Multi-Camera Autofocus Synchronization via Adaptive Lens Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-camera systems, such as those in high-end smartphones, face challenges in autofocus synchronization, leading to reduced image quality due to poor synchronization of autofocus across cameras, which can result in one camera being well-focused while the other is not, compromising the overall image fusion performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronize autofocus in a master camera and a slave camera using a lens position map, where the slave camera focuses based on the master camera's lens positions, and periodically performs independent autofocus operations to adaptively update the map, ensuring optimal focus without the need for offline recalibration or specific calibration targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autofocus is synchronized using a fixed lens position map, then focus synchronization is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to environmental changes like temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The lens position map transitions from a static fixed mapping to a dynamic adaptive mapping that automatically adjusts to environmental changes. The system performs periodic autofocus operations to determine actual lens positions and updates the map accordingly, allowing it to adapt to temperature variations and other environmental factors while maintaining focus synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by periodically performing autofocus operations to measure actual lens positions, comparing them against the current lens position map, and using this information to adaptively update the map. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system maintains accurate focus synchronization despite environmental changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lens position map is updated continuously, then adaptability to environmental changes is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous updating, the system performs autofocus operations and map updates periodically at predetermined intervals. This periodic action reduces processing time and computational load compared to continuous updates, while still maintaining sufficient adaptability to environmental changes through regular recalibration.
3Measurement precision
If independent autofocus operations are performed in both cameras simultaneously, then each camera achieves optimal focus, but autofocus synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The autofocus system is segmented into a master camera that performs autofocus operations independently and a slave camera that synchronizes its autofocus operations with the master camera. This segmentation allows each camera to maintain focus accuracy while ensuring synchronization between multiple cameras through coordinated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method synchronizes autofocus in a system having a master camera and a slave camera. The method comprises: focusing the slave camera based on a map and a result of an autofocus operation by the master camera, while capturing each of a plurality of images. The map relates a plurality of master camera lens positions of the master camera to corresponding slave camera lens positions of the slave camera. An autofocus operation is periodically performed in the slave camera to determine an additional slave camera lens position for an additional image. The map is adaptively updated, based at least partially on the additional slave camera lens position.