NEXT GENERATION IMAGING METHODS AND SYSTEMS

摘要

Novel imaging arrangements are detailed. One comprises an optical array sensor with plural photo-electron generating regions dispersed at two or more layers in the structure. Two of these photo-electron generating regions are vertically separated by at least 10 microns—making the sensor useful for sensing objects at focal distances ranging from less than ten inches, out to infinity. The photosites may be spectrally selective. One such arrangement includes a top CMOS sensor array that passes 25% or more of the visible incident light into the structure. A second CMOS sensor array can be provided at a bottom of the structure, for receiving light that was not transduced to photo-electrons elsewhere in the sensor. Another arrangement involves movement of a camera sensor, in a repetitive tracking/pop-back motion, to reduce motion blur in individual frames of a video sequence. A great number of other arrangements are also detailed.

主权项

1. Apparatus comprising an optical array sensor for use with a lens, the sensor comprising a structure having a vertical thickness of at least 10 microns, with plural photo-electron generating regions dispersed at two or more layers within that thickness, said layers corresponding to differing lens focal planes, two of said plural photo-electron generating regions being vertically separated by at least 10 microns.