DYNAMIC AUTO FOCUS ZONES FOR AUTO FOCUS PIXEL SYSTEMS

摘要

An image sensor may include an image pixel array with both image pixels to gather image data and phase detection pixels to gather phase information. The image sensor may dynamically group the phase detection pixels into focus zones. Based on the characteristics of the scene being imaged and the use settings of the image sensor, the image sensor may determine the size, shape, and number of focus zones to be grouped. One or more focus zones may then be used to gather phase information data. The focus zones may vary in size and shape across the pixel array. A scene with low illumination level may result in larger focus zones with more phase detection pixels to ensure reliable phase information data.

主权项

1. A method of operating an image sensor having a pixel array, wherein the pixel array comprises a plurality of image pixels and a plurality of phase detection pixels, wherein the plurality of phase detection pixels includes a plurality of horizontally oriented phase detection pixel pairs and a plurality of vertically oriented phase detection pixel pairs, the method comprising:
determining a characteristic of a scene, wherein determining the characteristic of the scene comprises identifying an edge in the scene selected from the group consisting of: a horizontal edge and a vertical edge; based at least on the characteristic, grouping a portion of the plurality of phase detection pixels into a focus zone, wherein phase detection pixel pairs of the plurality of horizontally oriented phase detection pixel pairs are included in the focus zone if the vertical edge is identified in the scene, and wherein phase detection pixel pairs of the plurality of vertically oriented phase detection pixel pairs are included in the focus zone if the horizontal edge is identified in the scene; and gathering phase detection data with the portion of phase detection pixels in the focus zone.