Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

Po-Min Wang

Yu-Huai Chen

Wei-Chih Hung

Yang Wayne Wang

Chang-Che Tsai

Chih-Wei Li

Yung-Chiu Liu

MuFan Yen

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.

Phase detection techniques for half-shield phase-detect sensors

A system for automatic image band detection includes concurrently capturing a first image of a scene with a first camera having a first exposure time and a second image of the scene with a second camera having a second exposure time. The system detects image banding for one of the first camera and the second camera based on the first image and the second image.

System and method for image banding detection

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.

Instant auto-focus with distance estimation

Enhanced phase detection for a PDAF sensor includes extracting pixel data from image data, the image data captured from an image capturing device having a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) sensor; extracting one or more features from the pixel data, including removing irrelevant pixel data; and determining a phase difference between the one or more features.

Compensation-free phase detection for phase detection autofocus devices

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.

Adaptive lens step control with multiple filters for camera fast auto focus

A processing device comprises a memory configured to store data and a processor. The processor is configured to control an exposure timing of a rolling shutter image sensor and an IR illumination timing of an object, by an IR light emitter, by switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, a sequence of video frames, each having a plurality of pixel lines, comprises a frame in which each pixel line is exposed to IR light emitted by the IR light emitter; a frame which is partially exposed to the IR light and a frame in which no pixel line is exposed to the IR light. In the second operation mode, alternating video frames of the sequence comprise one of a frame in which each pixel line is exposed to the IR light and a frame in which no pixel line is exposed to the IR light.

Adaptive rolling shutter image sensor and IR emitter control for facial recognition

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for using a half-shield phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) sensor for auto-exposure convergence are disclosed. A camera includes at least one or more half-shield PDAF sensors and control logic for performing an automatic exposure control convergence procedure. The control logic receives half-pixel values from half-shield PDAF sensors for a first frame. The control logic calculates twice the value of each half-pixel value captured by the half-shield PDAF sensors for the first frame. Then, the control logic adjusts an exposure setting used for capturing a second frame based on how much twice the value of each sensor value is over the maximum pixel intensity value. This approach allows the automatic exposure control convergence procedure to converge more quickly than prior art procedures.

Half-shield phase detection auto-focus sensor for auto-exposure convergence

An apparatus and methods for efficiently determining a final exposure level of an image capture device are described. A first camera generates a first image of a scene based on a first exposure level. A second camera generates a second image of the scene based on a second exposure level. When the first camera determines the first image includes out of range exposure, the first camera adjusts the first exposure level based on the second exposure level of the second camera. Additionally, the first camera adjusts the second exposure level of the second camera based on the second exposure level. Afterward, each of the first camera and the second camera are able to generate new images of the same scene using the updated first exposure level and updated second exposure level.

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Hsinchu, Taiwan

Po-Min Wang