Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an instant auto-focus mechanism with distance estimation are disclosed. A camera includes at least an image sensor, one or more movement and/or orientation sensors, a timer, a lens, and control circuit. The control circuit receives first and second images captured by the image sensor of a given scene. The control circuit calculates a distance between first and second camera locations when the first and second images, respectively, were captured based on the one or more movement and/or orientation sensors and the timer. Next, the control circuit calculates an estimate of a second distance between the camera and an object in the scene based on the distance between camera locations and angles between the camera and the object from the first and second locations. Then, the control circuit causes the lens to be adjusted to bring the object into focus for subsequent images.

Abstract: Techniques for performing phase detect operations are described. The techniques include obtaining first measurements with a set of half-shield phase-detect sensors; obtaining second measurements with a set of non-phase detect sensors that are not configured as phase-detect sensor; and determining a phase difference based on the first measurements and the second measurements.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a depth map are described. The techniques include obtaining a set of phase difference measurements with a phase detect sensor, and generating a depth map based on the set of phase difference measurements, utilizing a first set of calibration data correlating phase difference measurements with lens defocus data and a second set of calibration data correlating lens positions with object distances.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for estimating object distance with camera lens focus calibration are disclosed. A relationship between in-focus lens position and object distance is captured in a calibration phase for a plurality of object distances and lens positions for a given camera. The in-focus lens positions and corresponding object distances are stored as calibration data in a memory device of the given camera. Next, during operation of the given camera, a control circuit receives the in-focus lens position that was used to capture a given image. Then, the control circuit performs a lookup of the calibration data with the in-focus lens position to retrieve a corresponding object distance. Next, the corresponding object distance is used as an estimate of a distance to an object in the scene captured in the given image by the given camera.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficiently determining a final camera lens position that captures a focused input image are described. An image signal processing system of a camera capable of performing automatic focus includes a camera lens, an image sensor, a focus engine, and a lens controller. Rather than generate a single contrast value based on digital signals corresponding to a single image, the focus engine uses at least two value generators to generate multiple contrast values. The value generators are bandpass filters with different bandwidths from one another. The focus engine uses the multiple contrast values, rather than from a single contrast value, to determine a search direction for finding a final lens position of the camera lens, when to use relatively large or coarse step sizes for updating the lens position, and when to use relatively small or fine step sizes for updating the lens position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficiently determining a final camera lens position that captures a focused input image are described. An image signal processing system of a camera capable of performing automatic focus includes a camera lens, an image sensor, a focus engine, and a lens controller. Rather than generate a single contrast value based on digital signals corresponding to a single image, the focus engine uses at least two value generators to generate multiple contrast values. The value generators are bandpass filters with different bandwidths from one another. The focus engine uses the multiple contrast values, rather than from a single contrast value, to determine a search direction for finding a final lens position of the camera lens, when to use relatively large or coarse step sizes for updating the lens position, and when to use relatively small or fine step sizes for updating the lens position.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an instant auto-focus mechanism with distance estimation are disclosed. A camera includes at least an image sensor, one or more movement and/or orientation sensors, a timer, a lens, and control circuit. The control circuit receives first and second images captured by the image sensor of a given scene. The control circuit calculates a distance between first and second camera locations when the first and second images, respectively, were captured based on the one or more movement and/or orientation sensors and the timer. Next, the control circuit calculates an estimate of a second distance between the camera and an object in the scene based on the distance between camera locations and angles between the camera and the object from the first and second locations. Then, the control circuit causes the lens to be adjusted to bring the object into focus for subsequent images.