Predictive focus value calculation for image capture devices
US7835637B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/531
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are described for predictive focus value calculation within image capture devices. Image capture devices may include digital still cameras and digital video cameras. The techniques include performing an auto-focus process within an image capture device by predicting a focus value for a scene at a lens position of a lens included in the image capture device based on a corrupt focus value for the lens position calculated from a first frame directly after lens settlement. Therefore, the auto-focus process may determine size and direction of movement for the lens to a next lens position based on the predicted valid focus value, and move the lens to the next lens position during a second frame. In this way, the techniques may move the lens to another lens position during each frame, greatly reducing auto-focus latency by potentially doubling or tripling the speed of the auto-focus process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.