Camera Auto Focus Using 3D Depth Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auto focus methods in camera systems suffer from reduced accuracy and prolonged focusing times due to multi-stage searching and frame speed issues, especially in high pixel camera modules with auto focus functions.
Innovation Solution
A camera system employing two cameras with actuators for lens movement and a 3-D depth extraction unit to extract depth data, which is used by a controller to drive the actuators for precise focusing, potentially aided by memory-stored position information and image signal processing units for enhanced accuracy and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-stage searching method is used for auto focusing, then the focusing coverage is comprehensive, but the auto focusing time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a first camera to capture depth information about the object before the second camera performs focusing. This pre-acquired depth data is used to predict the optimal lens position, eliminating the need for time-consuming multi-stage searching. The controller uses this preliminary depth information to directly calculate and adjust the lens position, significantly reducing auto focusing time while maintaining comprehensive focusing coverage.
2Device complexity
If conventional auto focus methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the auto focus accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a first camera dedicated to capturing depth information - that mediates between the object and the second camera's focusing system. This first camera acts as a mediator by providing accurate depth data about the object, which the controller then uses to determine the precise lens position for the second camera. This intermediary approach significantly improves auto focus accuracy without requiring complex multi-stage searching algorithms in the focusing camera itself.
3Loss of time
If frame speed is increased for faster focusing, then the auto focusing time is reduced, but errors are generated in auto focus accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical iterative searching system with a computational approach based on depth information. Instead of mechanically moving the lens through multiple stages and comparing images at different positions, the system uses the first camera to capture depth data and the controller to calculate the optimal lens position directly. This substitution of mechanical iterative adjustment with computational depth-based positioning enables fast focusing without sacrificing accuracy, as the lens is positioned correctly on the first attempt rather than requiring multiple mechanical search stages.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a camera system, the camera system including a first camera photographing an object image, a second camera including an actuator moving a lens for focusing, a 3-D depth extraction unit extracting a 3-D depth using object images photographed by the first and second cameras, a memory unit stored with position information of a lens corresponding to a 3-D depth data of an object image, and a controller driving the actuator by reading the position information of the lens corresponding to the 3-D depth of the object image stored in the memory unit based on 3-D depth data extracted by the 3-D depth extraction unit.