Zoom Camera Sensor Segmentation for ROI Resolution Control

The image sensor is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or regions. Each segment can be selectively activated to capture different FOV segments at full resolution, while other segments remain inactive or operate in binning mode. This segmentation allows the system to capture wider FOV by using multiple segments sequentially or selectively, without sacrificing the spatial resolution of the active segment.

The patent implements dynamic switching between different sensor segments and resolution modes based on the captured scene and identified regions of interest. The system can dynamically adjust which sensor segment is active, switch between full resolution and binning modes, and adapt the FOV coverage in real-time, thereby optimizing both coverage area and spatial resolution according to specific capture requirements.

Instead of uniformly applying full resolution mode across the entire sensor, the patent applies different resolution modes to different local regions or segments. Regions of interest are captured at full resolution, while less important areas use binning mode or are excluded from capture. This local quality approach maintains high spatial resolution where needed while significantly reducing overall data communication load and processing complexity.

The system captures only the necessary portions of the scene at full resolution rather than the entire FOV. By identifying regions of interest and capturing only those areas at maximum resolution, the patent achieves sufficient spatial resolution for the important parts of the scene while avoiding the excessive data burden of capturing the entire scene at full resolution.

The patent makes a single image sensor perform multiple functions that would traditionally require multiple cameras. By dividing the sensor into multiple segments that can be independently controlled and configured, one sensor can capture multiple FOV segments, achieve zoom effects, and provide wide-angle coverage, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate camera modules and reducing overall device complexity.

Instead of adding more cameras in the spatial dimension, the patent utilizes the segment dimension of a single sensor. By activating different segments of the same sensor at different times or for different regions of interest, the system achieves multi-FOV coverage without the complexity of multi-camera alignment and synchronization.