EP-4742691-A1 - METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC FOCUS CONTROL

EP4742691A1EP 4742691 A1EP4742691 A1EP 4742691A1EP-4742691-A1

Abstract

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality of cameras having different focal lengths, a sensor for detecting a distance, a display, a processor, and a memory for storing instructions. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to receive an input for starting execution of a camera application. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to, after receiving the input, obtain distance information of an object through the sensor, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to select a camera for capturing an image of the object from the plurality of cameras based on the distance information. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to identify an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information of the object. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display a preview image containing the object on the display based on the initial focus position of the selected camera. Other various embodiments are possible obtained from this document.

Inventors

KIM, Yunjeong
JO, HYEONCHEOL
KIM, DONGSOO
PARK, MINYOUNG
SHIM, JAEKYU
CHOI, Muncheol

Assignees

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240717

Claims (15)

An electronic device 300 comprising: a plurality of cameras 310 having different focal lengths; a sensor 320 for detecting a distance; a display 330; a processor 340; and a memory 350 for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor 340, cause the electronic device 300 to, receive an input for starting execution of a camera application, after receiving the input, obtain distance information of an object through the sensor 320, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application, select a camera for capturing an image of the object from the plurality of cameras 310 based on the distance information, identify an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information of the object, and display a preview image containing the object on the display 330 based on the initial focus position of the selected camera.
The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a wide camera and an ultra-wide camera, and the instructions, when executed by the processor 340, cause the electronic device 300 to, if the distance information acquired through the sensor corresponds to a distance suitable for the ultra-wide camera, select the ultra-wide camera to capture images displayed as the preview image in displaying an execution screen of the camera application.
The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a wide camera and a telephoto camera, and the instructions, when executed by the processor 340, cause the electronic device 300 to, if the distance information acquired through the sensor corresponds to a distance suitable for the telephoto camera, select the telephoto camera to capture images displayed as the preview image in displaying an execution screen of the camera application.
The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor 320 comprises at least one of a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared ray sensor, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a time of flight (TOF) sensor.
The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the sensor 320 generates a first signal for a designated range, identifies the object in response to receiving a reflection signal for the first signal, and measures a distance to the object based on the reflection signal for the first signal.
The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: an inertia sensor 450 for detecting a movement of the electronic device 300, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor 340, cause the electronic device 300 to, after receiving the input, identify the movement of the electronic device 300 using the inertia sensor 450, before displaying the preview image by the execution of the camera application, if the identified movement of the electronic device 300 falls below a designated threshold level, measure the distance to the object using the sensor 320, and the inertia sensor 450 comprises at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.
The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor 340, cause the electronic device 300 to, provide as the preview image, an image acquired through an image sensor of the selected camera while a lens of the selected camera is moved in response to the initial focus position.
A method comprising: receiving an input for starting execution of a camera application; after receiving the input, obtaining distance information of an object through a sensor 320, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application; selecting a camera for capturing an image of the object among a plurality of cameras 310 based on the distance information; identifying an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information for the object; and displaying a preview image containing the object on the display 330 based on the initial focus position of the selected camera.
The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a wide camera and an ultra-wide camera, and selecting the camera for capturing the image of the object comprises, if the distance information acquired through the sensor corresponds to a distance suitable for the ultra-wide camera, selecting the ultra-wide camera to capture images displayed as the preview image in displaying an execution screen of the camera application.
The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a wide camera and a telephoto camera, and selecting the camera for capturing the image of the object comprises, if the distance information acquired through the sensor corresponds to a distance suitable for the telephoto camera, selecting the telephoto camera to capture images displayed as the preview image in displaying an execution screen of the camera application.
The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor 320 comprises at least one of a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared ray sensor, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a time of flight (TOF) sensor.
The method of claim 11, further comprising: identifying the object using the sensor 320 in response to receiving a reflection signal for a first signal generated with respect to a designated range; and measuring a distance to the object using the sensor 320 based on the reflection signal for the first signal.
The method of claim 8, further comprising: after receiving the input, identifying a movement of the electronic device 300 using an inertia sensor 450, before displaying the preview image by the execution of the camera application; and if the identified movement of the electronic device 300 falls below a designated threshold level, measuring the distance to the object using the sensor 320, wherein the inertia sensor 450 comprises at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.
The method of claim 8, wherein displaying the preview image comprises, providing as the preview image, an image acquired through an image sensor of the selected camera while a lens of the selected camera is moved in response to the initial focus position.
A computer-readable recording medium for storing programs executable in a computer, wherein the programs are caused by the computer to, receive an input for starting execution of a camera application, after receiving the input, obtain distance information of an object through a sensor, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application, select a camera for capturing an image of the object among a plurality of cameras based on the distance information, identify an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information for the object, and display a preview image containing the object based on the initial focus position of the selected camera.

Description

[Technical Field] The disclosure relates to a method for controlling autofocus during image capturing and an electronic device thereof. [Background Art] As carrying a portable electronic device in daily life becomes common, camera function utilization of the portable electronic device significantly increases, and image capturing using the portable electronic device is recognized as such an indispensable feature that the camera function become a criterion for selecting a portable electronic device. In recent, as the camera function implemented in the portable electronic device is more advanced, an autofocus function for automatically focusing on a subject is established as a standard feature of the portable electronic device. For example, if the autofocus function is activated, the electronic device detects a shooting distance at which the subject to be captured is located, moves a camera lens according to the detected shooting distance to adjust its focus, and thus clearly captures the subject. The foregoing information may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as the prior art in connection with the disclosure. [Disclosure of Invention] [Solution to Problem] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality of cameras having different focal lengths, one or more sensors for detecting a distance to an object, a display, a processor, and a memory for storing instructions. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to receive an input for starting execution of a camera application. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to, after receiving the input, obtain distance information of an object through the sensor, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to select a camera for capturing an image of the object from the plurality of cameras based on the distance information. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to identify an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information of the object. The instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to display a preview image containing the object on the display based on the initial focus position of the selected camera. An operating method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include receiving an input for starting execution of a camera application. The operating method of the electronic device may include, after receiving the input, obtaining distance information of an object through a sensor, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application. The operating method of the electronic device may include selecting a camera for capturing an image of the object among a plurality of cameras 310 based on the distance information. The operating method of the electronic device may include identifying an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information for the object. The operating method of the electronic device may include displaying a preview image containing the object on the display 330 based on the initial focus position of the selected camera. A computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include programs executable in a computer. The programs may perform an operation of receiving an input for starting execution of a camera application. The programs may perform an operation of, after receiving the input, obtaining distance information of an object through a sensor, before displaying a preview image by the execution of the camera application. The programs may perform an operation of selecting a camera for capturing an image of the object among a plurality of cameras based on the distance information. The programs may perform an operation of identifying an initial focus position of the selected camera based on the distance information for the object. The programs may perform an operation of displaying a preview image containing the object based on the initial focus position of the selected camera. [Brief Description of Drawings] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to an embodiment.FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a camera module, according to various embodiments.FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device, according to an embodiment.FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of driving an autofocus function using a plurality of cameras in an electronic device, according to an embodiment.FIG. 5 is a diagram ill