Abstract: A method and device for autofocusing a macro object by an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a lens. In one aspect, the method includes: providing two or more focus perimeters in a viewfinder; obtaining a group of focus values, the group of focus values including at least one focus value associated with each of the two or more focus perimeters, each focus value in the group of focus values including a magnitude and a direction for causing movement of the lens; comparing focus values in the group of focus values to identify a macro object focus value; and in response to identifying the macro object focus value, determining autofocus settings based on the macro object focus value.

Abstract: A method and device for auto-focus control in an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a lens. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a first lens position phase difference; after obtaining the first lens position phase difference, detecting lens movement; obtaining a second lens position phase difference; comparing the second lens position phase difference to the first lens position phase difference to determine whether the second lens position phase difference is greater than the first lens position phase difference; and in response to determining that the second lens position phase difference is greater than the first lens position phase difference, determining autofocus settings by a contrast detection method.

Abstract: An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a flash configured to generate a pre-flash and a regular flash and a camera. The electronic device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the flash and the camera. The processor is configured to, in response to receiving a picture request: determine one or more high dynamic range (HDR) settings and configure an HDR mode of the camera with the determined HDR settings; cause the flash to generate a pre-flash while the HDR mode of the camera is configured with the determined HDR settings; obtain an HDR image from the camera after causing the flash to generate the pre-flash and while the camera is configured with the determined HDR setting; and determine one or more camera configuration settings based on the obtained HDR image.

Abstract: A method and device for autofocusing a macro object by an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a lens. In one aspect, the method includes: providing two or more focus perimeters in a viewfinder; obtaining a group of focus values, the group of focus values including at least one focus value associated with each of the two or more focus perimeters, each focus value in the group of focus values including a magnitude and a direction for causing movement of the lens; comparing focus values in the group of focus values to identify a macro object focus value; and in response to identifying the macro object focus value, determining autofocus settings based on the macro object focus value.

Abstract: A method and device for auto-focus control in an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a lens. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a first lens position phase difference; after obtaining the first lens position phase difference, detecting lens movement; obtaining a second lens position phase difference; comparing the second lens position phase difference to the first lens position phase difference to determine whether the second lens position phase difference is greater than the first lens position phase difference; and in response to determining that the second lens position phase difference is greater than the first lens position phase difference, determining autofocus settings by a contrast detection method.

Abstract: An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a flash configured to generate a pre-flash and a regular flash and a camera. The electronic device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the flash and the camera. The processor is configured to, in response to receiving a picture request: determine one or more high dynamic range (HDR) settings and configure an HDR mode of the camera with the determined HDR settings; cause the flash to generate a pre-flash while the HDR mode of the camera is configured with the determined HDR settings; obtain an HDR image from the camera after causing the flash to generate the pre-flash and while the camera is configured with the determined HDR setting; and determine one or more camera configuration settings based on the obtained HDR image.

Abstract: A method of controlling a portable electronic device including a digital camera for setting automatic exposure and automatic white-balance values for capturing a digital image. The method includes identifying an available current for a main flash output of the digital camera for capturing the digital image, in response to determining that the available current for the main flash output is less than a full current value, identifying a corresponding current value for a preflash output based on the available current for the main flash output and setting the current value for the preflash output to the corresponding current value, actuating the preflash output utilizing the corresponding current value and receiving light at an image sensor, and based on the light received at the image sensor, setting automatic exposure and automatic white-balance values for use in capturing the digital image.

Abstract: A system for carrying articles at the front torso of a human being is disclosed. A substantially rigid article-carrying frame is connected to the front of a harness or backpack worn by the user. The frame transmits the weight of the front-carried articles to the front of the user's hips. The system accommodates bending movements of the user's torso by providing, for example, a variable-length mechanism, or a bending mechanism, or a folding mechanism, or a sliding connector mechanism, or any other equivalent accommodation mechanism that will allow the system to accommodate bending movements of the torso of the user.