Shared image sensor for multiple optical paths
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsErik MÜLLER, Florian LOCHNER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a shared image sensor. An example device includes a first lens configured to direct light along a first path in the device, a second lens configured to direct light along a second path in the device, an image sensor configured to receive light from a third path in the device, and an optical element configured to direct the light from the first path to the third path during a first mode. The image sensor is configured to receive the light from the first path during the first mode, and the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the second path during a second mode.
Claims30
A device for digital imaging, comprising:
- a first lens configured to direct light along a first path in the device;
- a second lens configured to direct light along a second path in the device;
- an image sensor configured to receive light from a third path in the device;
- and
- an optical element configured to direct the light from the first path to the third path during a first mode, wherein:
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the first path during the first mode;
- and
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the second path during a second mode.
A method for digital imaging, comprising:
- directing, by a first lens, light along a first path in a device when the device is in a first mode;
- directing, by a second lens, light along a second path in the device when the device is in a second mode;
- receiving, by an image sensor, light from a third path in the device;
- and
- directing, by an optical element, light from the first path to the third path during the first mode, wherein:
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the first path during the first mode;
- and
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the second path during the second mode.
A non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to:
- direct, by a first lens, light along a first path in the device when the device is in a first mode;
- direct, by a second lens, light along a second path in the device when the device is in a second mode;
- receive, by an image sensor, light from a third path in the device;
- and
- direct, by an optical element, light from the first path to the third path during the first mode, wherein:
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the first path during the first mode;
- and
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the second path during the second mode.
A device, comprising:
- means for directing light along a first path in the device when the device is in a first mode;
- means for directing light along a second path in the device when the device is in a second mode;
- means for receiving at an image sensor light from a third path in the device;
- and
- means for directing light from the first path to the third path during the first mode, wherein:
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the first path during the first mode;
- and
- the image sensor is configured to receive the light from the second path during the second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.