US 9,319,585 B1 · High resolution array camera

Abstract

A method of generating a high resolution color image includes focusing a first image onto a monochrome image sensor having a P resolution and focusing a second image onto a color image sensor having a Q resolution, where Q<P, and where the first image is a same image as the second image. P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor is generated. Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor is generated. The P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor and the Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor are combined to generate an R resolution color image, where P<R≦(P+Q).

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of generating a high resolution color image, comprising:

focusing a first image onto a monochrome image sensor having a P resolution;
focusing a second image onto a color image sensor having a Q resolution, wherein Q<P, and wherein the first image is a same image as the second image;
generating P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor;
generating Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor;
and
combining the P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor and the Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor to generate an R resolution color image, wherein P<R≦(P+Q).

3 more elements

An array camera, comprising:

a first camera module including:
a first lens system;
a monochrome image sensor having a P resolution, wherein the first lens system is optically coupled to focus a first image onto the monochrome image sensor;
a second camera module including:
a second lens system, wherein the second lens system is identical to the first lens system;
a color image sensor having a Q resolution, wherein Q<P, wherein the second lens system is optically coupled to focus a second image onto the color image sensor, where the first image is a same image as the second image;
and
a processing block coupled to receive P resolution pixel data from the first camera module representative of the first image and Q resolution pixel data from the second camera module representative of the second image, wherein the processing block is coupled to combine the P resolution pixel data from the first camera module and the Q resolution pixel data from the second camera module to generate an R resolution color image, wherein P<R≦(P+Q).

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High resolution array camera

Life of this patent

High resolution array camera

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19