Optimizing usage of image sensors in a stereoscopic environment

An apparatus for optimizing usage of an image sensor of a camera, the apparatus comprising:

• a first image sensor that comprises a first plurality of pixels, wherein the first image sensor further comprises a first image sensor area on which light is incident and is associated with a first imaging area in which an image of an object to be captured by the camera is displayed, wherein the first imaging area is partially overlapping with the first image sensor area;
• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• a module stored in the memory, executable by the processor, and configured to:
• determine a distance from the camera to an object to be captured by the camera;
• determine the distance from the camera to the object is less than a predetermined threshold;
• and
• in response to determining the distance from the camera to the object is less than the predetermined threshold, shift the first imaging area lengthwise from a first border of the first image sensor area up to a second border of the first image sensor area, wherein the amount of the shifting is based at least partially on the distance from the camera to the object, wherein the first imaging area can shift along the entire length of the first image sensor area.

A non-transitory computer program product for optimizing usage of an image sensor of a camera, the computer program product comprising:

• a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a set of codes for causing a computer to:
• configure a position of a first image sensor area of a first image sensor and on which light is incident, wherein the first image sensor comprises a plurality of pixels;
• configure a position of a first imaging area associated with the first image sensor in which an image of an object to be captured by the camera is displayed, wherein the first imaging area is partially overlapping with the first image sensor area such that a length of the first image sensor area is greater than a length of the first imaging area;
• determine a distance from the camera to an object to be captured by the camera;
• determine the distance from the camera to the object is less than a predetermined threshold;
• and
• in response to determining the distance from the camera to the object is less than the predetermined threshold, shift the first imaging area lengthwise from a first border of the first image sensor area up to a second border of the first image sensor area, wherein the amount of the shifting is based at least partially on the distance from the camera to the object, wherein the first imaging area can shift along the entire length of the first image sensor area.