Thin form factor computational array cameras and modular array cameras
First Claim
1. A 1×
- N array camera module comprising;
a plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules, each comprising;
a 1×
X arrangement of focal planes, wherein;
X is greater than or equal to 1;
each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels;
each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; and
the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×
X sub-array module; and
a 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×
X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, wherein each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;
image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×
X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from other 1×
X sub-array modules to construct an image of the scene; and
interface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of;
another 1×
X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;
wherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled 1×
X sub-array module or a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;
wherein the plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules are positioned in a one-dimensional arrangement so as to form a 1×
N arrangement of cameras; and
wherein N is greater than or equal to 2.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement one-dimensional array cameras, as well as modular array cameras using sub-array modules. In one embodiment, a 1×N array camera module includes: a 1×N arrangement of focal planes, where N is greater than or equal to 2, each focal plane includes a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels, and each focal plane not including pixels from another focal plane; and a 1×N arrangement of lens stacks, the arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×N arrangement of cameras, each configured to independently capture an image of a scene, where each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to that of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A 1×
- N array camera module comprising;
a plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules, each comprising;a 1×
X arrangement of focal planes, wherein;X is greater than or equal to 1; each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels; each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; and the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×
X sub-array module; anda 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×
X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, wherein each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×
X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from other 1×
X sub-array modules to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of;
another 1×
X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;wherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled 1×
X sub-array module or a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;wherein the plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules are positioned in a one-dimensional arrangement so as to form a 1×
N arrangement of cameras; and
wherein N is greater than or equal to 2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- N array camera module comprising;
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20. A 1×
- X sub-array module comprising;
a 1×
X arrangement of focal planes, wherein;X is greater than or equal to 1; each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels; each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; and the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×
X sub-array module;a 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×
X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, wherein each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×
X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from another 1×
X sub-array module to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of;
another 1×
X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;wherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module. - View Dependent Claims (21)
- X sub-array module comprising;
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22. A 1×
- N array camera comprising;
a plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules, each comprising;a 1×
X arrangement of focal planes, wherein;X is greater than or equal to 1; each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels; each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; and the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×
X sub-array module; anda 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×
X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×
X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×
X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, where each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×
X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from other 1×
X sub-array modules to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of;
another 1×
X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;wherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled 1×
X sub-array module or a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×
X sub-array module;wherein the plurality of 1×
X sub-array modules are positioned in a one-dimensional arrangement so as to form a 1×
N arrangement of cameras;
wherein N is greater than or equal to 2; anda processor that is configured to construct an image of the scene using image data generated by the 1×
N arrangement of cameras.
- N array camera comprising;
Specification