# US 12,010,408 B2 · Automatic focus distance extension > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,010,408 B2 - Document ID: US12010408B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/627,261 - Filed: 2019-11-06 - Published: 2023-05-18 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-06 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: Qualcomm Incorporated - Inventors: Wen-Chun Feng; Mian Li - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12010408B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/67: Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals - H04N 23/673: {based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method} - H04N 23/69: Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for image focusing for devices including multiple cameras. An example method includes estimating a focus distance associated with an image captured by a first camera, determining, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, to switch from the first camera to a second camera, switching from the first camera to the second camera, completing a focusing operation using the second camera and presenting an updated image captured by the second camera. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image capture device, comprising: a memory storing instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive an image from a first camera; estimate a focus distance associated with the image; determine, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, whether to switch from the first camera to a second camera; adjust a field of view (FOV) of the second camera to match a FOV of the first camera; switch from the first camera to the second camera; complete a focusing operation using the second camera; and capture an image, using the second camera, at the FOV. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the focusing operation begins prior to switching from the first camera to the second camera. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether to switch from the first camera to the second camera by: determining that the estimated focus distance is outside of a first range of focus distances associated with the first camera and within a second range of focus distances associated with the second camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the FOV of the first camera is selected by a user of the image capture device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the focusing operation comprises a coarse focusing operation and a fine focusing operation, and wherein the processor is further configured to switch from the first camera to the second camera during the coarse focusing operation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the focusing operation comprises a coarse focusing operation and a fine focusing operation, and wherein the processor is further configured to complete the focusing operation without the second camera using the coarse focusing operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether to switch from the first camera to the second camera by determining that the estimated focus distance is below a focus distance threshold associated with the first camera. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, further comprising a third camera, wherein each of the first camera, the second camera, and the third camera is associated with a corresponding range of focus distances. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image capture device of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, whether to switch from the first camera to the third camera. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image capture device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to switch from the first camera to the second camera by applying one or more spatial transforms to compensate for one or more differences in alignment or offset between the first camera and the second camera. ### Claim 11 A method, performed by an image capture device, the method comprising: estimating a focus distance associated with an image captured by a first camera; determining, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, whether to switch from the first camera to a second camera; adjusting a field of view (FOV) of the second camera to match a FOV of the first camera; switching from the first camera to the second camera; completing a focusing operation using the second camera; capturing an image, using the second camera, at the FOV. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the focusing operation begins prior to switching from the first camera to the second camera. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to switch from the first camera to the second camera further comprises: determining that the estimated focus distance is outside of a first range of focus distances associated with the first camera and within a second range of focus distances associated with the second camera. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the FOV of the first camera is selected by a user of the image capture device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the focusing operation comprises a coarse focusing operation and a fine focusing operation, and wherein switching from the first camera to the second camera occurs during the coarse focusing operation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the focusing operation comprises a coarse focusing operation and a fine focusing operation, and wherein the focusing operation is completed without the second camera using the coarse focusing operation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining to switch from the first camera to the second camera further comprises determining that the estimated focus distance is below a focus distance threshold associated with the first camera. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein each of the first camera, the second camera, and a third camera is associated with a corresponding range of focus distances. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising determining, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, whether to switch from the first camera to the third camera. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein switching from the first camera to the second camera further comprises applying one or more spatial transforms to compensate for one or more differences in alignment or offset between the first camera and the second camera. ### Claim 21 A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an image capture device, cause the image capture device to: estimate a focus distance associated with an image captured by a first camera; determine, based at least in part on the estimated focus distance, whether to switch from the first camera to a second camera; adjust a field of view (FOV) of the second camera to match a FOV of the first camera; switch from the first camera to the second camera; complete a focusing operation using the second camera; capture an image, using the second camera, at the FOV. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the image capture device to begin the focusing operation prior to switching from the first camera to the second camera. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein execution of the instructions to determine whether to switch from the first camera to the second camera further causes the image capture device to determine that the estimated focus distance is outside of a first range of distances associated with the first camera and within a second range of focus distances associated with the second camera. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the focusing operation comprises a coarse focusing operation and a fine focusing operation, and wherein execution of the instructions to switch from the first camera to the second camera further causes the image capture device to switch from the first camera to the second camera during the coarse focusing operation. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein execution of the instructions to determine whether to switch from the first camera to the second camera further causes the image capture device to determine that the estimated focus distance is below a focus distance threshold associated with the first camera.