Imaging devices having arrays of image sensors and lenses with multiple aperture sizes
US8478123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/77
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An array camera may be formed from an array of lenses, an array of corresponding apertures, and an array of corresponding image sensors. The array of apertures may be configured so that some image sensors receive light through apertures of different size than other image sensors. Providing apertures of smaller size increases the F/# of an array camera and increases the depth-of-field in a captured image. The array of image sensors may include a near-infrared image sensor. Providing an image sensor array with a near-infrared image sensor may enhance depth information in captured images or increase night vision capabilities of an array camera. Combining an array of image sensors that includes a near-infrared sensor with an array of apertures having different aperture diameters may allow increased depth-of-field imaging, enhanced extraction of depth information from an image, improved night vision, enhanced image clarity or other improvements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.