Digital image capturing system and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a chip comprising;
a plurality of image sensor lens modules, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules is on a first side of the chip, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules has a field of view, wherein the plurality of imager sensor lens modules includes at least a first image sensor lens module and a second image sensor lens module, wherein the first image sensor lens module includes a first lens integrated with a first sensor, wherein the first image sensor lens module is operable to generate first raw image data, wherein the second image sensor lens module includes a second lens integrated with a second sensor, wherein the second image sensor lens module is operable to generate second raw image data, wherein the first raw image data represents a first view corresponding to a first field of view of the first image sensor lens module, and wherein the second raw image data represents a second view corresponding to a second field of view of the second image sensor lens module;
a processing engine communicatively coupled to the first image sensor lens module and to the second image sensor lens module, wherein the processing engine is operable to;
perform an image processing operation to transform raw image data received from one or more of the plurality of image sensor lens modules into one or more images; and
communicate the one or more images to a display device;
triggering module operable to;
track motion in a particular view selected from the first view and the second view; and
generate a selection signal; and
a selector coupled to each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules and operable to;
receive the selection signal from the triggering module; and
selectively route the raw image data from one of the plurality of image sensor lens modules to the processing engine to be transformed into the one or more images, wherein the raw image data is selectively routed based on the selection signal; and
a support having an exterior surface that comprises a mounting surface, wherein the chip is mounted on the mounting surface,wherein at least a portion of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensor lens modules overlap.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A digital image capturing system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processing engine that performs digital image processing functions like noise reduction, gain control, white balance and others. In one embodiment, the image capturing system may have a first image sensor operable to capture a first view of a scene and a second image sensor operable to capture a second and different view of the scene. A selector may be employed to selectively route either the first view information or the second view information onto the processing engine. In preferred embodiments, the sensors may be CMOS sensors and, as such, relatively inexpensive. By allowing two inexpensive sensors to share image processing electronics, an image capturing system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be able to offer compelling functional characteristics at a reasonable price.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
a chip comprising; a plurality of image sensor lens modules, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules is on a first side of the chip, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules has a field of view, wherein the plurality of imager sensor lens modules includes at least a first image sensor lens module and a second image sensor lens module, wherein the first image sensor lens module includes a first lens integrated with a first sensor, wherein the first image sensor lens module is operable to generate first raw image data, wherein the second image sensor lens module includes a second lens integrated with a second sensor, wherein the second image sensor lens module is operable to generate second raw image data, wherein the first raw image data represents a first view corresponding to a first field of view of the first image sensor lens module, and wherein the second raw image data represents a second view corresponding to a second field of view of the second image sensor lens module; a processing engine communicatively coupled to the first image sensor lens module and to the second image sensor lens module, wherein the processing engine is operable to; perform an image processing operation to transform raw image data received from one or more of the plurality of image sensor lens modules into one or more images; and communicate the one or more images to a display device; triggering module operable to; track motion in a particular view selected from the first view and the second view; and generate a selection signal; and a selector coupled to each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules and operable to; receive the selection signal from the triggering module; and selectively route the raw image data from one of the plurality of image sensor lens modules to the processing engine to be transformed into the one or more images, wherein the raw image data is selectively routed based on the selection signal; and a support having an exterior surface that comprises a mounting surface, wherein the chip is mounted on the mounting surface, wherein at least a portion of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensor lens modules overlap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method, comprising:
-
receiving first image information at a first image sensor lens module of a plurality of image sensor lens modules included in a chip, wherein the first image information represents a first view corresponding to a first field of view of the first image sensor lens module, wherein each of the plurality of image sensors is on a first side of the chip, and wherein each of the plurality of image sensors has a field of view; receiving second image information at a second image sensor lens module of the plurality of image sensor lens modules included in the chip, wherein the second image information represents a second view corresponding to a second field of view of the second image sensor lens module, wherein the chip is integrated into a single electronic device that is mounted to a surface that has a planar geometry; tracking, via a triggering module included in the chip, motion in a particular view selected from the first view and the second view; generating, based on the tracking, a selection signal; routing, via a selector module included in the chip, particular image information representing the particular view obtained from one of the plurality of image sensor lens modules to a processing engine included in the chip, wherein the particular image information is routed based on the selection signal; and performing an image processing operation on the particular image information at the processing engine to generate one or more images, wherein at least a portion of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensor lens modules overlap. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus comprising:
a device comprising; a plurality of sides, wherein each of the plurality of sides has a planar shape; a plurality of imaging devices, wherein at least one imaging device of the plurality imaging devices is adjustably attached to each of the plurality of sides, and wherein each of the plurality of imaging devices includes a chip, at least one of the chips comprising; a plurality of image sensor lens modules, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules is on a first side of the chip, wherein each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules has a field of view, wherein the plurality of imager sensor lens modules includes at least a first image sensor lens module and a second image sensor lens module, wherein the first image sensor lens module includes a first lens integrated with a first sensor, wherein the first image sensor lens module is operable to generate first raw image data, wherein the second image sensor lens module includes a second lens integrated with a second sensor, wherein the second image sensor lens module is operable to generate second raw image data, wherein the first raw image data represents a first view corresponding to a first field of view of the first image sensor lens module, and wherein the second raw image data represents a second view corresponding to a second field of view of the second image sensor lens module; a processing engine communicatively coupled to the first image sensor lens module and to the second image sensor lens module, wherein the processing engine is operable to; perform an image processing operation to transform raw image data received from one or more of the plurality of image sensor lens modules into one or more images; and communicate the one or more images to a display device; a triggering module operable to; track motion in a particular view selected from the first view and the second view; and generate a selection signal; and a selection module coupled to each of the plurality of image sensor lens modules and operable to; receive the selection signal from the triggering module; and selectively route the raw image data from one of the plurality of image sensor lens modules to the processing engine to be transformed into the one or more images, wherein the raw image data is routed based on the selection signal, wherein at least a portion of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensor lens modules overlap. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
Specification