Method and apparatus for autofocusing an imaging device
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorArnold J. Gum
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for autofocusing an image consider object movement or an object's color when selecting an object to focus on. In some implementations, input is received corresponding to an object color to focus on. An image is then captured with an image sensor. Objects are detecting in the image and an object is selected based on the object's color corresponding to the color to focus on. In some implementations, the image sensor may then be autofocused to bring the selected object into focus.
Claims34
A method of focusing a digital imaging device, comprising:
- capturing an image with an image sensor, wherein the captured image comprises objects and background;
- identifying one or more objects within the image;
- selecting at least one of the identified objects to focus on based, at least in part, on the identified object's movement;
- and
- autofocusing the image sensor on the at least one selected object.
An imaging device, comprising:
- an image sensor;
- a sensor control module configured to capture an image with the image sensor;
- an object detection module configured to identify one or more objects within the captured image;
- a focus prioritization module configured to select at least one object to focus on based, at least in part, on the at least one object's movement;
- and
- a master control module, configured to autofocus the image sensor on the selected at least one object.
An imaging device, comprising:
- means for capturing an image with an image sensor, wherein the captured image comprises objects and background;
- means for identifying one or more objects within the image;
- means for selecting at least one of the identified objects to focus on based, at least in part, on the at least one object's movement;
- and
- means for autofocusing the image sensor on the at least one selected object.
A method of focusing a digital imaging device, comprising:
- receiving input from a user indicating a selected color;
- capturing an image with an image sensor;
- identifying one or more objects within the captured image;
- selecting a first object to focus on based, at least in part, on the selected color;
- and
- autofocusing the image sensor on the selected object.
An imaging device, comprising:
- an image sensor;
- an input device;
- an input processing module, configured to receive input from the input device indicating a selected color;
- a sensor control module, configured to capture an image with the image sensor;
- an object detection module, configured to identify one or more objects within the captured image;
- a focus prioritization module, configured to select at least one object to focus on based, at least in part, on the selected color;
- and
- a master control module, configured to autofocus the image sensor on the at least one selected object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.