# US 2014/0192214 A1 · Methods and apparatus for using multiple optical chains in paralell > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192214 A1 - Document ID: US20140192214A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/147,581 - Filed: 2014-01-05 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-05 - Assignees: Tinz Optics, Inc. - Applicants: Tinz Optics, Inc. - Inventors: Rajiv Laroia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192214A1 ## CPC - G02B 13/16: for use in conjunction with image converters or intensifiers {, or for use with projectors, e.g. objectives for projection TV} - G02B 7/18: for prisms; for mirrors - G02B 13/0065: {having a beam-folding prism or mirror} - G02B 13/22: Telecentric objectives or lens systems - G02B 17/008: {Systems specially adapted to form image relays or chained systems} - G02B 17/0896: {with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems (systems with only refractive elements G02B15/14)} - G03B 17/17: with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera - G06T 11/60: Creating or editing images; Combining images with text - H04N 5/265: Mixing - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - H04N 23/73: by influencing the exposure time - H04N 23/741: by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors - H04N 23/75: by influencing optical camera components - G02B 3/0056: {arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses (G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for capturing or generating images using multiple optical chains operating in parallel are described. Pixel values captured by individual optical chains corresponding to the same scene area are combined to provide an image with at least some of the benefits which would have been provided by capturing an image of the scene using a larger lens than that of the individual lenses of the optical chain modules. By using multiple optical chains in parallel at least some benefits normally obtained from using a large lens can be obtained without the need for a large lens. Furthermore in at least some embodiments, a wide dynamic range can be supported through the use of multiple sensors with the overall supported dynamic range being potentially larger than that of the individual sensors. Some lens and/or optical chain configurations are designed for use in small handheld devices, e.g., cell phones. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of producing at least one image of a first scene area, the method comprising: operating a plurality of three or more optical chain modules in parallel to capture images of the first scene area, said images including at least a first image of said first scene area, a second image of said first scene area, and a third image of said first scene area; and processing said first, second, and third images to generate a first combined image of said first scene area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first combined image of said first scene area includes the same or fewer pixel values than either of said first, second, and third images. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of three of more optical chain modules include first, second and third optical chain modules that include a first lens, a second lens and a third lens respectively, said first, second and third lenses being arranged along a circle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said plurality of three or more optical chain modules further includes a fourth optical chain module including a fourth lens, said fourth lens being positioned in the center of the circle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein operating a plurality of three or more optical chain modules includes: operating a first optical chain module to capture said first image of said first scene area; operating a second optical chain module to capture said second image of said first scene area; and operating a third optical chain module to capture said third image of said first scene area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first optical chain module includes a first lens and a first image sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the second optical chain module includes a second lens and a second image sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the third optical chain module includes a third lens and a third image sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said first, second, and third lenses are oriented in the same direction and in the same plane of a housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the second optical chain module includes a second lens and a second image sensor, said first and second lenses being the same size, said first and second image sensors having the same number of pixel sensors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said first, second and third lenses are less than 2 cm in diameter and wherein each of the first, second and third image sensors support at least 8 Mpixels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving user input indicating a portion of the scene area to be focused in the first combined image; and wherein said processing said first, second, and third images to generate a first combined image includes shifting pixel positions on at least one of said first, second, and third images to align the portion of the first scene area to be focused. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein different shifts are used for different portions of the scene to create a single composite image. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for producing at least one image of a first scene area, comprising: a plurality of three or more optical chain modules that work in parallel to capture images of the first scene area, said images including at least a first image of said first scene area, a second image of said first scene area, and a third image of said first scene area; and an image processing module configured to process said first, second, and third images to generate a first combined image of said first scene area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first combined image of said first scene area includes the same or fewer pixel values than either of said first, second, and third images. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plurality of three or more optical chain modules include first, second and third optical chain modules that include a first lens, a second lens and a third lens respectively, said first, second and third lenses being arranged along a circle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further including a fourth optical chain module including a fourth lens, said fourth lens being positioned in the center of the circle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plurality of optical chain modules includes: a first optical chain module configured to capture said first image of said first scene area; a second optical chain module configured to capture said second image of said first scene area; and a third optical chain module configured to capture a third image of said first scene area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first and second lenses are each less than 2 cm in diameter and wherein each of the first and second image sensors support at least 8 Mpixels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said image processing module is further configured to: receive a user input indicating a portion of the first scene area to be focused in the first combined image; and shift pixel positions on at least one of said first, second, and third images prior to generating said first combined image to align the portion of the first scene area to be focused, as part of said processing the first, second, and third images to generate a first combined image. ### Claim 21 A computer readable medium including computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor control an apparatus to: operate a plurality of three or more optical chain modules arranged in parallel to capture images of a first scene area, said images including at least a first image of said first scene area, a second image of said first scene area, and a third image of said first scene area; and process said first, second, and third images to generate a first combined image of said first scene area.