Multi-channel imager

A multi-channel image sensor coupled to an image signal processor, the multi-channel image sensor comprising:

• an array of image pixels for capturing images of a scene;
• memory for storing at least one of the images of the scene;
• resize circuitry, configured to receive the images of the scene from the array of image pixels and generate reduced-resolution images of the scene, wherein the reduced-resolution images of the scene have a resolution lower than a resolution of the images captured by the array of image pixels;
• and
• compression circuitry configured to receive the images of the scene and output compressed images of the scene, wherein the memory for storing the at least one of the images of the scene comprises stack memory.

An electronic device comprising a camera module and an input-output device, the camera module comprising:

• a multi-channel image sensor having an array of image pixels for capturing image data;
• at least one lens configured to focus light on the array of image pixels;
• an image signal processor;
• and
• a serial interface configured to transmit a plurality of streams of data along a plurality of virtual channels from the multi-channel image sensor to the image signal processor.