Methods and apparatus for use with multiple optical chains
First Claim
1. A method of using multiple optical chains, the method comprising:
- capturing images using a first group of optical chains and a second group of optical chains during a first time period, said first and second groups of optical chains having a first focal length during said first time period;
generating a first composite image from images captured during said first time period by said first group of optical chains and by said second group of optical chains;
transitioning said first group of optical chains from said first focal length to a second focal length during a second time period, said second focal length being different from said first focal length;
capturing images using said second group of optical chains during the second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having a different focal length than optical chains in said first group during said second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having said first focal length during said second time period; and
generating a second composite image from images captured during said second time period by said second group of optical chains.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generate from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of using multiple optical chains, the method comprising:
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capturing images using a first group of optical chains and a second group of optical chains during a first time period, said first and second groups of optical chains having a first focal length during said first time period; generating a first composite image from images captured during said first time period by said first group of optical chains and by said second group of optical chains; transitioning said first group of optical chains from said first focal length to a second focal length during a second time period, said second focal length being different from said first focal length; capturing images using said second group of optical chains during the second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having a different focal length than optical chains in said first group during said second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having said first focal length during said second time period; and generating a second composite image from images captured during said second time period by said second group of optical chains. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An image capture system comprising:
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multiple optical chains, said multiple optical chains including at least a first group of optical chains and a second group of optical chains, optical chains in said first and second groups of optical chains both having a first focal length during a first time period, different focal lengths during a second time period, and both having a second focal length during an additional time period following said second period of time, said first and second focal lengths being different; and a control device configured to control said multiple optical chains, said control of the multiple optical chains including; controlling optical chains in said first and second groups of optical during the first time period to capture images; controlling optical chains in said second group of optical chains during the second time period to capture images, said second time period being a time period in which the first group of optical chains transitions from the first focal length to a second focal length; and an image processor configured to; generate a first composite image from images captured during said first time period by said first and second groups of optical chains; and generate a second composite image from images captured during said second time period by optical chains in said second group of optical chains, said second composite image being generated without using data from said first group of optical chains. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising machine executable instructions which when executed by a processor of a camera device control the camera device including multiple optical chains to perform the steps of:
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capturing images using said first group of optical chains and a second group of optical chains during a first time period, said first and second groups of optical chains having a first focal length during said first time period; generating a first composite image from images captured during said first time period by said first group of optical chains and by said second group of optical chains; transitioning said first group of optical chains from said first focal length to a second focal length during a second time period, said second focal length being different from said first focal length; capturing images using said second group of optical chains during the second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having a different focal length than optical chains in said first group during said second time period, optical chains in said second group of optical chains having said first focal length during said second time period; and generating a second composite image from images captured during said second time period by said second group of optical chains.
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Specification