Abstract: The sharpness sweep of a camera lens is performed while capturing several digital images of an object through the lens. The lens is swept in accordance with a range of distance-representing values. The images are analyzed to calculate a respective sharpness variable for each of several different regions of interest. For each region of interest, a peak value of the sharpness variable is found, as well as the distance-representing value associated with the peak. The pixel coordinates of each region of interest are converted into a pair of distance coordinates, which become part of a triple that is created for the region of interest and that also includes the associated distance-representing value. A surface to fit the triples is estimated, and a measure of the optical characteristic is computed using the estimated surface. Optical characteristics that may be estimated in this manner include tilt and curvature of field. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A camera module under test is signaled to capture an image of a target. A group of pixels of the image that represent portions of several objects in the target are low pass filtered and then analyzed to compute a pixel distance between different subgroups of pixels that represent portions of the different objects. The computed pixel distance is then converted into a true distance using a predetermined math relationship that relates a pixel distance variable with a true distance variable.

Abstract: A camera module under test is signaled to capture an image of a target. A group of pixels of the image that represent portions of several objects in the target are low pass filtered and then analyzed to compute a pixel distance between different subgroups of pixels that represent portions of the different objects. The computed pixel distance is then converted into a true distance using a predetermined math relationship that relates a pixel distance variable with a true distance variable.

Abstract: The sharpness sweep of a camera lens is performed while capturing several digital images of an object through the lens. The lens is swept in accordance with a range of distance-representing values. The images are analyzed to calculate a respective sharpness variable for each of several different regions of interest. For each region of interest, a peak value of the sharpness variable is found, as well as the distance-representing value associated with the peak. The pixel coordinates of each region of interest are converted into a pair of distance coordinates, which become part of a triple that is created for the region of interest and that also includes the associated distance-representing value. A surface to fit the triples is estimated, and a measure of the optical characteristic is computed using the estimated surface. Optical characteristics that may be estimated in this manner include tilt and curvature of field. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Described are an electronic device, a camera, and a method for determining an orientation of a camera in an electronic device. The method includes measuring a position of the lens at rest within the lens cavity (680), determining a pointing direction of the camera based on the position of the lens (684), and moving the lens to a new or adjusted starting position for an auto-focus function based on the pointing direction (688). The lens is biased to a predetermined position within the lens cavity when the camera is oriented in a predetermined pointing direction. A lens position sensor can measure a position of the lens to record a measured position. By evaluating the measured lens position, the camera orientation can be determined. The auto-focus of the camera can be started at a starting position based on the camera orientation.

Abstract: A handheld portable imaging device (100) including a first array of pixels and a second array of pixels embedded within the first array. A processor coupled to the first and second arrays processes data read from first array independently of data read from the second array. In one embodiment, data read from the first array is processed as an image, and data read from the second array is processed relatively quickly for controlling a lens actuator that focuses an image on the first array. In another embodiment, the data from the second array is used to stabilize an image captured by the first array.

Abstract: Described are an electronic device, a camera, and a method for determining an orientation of a camera in an electronic device. The method includes measuring a position of the lens at rest within the lens cavity (680), determining a pointing direction of the camera based on the position of the lens (684), and moving the lens to a new or adjusted starting position for an auto-focus function based on the pointing direction (688). The lens is biased to a predetermined position within the lens cavity when the camera is oriented in a predetermined pointing direction. A lens position sensor can measure a position of the lens to record a measured position. By evaluating the measured lens position, the camera orientation can be determined. The auto-focus of the camera can be started at a starting position based on the camera orientation.