Dual aperture zoom camera with video support and switching / non-switching dynamic control
DC CAFCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A zoom digital camera comprising:
- a) a Wide imaging section that includes a fixed focal length Wide lens with a Wide field of view (FOV) and a Wide sensor, the Wide imaging section operative to provide Wide image data of an object or scene;
b) a Tele imaging section that includes a fixed focal length Tele lens with a Tele FOV that is narrower than the Wide FOV and a Tele sensor, the Tele imaging section operative to provide Tele image data of the object or scene; and
c) a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections and configured to evaluate if a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not fulfilled, wherein if the no-switching criterion is fulfilled in a zoom-in operation between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value at a zoom factor (ZF) higher than an up-transfer ZF, the camera controller is further configured to output a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data, and wherein if the no-switching criterion is not fulfilled, the camera controller is further configured to output a zoom video output image that includes only transformed, digitally zoomed Tele image data.
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Abstract
A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to output, in a zoom-in operation between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value, a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data or only Tele image data, depending on whether a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A zoom digital camera comprising:
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a) a Wide imaging section that includes a fixed focal length Wide lens with a Wide field of view (FOV) and a Wide sensor, the Wide imaging section operative to provide Wide image data of an object or scene; b) a Tele imaging section that includes a fixed focal length Tele lens with a Tele FOV that is narrower than the Wide FOV and a Tele sensor, the Tele imaging section operative to provide Tele image data of the object or scene; and c) a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections and configured to evaluate if a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not fulfilled, wherein if the no-switching criterion is fulfilled in a zoom-in operation between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value at a zoom factor (ZF) higher than an up-transfer ZF, the camera controller is further configured to output a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data, and wherein if the no-switching criterion is not fulfilled, the camera controller is further configured to output a zoom video output image that includes only transformed, digitally zoomed Tele image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for obtaining zoom images of an object or scene using a digital camera, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing in the digital camera a Wide imaging section having a Wide lens with a Wide field of view (FOV) and a Wide sensor, a Tele imaging section having a Tele lens with a Tele FOV that is narrower than the Wide FOV and a Tele sensor, and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections; and b) configuring the camera controller to evaluate if a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not fulfilled, and, if the no-switching criterion is fulfilled, configuring the camera controller to output at a zoom factor (ZF) higher than an up-transfer ZF a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data in a zoom-in operation between a lower ZF value and a higher ZF value, or if the no-switching criterion is not fulfilled, configuring the camera controller to output a zoom video output image that includes only transformed, digitally zoomed Tele image data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification