# US 11,310,412 B2 · Autofocusing camera and systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,310,412 B2 - Document ID: US11310412B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/869,384 - Filed: 2020-05-07 - Published: 2020-08-20 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-26 - Assignees: Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Sz Dji Technology Co., Ltd. - Inventors: You Zhou; Jiaqi Yan; Wen Xu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310412B2 ## CPC - G02B 7/285: {including two or more different focus detection devices, e.g. both an active and a passive focus detecting device} - H04N 23/675: {comprising setting of focusing regions} - G01S 15/08: Systems for measuring distance only (indirect measurement G01S15/46) - G01S 17/00: Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems - G01S 17/08: for measuring distance only (indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48) - G03B 13/20: Rangefinders coupled with focusing arrangements, e.g. adjustment of rangefinder automatically focusing camera - G03B 13/36: Autofocus systems - G03B 15/006: {Apparatus mounted on flying objects} - H04N 23/671: {in combination with active ranging signals, e.g. using light or sound signals emitted toward objects} - H04N 23/695: Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract Apparatuses and methods for focusing a camera are disclosed. For example, an apparatus may be coupled to a camera for focusing the camera. The apparatus includes a vision sensor coupled to a processor and configured to capture a view. The processor configured to receive a selection of an area of interest in the view. The apparatus further includes a distance measurement unit coupled to the processor and configured to measure a distance to the area of interest for adjusting the camera's focus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus operably coupled to a first camera for focusing the first camera, comprising: a vision sensor configured to capture a view, the vision sensor comprising a second camera; a processor configured to receive a selection of an area of interest in the view captured by the vision sensor; and a distance measurement unit coupled to the processor and configured to be oriented towards the area of interest based on a position of the area of interest in the view captured by the vision sensor, and to measure a distance to the area of interest for adjusting the first camera's focus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is movable with respect to the first camera. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance measurement unit is movable with respect to the first camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted on a same object as the first camera. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vision sensor, the distance measurement unit, and the first camera are all movable with respect to one another. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance measurement unit measures the distance based on a time of flight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the distance measurement unit uses laser to measure the distance. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the distance measurement unit uses an ultrasound wave to measure the distance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor receives the selection of the area of interest from a user. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance measurement unit measures the distance more than once. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to process one or more distance measurements by the distance measurement unit to reduce an impact of noise. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor uses a Kalman filter to process the one or more distance measurements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to cause adjustment of the apparatus based on the measured distance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to cause the adjustment of the apparatus for the distance measurement unit to be oriented towards the area of interest. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to cause the distance measurement unit to repeat the distance measurement after the adjustment of the apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vision sensor is configured to track the area of interest. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vision sensor tracks the area of interest such that the area of interest remains at the center of the view. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to cause the first camera to focus based on the measured distance, regardless of whether the area of interest is in a view of the first camera.