Touchscreen Camera Autofocus for Precise Focal Point Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital cameras require manual user interaction to adjust focus, which can be cumbersome and inefficient for users.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a display device with a digital camera that allows users to select a focal point through touch input, coupled with a focal point selection module and focus control module to automatically adjust the lens position for precise focusing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual user interaction is required to adjust focus, then focus adjustment capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to directly touch the display screen to select focal points, making the interface serve itself by eliminating the need for separate focus adjustment controls. The touch display directly translates user intent into focus adjustment commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen acts as an intermediary between the user and the focus adjustment mechanism. Instead of directly manipulating focus controls, users interact with the visual representation on the display, which then translates this interaction into precise focus adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automatic focal point selection is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidfocal point selection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback on the display screen showing multiple candidate focal points with indicators, allowing users to see the system's automatic selections and make precise adjustments by touching the desired location. This feedback loop ensures both speed and precision in focal point selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and displays multiple candidate focal points before user selection, performing preliminary analysis of the scene to identify potential focus areas. This preliminary action speeds up the process while maintaining precision through user confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUSRE50829E1Techniques to automatically focus a digital camera

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various embodiments are directed to techniques to automatically focus a digital camera. In one or more embodiments, a mobile electronics device may comprise a digital camera having a lens component and lens position component. A display may be coupled to the digital camera to reproduce an image with a first focal point. The digital camera may also include a focal point selection module coupled to the display to select a second focal point for the image and a focus control module coupled to the focal point selection module and the lens position component to provide focus control signals to the lens position component to focus the lens component on the second focal point. Other embodiments are described and claimed.