Abstract:
In an AF camera having a two-stage capture button or a three-stage capture button, a timing control module or algorithm is used to control the type of image a user can obtain after the user presses and releases the capture button. The timing control allows the user to capture an image of the scene substantially as presented on the viewfinder when the automatic focusing algorithm carries out its focusing function, or to capture an image of a recomposed scene after the focusing function is completed. If the user releases the capture button before the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function, the image obtained is the image focused at the hyperfocal distance.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to digital cameras and, more specifically, to digital cameras having an auto-focus feature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Auto-focus (AF) camera modules are commonly used in digital cameras and in mobile terminals having imaging capability. An automatic focusing algorithm is also commonly used in those camera modules for image capture. Many existing automatic focusing algorithms rely on hyperfocal distance focusing in image capture. In photography, depth-of-field (DOF) is defined as the distance in front of and behind the subject that appears to be in focus. Hyperfocal distance is such distance that if a camera is focused in that distance, then everything from half the focused distance to infinity will be within DOF. 
         [0003]    Typically the DOF in a mobile imaging phone is very large, due to the small physical size of the camera module and the small lens aperture. In a typical mobile AF camera module, the hyperfocal distance is roughly 2 m (80 inches). Thus, when the camera is focused at 2 m, everything from 1 m to infinity appears to be in focus. For that reason, focusing at the hyperfocal distance can handle most image capture situations. 
         [0004]    Nevertheless, AF cameras having an automatic focusing algorithm have a number of problems. These problems are also dependent upon whether the camera uses a two-stage capture button or a three-stage capture button. In a camera with a three-stage capture button, the first stage is the capture button not being pressed; the second stage is the capture button being half pressed for focusing purposes; and the third stage is the capture button being fully pressed for image capture. In a camera with a two-stage capture button, one stage is the capture button not being pressed and the other stage is the capture button pressed for image capture. 
         [0005]    One of the problems associated with the automatic focusing algorithm is the long shutter lag in AF cameras. The user needs to wait for the automatic focusing algorithm to finish before the image can be captured. The moment that is intended to be captured can be lost because of the wait. The existing solution to this problem is that, if the capture button is fully pressed before the AF algorithm has finished searching optimal focus distance, then the image is captured with current focus distance, or focus is moved to hyperfocal distance and then the image is captured. 
         [0006]    Another problem is that the camera shakes as the three-stage capture button is pressed fully to capture an image. The camera shake often results in a blurred image when pictures are taken indoor and in other low light situations where the exposure time needs to be sufficiently long. In a typical AF camera, one or more frames are captured after the capture button has been fully pressed, and the camera may be shaking during multiple frames after the capture button is pressed. Motion-blur most likely occurs in the image captured immediately after the capture button is fully pressed. The camera is shaken more easily because the third stage of button press requires a harder press than the second stage. As a solution to the problem, the user is instructed to try to keep the camera steady in low light situations, even when pressing the capture button. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, in some imaging products, only two stage capture buttons are used. The problem is how to control AF and image capture with this kind of capture button. Typically, when the two-stage capture button is pressed, the automatic focusing algorithm is immediately initiated, but the image is not captured until the automatic focusing algorithm has found the focus. As such, the user has to wait for the automatic focusing algorithm to finish. 
         [0008]    In capturing images of a moving object or capturing images in a low light situation, the existing image capture methods can be undesirable. Thus, it is advantageous to provide an image capture method that improves performance and quality with regard to the above-mentioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In an AF camera having a two-stage capture button or a three-stage capture button, a timing control module or algorithm is used to control the type of image a user can obtain as the user presses and releases the capture button for taking pictures. The timing control allows the user to capture an image of the scene substantially as presented on the viewfinder when the automatic focusing algorithm carries out its focusing function, or to capture an image of a recomposed scene after the focusing function is completed. If the user releases the capture button before the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function, the image obtained is the image focused at the hyperfocal distance. According to the present invention, a raw image focused at a hyperfocal distance is captured soon after the capture button is pressed. This raw image is saved and processed if the capture button is released before the autofocus function is completed and a second raw image is captured. The second raw image is saved and processed if the capture button is released before a third raw image is captured for a recomposed scene. As such, the user may obtain an image focused at the hyperfocal distance, a normal AF image or an AF image of a recomposed scene. In one embodiment of the present invention, all three raw images may be saved and processed. 
         [0010]    Thus, the first aspect of the present invention is a method for image capture in a camera having a capture button for image capturing, the camera comprising an automatic focusing module for carrying out focusing function in response to a pressing of the capture button. The method comprises: 
         [0011]    capturing a first raw image at a hyperfocal distance in response to the pressing of the capture button; 
         [0012]    keeping the first raw image at least before the focusing function is finished; 
         [0013]    processing the first raw image if the capture button is released before the focusing function is finished; or 
         [0014]    capturing a second raw image to overwrite the first raw image after the focusing function is finished and processing the second raw image if the capture button is released before the predetermined time period has expired, or 
         [0015]    capturing a third raw image to overwrite the second raw image after the predetermined time period has expired. 
         [0016]    The method can be used in a camera having a two-stage capture button or a three-stage capture button, the three-stage capture button operable in a half-pressed position and in a fully-pressed position. 
         [0017]    With a three-stage capture button, the capturing of the first raw image is in response to the pressing of the capture button to the half-pressed position, and the first raw image is processed if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position before the capture button is released before the focusing function is finished. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the capturing of a second raw image to overwrite the first raw image occurs after the focusing function is finished; and the second raw image is processed if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position before the predetermined time period has expired. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the third raw image is captured if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position after the predetermined time period has expired. In one embodiment of the present invention, the capturing of the third raw image overwrites the second raw image if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position and then released after the predetermined time period has expired. 
         [0020]    The second aspect of the present invention is an automatic focusing camera module for use with a lens arranged for forming an image on an image sensor at a separation distance. The module comprises: 
         [0021]    a driving mechanism, operatively connected to one of the lens and the image sensor, for controlling the separation distance; 
         [0022]    an automatic focusing control, operatively connected to the driving mechanism, for changing the separation distance for focusing purposes, wherein the focusing control is adapted to carry out a focusing function in response to a pressing of a capture button; and 
         [0023]    a processor, operatively connected to the focusing control and the image sensor, wherein the processor is adapted for carrying out the method of image capture as described in reference to the first aspect of the present invention. 
         [0024]    The third aspect of the present invention is a device, such as a digital camera, a mobile phone or any device having image capture capability, having an automatic focusing camera module as described in reference to the second aspect of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The fourth aspect of the present invention is a software application product comprising a computer readable medium having a software application, wherein the software application comprises program codes to carry out the image capture method as described in reference to the first aspect of the present invention. 
         [0026]    The present invention will become apparent upon reading the description taken in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 to 8 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a method of image capture with a three-stage capture button, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a method of image capture with a three-stage capture button, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method of image capture with a three-stage capture button, according to a different embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method of image capture with a two-stage capture button, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a method of image capture with a two-stage capture button, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of image capture with a two-stage capture button, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates an auto-focus camera module having a processor to carry out one or more of the image-capture methods, according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  illustrates an electronic device, such as a mobile terminal, having an auto-focus module, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The present invention treats cameras with a three-stage capture button differently from cameras with a two-stage capture button. There are three use cases regarding cameras with a three-stage capture button and three use cases regarding cameras with a two-stage capture button. 
         [0036]    In each of the three use cases regarding cameras with a three-stage capture button, the image capture starts with common steps  0  to  3 . Step  0  is the initial state starting when the camera power is turned on. The initial state includes running the view-finding function and setting the focus at the hyperfocal distance. Step  1  is defined as when the capture button is half pressed for focusing. At step  2 , a raw frame of image is captured at the hyperfocal distance as set at the initial state. At step  3 , the automatic focusing algorithm starts its focusing function and the view-finding function continues to run. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  1  and shown in  FIG. 1 , the capture button can be fully pressed or released at step  4 . The raw frame is processed and saved at step  5  and the use case ends at step  6 . 
         [0038]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  2  and shown in  FIG. 2 , the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function at step  4 . A second raw frame is captured at step  5  to overwrite the previously captured raw frame. At step  6 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate focus lock/fail to the user. At step  7 , a time counter starts. At step  8 , the capture button is fully pressed. At step  9 , the capture button is released. The second raw frame is processed and saved at step  10  and the use case ends at step  11 . 
         [0039]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  3  and shown in  FIG. 3 , the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function at step  4 . A second raw frame is captured at step  5  to overwrite the previously captured raw frame. At step  6 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate focus lock/fail to the user. At step  7 , a time counter starts. The time counter reaches a predetermined threshold time of 0.75 s, for example, at step  8 . At step  9 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate a “recompose state” to the user to allow the user to recompose the image frame while maintaining the same focusing distance at step  10 . At step  11 , the capture button is fully pressed. At step  12 , the capture button is released. A third raw frame is captured to overwrite the second raw frame at step  13 . The third raw frame is processed and saved at step  14  and the use case ends at step  15 . 
         [0040]    The Use Cases  1  to  3  can be implemented as three image capturing modes of an image device, allowing a user to choose one of modes at any time for taking pictures. However, all use cases can also be covered with one automatic mode: If the capture button is pressed and released before AF has finished, then the image is captured as in Use Case  1 . If the user has time to wait until AF has finished and then the capture button is pressed and released, then the image is captured as in Use Case  2 . And finally, if the user waits for more than the pre-determined time period that was mentioned earlier after AF has finished, then the camera will switch to the recompose state and the image will be captured as in Use Case  3 . This kind of automatic operation is possible because the beginning of a use case is always the same as the beginning of the previous use case, and the different use cases are separated by the moment at which the user presses and releases the capture button. That is, Use Case  2  starts to differ from Use Case  1  at step  4 , and Use Case  3  starts to differ from Use Case  2  at step  8 . 
         [0041]    In each of the three use cases regarding cameras with a two-stage capture button, the image capture starts with common steps  0  to  3 . Step  0  is the initial state starting when the camera power is turned on. The initial state includes running the view-finding function and setting the focus at the hyperfocal distance. Step  1  is defined as when the capture button is pressed. At step  2 , a raw frame of image is captured at the hyperfocal distance as set at the initial state. At step  3 , the automatic focusing algorithm starts its focusing function and the view-finding function continues to run. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  4  and shown in  FIG. 4 , the capture button is released at step  4 . The raw frame is processed and saved at step  5  and the use case ends at step  6 . 
         [0043]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  5  and shown in  FIG. 5 , the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function at step  4 . A second raw frame is captured at step  5  to overwrite the previously captured raw frame. At step  6 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate focus lock/fail to the user. At step  7 , a time counter starts. At step  8 , the capture button is released. The second raw frame is processed and saved at step  9  and the use case ends at step  10 . 
         [0044]    In the embodiment of the present invention referred to as Use Case  6  and shown in  FIG. 6 , the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function at step  4 . A second raw frame is captured at step  5  to overwrite the previously captured raw frame. At step  6 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate focus lock/fail to the user. At step  7 , a time counter starts. The time counter reaches a predetermined threshold time of 0.75 s, for example, at step  8 . At step  9 , sound or target sign color change is used to indicate a “recompose state” to the user to allow the user to recompose the image frame at step  10 . At step  11 , the capture button is released. A third raw frame is captured to overwrite the second raw frame at step  12 . The third raw frame is processed and saved at step  13  and the use case ends at step  14 . 
         [0045]    The Use Cases  4  to  6  can be implemented as three image capturing modes of an image device, allowing a user to choose one of the modes at any time for taking pictures. However, all use cases can also be covered with one automatic mode, similar to the implementation of the three stage button Use Cases  1 - 3  above. For example, if the user presses the capture button fully and releases it before AF finishes, the result would be having the raw frame  1  saved and processed as in Use Case  4 . If the user presses the capture button fully and releases the capture button soon after the capture of raw frame  2 , the result would be having the raw frame  2  saved and processed as in Use Case  5 . If the user presses the capture button fully and releases it after the recompose state, the result would be Use Case  6 . 
         [0046]    According to a different embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to save and process raw frames  1  and  2  in Use Case  3  and Use Case  6  and stored the processed frames  1 ,  2  and  3 . As such, by completing the steps in Use Case  3  or Use Case  6 , the user is able to have one processed image captured at the hyperfocal distance, one processed normal AF image and one recomposed AF image. 
         [0047]    In sum, the image capture methods, according various embodiments of the present invention, reduce capture latency by using the hyperfocal distance and by capturing a raw image even before starting the automatic focusing algorithm. This raw image is processed and saved or overwritten depending on the use cases. With this feature, image capturing does not need to wait until the completion of automatic focusing. Thus, in Use Cases  1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , an image is captured even before the capture button is fully pressed and, therefore, the shutter lag problem associated with the computation involved with the automatic focusing algorithm can be reduced. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, the camera shaking problem usually associated with the pressing of the capture button can be reduced. In Use Cases  1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , an image is already captured when the capture button is pressed halfway. A halfway press does not usually cause the camera to shake as much as a full press. In Use Cases  3  and  6 , the image can be captured after the releasing of the capture button. A capture button release does not usually cause the camera to shake as much as a capture button press. In an auto-focus camera with a two-stage capture button, it is possible to enable fast image capturing. 
         [0049]    With the various embodiments of the present invention, the common features of focus-and-recompose technique and pre-focusing can be maintained. The camera is easy to use and the user is not required to learn any new picture taking skills to produce good images. 
         [0050]    With the all the advantages of the present invention, the camera module only requires a memory buffer to store one raw frame—the first or second raw frame. 
         [0051]    The present invention can be implemented in an auto-focus camera module as shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the module comprises a lens for image formation on an image sensor. The lens or the image sensor is driven by an auto-focus mechanism controlled by a processor. The processor comprises a software application product including an auto-focus algorithm for carrying out at least some of the steps as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . The module also comprises a memory to store raw or processed images, and an image display which can also be used as a view-finder. The processor is operatively connected to the capture button for initiating the image capture process. 
         [0052]    Accordingly, the automatic focusing camera module, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may include a driving mechanism, operatively connected to one of the lens and the image sensor, for controlling the separation distance; an automatic focusing control, operatively connected to the driving mechanism, for changing the separation distance for focusing purposes, wherein the focusing control is adapted to carry out a focusing function in response to a pressing of a capture button; and a processor, operatively connected to the focusing control and the image sensor, wherein the processor is adapted for capturing a first raw image at a hyperfocal distance in response to the pressing of the capture button; and keeping the raw image at least before the focusing function is finished. The raw image is processed if the capture button is released before the focusing function is finished. 
         [0053]    The processor is also adapted for capturing a second raw image to overwrite said raw image after the focusing function is finished and for processing the second raw image if the capture button is released before the predetermined time period has expired. Furthermore, a third raw image is captured to overwrite the second raw image after the predetermined time period has expired in response to releasing of the capture button. 
         [0054]    It the capture button is a three-stage button operable in a half-pressed position and in a fully-pressed position, then the capturing of the first raw image is in response to the pressing of the capture button to the half-pressed position, and the first raw image is processed to the fully-pressed position before the capture button is released before the focusing function is finished. 
         [0055]    The automatic focusing camera module further comprises a time keeping module for starting a predetermined time period in response to the finishing of the focusing function. The time keeping module is a timer or a software program to keep track of the time after the focusing function is finished. The processor is also adapted for capturing a second raw image to overwrite the first raw image after the focusing function is finished; and processing the second raw image if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position before the predetermined time period has expired. Furthermore, a third raw image is captured if the capture button is pressed to the fully-pressed position after the predetermined time period has expired. 
         [0056]    The software application product or AF algorithm, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , may comprise a computer readable medium to store a software application. The software application comprises program codes for capturing a first raw image at a hyperfocal distance in response to the pressing of the capture button; and for keeping the first raw image at least before the focusing function is finished. If the capture button is released before the focusing function is finished, then a program code is used to initiate the processing of the first raw image. The software application also has program codes for capturing a second raw image to overwrite said raw image after the focusing function is finished and initiating the processing of the second raw image if the capture button is released before the predetermined time period has expired. The predetermined time period can be started by a program code in response to the finishing of the focusing function. Furthermore, the software application also has program codes for capturing a third raw image to overwrite the second raw image after the predetermined time period has expired in response to the releasing of the capture button. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  illustrates an electronic device, such a mobile phone, comprising an auto-focus camera module, according to the present invention. However, the auto-focus camera module can be used in a digital camera and in other portable electronic devices, communication device and the like. 
         [0058]    Thus, although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.