CAMERA DEVICE INCLUDING MULTIPLE OPTICAL CHAINS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A camera device includes multiple sensors with each sensor including an integrated multi-element filter. Because of the use of different filters in different sensors, a wide variety of filter patterns can be supported in a single camera device without the need for moveable or otherwise changeable filters. While multiple optical chains and sensors are included which sensors are used during a given time period are determined based on the whether a power save mode of operation is active and/or the image capture mode being used. Fewer optical chains are used during power save mode for capturing images corresponding to the image mode in use, e.g., color, IR, or monochrome. While the camera device may include a large number of optical modules, e.g., 4, 10 or more, in some embodiments sensors of optical chains not selected for use during a given time period are intentionally powered down to conserve power.

主权项

1. A camera device, comprising:
a first optical chain including a first filter having a first filter pattern including a first plurality of filter elements, at least some of said first plurality of filter elements corresponding to different colors, said first filter being part of a first sensor; and a second optical chain including a second filter having a second filter pattern including a second plurality of filter elements, said second plurality of filter elements including i) color filter elements of a first color in a different ratio to color filter elements of a second color than said first filter pattern or ii) a filter element of a type not included in said first filter pattern, said second filter being part of a second sensor which is implemented on a separate semiconductor from said first sensor.