Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for determining autofocus for a camera on a mobile device. In some instances, depth imaging is used to assist in determining a focus position for the camera through an autofocus process. For example, a determination of depth may be used to determine a focus position for the camera. In another example, the determination of depth may be used to assist another autofocus process.

A distance measurement device according to the present disclosure includes: a light detection unit; an exposure control unit; a distance image calculator; a detector; and a control unit. The light detection unit receives light from a subject. The exposure control unit performs exposure control on the basis of a signal value outputted by the light detection unit. The distance image calculator calculates a distance image on the basis of an output of the light detection unit. The distance image includes depth and a confidence value. The depth includes deepness information of the subject. The confidence value includes light reception information of the light detection unit. The detector detects, from a feature of data processed by the distance image calculator, a close and low-reflectance object whose distance is unmeasurable. The control unit dynamically controls at least one of a parameter of the exposure control unit or a parameter of the distance image calculator on the basis of a result of detection of the detector.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for operating a multiple camera system. In some embodiments, a primary camera may be selected from a plurality of cameras using object distance estimates, distance error information, and minimum object distances for some or all of the plurality of cameras. In other embodiments, a camera may be configured to use defocus information to obtain an object distance estimate to a target object closer than a minimum object distance of the camera. This object distance estimate may be used to assist in focusing another camera of the multi-camera system.

Accurate information is acquired even in a case where a sensor is deteriorated. A ranging device according to an embodiment includes: a sensor (11) that acquires ranging information; a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) (131) that executes predetermined processing on the ranging information acquired by the sensor; and a memory (15) that stores data for causing the FPGA to execute the predetermined processing.

A semiconductor body includes a driver for driving a light source, at least two detectors each including an avalanche diode, a time-to-digital converter arrangement coupled to outputs of the at least two detectors, a memory that is coupled to the time-to-digital converter arrangement and is configured to store at least one histogram, and an evaluation unit coupled to the driver and to the memory.

A semiconductor body includes a driver for driving a light source, at least two detectors each including an avalanche diode, a time-to-digital converter arrangement coupled to outputs of the at least two detectors, a memory that is coupled to the time-to-digital converter arrangement and is configured to store at least one histogram, and an evaluation unit coupled to the driver and to the memory.

This invention provides an integrated time-of-flight sensor that delivers distance information to a processor associated with the camera assembly and vison system. The distance is processed with the above-described feedback control, to auto-focus the camera assembly's variable lens during runtime operation based on the particular size/shape object(s) within the field of view. The shortest measured distance is used to set the focus distance of the lens. To correct for calibration or drift errors, a further image-based focus optimization can occur around the measured distance and/or based on the measured temperature. The distance information generated by the time-of-flight sensor can be employed to perform other functions. Other functions include self-triggering of image acquisition, object size dimensioning, detection and analysis of object defects and/or gap detection between objects in the field of view and software-controlled range detection to prevent unintentional reading of (e.g.) IDs on objects outside a defined range (presentation mode).

This invention provides an integrated time-of-flight sensor that delivers distance information to a processor associated with the camera assembly and vison system. The distance is processed with the above-described feedback control, to auto-focus the camera assembly's variable lens during runtime operation based on the particular size/shape object(s) within the field of view. The shortest measured distance is used to set the focus distance of the lens. To correct for calibration or drift errors, a further image-based focus optimization can occur around the measured distance and/or based on the measured temperature. The distance information generated by the time-of-flight sensor can be employed to perform other functions. Other functions include self-triggering of image acquisition, object size dimensioning, detection and analysis of object defects and/or gap detection between objects in the field of view and software-controlled range detection to prevent unintentional reading of (e.g.) IDs on objects outside a defined range (presentation mode).

A handheld electronic device includes a first camera unit, a laser focusing module and a control module. The laser focusing module is configured for radiating a laser signal and receiving a feedback signal induced by a reflection of the laser signal when the first camera unit is activated. The control module is coupled with the camera unit and the laser focusing module. The control module is configured for monitoring a strength level of the feedback signal or a response time between the laser signal and the feedback signal, and selectively generating a command to trigger the first camera unit according to the strength level or the response time.

A handheld electronic device includes a first camera unit, a laser focusing module and a control module. The laser focusing module is configured for radiating a laser signal and receiving a feedback signal induced by a reflection of the laser signal when the first camera unit is activated. The control module is coupled with the camera unit and the laser focusing module. The control module is configured for monitoring a strength level of the feedback signal or a response time between the laser signal and the feedback signal, and selectively generating a command to trigger the first camera unit according to the strength level or the response time.