Apparatus for multiple camera devices and method of operating same

Abstract

There are many, many inventions described herein. In one aspect, what is disclosed is a digital camera including a plurality of arrays of photo detectors, including a first array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a first wavelength and a second array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a second wavelength. The digital camera further may also include a first lens disposed in an optical path of the first array of photo detectors, wherein the first lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the first wavelength, and a second lens disposed in with an optical path of the second array of photo detectors wherein the second lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the second wavelength. In addition, the digital camera may include signal processing circuitry, coupled to the first and second arrays of photo detectors, to generate a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors; wherein the first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, and the signal processing circuitry are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to: (1) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 604,854, entitled “Solid State Camera”, filed Aug. 25, 2004; and (2) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 695,946, entitled “Method and Apparatus for use in Camera and Systems Employing Same”, filed Jul. 1, 2005 (collectively “the Provisional Applications”). The contents of the Provisional Applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention is digital imaging. BACKGROUND [0003] The recent technology transition from film to “electronic media” has spurred the rapid growth of the imaging industry with applications including still and video cameras, cell phones, other personal communications devices, surveillance equipment, automotive applications, computer based video communication and conferencing, manufacturing and inspection devices, medical appliances, toys, plus a wide range of other and continuou...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0074] Where color filters are employed, the color filters can be built into the optical material, disposed as a layer or coating on the associated sensor array, applied as a lens coating or as a separate color filter in the optical assembly. Color separation mechanisms can also be provided on each imaging area by means of color filters or by an in-pixel color separation mechanism if desired. Other optical features can be added t

Problems solved by technology

Although traditional component manufacturers continue to shrink the components to take advantage of the electronic media, it is difficult to achieve the ever tightening demand of digital camera producers for smaller sizes, lower costs and higher performance.

Several important issues remain, including: 1) the smaller the size of a digital camera (e.g., in cell phones), the poorer the image quality; 2) complex “lenses”, shutter and flash are still required for medium to higher quality imaging, thus negating much of the size advantage afforded by the electronic media; and 3) the cost advantage afforded by the electronic media is somewhat negated by the traditional complex and costly lens systems and other peripheral components.

These market needs can often be in conflict: higher performance often requires larger size, improved features can require higher cost as well as a larger size, and conversely, reduced cost and/or size can come at a penalty in performance and/or features.

As an example, consumers look for higher quality images from their cell phones, but are unwilling to accept the size or cost associated with putting stand-alone digital camera quality into their pocket sized phones.

These attributes (for example, increased number of pixels in the image sensor and optical zoom), although benefiting image qual

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