Patent Application
20190079370
Conventional cameras are configured to perform autofocus using contrast detection in which maximal contrast can be equated with maximal sharpness or maximal focus. However, autofocus based on contrast detection can perform poorly where the target is moving. Further, this type of autofocus does not automatically adjust zoom as the target moves closer or farther away.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
Systems, apparatuses, and methods provide an autofocus and autozoom recording system substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are illustrated.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to autofocus and autozoom recording systems.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide recording devices that work in conjunction with rangefinders.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide recording device that can automatically adjust one or more of a zoom, a focus, and an angle of a field of view based on distance information to a target. The distance information can be received from a rangefinder, for example.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that one or both of a recording device and a rangefinder can be mounted on a weapon (e.g., a gun, a rifle, a bow, etc.). Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that one or both of a recording device and a rangefinder can be mounted on a portable and/or mobile platform or apparatus. Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that one or both of a recording device and a rangefinder can be handheld.
In operation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the recording device 110 (e.g., a camera) is setup to record (e.g., capturing multiple images) or photograph (e.g., capturing one or more images) a target 130 (e.g., wildlife, an object, etc.). In some embodiments, a user can manually focus the recording device 110, or zoom or change the angle 150 of the field of view to frame the target 130 according to the preferences of the user. In some embodiments, the user can cause (e.g., trigger) the rangefinder 120 to determine the distance 140 to the object 130. The rangefinder 120 then sends this information to the recording device 110 which then automatically focuses and/or zooms and/or changes the angle 150 of the field of view based on the distance information received from the rangefinder 120. In some embodiments, the rangefinder 120 can be triggered (e.g., periodically, aperiodically, after an event, after pressing a button, after pulling a trigger, etc.) by the recording device 110. In some embodiments, the automatic zoom and/or automatic adjustment to the field-of-view angle 150 can be based, in part, on the initial framing of the target 130 (e.g., which might be manually set up by the user or automatically set up by the recording device 110 based on distance information initially provided by the rangefinder 120).
In some embodiments, the rangefinder 120 is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves or sound waves, for example. For example, some embodiments provide that the rangefinder 120 emits an infrared beam that lands on the target 130. A portion of the infrared beam is reflected and is received or sensed by the rangefinder 120 (and/or the recording device 110). Based on the round-trip time or the change in phase of the infrared beam, for example, a distance 140 to the target 130 can be determined. A signal indicating the distance 140 to the target 130 is sent from the rangefinder 120 to the recording device 110. The signal can then be processed by the recording device 110 and, based on the signal, the recording device can automatically adjust one or more of a focus, a zoom, and an angle 150 of the field of view.
Some embodiments provide that a button or a trigger can be held down that causes the rangefinder 120 to continuously determine the distance to the object 130 and to send the distance information to the recording device 110. The recording device 110 can make the adjustments to the focus, zoom, and/or angle of the field of view in view of the changing distance information.
Some embodiments provide that a button or a trigger can cause the rangefinder 120 to determine the distance to the object 130 that is lined up with the aim point of the weapon (e.g., a bow 160, a rifle 170, etc.) to which the recording device 110 is mounted.
Some embodiments provide that recording device 110 can transmit the captured images to a display of the recording device 110 and/or a display of another device such as a handheld device (e.g., a smartphone, a computing tablet, a laptop, etc.) and/or wearable device (e.g., glasses, helmet, watch, etc.). In some embodiments, the display can be a heads-up display that is part of a wearable device, for example. In some embodiments, the captured images form a live feed of what is being recorded by the recording device 110 and/or what is in the aim point of the weapon.
Some embodiments provide that the recording device 110 include one or more lenses that can move almost approximately 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the one or more lenses can move independently of the housing of the recording device 110 and can rotate almost approximately 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the one or more lenses can move independently or can move to track the object 130.
Some embodiments provide that the recording device 110 and/or the rangefinder 120 can be handheld. Some embodiment provide that one or both of the recording device 110 and the rangefinder 120 can be mounted on a weapon or some other platform.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims benefit from and priority to U.S. Application No. 62/556,806, filed Sep. 11, 2017. The above-identified application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62556806 | Sep 2017 | US |
