US 7,199,348 B2 · Apparatus for multiple camera devices and method of operating same

Abstract

There are many, many inventions described herein. In one aspect, what is disclosed is a digital camera including a plurality of arrays of photo detectors, including a first array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a first wavelength and a second array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a second wavelength. The digital camera further may also include a first lens disposed in an optical path of the first array of photo detectors, wherein the first lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the first wavelength, and a second lens disposed in with an optical path of the second array of photo detectors wherein the second lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the second wavelength. In addition, the digital camera may include signal processing circuitry, coupled to the first and second arrays of photo detectors, to generate a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors; wherein the first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, and the signal processing circuitry are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.

Claims70

Dependent claims

A digital camera comprising:

a plurality of arrays of photodetectors, including:
a first array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a first integration time;
a second array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a second integration time;
and
a third array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a third integration time;
signal processing circuitry, coupled to the first, second and third arrays of photodetectors, to generate a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors for the first integration time, (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors for the second integration time, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the third array of photodetectors for the third integration time;
and
wherein the first integration time is different than the second integration time.

5 more elements

A digital camera comprising:

a plurality of arrays of photodetectors, including:
a first array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a first integration time;
a second array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a second integration time;
and
a third array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light for a third integration time;
processor means for generating a composite image using (i) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors for the first integration time, (ii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors for the second integration time, and (ii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the third array of photodetectors for the third integration time;
and
wherein the first integration time is different than the second integration time.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for multiple camera devices and method of operating same

Life of this patent

Apparatus for multiple camera devices and method of operating same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims70