Patent ID: 7414662

Claim:
An image capture apparatus comprising a processor; a memory element coupled to the processor; an image sensor array coupled to the processor, wherein the image sensor array includes a plurality of photo detectors and is configured to convert light focused thereon to image data electrical signals and transmit the image data electrical signals to the processor; a luminance photo detector coupled to the processor, wherein the luminance photo detector is configured to convert light channeled thereon to luminance data electrical signals and transmit the luminance data electrical signals to the processor, wherein the image sensor array and the luminance photo detector are fabricated over the same substrate, the plurality of photo detectors of the image sensor array occupy an area on the substrate and the luminance photo detector is in an area of the substrate that is distinct from and outside of the area on the substrate occupied by the image sensor array; a multifunction lens comprising an imaging lens portion and a luminance channel portion, wherein the imaging lens portion is coupled to the image sensor array and is configured to focus light reflected from a scene to the image sensor array, and wherein the luminance channel portion is coupled to the luminance photo detector and is configured to direct light reflected from the scene to the luminance photo detector in a separate path from the light focused by the imaging lens portion to the image sensor array, and wherein the processor uses the luminance data electrical signals to process the image data electrical signals to form an image of the scene, and wherein the processor stores the image of the scene in the memory element.