Automatic focusing method for a video camera by digital analysis of image contours, and video camera therefor

摘要

Method of automatic focussing of a video pickup device having an objective and producing a digital image. According to the invention, this method comprises analyzing the image, within a window, with the aid of at least one digital operator. The digital operator takes the derivatives, in a given direction, of the contours of the image. Thereafter, the absolute values of these derivatives are computed. Finally, a quality parameter defined by the sum, in the window, of the absolute values of the derivatives is calculated. The position of the objective of the pickup device is controlled so as to maximize the value of the quality parameter.