Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting focus in image capturing device

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for automatically adjusting a focus in an image capturing device are provided. The method includes generating an image by capturing a subject through a lens when a flash unit is enabled, dividing the image into a plurality of windows, determining a brightest window from among the plurality of windows, and setting an Auto Focus (AF) detection area for performing an AF function centering on the determined window.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a flash unit;   a image sensor; and   a controller configured to:
 obtain an image corresponding to one or more external objects using the image sensor, the obtaining including flashing a light using the flash unit; 
 divide at least one portion of the image into a plurality of areas; 
 select at least one area from the plurality of areas based at least in part on a characteristic of the at least one area, the characteristic to be determined based at least in part on the light; and 
 set at least one portion of the at least one area as a focus area for the image. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 adjust a size or a shape of the focus area based at least in part on the at least one area.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 identify a brightness, a contrast, or an illumination corresponding to the at least one area as part of the characteristic.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 select the at least one area based at least in part on a weight value determined according to an outcome of a mathematical function applied to the brightness, the contrast, or the illumination.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 select the at least one area based at least in part on a determination that the weight value satisfies a specified reference value.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 select the at least one area based at least in part on a location of the at least one area.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 select the at least one area based at least in part on a distance between a center of the image and the at least one area.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 perform an auto-focus function with respect to at least one external object of the one or more external objects in the at least one area.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 capture the image as the auto-focus function is being performed with respect to the at least one area.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 adjust an exposure time corresponding to the one or more external objects based at least in part on the light.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 obtaining an image corresponding to one or more external objects using an image sensor, wherein obtaining the image includes flashing a light using a flash unit;   dividing at least one portion of the image into a plurality of areas;   selecting at least one area from the plurality of areas based at least in part on a characteristic of the at least one area, the characteristic to be determined based at least in part on the light;   setting at least one portion of the at least one area as a focus area for the image; and   performing an autofocus function based on the focus area.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein setting the at least one portion comprises:
 adjusting a size or a shape of the focus area based at least in part on the at least one area.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein selecting the at least one area comprises:
 identifying a brightness, a contrast, or an illumination corresponding to the at least one area as part of the characteristic.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein selecting the at least one area comprises:
 selecting the at least one area based at least in part on a weight value determined according to an outcome of a mathematical function applied to the brightness, the contrast, or the illumination.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the selecting the at least one area comprises:
 selecting the at least one area based at least in part on a determination that the weight value satisfies a specified reference value.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the selecting the at least one area comprises:
 selecting the at least one area based at least in part on a distance between a center of the image and the at least one area.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein performing the autofocus function comprises:
 performing an auto-focus function with respect to at least one external object of the one or more external objects in the at least one area.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein performing the autofocus function comprises:
 capturing the image as the auto-focus function is being performed with respect to the at least one area.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , where in obtaining the image comprises:
 adjusting an exposure time corresponding to the one or more external objects based at least in part on an amount, an intensity, or a duration of the light.   
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computer processors, cause the one or more computer processors to perform operations comprising:
 obtaining an image corresponding to one or more external objects using an image sensor, the obtaining including flashing a light using a flash unit;   dividing at least one portion of the image into a plurality of areas;   selecting at least one area from the plurality of areas based at least in part on a characteristic of the at least one area, the characteristic to be determined based at least in part on the light;   setting at least one portion of the at least one area as a focus area for the image; and   performing an autofocus function based on the focus area.