Patent ID: 8619182

Claim:
A processor based method, comprising: receiving for a single frame image, multiple color images of the single frame image onto a photo sensor plane, the multiple color images indicating that an object within the single frame image is out of focus on the photo sensor plane, wherein the multiple color images are created using an interference filter placed in front of the photo sensor and arranged at an angle with respect to the photo sensor plane to cause a color image of the object projected onto the photo sensor to be displaced with respect to an other color image of the object as a function of a distance the focusing lens is from the object, each color image and the other color image having a continuous range of colors being projected onto the photo sensor at the same time; selecting from the multiple color images a reference color image; determining with respect to the reference color image a disparity distance between the reference color image and the other color image in the multiple color images; determining a directional relationship between the reference color image and the other color image; determining a lens adjustment position in which to move a focusing lens with respect to the photo sensor plane using as input at least the directional relationship and the disparity distance; and for the single frame image automatically relocating the focusing lens using the lens adjustment position such that the multiple color images are coincident on the photo sensor plane for the object indicating that the object is in focus.