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.

1 . A digital camera comprising: 
 a plurality of arrays of photodetectors, including: 
 a first array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light; and  
 a second array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;  
   signal processing circuitry, coupled to the first and second arrays of photodetectors, to generate a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors; and    wherein the first array of photodetectors includes a first surface area, the second array of photodetectors includes a second surface area, and the first surface area is different from the second surface area.    
     
     
         2 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the photodetectors of the first array have a first active surface area;    the photodetectors of the second array have a second active surface area; and    wherein the first active surface area is different from the second active surface area.    
     
     
         3 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is different from the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         4 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is equal to the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         5 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a first size;    the second array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a second size; and    wherein the first size is different from the second size.    
     
     
         6 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed in the same image plane.  
     
     
         7 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         8 . The digital camera of  claim 7  wherein the signal processing circuitry is disposed on the semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The digital camera of  claim 7  wherein the signal processing circuitry is integrated on or in the semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         10 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         11 . The digital camera of  claim 10  wherein the signal processing circuitry is disposed on the semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         12 . The digital camera of  claim 10  wherein the signal processing circuitry is integrated on or in the semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         13 . The digital camera of  claim 1  further including: 
 a first optics portion associated with the first array of photodetectors, the first optics portion and the first array of photodetectors defining a first camera channel; and    a second optics portion associated with the second array of photodetectors, the second optics portion and the second array of photodetectors defining a second camera channel.    
     
     
         14 . The digital camera of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the first camera channel provides a first resolution;    the second camera channel provides a second resolution; and    wherein the first resolution is the same as the second resolution.    
     
     
         15 . The digital camera of  claim 14  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is equal to the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         16 . The digital camera of  claim 14  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a first size;    the second array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a second size; and    wherein the first size is different from the second size.    
     
     
         17 . The digital camera of  claim 16  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is equal to the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         18 . The digital camera of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the first camera channel provides a first resolution;    the second camera channel provides a second resolution; and    wherein the first resolution is different from the second resolution.    
     
     
         19 . The digital camera of  claim 18  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is different from the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         20 . The digital camera of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the first optics portion produces a first image area;    the second optics portion produces a second image area; and    wherein the first image area is different than the second image area.    
     
     
         21 . The digital camera of  claim 20  wherein: 
 the first optics portion produces the first image area at an image plane; and    the second optics portion produces the second image area at the image plane.    
     
     
         22 . The digital camera of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a first band of wavelengths; and    the second array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a second band of wavelengths.    
     
     
         23 . The digital camera of  claim 22  further including: 
 means, disposed in an optical path of the first array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the second band of wavelengths; and    means, disposed in an optical path of the second array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the first band of wavelengths.    
     
     
         24 . The digital camera of  claim 23  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color and the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color.  
     
     
         25 . The digital camera of  claim 23  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         26 . The digital camera of  claim 23  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         27 . The digital camera of  claim 22  further including: 
 a first optics portion associated with the first array of photodetectors to filter light of the second band of wavelengths; and    a second optics portion associated with the second array of photodetectors to filter light of the first band of wavelengths.    
     
     
         28 . The digital camera of  claim 27  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color and the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color.  
     
     
         29 . The digital camera of  claim 27  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         30 . The digital camera of  claim 27  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         31 . The digital camera of  claim 22  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the first band of wavelengths than to the light of the second band of wavelengths; and    the second array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the second band of wavelengths than to the light of the first band of wavelengths.    
     
     
         32 . The digital camera of  claim 31  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color and the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color.  
     
     
         33 . The digital camera of  claim 31  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         34 . The digital camera of  claim 31  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         35 . The digital camera of  claim 1  further including: 
 a third array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;    wherein the signal processing circuitry is coupled to the third array of photodetectors and generates a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors, (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the third array of photodetectors; and    wherein the third array of photo detectors includes a third surface area that is different from the first surface area.    
     
     
         36 . The digital camera of  claim 35  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a first band of wavelengths;    the second array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a second band of wavelengths;    the third array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a third band of wavelengths; and    wherein the digital camera further includes: 
 means, disposed in an optical path of the first array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the second band of wavelengths and the third band of wavelengths;  
 means, disposed in an optical path of the second array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the first band of wavelengths and the third band of wavelengths; and  
 means, disposed in an optical path of the third array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the first band of wavelengths and the second band of wavelengths.  
   
     
     
         37 . The digital camera of  claim 36  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color, the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color and the third band of wavelengths is associated with a third color.  
     
     
         38 . The digital camera of  claim 36  wherein the first, second and third arrays of photodetectors are relatively arranged in a triangular configuration.  
     
     
         39 . The digital camera of  claim 35  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a first band of wavelengths;    the second array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a second band of wavelengths;    the third array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a third band of wavelengths;    the first array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the first band of wavelengths than to the light of the second band of wavelengths and light of the third band of wavelengths;    the second array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the second band of wavelengths than to the light of the first band of wavelengths and light of the third band of wavelengths; and    the third array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the third band of wavelengths than to the light of the first band of wavelengths and light of the second band of wavelengths.    
     
     
         40 . The digital camera of  claim 39  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color, the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color and the third band of wavelengths is associated with a third color.  
     
     
         41 . The digital camera of  claim 39  wherein the first, second and third arrays of photodetectors are relatively arranged in a triangular configuration.  
     
     
         42 . The digital camera of  claim 39  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         43 . The digital camera of  claim 39  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         44 . A method for use in a digital camera, the method comprising: 
 providing a first array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;    providing a second array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;    generating a composite image using (i) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors, and (ii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors, and    wherein the first array of photodetectors includes a first surface area, the second array of photodetectors includes a second surface area, and the first surface area is different from the second surface area.    
     
     
         45 . The digital camera of  claim 44  wherein: 
 the photodetectors of the first array have a first active surface area;    the photodetectors of the second array have a second active surface area; and    wherein the first active surface area is different from the second active surface area.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44  wherein: 
 providing a first array of photodetectors includes providing a first array of photodetectors that includes a first number of photodetectors;    providing a second array of photodetectors includes providing a second array of photodetectors that includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is different from the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44  wherein: 
 providing a first array of photodetectors includes providing a first array of photodetectors that includes a first number of photodetectors;    providing a second array of photodetectors includes providing a second array of photodetectors that includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is equal to the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising: 
 passing light of a first band of wavelengths onto an image plane of the photodetectors of the first array;    passing light of a second band of wavelengths onto an image plane of the photodetectors of the second array;    filtering light of the second band of wavelengths from an optical path of the first array of photodetectors; and    filtering light of the first band of wavelengths from an optical path of the second array of photodetectors.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color and the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising: 
 providing a third array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;    wherein generating a composite imaged comprises generating a composite image using (i) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors, (ii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors, and (iii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the third array of photodetectors; and    wherein the third array of photodetectors includes a third surface area different from the first surface area.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  further comprising: 
 passing light of a first band of wavelengths onto an image plane of the photodetectors of the first array;    passing light of a second band of wavelengths onto an image plane of the photodetectors of the second array;    passing light of a third band of wavelengths onto an image plane of the photodetectors of the third array;    filtering light of the second band of wavelengths and light of the third band of wavelengths from an optical path of the first array of photodetectors; and    filtering light of the first band of wavelengths and light of the third band of wavelengths from an optical path of the second array of photodetectors; and    filtering light of the first band of wavelengths and light of the second band of wavelengths from an optical path of the third array of photodetectors.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the first band of wavelengths is associated with a first color, the second band of wavelengths is associated with a second color and the third band of wavelengths is associated with a third color.  
     
     
         57 . A digital camera comprising: 
 a plurality of arrays of photodetectors, including: 
 a first array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light; and  
 a second array of photodetectors to sample an intensity of light;  
   processor means, coupled to the first and second arrays of photodetectors, for generating a composite image using (i) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photodetectors, and (ii) data representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photodetectors; and    wherein the first array of photo detectors includes a first surface area, the second array of photo detectors includes a second surface area, and the first surface area is different from the second surface area.    
     
     
         58 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the photodetectors of the first array have a first active surface area;    the photodetectors of the second array have a second active surface area; and    wherein the first active surface area is different from the second active surface area.    
     
     
         59 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is different from the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         60 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes a first number of photodetectors;    the second array of photodetectors includes a second number of photodetectors; and    wherein the first number of photodetectors is equal to the second number of photodetectors.    
     
     
         61 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a first size;    the second array of photodetectors includes photodetectors of a second size; and    wherein the first size is different from the second size.    
     
     
         62 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are disposed on the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         63 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein the first array of photodetectors and the second array of photodetectors are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.  
     
     
         64 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a first band of wavelengths;    the second array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a second band of wavelengths; and    wherein the digital camera further includes: 
 means, disposed in an optical path of the first array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the second band of wavelengths; and  
 means, disposed in an optical path of the second array of photodetectors, for filtering the light of the first band of wavelengths.  
   
     
     
         65 . The digital camera of  claim 57  wherein: 
 the first array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a first band of wavelengths;    the second array of photodetectors sample an intensity of light of a second band of wavelengths;    the first array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the first band of wavelengths than to the light of the second band of wavelengths; and    the second array of photodetectors has a higher sensitivity to the light of the second band of wavelengths than to the light of the first band of wavelengths.