University of Texas vision researcher Johannes Burge wondered why the human eye is able to instantly focus without the tedious “focus hunting” done by AF systems. He and his advisor then developed a computer algorithm that’s able determine the exact amount of focus error by simply examining features in a scene.
Burge has already patented the technology, which he says could allow for cameras to focus in as little as 10 milliseconds.
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/10/deciphering-the-brains-autofocus.html?ref=hp
Very interesting article. Would like to see that in a camera :)