Patent ID: 7893986
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image capture apparatus comprising: an image sensor array configured to receive light from a light source that has been reflected by a scene and to convert the received light to image data electrical signals; a luminance photodetector configured to receive light from a luminance source and to convert the received light to luminance data electrical signals; a multifunction lens comprising an imaging lens portion and a luminance channel, the imaging lens portion configured to receive the light that has been reflected by the scene, the light traveling in a first direction, and to direct the light onto the image sensor array, the luminance channel including an optical element, the luminance channel configured to receive the light from the luminance source, the light traveling in a second direction different from the first direction, and to direct the light onto the luminance photodetector via the optical element; and a processor configured to receive the image data electrical signals from the image sensor array and the luminance data electrical signals from the luminance photodetector and to process the image data electrical signals to form an image of the scene using the luminance data electrical signals.