US Patent 7385639 Digital camera utilizing autofocus settings for image manipulation

A digital camera is provided for generating a manipulated output image. The camera focuses an image using an automatic focusing technique thereby generating focus settings. The focus settings are stored in a memory of the digital camera and used in manipulating the captured image to produce an enhanced image. The digital image manipulation process is selected from the group consisting of applying a face detection algorithm to the captured focussed image and producing a painting effect within the captured focussed image.