Method for controlling at least one camera module, associated computer program, control device and imaging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one camera module (6), each camera module being configured to deliver at least one image (9) representative of a scene (3) acquired by a sensor of the camera module (6) via an associated optical system, the method comprising, for each camera module (6), the steps of: • - for each image (9) acquired by the camera module, detecting an area of interest (24) for an observer (4) in the image; and • - generating a focusing signal of the camera module to control an adjustment of the particular optical system so that at least one point of the scene (3) represented by a pixel that belongs to the area of interest (24) is within a sharpness interval of the camera module.

Description

Method for controlling at least one camera module, computer program, control device and associated imaging system DESCRIPTION Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling at least one camera module.

[0002] The invention also relates to a computer program, a control device configured to implement such a method, and an imaging system comprising such a control device.

[0003] The invention applies to the field of image acquisition, in particular using camera modules, such as digital cameras or digital photographic devices. State of the art

[0004] When the human eye scans a scene, it observes the scene using different focal points to perceive the entire scene. The focal points used to scan a scene depend directly on the depth of the objects in the scene. Generally, to observe a part of a scene, the human eye adapts the focal point to the depth of the scene in that part, to obtain a clear perception of the scene in that area.

[0005] Currently known camera module control methods for acquiring an image of a scene acquire said image using a single focus. When the scene includes parts at different depths, the focus corresponds to one of said depths so that only one of the parts of the scene is in focus in the acquired image.

[0006] However, such methods are not entirely satisfactory.

[0007] Indeed, the display of an image acquired by the implementation of such processes gives a very limited representation of the scene.

[0008] Moreover, such a display does not adapt at all to the user's wishes and limits the user to observing the scene according to the choice made when acquiring the image of the scene.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to propose a solution for delivering an image of a scene which offers greater freedom for the observer.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to propose a solution for delivering an image of a scene allowing a richer representation of the scene.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to propose a solution for delivering an image of a scene allowing greater personalization of the display. Statement of the invention

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a control method of the aforementioned type, in which each camera module is configured to deliver at least one image representative of a scene acquired by a sensor of the camera module through an optical system of the camera module, the method being implemented by computer and comprising, for each camera module, the steps: - for each acquired image, detection of an area of ​​interest of an observer in said image; and - generation of a focusing signal of the camera module to control an adjustment of the optical system of said camera module so that at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel which belongs to the detected area of ​​interest belongs to a sharpness interval of the camera module, the sharpness interval being an interval: • comprising a point located at a distance from the camera module equal to a focusing distance of the camera module; and • having an extent, along an optical axis of the camera module, equal to the depth of field of the camera module.

[0014] Indeed, thanks to the detection step, an area of ​​interest, corresponding to a target area of ​​the scene in which the observer is interested, is detected.

[0015] In this way, using the focus signal dependent on the detected area of ​​interest, the focus distance of the camera module is adjusted so that the part of the scene in which the observer is interested is within the sharpness range of the camera module. As a result, in the acquired image, the part of the scene of interest to the observer appears sharp.

[0016] As a result, the scene display is personalized and adapts to the viewer. In other words, the sharp area follows the user's gaze.

[0017] Advantageously, the method according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0018] the at least one camera module comprises at least one pair of paired photodetectors arranged to image the same point of the scene, the generation of the focusing signal comprising, for at least one pair of paired photodetectors associated with a pixel of the area of ​​interest, a measurement of a luminous flux received by each photodetector, the focusing signal being a function of a difference in measured received luminous flux;

[0019] for each camera module, the focusing signal is a function of distance information between said camera module and at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel belonging to the detected area of ​​interest, the distance information being delivered by a telemetry device;

[0020] the method comprises, for each acquired image, a calculation of a sharpness value in the detected area of ​​interest, the focusing signal being a function of the calculated sharpness value;

[0021] a first image acquired by a first camera module is displayed to the observer's right eye, and a second image acquired by a second camera module, separate from the first camera module, is displayed to the observer's left eye, the generation of the focusing signal of each of the first camera module and the second camera module comprising a calculation of a combined area of ​​interest from the area of ​​interest detected in the first acquired image and the area of ​​interest detected in the second acquired image;

[0022] generating the focusing signal further comprises controlling the adjustment of the optical system of each of the first camera module and the second camera module such that at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel of the calculated combined area of ​​interest falls within the sharpness interval of each of the first camera module and the second camera module;

[0023] the method further comprises generating an orientation signal for controlling an orientation of at least one of the first camera module and the second camera module, so as to maximize a number of points of the scene which are represented both by a pixel of a first image acquired by the first camera module and by a pixel of a second image acquired by the second camera module;

[0024] the method further comprises generating an orientation signal for controlling an orientation of the camera module such that a center of the acquired image is included in the detected area of ​​interest.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the steps of the method as defined above.

[0026] The computer program can be in any computer language, such as machine language, C, C++, JAVA, Python, etc.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for controlling at least one camera module, each camera module being configured to deliver at least one image representative of a scene acquired by a sensor of the camera module through an optical system of the camera module, the control device being configured so as to, for each camera module: - for each acquired image, detect an area of ​​interest of an observer in said image; and - generating a focusing signal of the camera module to control an adjustment of the optical system of said camera module so that at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel which belongs to the detected area of ​​interest belongs to a sharpness interval of the camera module, the sharpness interval being an interval: • comprising a point located at a distance from the camera module equal to a focusing distance of the camera module; and • having an extent, along an optical axis of the camera module, equal to the depth of field of the camera module.

[0028] The device according to the invention can be any type of device such as a server, a computer, a tablet, a calculator, a processor, a computer chip, programmed to implement the method according to the invention, for example by executing the computer program according to the invention.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed an imaging system comprising a control device as defined above and at least one camera module configured to deliver at least one image representative of an acquired scene, the control device being connected to the at least one camera module to receive, as input, each image acquired by said camera module and to control said camera module.

[0030] Advantageously, the imaging system further comprises a telemetry device configured to deliver distance information between each camera module and at least one point of the acquired scene.

[0031] Preferably, the imaging system is a smart mobile phone (or "smartphone" in English), also called a ordiphone or multifunction mobile phone).

[0032] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the smart mobile phone, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the smart mobile phone) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0033] Alternatively, the imaging system is a touchscreen tablet.

[0034] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the touch pad, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the touch pad) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0035] Alternatively, the imaging system is a computer.

[0036] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the computer, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the computer) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0037] Alternatively, the imaging system is a television or display terminal.

[0038] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the television or the display terminal, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the television or the display terminal) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0039] Alternatively, the imaging system is a virtual reality headset or an augmented reality headset.

[0040] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the virtual reality headset, or within the augmented reality headset, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the virtual reality headset or the augmented reality headset) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0041] Alternatively, the imaging system is included in a medical imaging device, for example an endoscope.

[0042] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the medical imaging device, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the medical imaging device) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer.

[0043] Alternatively, the imaging system is included in a vehicle, autonomous or not, such as a land vehicle (e.g., a car), an aircraft (e.g., a drone, an airplane, a helicopter, etc.) or a maritime vehicle (e.g., a boat, a submarine, etc.).

[0044] In this case, the invention also relates to a use of a control device according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, within the vehicle, for controlling an adjustment of an optical system of a camera module (for example, included in the vehicle) from an area of ​​interest, in a scene, for an observer. Brief description of the figures

[0045] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an imaging system according to the invention;

[0047] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a control method implemented by the imaging system of Figure 1;

[0048] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a camera module of the imaging system of Figure 1; and

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an imaging system according to the invention.

[0050] It is understood that the embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting. In particular, it is possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if it is this part which is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0051] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0052] In the figures and in the rest of the description, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference. Detailed description

[0053] An imaging system 2 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0054] The imaging system 2 is, in particular, intended to image a scene 3 (i.e. to acquire at least one image of the scene 3). The imaging system 2 is also capable of detecting an area of ​​interest of the scene 3. on which the attention of an observer 4 is focused. Furthermore, the imaging system 2 is intended to image the scene 3 according to the detected area of ​​interest.

[0055] The imaging system 2 comprises at least one camera module 6 and a control device 8, each camera module 6 being connected to the control device 8.

[0056] Preferably, the imaging system 2 further comprises an imaging device 12 arranged to image the observer 4. Camera module 6

[0057] Each camera module 6 is configured to acquire at least one image, in particular at least one image of the scene 3.

[0058] Conventionally, the camera module 6 comprises a sensor associated with an optical system (not shown).

[0059] An adjustment of the optical system is a function of a focusing signal delivered by the control device 8. In particular, a focusing distance of the optical system (therefore of the camera module 6) is a function of the focusing signal. Such a focusing distance is designated by the reference F in FIG. 3. Control device 8

[0060] The control device 8 is configured to detect the area of ​​interest associated with the observer 4 and to control each camera module 6 based on a result of the detection.

[0061] Such a feature is advantageous, insofar as it allows the control device 8 to automatically adjust the focus of the camera module 6 on a specific part of the scene 3 (namely the area of ​​interest), in particular to ensure that the area of ​​interest is sharp, thereby improving the quality of the image acquired in the section of the image which is representative of said part of the scene 3.

[0062] To carry out such a command, the control device 8 is configured to implement a control method 18, illustrated by FIG. 2.

[0063] As shown in this figure, the control method 18 comprises a step 20 of detecting an area of ​​interest (called the “detection step”) and a step 22 of generating a focusing signal for the camera module 6 (called the “signal generation step”). Detection step 20

[0064] More precisely, the control device 8 is configured to, during the detection step 20, detect, in the scene 3, an area of ​​interest associated with the observer 4.

[0065] Such an area of ​​interest of scene 3 is associated with an area of ​​interest in each acquired image representative of said scene 3. In this case, the area of ​​interest of the acquired image is the part of the acquired image which is representative of the part of scene 3 on which the interest of the observer 4 is focused.

[0066] Preferably, the area of ​​interest is the part of the scene which is observed by the observer 4. Alternatively, or in a complementary manner, the detected area of ​​interest is the part of the scene 3 which is pointed at by the observer 4, by means of a part of his body (such as a finger) or an object (such as a stylus).

[0067] In this case, the control device 8 is associated with the previously mentioned imaging device 12. Furthermore, in this case, the control device 8 is configured to detect, from an output of the imaging device 12, the area of ​​interest associated with the observer 4.

[0068] For example, the control device 8 is configured to detect the area of ​​interest as being a region around a point of intersection of a gaze direction of the observer 4 (and / or a pointing direction of the observer 4) with an object of the scene 3.

[0069] In the example of Figure 1, line D illustrates the direction of gaze of observer 4. Observer 4 observes a part of scene 3, detected as the area of ​​interest. The area of ​​interest of observer 4 is circled in dotted lines and is given the reference numeral 24.

[0070] Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured to generate, during the signal generation step 22, a focusing signal for the camera module 6. More precisely, the control device 8 is configured to generate the focusing signal to control an adjustment of the optical system of the camera module 6 so that at least one point of the scene (called a “point of interest”) represented by a pixel which belongs to the detected area of ​​interest 24 belongs to a sharpness interval of the camera module 6.

[0071] The distance between the camera module 6 and said point of interest is called the “distance of interest”.

[0072] To illustrate such a distance of interest, the camera module 6 is shown in Figure 3. In this figure, the X axis represents the optical axis of the camera module 6. Furthermore, the point of interest is designated by the reference A.

[0073] The sharpness interval is defined as an interval: - comprising a point OF located at a distance from the camera module 6 equal to a focusing distance F of the camera module 6; and - having an extent E, along an optical axis of the camera module 6, equal to the depth of field of the camera module 6.

[0074] More precisely, the sharpness interval corresponds to an interval between a first sharp plane Pi and a second sharp plane P2 of the camera module 6 (the plane P2 possibly being at infinity). The first sharp plane Pi and the second sharp plane P2 are located, respectively, along the optical axis X, at the two limit positions for which the optical system of the camera module 6 forms a sharp image on the sensor.

[0075] In certain special cases (not shown), the sharpness interval is centered on a point OF located at a distance from the camera module 6 which is equal to the focusing distance F of the module camera 6. In these particular cases, planes Pi and P2 are equidistant from point OF.

[0076] The control device 8 is configured to determine the distance of interest according to different methods.

[0077] According to a first variant, the control device 8 is configured to generate the focusing signal as a function of distance information delivered by a telemetry device. In this case, the distance information is representative of the distance of interest.

[0078] For example, the ranging device is configured to calculate the distance of interest from a time-of-flight measurement, from a laser remote sensing measurement, or from a textured light projection measurement.

[0079] The telemetry device is, for example, included in the imaging system 2. Alternatively, the telemetry device is connected to the imaging system 2.

[0080] According to another variant, the control device 8 is configured to generate the focusing signal from a sharpness of the image acquired by the camera module 6.

[0081] More specifically, the control device 8 is configured to calculate a sharpness value in the portion of the acquired image that is representative of the area of ​​interest.

[0082] More precisely, the control device 8 is configured to control the camera module 6 in order to modify the focusing distance F in a first direction (for example, to move the object focal plane closer or further away). Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured to simultaneously calculate the value of the sharpness in the area of ​​interest of the images successively acquired by the camera module 6, and to determine a change therein.

[0083] The control device 8 is also configured to: - control the camera module 6 in order to modify the focusing distance F in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, if the sharpness value decreases; or - control the camera module 6 in order to modify the focusing distance F in the first direction until reaching a maximum sharpness value.

[0084] Indeed, the sharpness of the objects in the area of ​​interest in the acquired image depends on the focus, i.e. the distance F between the focusing plane of the camera module 6 (i.e. the plane passing through the point OF) and said objects. Such a characteristic therefore allows the control device 8 to modify this distance F in order to bring at least one point in the area of ​​interest into the sharpness interval which moves and changes jointly with the focusing distance F.

[0085] According to yet another variant, the camera module 6 comprises at least one pair of paired photodetectors, arranged to image the same point of the scene. In this case, the control device 8 is also configured to measure a luminous flux received by each photodetector of at least one pair of paired photodetectors (called “photodetectors of interest”) which are associated with a pixel of the area of ​​interest 24. Each photodetector is respectively illuminated by two complementary angular sectors whose union corresponds to all of the light coming from the optical system of the camera module 6.

[0086] More precisely, the control device 8 is configured to control the camera module 6 in order to modify the focusing distance F in a direction which depends on the difference in luminous flux received by the photodetectors of each pair of photodetectors of interest. When the luminous flux measured for the photodetectors of at least one same pair of photodetectors of interest is equal, the acquired image is considered to be sharp in its part representative of the area of ​​interest 24.

[0087] This variant is known to those skilled in the art as “phase detection autofocus”.

[0088] Such a feature is advantageous, insofar as it allows the control device 8 to adjust the focusing distance F (and therefore the position of the sharpness interval) automatically and easily.

[0089] Optionally, the control device 8 is further configured to generate an orientation signal for each camera module 6. More specifically, the control device 8 is configured to generate the orientation signal so as to control an orientation of the camera module 6. Even more specifically, the control device 8 is configured to control the orientation of the camera module 6 so that a center of the acquired image is included in the part of the image representative of the detected area of ​​interest 24.

[0090] For example, the camera module 6 is oriented along two distinct axes of rotation. The first of these axes is vertical, meaning that the camera module 6 pivots from side to side relative to a center of rotation located at the camera module 6. The second axis is horizontal, meaning that the camera module 6 tilts up or down relative to this same center of rotation.

[0091] Alternatively, or in addition, the camera module 6 is oriented by a manual action of the observer 4 or a third party (such as pressing a button or moving a joystick).

[0092] A second embodiment of the imaging system according to the invention is illustrated by Figure 4. The imaging system 2 of Figure 4 differs from the imaging system 2 of Figure 1 in that it is associated with a display support 10.

[0093] In this case, the display medium 10 is configured to display the at least one image acquired 9 by the camera module 6.

[0094] Furthermore, in this case, the detected area of ​​interest is defined as a region around a point of intersection of a direction of gaze of the observer 4 (and / or with a pointing direction of the observer 4) with the display medium 10.

[0095] In the example of Figure 4, the line D illustrates the direction of gaze of the observer 4. In this case, the observer 4 observes an acquired image 9 of the scene 3, more particularly, a part of the acquired image 9 displayed on the display medium 10. This part of the acquired image 9 observed corresponds to the area of ​​interest of the observer 4, surrounded by dotted lines in Figure 4 and bearing the numerical reference 26.

[0096] According to another variant not shown, the imaging system 2 comprises two display supports 10. More precisely, each display support 10 is intended to present an image to a respective eye of the observer 4.

[0097] In this case, each display medium 10 is associated with a respective camera module 6 and is configured to display each image acquired by the corresponding camera module 6.

[0098] Furthermore, in this case, the imaging system 2 comprises two imaging devices, each intended to image a respective eye of the observer 4.

[0099] The control device 8 is, in particular, intended to detect a zone of interest associated with each eye of the observer 4 in each of the acquired images 9 which are displayed to him from signals delivered by the two imaging devices 14.

[0100] Furthermore, the processing device 8 is configured to calculate, during the signal generation step 22, a combined area of ​​interest from each area of ​​interest detected for each eye of the observer 4.

[0101] Preferably, in this case, at a given time, the combined area of ​​interest is the result of the superposition (e.g., a union or an intersection) of the areas of interest detected for each eye. In this way, the combined area of ​​interest is indicative of all the parts of the acquired images 9 on which the interest of each eye of the observer is focused.

[0102] Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured to generate the focusing signal to control an adjustment of the optical system of each camera module 6 so that at least one point of the scene (called "point of interest") represented by a pixel of the combined area of ​​interest belongs to a sharpness interval of each camera module 6.

[0103] According to one example, the control device 8 is configured to generate an orientation signal for at least one of the two camera modules 6 so that the two acquired images 9 correspond to each other as best as possible, i.e. a maximum number of points of the scene 3 are represented both by a pixel of the first image 9 (acquired by the first camera module 6) and by a pixel of the second image 9 (acquired by the second camera module 6). For example, this corresponds to a setting of the camera modules 6 in which each center of each image 9 corresponds to the same point of the scene 3.

[0104] Such a feature is advantageous. Indeed, in such an imaging system 2, the difference in distance between the camera modules 6 gives a disparity effect between the two images 9 resulting in an impression of a 3D view. However, a modification of the focus of the camera modules 6 is likely to result in a situation in which, for example, the centers of each image 9 no longer correspond. Thanks to such an orientation signal, one or both camera modules 6 are oriented (for example, around an axis perpendicular to the segment connecting the two camera modules 6, and perpendicular to the optical axis of one or both camera modules 6) to obtain again the correspondence mentioned above for the new position of the sharpness zone.

[0105] In other words, this constitutes a parallax error correction.

[0106] If this orientation is not possible, it is possible to correct the parallax error advantageously, for example by sliding one image at least in the sharpness zones to obtain a better correspondence between the two images.

[0107] Such parallax error correction is advantageous, as it allows the imaging system 2 to create a more realistic depth perception. By adjusting the parallax, the 3D effect is more comfortable for viewer 4, this helps reduce viewer 4's eye strain and minimizes unwanted distortions. Functioning

[0108] The operation of the imaging system 2 will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0109] During the detection step 20, the control device 8 detects, in the scene 3, an area of ​​interest 24 associated with the observer 4.

[0110] Then, during the signal generation step 22, the control device 8 generates a focusing signal of the camera module 6 to control an adjustment of the optical system of the camera module 6 so that at least one point of interest belongs to the sharpness interval.

[0111] A similar operation is provided for the imaging device 2 described in FIG. 4, except that the area of ​​interest 26 is detected in a displayed image representative of the scene 3.

[0112] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling (18) at least one camera module (6), each camera module (6) being configured to deliver at least one image (9) representative of a scene (3) acquired by a sensor of the camera module (6) through an optical system of the camera module (6), the method being implemented by computer and comprising, for each camera module (6), the steps: - for each acquired image (9), detection of an area of interest (24; 26) of an observer (4) in said image (9); and - generation of a focusing signal of the camera module (6) to control an adjustment of the optical system of said camera module (6) so that at least one point of the scene (3) represented by a pixel which belongs to the detected area of interest (24; 26) belongs to a sharpness interval of the camera module (6), the sharpness interval being an interval: • comprising a point (OF) located at a distance from the camera module (6) equal to a focusing distance (F) of the camera module (6); and • having an extent (E), along an optical axis of the camera module (6), equal to the depth of field of the camera module (6).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the at least one camera module (6) comprises at least one pair of paired photodetectors arranged to image the same point of the scene (3), the generation of the focusing signal comprising, for at least one pair of paired photodetectors associated with a pixel of the area of interest (24; 26), a measurement of a luminous flux received by each photodetector, the focusing signal being a function of a difference in measured received luminous flux.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which, for each camera module, the focusing signal is a function of distance information. between said camera module (6) and at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel belonging to the detected area of interest (24; 26), the distance information being delivered by a telemetry device.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising, for each acquired image, a calculation of a sharpness value in the detected area of interest (24; 26), the focusing signal being a function of the calculated sharpness value.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a first image acquired (9) by a first camera module (6) is displayed to the right eye of the observer, and a second image acquired (9) by a second camera module (6), separate from the first camera module (6), is displayed to the left eye of the observer, and in which the generation of the focusing signal of each of the first camera module and the second camera module (6) comprises a calculation of a combined area of interest from the area of interest detected in the first acquired image (9) and the area of interest detected in the second acquired image (9).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein generating the focusing signal further comprises controlling the adjustment of the optical system of each of the first camera module (6) and the second camera module (6) such that at least one point of the scene represented by a pixel of the calculated combined area of interest falls within the sharpness range of each of said first camera module (6) and said second camera module (6).

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising generating an orientation signal for controlling an orientation of at least one of the first camera module (6) and the second camera module (6), so as to maximize a number of points of the scene (3) which are represented both by a pixel of a first image acquired (9) by the first camera module (6) and by a pixel of a second image acquired (9) by the second camera module (6).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising generating an orientation signal for controlling an orientation of the camera module (6) such that a center of the acquired image (9) is included in the detected area of interest (24; 26).

9. A computer program comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the steps of the method (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Control device (8) of at least one camera module (6), each camera module (6) being configured to deliver at least one image (9) representative of a scene (3) acquired by a sensor of the camera module (6) through an optical system of the camera module (6), the control device (8) being configured so as to, for each camera module (6): - for each acquired image (9), detecting an area of interest (24; 26) of an observer (4) in said image (9); and - generating a focusing signal of the camera module (6) to control an adjustment of the optical system of said camera module (6) so that at least one point of the scene (3) represented by a pixel which belongs to the detected area of interest (24; 26) belongs to a sharpness interval of the camera module (6), the sharpness interval being an interval: • comprising a point (OF) located at a distance from the camera module (6) equal to a focusing distance (F) of the camera module (6); and • having an extent (E), along an optical axis of the camera module (6), equal to the depth of field of the camera module (6).

11. Imaging system (2) comprising a control device (8) according to claim 10 and at least one camera module (6) configured to deliver at least one image (9) representative of an acquired scene (3), the control device (8) being connected to the at least one camera module (6) to receive, as input, each image acquired (9) by said camera module (6) and to control said camera module (6).

12. Imaging system according to claim 11, further comprising a telemetry device configured to deliver distance information between each camera module (6) and at least one point of the acquired scene (3).

Images