Patent ID: 6812968
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An imaging device comprising:an image sensor having an image sensing plane for providing a video signal of an image formed thereon; an adjustable optics system adapted to adjust the focal point of an image on said image sensing plane according to an adjustment signal; a viewfinder for displaying a field of view corresponding approximately to an image formed on said image sensing plane and for displaying a focus area within said field of view; and a focusing system comprising: a configuration device adapted to facilitate configuration of a focus area within said field of view, said configuration device comprising a pointer adapted for manipulation by a user to position said focus area within said field of view, and an outer sleeve rotatably and coaxially mounted about said pointer, wherein rotation of said sleeve effects a change in size of said focus area circuitry operatively coupled to said adjustable optics system, said image sensor, said viewfinder and said configuration device, said circuitry being configured for correlating a configured focus area to a portion of said image sensing plane, analyzing the resolution of the video signal corresponding to said portion, and effecting said adjustment signal to adjust the focal point of the image to improve resolution within said configured focus area.