Abstract: A method includes: obtaining a plurality of object images, the plurality of object images being taken by an image pickup device while moving a focal position within a predetermined range, the image pickup device being capable of taking images of an object at arbitrary focal positions within the predetermined range; calculating a first in-focus position within the predetermined range based on pieces of contrast information on a manually-taken object image group, the manually-taken object image group including the plurality of object images taken while manually moving the focal position within the predetermined range; and calculating a second in-focus position within the search range based on pieces of contrast information on an automatically-taken object image group, the automatically-taken object image group including the plurality of object images taken while automatically moving the focal position within a search range, the search range being determined with reference to the calculated first in-focus positi

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control.

Abstract: A light field data acquisition device includes optics and a light field sensor to acquire light field image data of a scene. In at least one embodiment, the light field sensor is located at a substantially fixed, predetermined distance relative to the focal point of the optics. In response to user input, the light field acquires the light field image data of the scene, and a storage device stores the acquired data. Such acquired data can subsequently be used to generate a plurality of images of the scene using different virtual focus depths.

Abstract: A lens driving system is configured for driving a lens to a focus position, and includes a control unit and a driving unit electrically connected to the control unit and coupled with the lens. The control unit acquires the focus position, calculates a main current value according to the focus position, and calculates a number of secondary current values according to the main current value. The secondary current values gradually increase to the main current value. The driving unit drives the lens to the focus position according to the secondary current values.

Abstract: A plurality of image signals for focus detection are generated from combined signals obtained by combining output signals of a pixel in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas obtained by dividing are arranged in a predetermined direction, in units of the photoelectric conversion areas, and the defocus amount is detected based on a correlation amount between the plurality of image signals. The combined signals are generated for each pixel block, for a plurality of pixel block lines in which pixel blocks each having a predetermined size are arranged in the predetermined direction. The pixel data amount for focus detection can be effectively reduced by, in the combining, making combining central points of signals, in the plurality of pixel block lines, shifted relative to each other or phases of positions of the pixel blocks different from each other.

Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a receiving portion 155 that receives a control signal from a remote controller, and a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein when the receiving portion 155 receives the control signal from the remote controller, the microcomputer 110 controls so as to shift the digital camera to a live view mode. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.

Abstract: An autofocus method includes acquiring an image of a scene that includes one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces. The method includes detecting one or more of the out of focus faces and/or partial faces within the digital image by applying one or more sets of classifiers trained on faces that are out of focus. One or more sizes of the one of more respective out of focus faces and/or partial faces is/are determined within the digital image. One or more respective depths is/are determined to the one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces based on the one or more sizes of the one of more faces and/or partial faces within the digital image. One or more respective focus positions of the lens is/are adjusted to focus approximately at the determined one or more respective depths.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of photoelectric conversion units and a microlens and that is capable of capturing a subject and periodically outputting image signals individually from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a control unit that performs control such that, within the period in which the image sensor outputs an image signal, charge accumulation durations of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units of each pixel of the image sensor are shifted with respect to each other, and a synthesizing unit that sums up, for each pixel, the image signals individually output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image pickup element including a plurality of pixels, a lens array configured such that rays from the same position on an object plane are incident on pixels of the image pickup element different from each other depending on a pupil region of the imaging optical system through which the ray passes, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing for the input image acquired by the image pickup element to generate the output images, and a control unit configured to drive the imaging optical system to perform focus control, the image processing unit is configured to acquire information on a refocus control range, and the control unit is configured to perform the focus control based on the information on the refocus control range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing an autofocus routine in a camera apparatus having a processor is disclosed. The camera apparatus is adapted to detect a number of images and communicate image signals representative thereof to the processor. The method includes determining that a degree of change between a first image signal and a second image signal is below a predetermined threshold and responsive thereto, performing the autofocus routine.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert an object image incident via a focus lens to acquire image data; a detection unit configured to detect a size and a position of an object based on the acquired image data; an adjustment unit configured to execute focus adjustment by acquiring a focus signal indicating a focusing state of the focus lens based on the image data while moving the focus lens, and moving the focus lens based on the focus signal; and a control unit configured to execute an operation if the detected size has changed, and to change the operation if the detected position has changed while the detected size has not changed.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided with an image sensor that has a first pixel group and a second pixel group, a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment of an imaging lens based on the signal from the second pixel group, a readout unit that has a first thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels at a predetermined thinning ratio and thinning phase, and a second thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels with a difference in at least one of the thinning ratio and the thinning phase from the first thinning and readout mode, and a selecting unit that selects in which mode to operate the readout means from among the first and second thinning and readout modes in accordance with the state of the image capturing apparatus.

Abstract: An auto-focus controlling apparatus includes a focus evaluation value generating device generating a focus evaluation value based on image data acquired through the focus lens, a target lens position determining device determining a target lens position, a timing determining device determining a plurality of acquisition lens positions for acquiring the focus evaluation values in a scanning direction from a present lens position of the focus lens toward the target lens position, a scanning device driving the focus lens in the scanning direction, a predicted focus lens position determining device predicting a predicted focus lens position based on the acquired focus evaluation values and a moving device stopping the scanning device to drive the focus lens when the predicted focus lens position is determined and driving the focus lens in the same direction as the scanning direction to move the focus lens to the predicted focus lens position.

Abstract: A lens device according to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter obtains camera information indicating whether a mounted camera is a first camera with an AF-frame display function or a second camera without the AF-frame display function; when the camera information indicating the first camera is obtained, when the camera information indicating the second camera is obtained and an automatic tracking mode is set, the lens device changeably sets position and size of the AF frame; and when the camera information indicating the second camera is obtained and the automatic tracking mode is not set, the lens device fixes the AF frame at a predetermined position and size.

Abstract: In the imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the aperture area ratio between the plurality of regions of the multifocal lens is appropriately configured. Thereby, it is configured such that, when a plurality of images are simultaneously imaged via the plurality of regions using the illumination light source, brightness of the image of the subject at an in-focus distance corresponding to one region of the plurality of regions, the image imaged via the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light, is substantially equal to brightness of the image of another subject at an in-focus body distance corresponding to another region, the image imaged via the other region except the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light. Accordingly, the subject at any of the distances does not suffer excess or deficient exposure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an actuator driver in a camera module, and more particularly to methods, systems and devices of employing self-calibrated ringing compensation to improve the autofocus rate of the camera module that is driven by an actuator. Oscillation characteristics of the actuator are calibrated to control a sink current that drives the actuator during an autofocus. The actuator driver comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a filter, a current sink and a self calibration module. The self calibration module calibrates the free-oscillation frequency and damping coefficient, and accordingly, the DAC generates a voltage that may be subsequently bypassed, filtered or shaped by the filter. This voltage is further converted to the sink current by the current sink. Such self-calibrated ringing compensation allows close tracking of free oscillation, and may efficiently enhance the settling time of the lens and autofocus rate of the camera module.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: an input unit that inputs a subject image formed by an optical system manifesting axial chromatic aberration as an input image; an edge detection unit that detects edges in the input image, each in correspondence to one of color components; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the optical system by detecting contrast differences of the edges corresponding to individual color components having been detected and then moving a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system; and a lens moving direction determining unit that determines a moving direction along which the focus adjustment lens is to move for purposes of focus adjustment based upon the edges corresponding to the individual color components having been detected and the axial chromatic aberration. The focus adjustment unit causes the focus adjustment lens to move along the moving direction determined by the lens moving direction determining unit.

Abstract: A camera includes: a taking lens forming an image of a subject; an image pickup unit; a subject brightness acquisition unit acquiring the brightness information of the subject on the basis of the output of the image pickup unit; a control unit controlling the exposure according to the brightness information acquired by the subject brightness acquisition unit; and a storage unit storing the information indicating the optical state of the taking lens before the subject brightness acquisition unit acquires the brightness information. The control unit determines whether or not the brightness information is acquired again by the subject brightness acquisition unit according to the information about the optical state of the taking lens stored in the storage unit when the subject brightness acquisition unit previously acquired the brightness information, and the information about the optical state of the taking lens when the latest brightness information is acquired.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment method for transmitting, from a camera main body side to a lens side, a driving amount of a focus operation member configured to drive a lens, the automatic focus adjustment method includes, when a driving amount according to defocus of an object is transmitted, transmitting a driving permissible time of the focus operation member according to a control method of automatic focus adjustment as well. On the camera main body side, the driving permissible time is acquired according to the set control method of the automatic focus adjustment. On the lens side, drive control of the focus operation member is switched so that a driving time of the focus operation member satisfies the driving permissible time.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting a focal point using an imaging device including phase difference detection pixels are disclosed. An apparatus is provided that includes an imaging device comprising an optical aperture disposed between a micro lens and a photoelectric conversion unit of each of a plurality of pixels, the optical aperture being eccentric with respect to an optical axis of the respective micro lens, the imaging device configured to output a phase difference signal; and a control unit that detects a focal position from the phase difference signal detected from entire pixels of the imaging device to drive a focus lens and that adjusts a focal point.

Abstract: The invention includes steps of setting a main area set within the frame of a photographed image signal, and a plurality of auxiliary areas each of which is smaller than the main area, selecting one or a plurality of focus detection areas from the main area and the auxiliary areas in accordance with the in-focus position of a focus lens based on the focus signals of the main area and the auxiliary areas, and controlling the focus lens to move to the in-focus position of the focus lens in the focus detection area selected in the selecting step.

Abstract: A controller configured to move a lens to reduce a defocus amount of a focus area selected from among a plurality of focus areas, wherein the controller repeats a detection of a defocus amount while moving the lens, and performs a selection of a focus area by using face position information, which is obtained and output by the first detection unit after detection of the defocus amount is repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: A subject detection apparatus includes a subject detection unit configured to detect a subject included in an image, an orientation detection unit configured to detect an orientation of the subject detection apparatus, and a control unit configured to control a zoom magnification according to an area of the subject detected by the subject detection unit. If the area of the subject detected by the subject detection unit enters a designated area of the image, the control unit controls the zoom magnification so as to become a zoom magnification in a wide angle direction. The designated area is set according to a detection result obtained by the orientation detection unit.

Abstract: Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal, plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory is detachably attached, said accessory including an optical member, includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a vertical synchronizing signal and output the generated vertical synchronizing signal, an imaging unit configured to accumulate charges in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal and output an imaging signal, a control unit configured to generate a clock signal and control data communication with the accessory based on the clock signal, a first terminal for sending the clock signal to the accessory, and a second terminal for communicating data with the accessory, in which the control unit, after the data communication via the second terminal, notifies timing at which the vertical synchronizing signal is output using the clock signal via the first terminal by changing a signal level of the first terminal after a lapse of a predetermined time while the signal level is kept at a predetermined level, and controls the accessory to dr

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that performs focus control includes a signal conversion processing part that converts a subject image into a video signal, an image acquisition part that acquires the video signal output from the signal conversion processing part, a focusing area setting part that sets a focusing area as an evaluation value calculation area on an imaging screen acquired by the image acquisition part, an effective range selection part that obtains effective code density in an image of the focusing area with respect to each lens position while moving the lens and determines whether or not the lens position is in an effective range suitable for focusing based on the effective code density, and a focusing degree calculation part that obtains a focusing degree in the lens position when a determination that the lens position is located in the effective range is made in the effective range selection part.

Abstract: An AF controller includes: a signal generator configured to generate an image signal pair for each of a plurality of areas in an imaging angle of view; a target position derives configured to derive a driving target position of a focus lens based on a defocus amount derived by the image signal pair input from the signal generator and based on an acquired position of the focus lens; and a driving command unit configured to output a driving command of the focus lens based on the driving target position, wherein the driving command unit outputs the driving command of the focus lens based on the driving target position in a range of a threshold.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes pixels arranged in a matrix shape, vertical signal lines to which the pixels are respectively connected via normal connection lines for each column, focus detection pixels discretely arranged among the pixels, focus connection lines that set, in a range in which a total number of the focus detection pixels included in a row group including a plurality of rows is not more than a number of the vertical signal lines, the row group and respectively connect all the focus detection pixels included in the row group to the different vertical signal lines, focus readout switches respectively provided on the focus connection lines, and a vertical scanning circuit that causes the focus readout switches to simultaneously operate by a unit of the row group.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing a projector in a projection system is provided that includes projecting, by the projector, a binary pattern on a projection surface, capturing an image of the projected binary pattern by a camera synchronized with the projector, computing a depth map from the captured image, and adjusting focus of the projector based on the computed depth map.

Abstract: A control unit for a stepping motor includes an encoder and a controller. The controller controls the stepping motor based on information sent from an image pickup apparatus configured to capture an object via an image pickup optical system that includes the focus lens. in a case that the image pickup apparatus performs autofocusing in capturing a still image, the controller open-loop-controls the stepping motor in at least one of a drive start period and a drive stop period of the stepping motor, and feedback-controls the stepping motor using an output of the encoder between the drive start period and the drive stop period of the stepping motor. The controller open-loop-controls the stepping motor in a case that the image pickup apparatus performs the autofocusing in capturing a motion image.

Abstract: An image pickup unit and an image processing unit are provided, each inexpensively achieving both of far distance photographing and near distance photographing in a simple configuration. In an image processing section 12, a correction coefficient selection section 123 selects one of a correction coefficient k1 for a distant object and a correction coefficient k2 for a proximate object in response to a mode setting signal input by a user, and outputs the selected correction coefficient to a deblurring processing section 122. The deblurring processing section 122 performs blur correction to image data D2 based on imaging data D0 with use of the selected correction coefficient. This allows appropriate blur correction to the imaging data of each of the distant object and the proximate object.

Abstract: By a conventional technique, it is not possible to provide an image refocused accurately at a desired subject distance. An image processing device is characterized by including an image data acquiring unit configured to acquire calibration image data obtained by an image capturing device including an aperture to adjust an amount of incident light, a lens array in which a plurality of lenses is arranged, and an image sensing element to photoelectrically convert an image of a subject via the lens array and obtained in a state where the aperture is stopped down in accordance with an instruction of calibration; and a unit configured to acquire a position of an image on the image sensing element corresponding to each of the lenses based on the calibration image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-capturing device including a lens with an adjustable focal length, a photosensitive unit, a memory unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. The photosensitive unit obtains a plurality of images from a scene via the lens, and the images correspond to different focal lengths. The memory unit is configured to store the images corresponding to the different focal lengths. The processing unit obtains a target image according to a selected frame position, wherein the corresponding focal length of the target image focuses on an object of the scene, and the object in the target image is located at the selected frame position. The display unit is configured to output the obtained target image.

Abstract: The image processing method acquires an input image and information on an image capturing condition, acquires an optical transfer function corresponding to the image capturing condition, calculates a specific frequency at which an index value obtained by using the optical transfer function becomes a predetermined value in each azimuth direction, and produces a window function to divide a frequency band of the input image into lower and higher frequency side bands than the specific frequency in each azimuth direction. Then, the method produces, by using the window function and the optical transfer function, an image restoration filter to perform the image restoration process on the lower frequency side band of the input image and to restrict the image restoration process on the higher frequency side band thereof, and performs the image restoration process using the image restoration filter.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer program are provided. The method comprises: analyzing different color channels of an image detected by an image sensor; and adjusting, in dependence upon the analysis, at least one of: a position of a focal plane of an optical arrangement and a position of the image sensor. In some embodiments, the sharpness of different color channels of the image is compared and the adjustment depends upon the results of the comparison.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an image sensor to output an image signal in accordance with an image of a subject captured via the imaging lens, a lens driver to move the imaging lens, an autofocus detector to determine a focal point according to image data obtained from the image signal, a point source detector to determine whether or not a subject is a point source subject on the basis of a brightness component included in the image data, and a driving mode setter to change a driving condition of the image sensor when the subject is determined to be a point source subject.

Abstract: A signal for focus detection is generated by a first operation, in which a signal of at least one photoelectric conversion element included in a photoelectric conversion unit is read to an input node of an amplification unit and the signal is supplied to a common output line by the amplification unit and signals for forming an image are generated by a second operation, in which a signal of another photoelectric conversion element included in the same photoelectric conversion unit as that including the at least one photoelectric conversion element from which the signal has been read in the first operation is read to the input node of the amplification unit while holding the signal read in the first operation using the amplification unit and the signals are supplied to the common output line by the amplification unit.

Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera that can reduce deterioration in image quality due to a camera shake or an object movement and easily pick up an image with a good image quality. In the digital single-lens reflex camera, when a body microprocessor judges that an object speed detected based on a detected object movement is smaller than a threshold value, a conversion lens camera shake correcting device in a conversion lens or a camera body shake correcting device in a camera body is controlled to carry out camera shake correction. If the object speed is equal to or more than the threshold value, the body microprocessor makes a digital signal gain setting unit high in gain so as to increase the ISO sensitivity or makes a shatter speed faster to set a shorter exposure time and has a plurality of images continuously picked up under different exposure conditions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, focusing an image-capture device such as, e.g., a camera including an optical system displaceable in opposite directions (A, B) via a focusing actuator, is controlled by evaluating a scale factor for the images acquired by the device. An accumulated value of the variations of the scale factor over a time interval (e.g., over a number of frames) is produced and the absolute value thereof is compared against a threshold. If the threshold is reached, which may be indicative of a zoom movement resulting in image de-focusing, a refocusing action is activated by displacing the optical system via the focusing actuator in the one or the other of the opposite focusing directions (A or B) as a function of whether the accumulated value exhibits an increase or a decrease (i.e., whether the accumulated value is positive or negative).

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for collecting and processing auto-focus statistics data in an image signal processor (ISP). In one embodiment, a statistics collection engine in an ISP front-end processing unit may be configured to collect coarse (based on decimated raw data) and fine auto-focus statistics. Coarse auto-focus statistics may be collected on decimated Bayer RGB data and/or on linear camera luma values. Fine auto-focus statistics may be collected on raw Bayer RGB using a combination of a horizontal filter and edge detector, or may be collected on BayerY data (by applying a 3×1 transform to the raw Bayer RGB data). Edge sums may be accumulated using the filter outputs to determine auto-focus statistics.

Abstract: An method and apparatus focus on a subject in a digital image processing device, the apparatus including a digital signal processor (DSP) for focusing on a subject based on an eye detected from a face of a subject having a greater ratio than a predetermined ratio in a picture.

Abstract: An auto-focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has a plurality of edges. The generator generates a focus signal that is a function of a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each being measured from a different one of the plurality of edges. The edge-sharpness measure is a quantity that has a unit that is a power of a unit of length. It may be a distance in the edge. It may be an area. It may be a central moment. The generator may reduce a relative extent to which an edge contributes to the focus signal on basis of detecting that the edge does not have sufficient reflection symmetry in a sequence of gradients of an image signal across the edge according to a predefined criterion. The edge may be prevented from contributing altogether.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a camera configured to capture an image of a remote controller; a storage configured to store information regarding a plurality of appearance states of the remote controller corresponding to user commands; and a controller configured to determine an appearance state from among the plurality of appearance states of the remote controller based on the image of remote controller captured by the camera, and control the display section to display the image of the content according to a user command corresponding to the determined appearance state of the remote controller.

Abstract: An auto-focusing device including: an imaging unit which generates image data of a subject image; an optical system which includes a focus lens; a lens driver which drives the focus lens; a lens position detector which detects a position of the focus lens; a region detector which detects a predetermined region of the subject image; an evaluation value calculating unit which calculates an AF evaluation value; a movement determining unit which determines whether a subject is moving closer or away based on whether the predetermined region has been enlarged or reduced from the region before; and a lens controller which controls the lens driver, wherein the lens controller controls a moving direction and a moving speed of the focus lens in an autofocus operation based on a determination result of the movement determining unit, the AF evaluation value, and a position detection result for the focus lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging section having a focusing function, the imaging section being configured to generate a shooting image based on a subject and to output the generated shooting image; a calculation section configured to calculate a variation amount of focus level of the shooting image generated by the imaging section; and a display control section configured to allow a shooting image screen based on the shooting image and to allow information in accordance with the variation amount of the focus level calculated by the calculation section to be displayed on a display section.

Abstract: Estimating focus error in an image involves a training phase and an application phase. In the training phase, an optical system is represented by a point-spread function. An image sensor array is represented by one or more wavelength sensitivity functions, one or more noise functions, and one or more spatial sampling functions. The point-spread function is applied to image patches for each of multiple defocus levels within a specified range to produce training data. Each of the images for each defocus level (i.e. focus error) is sampled using the wavelength sensitivity and spatial sampling functions. Noise is added using the noise functions. The responses from the sensor array to the training data are used to generate defocus filters for estimating focus error within the specified range. The defocus filters are then applied to the image patches of the training data and joint probability distributions of filter responses to each defocus level are characterized.

Abstract: A machine vision inspection system comprising an illumination source and an imaging system and a method for performing high-speed focus height measurement operations. The method comprises: placing a workpiece in a field of view of the machine vision inspection system; determining a region of interest for focus height measurement operations; operating the illumination source to illuminate the workpiece with strobed illumination; periodically modulating a focus position of the imaging system along a Z-height direction proximate to the workpiece; collecting an image stack, wherein each image of the image stack corresponds to an instance of strobed illumination matched with a phase of the modulated focus position corresponding to an appropriate Z height within the image stack; and determining a Z-height measurement for at least one portion of the region of interest.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus performs rough detection through high-speed focus detection targeting on a face contour portion and then performs focusing through high-precision focus detection targeting on a face-included portion set inside the face contour.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to provide improved autofocus operations are described. In general, techniques are disclosed that show how to improve contrast-based autofocus operations by applying a novel threshold-and-select action to window-specific focus scores. More particularly, techniques disclosed herein may evaluate a multi-window autofocus area over a burst collected group of images. For each captured image, focus scores for each window within an autofocus area may be collected, aggregated and then consolidated to identify a single focus metric and its associated lens position for each window. The window-specific focus scores may be reviewed and selection of a “best” autofocus lens position made using a selection criteria. The specified criteria may be used to bias the selection to either a front-of-plane (macro) or back-of-plane (infinity) focus position.