Qualcomm Incorporated

Thomas Wesley Osborne

Todor Georgiev Georgiev

Sergiu Radu Goma

Szepo Robert Hung

Ruben Manuel Velarde

Liang Liang

Ying Noyes

Vikas Ramachandra

Haiyin Wang

Edward G Atrero

Described herein are methods and devices that employ a plurality of image sensors to capture a target image of a scene. As described, positioning at least one reflective or refractive surface near the plurality of image sensors enables the sensors to capture together an image of wider field of view and longer focal length than any sensor could capture individually by using the reflective or refractive surface to guide a portion of the image scene to each sensor. The different portions of the scene captured by the sensors may overlap, and may be aligned and cropped to generate the target image.

Multi-camera system using folded optics

Embodiments of imaging systems and methods of autofocusing are disclosed, for example, using a folded optics configuration. One system includes at least one camera configured to capture a target image scene, including an image sensor comprising an array of sensor elements, a primary light folding surface configured to direct a portion of received light in a first direction, and an optical element having a secondary light folding surface directing light in a second direction. The system can also include a lens assembly having at least one stationary lens positioned between the secondary light folding surface and the image sensor, the at least one stationary lens having a first surface mechanically coupled to the optical element and a second surface mechanically coupled to the image sensor, and at least one movable lens positioned between the primary light folding surface and the optical element.

Auto-focus in low-profile folded optics multi-camera system

An image capturing system and a method of autofocusing are disclosed such that, for example, when a folded optics configuration is used, a field corrector lens can be placed on the image sensor of the system and a plurality of lenses can be placed perpendicular to the image sensor. The plurality of lenses can be movable relative to the image sensor such that acceptable MTF curve performances can be obtained when the image capturing system is focused at reference distances.

Methods and systems for producing spherical field-of-view images. In some examples, an imaging system includes a front camera having a first field-of-view (FOV) in a first direction and an optical axis that extends through the first FOV, a back camera having an optical axis that extends through the first FOV, a plurality of side cameras disposed between the front camera and the back camera, a back light re-directing reflective mirror component disposed between the back camera and plurality of side cameras, the back light re-directing reflective mirror component further disposed perpendicular to the optical axis of the back camera, and a plurality of side light re-directing reflective mirror components, each of the plurality of side cameras positioned to receive light re-directed reflected from one of the plurality of light redirecting reflective mirror components.

Parallax free multi-camera system capable of capturing full spherical images

Systems and methods for optical image stabilization of thin cameras are disclosed. An image stabilization system for a camera system includes a stabilization platform configured to support a camera system, a camera housing, a fulcrum rotationally and pivotally connecting the stabilization platform to the camera housing, the fulcrum configured such that the stabilization platform can tilt and rotate relative to the camera housing in at least one of the pitch, roll, and yaw directions, at least one gyroscope rigidly connected to the stabilization platform, and at least one actuator coupled to the stabilization platform and configured to cause tilting or rotation of the stabilization platform in at least one of the pitch, roll, and yaw directions.

Optical image stabilization for thin cameras

Aspects relate to methods and systems for producing ultra-wide field of view images. In some embodiments, an image capture system for capturing wide field-of-view images comprises an aperture, a central camera positioned to receive light through the aperture, the center camera having an optical axis, a plurality of periphery cameras disposed beside the central camera and pointed towards a portion of the optical axis of the center camera, the plurality of cameras arranged around the center camera, and a plurality of extendible reflectors. The reflectors are configured to move from a first position to a second position and have a mirrored first surface that faces away from the optical axis of the center camera and a second black surface that faces towards the optical axis of the center camera, the plurality of periphery cameras arranged around the center camera.

Wide field of view array camera for hemispheric and spherical imaging

Methods and devices are disclosed for aligning a lens assembly and a sensor assembly of an optical system during assembly of the optical system. For example, one method includes positioning the sensor assembly, having at least an image sensor, at the focal plane of the lens assembly and directing light through an alignment optic and lens assembly onto the image sensor. The method further includes producing multiple images from the light received through the lens assembly and alignment optic, the images having multiple alignment features based on the light received through the alignment optic, and the alignment features having multiple sections. The method then measures at least one performance indicator corresponding to each of multiple sections, and adjusts the position of the image sensor based on an optimization of the performance indicators, while the sensor assembly is being attached to the lens assembly.

Methods and devices for thin camera focusing alignment

Aspects relate to an array camera exhibiting little or no parallax artifacts in captured images. For example, the planes of the central mirror surfaces of the array camera can be located at a midpoint along, and orthogonally to, a line between the corresponding camera location and the virtual camera location. Accordingly, the cones of all of the cameras in the array appear as if coming from the virtual camera location after folding by the mirrors. Each sensor in the array 'sees' a portion of the image scene using a corresponding facet of the central mirror prism, and accordingly each individual sensor/mirror pair represents only a sub-aperture of the total array camera. The complete array camera has a synthetic aperture generated based on the sum of all individual aperture rays.

Multi-camera system using folded optics free from parallax artifacts

Techniques are described for determining a contact location on a touch screen panel. The techniques transmit an optical signal that includes digital bits through the touch screen, and determine for which digital bits the optical power level reduced. Based on the determined digital bits, the techniques determine the contact location on the touch screen panel.

Touch screen panel using digitally encoded light

Described are a system, apparatus, and method to capture a stereoscopic image pair using an imaging device with a single imaging sensor. Particularly, discussed are systems and methods for capturing a first and second image through an image sensor, determining a vertical and horizontal disparity between the two images, and applying corrections for geometric distortion, vertical disparity, and convergence between the two images. Some embodiments contemplate displaying a directional indicator before the second image of the stereoscopic image pair is captured. By displaying a directional indicator, a more optimal position for the second image of the stereoscopic image pair may be found, resulting in a higher quality stereoscopic image pair.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Thomas Wesley Osborne