Digital image capturing system and method

• US 8,553,113 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ansari, Ahmad C., Reynolds, Donald Kevin Jr., Hartman, David Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Velez, Roberto
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRABHAKHER, PRITHAM DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/644,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,702 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/211.8, 348/218.1, 348/262, 348/264, 348/211.3, 348/340, 348/291, 348/335, 34821111-21113, 257202-211, 359196-324, 3591961-2263
• US Class Current: 348/264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/41 Extracting pixel data from a plurality of image sensors simultaneously picking up an image, e.g. for increasing the field of view by combining the outputs of a plurality of sensors

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.

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip further comprises a third image sensor lens module operable to generate third raw image data, the third image sensor lens module comprising a third lens integrated with a third sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip is adjustably secured to the mounting surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a microphone assembly communicatively coupled to the selector, wherein the selector is further to route the image data based on input received from the microphone assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selector routes the first raw image data to the processing engine when the selection signal indicates that the first image sensor lens module is aimed toward particular scene activity, and wherein the selector routes the second raw image data to the processing engine when the selection signal indicates that the second image sensor lens module is aimed toward the particular scene activity.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an interface operable to communicatively couple an output of the processing engine to an external computing system, wherein the output is encrypted before the output is sent to the external computing system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lens of the first image sensor lens module has a first depth of focus, and wherein the second lens of the second image sensor lens module has a second depth of focus different from the first depth of focus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing engine and the selector replicate a pan, tilt and zoom operation by selectively causing only one of the first raw image data and the second raw image data to be transformed into the one or more images.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing engine performs a digital magnification by interpolating between pixels of the first raw image data.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selector is further operable to concurrently route the first raw image data from the first image sensor lens module and the second raw image data from the second image sensor lens module to the processing engine, and wherein the processing engine is further operable to:

receive the first raw image data;

receive the second raw image data; and

generate a collage image that includes a first image and a second image, wherein the first image is associated with the first field of view associated with the first image sensor lens module, and wherein the second image is associated with the second field of view associated with the second image sensor lens module.

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.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising;

performing the image processing operation on the first image information until a desired view is not in the first view;

ceasing to perform the image processing operation on the first image information; and

performing the image processing operation of the second image information.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising initiating presentation of the one or more images on a display after performing the image processing operation.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

when the image processing operation is being performed on the second image information, receiving a directional identification signal indicating activity at a location associated with the first view;

in response to the directional identification signal, ceasing to perform the image processing operation on the second image information; and

performing the image processing operation on the first image information when the activity at the location stabilizes.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising outputting post processed image signal information.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising streaming the post processed image signal information.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

encrypting output of the image processing operation; and

sending the encrypted output to a remote computing system.

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.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the triggering module is operable to:

receive information that identifies a desired field of view; and

determine whether the desired field of view is associated with the first field of view or the second field of view, wherein the selection signal is generated based on whether the desired field of view is associated with the first field of view or the second field of view.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first field of view and the second field of view share a common focal point, wherein the first image sensor lens module has a first focal length, and wherein the second image sensor lens has a second focal length that is different than the first focal length.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the device has an octagonal shape, wherein the plurality of sides comprises 8 sides, wherein the plurality of imaging devices comprises 8 imaging devices, and wherein a field of view associated with at least one image sensor lens module of each of the plurality of imaging devices overlaps with another field of view associated with an additional image sensor lens module of an adjacent imaging device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a first particular field of view associated with a first particular image sensor module of a first particular imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices overlaps a second particular field of view associated with a second particular image sensor of a second particular imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices, wherein the first particular imaging device is attached to a first particular side of the plurality of sides, wherein the second particular imaging device is attached to a second particular side of the plurality of sides, and wherein the first particular side is adjacent to the second particular side.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the device is configured to output a collage image, wherein the collage image comprises at least a first image generated at a first particular imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices and a second image generated at a second particular imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first image depicts a first scene corresponding to a first particular field of view associated with a first particular image sensor module of the first particular imaging device and wherein the second image depicts a second scene corresponding to a second particular field of view associated with a second particular image sensor module of the second particular imaging.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the device is a communication device.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first image sensor lens module, the second image sensor lens module, the selection module, the triggering module, and the processing engine are on a same side of the chip.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of imaging devices further comprises a microphone and a motion sensor, wherein the triggering module is further configured to generate the selection signal based on information received from at least one of the microphone and the motion sensor.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a toggle mechanism configured to activate one or more imaging devices of the plurality of imaging devices.