Micron Technology Incorporated

Siimpel Corporation

Digitaloptics Corporation Mems

Aptina Imaging Corporation

Tessera Mems Technologies, Inc.

Richard H Tsai

Xiaolei Liu

Eric R Fossum

Gennadiy A Agranov

Scott Patrick Campbell

Sarah Salemi

A method and system for hiding objectionable frames during autofocusing are disclosed. A personal electronic device such as a cameral telephone can have two cameras that have overlapping fields of view. One camera can provide imaging. The other camera can facilitate autofocusing in a manner wherein images produced thereby are not viewed by a user. Because the autofocus frames are hidden, the user is not distracted or annoying thereby.

Video mode hidden autofocus

A MEMS device can include an actuator, a base formed from a substrate, and a plurality of memory cells integrated with the base. At least a portion of the base can be configured to move in response to the actuator. A miniature camera can include a base comprising a frame, a stage, and a plurality of flexures configured to connect the stage with the frame. The flexures can be adapted to bend to permit the stage to move relative to the frame. The camera can include a plurality of memory cells integrated with the base, a lens mount secured to the stage, a lens barrel secured to the lens mount, an image sensor, and an actuator adapted to move the stage relative to the frame and the image sensor.

MEMS device with integrated memory cells

A method and system for effecting adaptive autofocusing, such as for a camera, are disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining focusing information, such as historic focusing actuator current or voltage information or focusing lens position information, storing the focusing information, and subsequently using the focusing information to facilitate a determination of a best position of a focusing lens during a focusing process. The use of such focusing information can result in a better choice for the next focusing lens position to be tested, such that the focusing process can be performed more rapidly. The use of such focusing information can also mitigate the undesirable effects of production variations and/or component wear.

Adaptive autofocus lens positioning

A method and system for effecting adaptive autofocusing, such as for a camera, are disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining focusing information, such as historic focusing information, storing the focusing information, and subsequently using the focusing information to facilitate a determination of a best position of a focusing lens during a focusing process. The use of such focusing information can result in a better choice for the next focusing lens position to be tested, such that the focusing process can be performed more rapidly.

An autofocus method can include moving a lens and reading out first image data associated with a plurality of image pixels during a first low light interval, modifying camera parameters to provide autofocus image light received during an autofocus light interval, acquiring second image data associated with the plurality of image pixels during the autofocus light interval, modifying camera parameters to substantially reduce image light received during a second low light interval, reading out the second image data during the second low light interval, and analyzing at least the first image data and the second image data to determine a focus position of the lens.

Shutter for autofocus

An improved approach to focusing a camera is provided. In one embodiment, a method of adjusting a focus of a camera includes translating a lens to a first position. The lens is vibrated relative to the first position, and a first image is captured on an image sensor while the lens is vibrated relative to the first position. A first sharpness score associated with the first image is calculated. The method also includes translating the lens to a second position. The lens is vibrated relative to the second position, and a second image is captured on the image sensor while the lens is vibrated relative to the second position. A second sharpness score associated with the second image is calculated. The first and second sharpness scores may be compared, and one of the first or second positions may be selected based on the comparison.

Auto-focus with lens vibration

In a method and system for focusing a camera focus can be repeatedly alternated between an original focus position and a plurality of other focus positions. An image can be displayed when the focus position is the original focus position. The image can be suppressed at other focus positions when the images are out of focus. The image can be displayed at one of the other focus position when the image is in focus. In this manner, the display of annoying and distracting unfocused images is mitigated.

Hidden autofocus

A method and system provides a series of images having different focuses. The method can include storing at least one image in a buffer while an autofocus mechanism is determining a focus of the camera. Then, at least one image can be stored in the buffer after the autofocus mechanism has determined the focus of the camera. Images in the buffer can be transferred to a flash memory. In this manner, a plurality of images, each generally having a different focus, can be provided and the user can select an image having a desired focus.

Camera with multiple focus captures

An image sensor is formed with shifts among the optical parts of the sensor and the photosensitive parts of the sensor. The optical parts of the sensor may include a color filter array and/or microlenses. The photosensitive part may include any photoreceptors such as a CMOS image sensor. The shifts allow images to be formed even when the light received at a given pixel location varies in angle of incidence as a function of pixel location within the array. The relative shifts among the pixel components may be, for example, plus or minus some fraction of the pixel pitch. The shift may be variable across the array or may be constant across the array and may be deterministically determined.

Optimization of alignment between elements in an image sensor

A decoder block includes a number of generic blocks stitched together. The generic blocks have an address line layout that enables the decoders to be addressed with a reduced number of signal lines.

Layout technique for address signal lines in decoders including stitched blocks

A CMOS image sensor formed on a chip has a ROM disposed on the chip for recording pixel defect locations, chip-by-chip variations such as bias, and other manufacturing production data. Testing results and repair solutions are written to the ROM after production testing. A simple circuit for writing information to the ROM also is provided on the CMOS chip. During operational use of the image sensor, data is read from the on-chip ROM to assist in compensating for manufacturing process variations.

Growing community of inventors

Alhambra, CA, United States of America

Richard H Tsai