faces in a current image. If faces are detected, the selecting unit indicates to a user where the faces are located in the image, and selects one of the locations as a main focus area in response to a user input. The driving unit is configured for moving the lens unit. The AF unit controls the driving unit to focus the lens unit according to the selected location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.