Abstract:
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates capturing an image in an electronic camera without the image being completely focused. A “most-in-focus” indicator is provided to an operator of the camera to notify the operator that a reasonably good image is available for capture, without having to wait for the camera to finish a fine focus adjustment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/392,313 entitled, “Convergence Feedback Indicator, Provided When Taking A Picture in A Camera Application”, filed on Oct. 12, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a manner by which to facilitate photographic image recordation taken by a digital camera, such as those incorporated into wireless devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, and an associated method, by which an image that is “mostly-in-focus” can be captured by the camera device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Recent years have witnessed the development and deployment of a wide range of electronic devices and systems that provide many new and previously-unavailable functions and services. Advancements in communication technologies, for instance, have permitted the development and deployment of a wide array of communication devices, equipment, and communication infrastructures. The development, deployment, and popular use of such devices, equipment, and communication infrastructures have, in significant aspects, changed the lives and daily habits of many. 
         [0004]    Cellular, and other analogous, wireless communication systems, for instance, have been developed and deployed and have achieved significant levels of usage. Increasing technological capabilities along with decreasing equipment and operational costs have permitted, by way of such wireless communication systems, increased communication capabilities to be provided at lowered costs. 
         [0005]    Early-generation, wireless communication systems generally provided for voice communications and limited data communications. Successor-generation communication systems have provided increasingly data-intensive communication capabilities and services. New-generation communication system, for instance, provide for the communication of large data files at high through-put rates. Communication, e.g., of large-size documents and other data files, is carried out, e.g., by attachment of the files to data messages, and then sending the data messages to which the files are attached. 
         [0006]    In a cellular communication system, as well as an analogous communication system, the communications are typically effectuated through use of portable wireless devices, which are sometimes referred to as mobile stations. The wireless devices are typically of small dimensions, thereby to increase the likelihood that the device shall be hand-carried and available for use whenever needed as long as the wireless devices positioned within an area encompassed by a network of the cellular, or analogous, communication system. A wireless device includes transceiver circuitry to provide for radio communication, both to receive information and to send information. Wireless devices sometimes are provided with additional functionality. The additional functionality provided to a wireless device sometimes is communication related and other times, is related to other technologies, for instance, processing technologies. When so-configured, the wireless device forms a multi-functional device, having multiple functionalities. A camera functionality that provides for the capture and recordation of a photographic image or a series of images is amongst the functionalities that are sometimes provided to wireless devices. Because of the small dimensions of typical wireless devices, and the regular carriage of such devices by users, a wireless device having a camera functionality is available to the user to record an image or series of images, such as to form a video sequence of images, when so over the user elects to do so. The image, once recorded, saved, for example, at a storage element of the wireless device, can be transferred elsewhere. For instance, the recorded image defines a document file. And, the document file can be appended to a data message and sent elsewhere. The data file forming the image or images is also storable at the wireless device, available subsequently to be viewed at the wireless device. 
         [0007]    Camera functionality provided to a wireless device typically includes a camera lens that functions to focus a subject and other structure to form and permit saving of a captured image. In more sophisticated implementations, the camera lens is movable to provide for a change in the focal point of a camera image. Various methodologies have been developed by which to facilitate focusing of the camera lens to improve recorded-image quality. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication system having a wireless device, which includes an implementation of the present disclosure operable therein. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary portable wireless communications device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an out-of-focus image as displayed on the user interface of a wireless communications device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an optimally focused version of an image as displayed on the user interface of a wireless communications device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a “mostly-in-focus” version of an image and the display of a convergence indicator; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an optimal focus status indicator; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a method flow diagram representative of the method of operation of an implementation of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present disclosure provides an apparatus, and an associated methodology, by which to facilitate photographic image recordation, such as a photograph taken by a wireless device having camera functionality. 
         [0016]    Through operation of an implementation of the present disclosure, a manner is provided by which to provide a lens focus convergence indicator. The convergence indicator enunciates to a user of a camera, such as a camera incorporated into a wireless device, when the lens&#39; focus-position of an auto-focus camera is such that a reasonably good image is available for capture. Stated another way, the convergence indicator informs a user that an image is sufficiently focused and ready for capture without having to wait for additional fine focusing. 
         [0017]    In one aspect of the present disclosure, a lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly is comprised of an adjustable lens. The adjustable lens has a focal length, relative to a semiconductor image detector, which is electrically controllable and therefore electrically adjustable. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, image recording circuitry is provided, which is comprised of a semiconductor image detector. In one implementation, the semiconductor image detector is a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image detector. The CMOS image detector is configured to detect light that impinges on the CMOS image detector after passing through the adjustable lens. Light that impinges on the CMOS image detector generates electrical output signals that correspond to, i.e., represent, an image. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, signals representing an image on the image detector comprise indications of the clarity or focus of the image on the detector. Image clarity or focus can be determined by the examination of lines and edges. Lines and edges that are blurred, i.e., comprised of multiple adjacent pixels, indicate that the image is out of focus. An out-of-focus indication is detected by a processor associated with the camera, referred to herein as the camera ISP. Whether the image impinging on the detector is out of focus or in focus is represented by a focus parameter, which is generated by the camera ISP. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a memory element is provided and configured to store focus parameter information such as lens position information. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a focus controller is provided. The focus controller is configured to adjust the separation distance of an electrically-adjustable camera lens in the lens assembly. The separation distance corresponds to the focal length of the lens. The focal length of the lens is the distance between a focus of the curved surface of the camera lens to the image detector. The focus parameter identifies a value used in positioning of the camera lens in order to place an image in proper focus to record the image of the subject. The focus parameter is selected responsive to an indication of a determined characteristic of the subject. 
         [0022]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, the focus parameter comprises a lens position of a movable lens of the camera functionality. The lens position is translatable over a range of positions to provide for focal point arrangement depending upon the subject whose image is to be recorded. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lens position is selected responsive to a determination of the clarity or definition of lines and edges of an image. An indication of this determination is used to select the lens position. Once the desired lens position is determined, the lens is caused to be translated to the appropriate position. The camera functionality, for instance, includes an electric motor, or other translator, that causes the appropriate translation to position the lens in the desired lens position. And, once the lens is suitably positioned, the image is recorded. The image, once recorded, is available for subsequent viewing. 
         [0024]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a quantitative determination is made of when the lens assembly is positioned in a mostly-in-focus position. First, the lens assembly is adjusted so that the image to be recorded is in focus. Indications of this lens position comprise a focus value. A threshold is then derived. The threshold is, e.g., a percentage of the focus, such as 75 percent of the focus value. For so long as the indicated focus value is above the threshold value, the image is considered to be mostly-in-focus. If, conversely, the focus value is subsequently determined to be less than the threshold, than the image is no longer considered to be mostly-in-focus. 
         [0025]    In one implementation, the camera functionality is embodied at a wireless device, such as a cellular mobile station. The camera function is operable when the wireless device is used in a camera, or other recording, mode. When an image of a subject is to be recorded, a camera ISP determines whether the image is in-focus or out-of-focus. An indication of the determined focus state is used to select the lens position needed to define a correct focus point in order to form an in-focus image for recordation. 
         [0026]    In one implementation, the adjustable lens and focus controller are configured to adjust the lens position relative to the image detector in quantized steps. A rapid, course adjustment of focus is achieved by relatively large, course adjustments of the lens position. Course adjustment is achieved by adjusting the lens position using relatively large incremental displacement steps. A slower, fine adjustment of focus is achieved by adjusting the lens position using relatively small incremental displacement steps. Course adjustment steps are used to rapidly bring an image into a relatively good focus whereas fine adjustment steps are used to achieve an optimal or “best possible” image focus. 
         [0027]    Focus adjustment is performed by iteratively moving the lens and determining the definition or clarity of lines and edges after each lens position change. A course adjustment is performed first, i.e., when the camera functionality is invoked. During the course adjustment mode, the camera lens is moved in relatively large steps or increments. The definition or clarity of lines and edges is evaluated after each movement of the lens. Movement of the lens in a direction that improves focus continues until continued movement in the same direction starts to un-focus the image. The focus of an image on the image detector when the course adjustment concludes is reasonably well-focused but not maximally or optimally focused. Additional focus and an associated improvement in image quality can usually be obtained by performing a fine focus wherein the lens position is adjusted in small incremental steps to further improve line and edge clarity. 
         [0028]    A fine focus adjustment mode is entered, wherein fine focus of the lens is performed by small, incremental position changes, after course adjustments are unable to make further improvement to the definition or clarity of lines and edges. 
         [0029]    A recognizable photographic image exists on the image detector at the conclusion of the course adjustment. A recognizable image can therefore be captured without having to wait for the fine focus adjustment. 
         [0030]    In these and other aspects, therefore, an apparatus, and an associated method, is provided for an electronic device. Electronic device is capable of recording a photographic image of a subject. A detector is configured to detect an indication of a determined characteristic of a subject. And, a focus controller is configured to select a focus parameter responsive to the indication of the determined characteristic of the detected subject. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of a communications system  10 . The system  10  is comprised of a portable wireless communications device  12 , a wireless communications network  16 , and a communication endpoint  28 . 
         [0032]    The wireless device  12  is comprised of a radio frequency receiver  22  and a radio frequency transmitter  24 , the structure and operation of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. An antenna  26 , which is also well known, allows radio frequency signals  18  to be received by the receiver  22  and transmitted by the transmitter  24 . 
         [0033]    The wireless communications device  12  is provided a camera  30  that enables the device  12  to capture images for viewing on an associated display device  68  or, transmit the images for additional processing or viewing by others. The camera  30  thus allows a user of the device  12  to take digital pictures and transmit data files that contain image information. 
         [0034]    The camera  30  is comprised of a lens assembly  34 , well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The lens assembly  34  is comprised of a mechanically adjustable optical lens, not shown in  FIG. 1  for clarity, but also well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Light that passes through the optical lens of the lens assembly  34  and impinges upon a semiconductor image recording device that comprises image recording circuitry  36 . In one implementation, the image recording device is comprised of a CMOS image detector. 
         [0035]    The clarity or definition of an image formed on the image detector after passing through the lens assembly  34  might not be well defined due to varying and unpredictable separation distances of the image detector from an object of interest to be captured, i.e., photographed. An image to be captured can be focused, i.e., its edges and lines be made clearer and more well-defined, by changing the position of an optical lens within the lens assembly  34 . 
         [0036]    The position or spacing of the optical lens away from the image recording device is effectuated electrically by a focus controller  52  and an electrically adjustable lens within the lens assembly  34 . When an image on the image recording device is detected to be out of focus by a camera processor  64 , signals provided to the focus controller  52  from the camera processor  64  causes the adjustable lens to move to improve image sharpness. Signals  76  provided to the lens assembly  34  by the focus controller  52  are able to move the lens toward and away from the image recording device  36  as needed in order to improve image focus. The clarity or definition of an image on the image detector is evaluated by the number of picture elements or pixels that form one or more edges and lines. 
         [0037]    The edges and lines of an image are detected by an edge detector  58 . The edge detector  58  receives information from the image recording device via the camera processor  64 . 
         [0038]    In one implementation, the controllable lens of the lens assembly  34  is adjusted to place an image in focus. Information regarding the current focus state of the lens assembly is first obtained or provided. The information is, for instance, polled from a camera module formed of functional elements of the camera  30 . The camera includes, for instance, an STV 0987 imaging system processor, provided by STMicroelectronics™. Polling is performed, e.g., by reading a sensor register over 12C/SPI at periodic or other selected intervals. Or, the information is pushed from the signal processor as part of, e.g., the frame data or provided on an auxiliary data channel. An MIPI™—defined Camera Serial Interface, CSI-2, provides for virtual and data type channels where the data can be made available at a baseband level. Alternately, in a parallel ITU configuration, data is appended at the end of a frame. For instance, in an implementation using the STV 0987, the information is provided in register OX 5606, and, if desired, a status line is emitted after each frame. 
         [0039]    A parameter associated with the fully-focused image is a focus value, FV. A threshold value is derived from the focus value. The threshold value, in the exemplary implementation, is a percentage of the focus value, such as 75 percent of the focus value. The threshold is determinative of whether the image is considered to be mostly-in-focus. Selection of the threshold is made on any of various factors. For instance, the selection of the threshold is dependent upon the size of the focus step. When the focus steps are smaller, there are more focus steps from which to choose. Additionally, a near focus has a smaller depth of field. 
         [0040]    Once selected, the threshold is determinative of whether the image is, or remains, mostly-in-focus. As long as the focus value remains above the threshold, the image is considered to be mostly-in-focus. 
         [0041]    The quantitative evaluation is based upon the following equation: 
         [0000]      IndValue=IndThreshold+((( Fv−Fv Threshold)/( Fv Peak− Fv Threshold)))/4
 
         [0042]    IndValue is the indexed/percentage value; 
         [0043]    IndThreshold is the threshold offset to use for near focus, i.e. 0.75 for 75%; 
         [0044]    Fv is focus value; 
         [0045]    FvThreshold is the threshold based on peak value; and 
         [0046]    FvPeak is the peak threshold detected by the AF algorithm. 
         [0047]    The deviser of four is a value that is selected based upon the value of the IndThreshold and the type of measure being produced. The range is, e.g., between 0 and 25%. 
         [0048]    By way of an example, if the threshold value is selected to be 90% of the focus value, and the focus value is 10000, the threshold focus value is 9000. And, the IndValue, using the above equation, is 87.5%. 
         [0049]    The camera processor  64  is coupled to a user interface  68  typically embodied as a liquid crystal display device or LCD  68 . An image on the image detector is thus able to be presented for display on the display device  68  at the same time that the image on the image detector  36  is being evaluated and brought into focus. 
         [0050]    As set forth above, a problem with prior art camera phones and cameras in general is that a user may desire to take a picture to capture an event or an image, even if the image is slightly out of focus. An indicator can thus be provided when an image on the image detector is at least partially focused, i.e., when the focus controller has finished a course focus adjustment and transitions to a fine adjustment mode. Stated another way, a “mostly-in-focus” signal or indicator can be provided when the camera&#39;s automatic focus has begun to converge on a fine or optimal focus. The convergence indicator is preferably provided on the user interface display device to signal to a camera user that an image on the display device is sufficiently focused to yield a reasonably good photograph. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a portable, wireless communications device  12 . The user interface  68  is comprised of a relatively large liquid crystal display device on which images and text can be displayed responsive to signals provided to the user interface  68  from the aforementioned camera processor  64 . Push-buttons or keys  78  allow a user to input commands and information. At least one of the push-buttons is a camera actuator button  80 , the actuation of which provides a signal to the camera processor  64  to capture an image displayed on the user interface  68 , which of course is also the image on the image detector. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is an isolated view of the liquid crystal display device that comprises the user interface  68 . Heavy black lines  82  in  FIG. 3  are meant to depict an out-of-focus image of a mountain range. The out-of-focus condition is depicted as lines or edges  82  that are wide and which require several pixels. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a depiction of the same user interface  68  with the same mountain range brought into focus by the controlled adjustment of the adjustable lens through a course and fine adjustment modes. The lines or edges  82  in  FIG. 4  are narrow and sharp, corresponding to an optimally-focused image. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  depicts a “mostly-in-focus” image. The focus or clarity of the image in  FIG. 5  is between the out-of- focus state depicted in  FIG. 3  and the optimally in-focus state depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0055]    The “mostly-in-focus” state shown in  FIG. 5  is considered to exist when the focus controller  52  begins or enters the aforementioned fine-focus mode. The “mostly-in-focus” is enunciated to a camera user by the presentation of an indication of a focus parameter corresponding to the focus of an image when the course focus mode can no longer improve image focus. In  FIG. 5 , the indication of the focus parameter corresponding to “mostly-in-focus” is embodied as a virtual image frame comprised or four, L-shaped brackets  88  that are caused to be displayed on the display device  68  by the camera processor  64  proximate to the corners of the display device  68 . The generation of the focus parameter indicators  88  is effectuated by the camera processor  64  responsive to a comparison of the clarity or line definition on the image detector  68  to a value stored in memory  62  by the determiner  56 . 
         [0056]    In one implementation, the user interface  68  displays at least part of the image on the image recording device as well as the indication of the focus parameter. In another implementation, the display of the indication of the focus parameter can be by way of a separate display device such a light emitting diode or array thereof. 
         [0057]    As stated above, the adjustable lens assembly  34  is controlled by the focus controller  52  to obtain an optimum focus by initially adjusting the lens assembly  34  in relatively large or coarse steps. Using methodology well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the focus controller  52  adjusts the adjustable lens  34  in relatively large steps or increments in order to quickly bring the adjustable lens into at least partial focus as determined by a comparison of lines or other edges to determine whether the image is in focus or out of focus. 
         [0058]    Once the image on the image detector  36  is at least partially focused, the focus controller  52  thereafter adjusts the lens  34  in small or fine steps to maximize or optimize image focus. When the focus controller  52  is adjusting the lens assembly  34  in a fine-adjustment mode, the image on the recording device  36  is already sufficiently clear or defined such that the image received thereon is recognizable. When the fine-adjustment mode has been entered, instructions within the processor  64  cause the focus parameter indicator to be displayed on the user interface  68 . 
         [0059]    As set forth above, in one implementation the focus parameter indicator is comprised of L-shaped corners that form a virtual frame around the displayed image  82 . In another implementation, the virtual frame provided by the corners  88  can be provided with one or more different colors to further distinguish the degree to which the image is focused. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  depicts the image shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in an in-focus image, similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 . The rectangle  90  forms an optimal focus status indicator to indicate to a viewer that the image is fully in focus. 
         [0061]    A method of providing a “convergence” indicator is depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Since the wireless communications device  12  provides camera functionality as an option, the method of providing a convergence indicator to show that a displayed image is mostly in focus and ready for capture includes the step of selecting the camera function  114  from the user interface of the communications device  12 . At step  124 , an image detected on the image detector  36  is displayed on the user interface  69  but also evaluated for the fineness of lines and edges in the detected image. Edge fineness or clarity is evaluated by the presence or absence of pixels or picture elements adjacent to each other which have similar characteristics and the number or width of such adjacent pixels relative to each other. 
         [0062]    In step  128 , the position of the adjustable lens assembly  34  is determined in order to determine an initial direction of travel. In step  130 , the lines and edges of the image on the image detector  36  is evaluated. If it is determined that the image is already in focus, the method proceeds to step  138 , where a decision is made whether to capture the image displayed on the user interface  68 . If it is determined at step  130  that the image is out of focus, a course adjustment is performed at step  130 , i.e., a relatively large displacement of the lens is made, followed by a test of whether the image quality improved by the course adjustment. If the image quality improved by the course adjustment, another course adjustment is made to attempt a further improvement. When further image improvement is not realized by a course adjustment, the image on the user interface  68  is “mostly in focus.” As shown at step  136 , a focus parameter indicator, i.e., that the clarity or fineness of the image, is mostly in focus, displayed, preferably on the display device  68 . 
         [0063]    From step  136 , the method proceeds to step  138 , where a decision is made whether to capture the displayed, “mostly-in-focus” image or to proceed to a fine adjustment as shown in steps  140  and  142 . If the displayed, “mostly-in-focus” image is captured at step  138 , the method returns to step  114 . If the decision at step  138  is negative, i.e., the image is not captured, the method continues to attempt to keep the image in focus by repetitively adjusting the fine focus. 
         [0064]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate implementation where achievement of optimum focus is enunciated to a user by the presentation of a solid frame in the user interface  68 . 
         [0065]    Presently preferred implementations of the disclosure and many of its improvements and advantages have been described with a degree of particularity. The description is of preferred examples of implementing the disclosure and the description of preferred examples is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims.