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GooglePatent applicationCameras & imagingInterest 6/10

Google patents camera trick to focus faster in bright scenes

This filing describes a method for cameras to determine focus settings while the camera is still adjusting its brightness. It uses a measure of focus quality to stop the brightness adjustment early and take a brighter test photo to lock in the focus.

Why it mattersThis could help smartphone cameras take sharper photos more quickly when shooting against bright backgrounds like windows or skies.

In the filing’s own words

A method includes executing a process of refining auto-exposure settings for an image sensor. The method also includes determining an autofocus confidence level based on at least one image captured by the image sensor while executing the process of refining the auto-exposure settings for the image sensor. The method further includes, based on the autofocus confidence level, interrupting the process of refining the auto-exposure settings to capture an image with greater exposure than the at least one image. The method additionally includes determining autofocus settings based on the image captured with greater exposure than the at least one image. The method further also includes configuring the image sensor based on the autofocus settings.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: determining an autofocus confidence level based on at least one image captured by an image sensor while executing a process of refining auto-exposure settings for the image sensor; based on the autofocus confidence level, interrupting the process of refining the auto-exposure settings for the image sensor to capture an image with greater exposure than the at least one image; determining autofocus settings based on the image captured with greater exposure than the at least one image; and causing the image sensor to capture one or more additional images based on the autofocus settings.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
Preview One-Shot Autofocus for Backlit Scenes
Publication number
US20260261760A1
Application number
19491204
Filed
Jun 20, 2024
Published
Sep 3, 2026
Inventors
8
Claims
20

Classified under

H04N 23/672 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/63 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/72 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/73 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/741 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/75 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.