Concurrent Autofocus Using Auxiliary Camera for Fast Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern image capturing devices face delays in capturing images due to lengthy autofocus procedures, which can result in missing fleeting subjects and selecting suboptimal focus points, leading to out-of-focus images.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using at least two cameras within an image capturing device, where one camera performs a focus procedure in a first direction and another auxiliary camera performs a concurrent autofocus procedure in an opposite direction, allowing for simultaneous focus point identification and synchronization of the main lens with the auxiliary lens to achieve focus quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated camera performs a complete autofocus procedure to obtain a focus point, then the image quality is improved by ensuring proper focus, but the time required to capture the image increases causing delay and potential loss of fleeting subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary camera performs autofocus procedures in advance and continuously, maintaining readiness to provide focus point information. This preliminary action ensures that when the main camera needs to capture an image, focus data is already available or nearly available, eliminating the need for the main camera to perform its own time-consuming autofocus sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary camera acts as an intermediary that performs the tedious autofocus work and provides focus point information to the main camera. This mediator approach allows the main camera to skip the autofocus procedure entirely and directly capture images using the auxiliary camera's focus data, resolving the contradiction between obtaining accurate focus and minimizing capture time
2Productivity
If the autofocus procedure duration is limited or reduced, then the capture speed is improved and fleeting subjects are not missed, but the focus point selection may become suboptimal resulting in out-of-focus images
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary camera continuously performs autofocus procedures before they are actually needed, maintaining a ready supply of accurate focus point information. This preliminary and continuous autofocus execution ensures that when fast capture is needed, pre-computed focus data is immediately available, achieving both high capture speed and accurate focus
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary camera serves as an intermediary that specializes in performing comprehensive autofocus procedures and providing verified focus point data to the main camera. This division of labor allows the main camera to achieve high productivity through rapid capture while relying on the auxiliary camera's expertise in achieving accurate focus points
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product to obtain a focus point of a current scene. The method includes performing a first focus procedure in a first direction via a main lens of a main camera of an image capturing device having at least two cameras. The method further includes concurrently performing a second autofocus procedure in a second direction that is opposite the first direction via at least one auxiliary lens of at least one auxiliary camera. The method further includes identifying a focus point within autofocus data collected during the first and second focus procedure. The method further includes, in response to determining the focus point was identified by the at least one auxiliary camera: terminating the first focus procedure; and automatically synchronizing a position of the main lens to that of the at least one auxiliary lens.