Imager array interfaces
First Claim
1. An imager array, comprising:
- a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane;
control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to capture images for each of the plurality of active focal planes;
sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data;
master control logic circuitry configured to generate at least one line of image data by time multiplexing the digital pixel data of each image captured by each of the plurality of active focal planes, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to insert codes between the digital pixel data that provide information for use in re-assembling the at least one line of image data back into the individual images captured by each active focal plane; and
output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Architectures for imager arrays configured for use in array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data, and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface.
392 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An imager array, comprising:
-
a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane; control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to capture images for each of the plurality of active focal planes; sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data; master control logic circuitry configured to generate at least one line of image data by time multiplexing the digital pixel data of each image captured by each of the plurality of active focal planes, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to insert codes between the digital pixel data that provide information for use in re-assembling the at least one line of image data back into the individual images captured by each active focal plane; and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 25)
-
-
18. A method of obtaining pixel data, comprising:
-
separately capturing pixel data of a plurality of images using an imager array having a plurality of focal planes that each capture an image when active, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane; during the capture of the pixel data, (i) generating at least one line of image data by multiplexing the pixel data of each image captured by each of the plurality of active focal planes and (ii) buffering portions of the captured pixel data within memory in the imager array; using control circuitry on the imager array to insert codes between the pixel data that provide information for use in re-assembling the at least one line of image data back into the individual images captured by each active focal plane; and transmitting the buffered pixel data via an output interface in the imager array when a time-slot is available on an output port. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification