# US 2014/0192253 A1 · Methods and apparatus for capturing and/or processing images > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192253 A1 - Document ID: US20140192253A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/147,584 - 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/US20140192253A1 ## 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 An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of lenses having non-circular apertures configured to partition a first aperture into a plurality of light capture areas, said light capture areas occupying substantially the entire area of said first aperture; and one or more semiconductor sensors for capturing light passing through said plurality of lenses. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first aperture is one of a circular or polygon shaped aperture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein lenses in said plurality of lenses which are arranged along the perimeter of said first aperture have optical centers which are arranged along a circle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein lenses in said plurality of lenses which are arranged along the perimeter of said first aperture have optical centers which form the vertices (corners) of a regular polygon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lenses includes at least one inner lens in addition to said lenses arranged along the perimeter of said first aperture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plurality of lenses includes a total of six lenses along the perimeter of said first aperture and a single lens in the center of said six lenses arranged along the perimeter of said first aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-circular aperture of each of said plurality of lenses is an aperture stop in a corresponding optical chain. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each lens in said plurality of lenses is part of a corresponding optical chain, each individual optical chain includes a separate sensor for capturing an image corresponding to said individual optical chain. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a module for combining images captured by separate optical chains into a single combined image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein combining images includes a shift and add based on position of lenses in said plurality of lenses.