throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Baer
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,112,774 B2
`Sep. 26, 2006
`
`US007 112774B2
`
`(54) CMOS STEREO IMAGING SYSTEMAND
`METHOD
`
`(56)
`
`(75) Inventor: Richard L. Baer, Los Altos, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Avago Technologies Sensor IP
`(Singapore) Pte. Ltd, singapore (SG)
`-
`0
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 196 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/682,708
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 9, 2003
`
`O
`O
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2005/OO77450 A1
`Apr. 14, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HOIL 27/00
`(2006.01)
`GO3B 35/00
`(2006.01)
`G06K 9/00
`(2006.01)
`H04N I5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 250/208.1: 396/324; 348/42;
`352/57
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 250/208.1,
`348/42, 43,46, 47, 48; 356/611, 12; 382/154;
`352/57; 396/324; 378/41; 355/22
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,852,672 A 12, 1998 Lu ............................. 382,154
`6,515,271 B1* 2/2003 Shimizu
`... 250,208.1
`6,864,911 B1* 3/2005 Zhang et al. ................. 348/42
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Stephone B. Allen
`Assistant Examiner Suezu Ellis
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A pair of CMOS image sensors is provided. One of the pair
`of CMOS image sensors is assigned as a master CMOS
`image sensor and the other is assigned as a slave CMOS
`image sensor. The slave CMOS image sensor is synchro
`nized to the master CMOS image sensor during image data
`acquisition. In one embodiment, the master CMOS image
`sensor and the slave CMOS image sensor are connected to
`receive a control signal, which assigns the master CMOS
`image sensor as master and the slave CMOS image sensor
`as slave. In another embodiment, the master CMOS image
`sensor and slave CMOS image sensor are hardwired to
`assign the master and slave. In yet another embodiment, the
`data signals from the master CMOS image sensor and slave
`CMOS image sensor are interleaved.
`20 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`Clock
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`110
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`t
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`Interleaver
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`118
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`126
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`APPL-1034 / Page 1 of 8
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`APPL-1034 / Page 2 of 8
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`300
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`Provide a pair of CMOS
`image Sensors
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`Assign one of the pair of
`CMOS image sensors as
`a master CMOS image
`SensOr and the other as a
`slave CMOS image
`SenSO
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`Synchronize the slave
`CMOS image sensor to the
`master CMOS image sensor
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`FIG. 3
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`APPL-1034 / Page 4 of 8
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
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`1.
`CMOS STEREO IMAGING SYSTEMAND
`METHOD
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The technical field of this disclosure is digital imaging
`circuits, particularly digital imaging circuits using comple
`mentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging sen
`sors to capture stereo pairs and methods of using the same.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Stereo imaging uses planar imagers to acquire three
`dimensional information about a scene. To obtain the third
`dimension of depth, two planar imagers are offset by a
`distance to determine the relative position of objects in the
`scene. Two types of stereo cameras using conventional
`cameras with photochemical film as the imager are avail
`able. In one, a special offset optics system is used to create
`two images on a single frame of film by opening a single
`shutter. In the other, two independent offset cameras with
`coordinated shutters are used to simultaneously expose two
`frames of film. Conventional cameras present certain prob
`lems as stereo cameras, however. They are complicated,
`expensive mechanical devices and photochemical film
`requires the images to be developed and converted to digital
`data.
`The development of charge-coupled device (CCD) image
`sensors has led to their use in stereo cameras. A CCD image
`sensor comprises a two-dimensional array of photodiodes
`which convert received light into a charge. For stereo
`imaging, two CCD image sensors offset by a distance collect
`two images using global electronic shutters to synchronize
`the images. The electronic image data is then read out
`sequentially. CCD image sensors are expensive in them
`selves and less than ideal for this application. CCD image
`sensors require substantial off-chip support circuitry, such as
`power supplies, device drivers, timing generation, and ana
`log to digital conversion. In addition, CCD image sensors
`use large amounts of power, requiring large battery capacity
`in battery-powered devices. This makes CCD-based stereo
`cameras complicated and expensive.
`It would be desirable to have a stereo imaging system and
`method of using the same that would overcome the above
`disadvantages.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention uses low-power CMOS image
`sensors for stereo imaging. A master CMOS image sensor
`receives the instruction to acquire an image and synchro
`nizes the operation of a slave CMOS image sensor, so that
`the master and slave CMOS image sensors acquire their
`images simultaneously. The master and slave CMOS image
`sensors are separated by an offset distance so the data from
`the two-dimensional images can be combined into three
`dimensional data.
`One aspect of the present invention provides a method for
`stereo imaging using CMOS image sensors. A pair of CMOS
`image sensors is provided. One of the pair of CMOS image
`60
`sensors is assigned as master CMOS image sensor and the
`other is assigned as slave CMOS image sensor. The slave
`CMOS image sensor is synchronized to the master CMOS
`image sensor during image data acquisition.
`Another aspect of the present invention provides a system
`for stereo imaging using CMOS image sensors. The system
`comprises a master CMOS image sensor connected to
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`receive a control signal, the master CMOS image sensor
`generating a timing signal; and a slave CMOS image sensor
`connected to receive the control signal and the timing signal.
`The timing signal synchronizes the slave CMOS image
`sensor to the master CMOS image sensor during image data
`acquisition.
`The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
`invention will become further apparent from the following
`detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments,
`read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The
`detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of
`the invention, rather than limiting, the scope of the invention
`being defined by the appended claims and equivalents
`thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1-2 show block diagrams for stereo imaging sys
`tems using CMOS image sensors according to the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for stereo imaging
`using CMOS image sensors according to the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The invention is based on the observation that the above
`described problems arise from difficulties in using CCD
`image sensors in stereo imaging systems. CCD image sen
`sors require substantial off-chip support circuitry and use
`large amounts of power, making CCD-based stereo cameras
`complicated and expensive. CCD image sensors have one
`advantage for stereo imaging, however. CCD image sensors
`collect an image over the whole image frame at once using
`a global shutter, also known as a frame shutter. To synchro
`nize a pair of CCD image sensors in a stereo imaging
`system, the pair of CCD image sensors only needs to start
`acquiring data at the same time and have the same exposure
`settings. Unlike CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors
`collect an image a line at a time using a rolling shutter. If one
`CMOS image sensor in a stereo imaging system is rolling at
`the top of its frame and the other CMOS image sensor is
`rolling in the middle of its frame, corresponding lines in the
`images will be acquired at different times. In accordance
`with the invention, the rolling shutters of the pair of CMOS
`image sensors in a stereo imaging system are synchronized
`to acquire corresponding lines of the images at the same
`time. This way, movement in the image is not confused with
`depth information.
`FIGS. 1-2 show block diagrams for stereo imaging sys
`tems using CMOS image sensors. Generally, a pair of
`complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imag
`ing sensors is provided. The CMOS image sensors are offset
`from one another at a distance parallel to the plane in which
`the CMOS image sensors are arranged. One CMOS image
`sensor is designated as master and the other is designated as
`slave. The master CMOS image sensor receives the instruc
`tion to acquire an image and synchronizes the operation of
`the slave CMOS image sensor, so that the master and slave
`CMOS image sensors acquire their images simultaneously.
`The CMOS image sensors are synchronized and the image
`acquisition is simultaneous so that three-dimensional images
`are obtained without error due to motion of the subjects in
`the image. The offset distance between the image sensors
`allows the data from the acquired two-dimensional images
`to be combined into three-dimensional data.
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`APPL-1034 / Page 5 of 8
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`Referring to FIG. 1, the stereo imaging system 100
`includes a master CMOS image sensor 102 and a slave
`CMOS image sensor 104. A clock 106 provides a first clock
`signal 108 to the master CMOS image sensor 102 and a
`second clock signal 110 to the slave CMOS image sensor
`104. One example of a CMOS image sensor is the HDCS
`1020 CMOS image sensor manufactured by Agilent Tech
`nologies, Inc. The CMOS image sensors comprise a photo
`diode array which acquires image information line-by-line
`as a narrow exposure interval rolls across the photodiode
`array. The first clock signal 108 and the second clock signal
`110 are opposite phases of the clock 106, so that the slave
`CMOS image sensor 104 operates with the same timing as
`the master CMOS image sensor 102 offset by one half of a
`clock period.
`A controller (not shown) provides control signal 112 to
`the master CMOS image sensor 102 and through the master
`CMOS image sensor 102 to the slave CMOS image sensor
`104. The control signal 112 coordinates and controls opera
`tion of the master CMOS image sensor 102 and the slave
`CMOS image sensor 104. Typically, the control signal 112
`is a serial control signal. Such as a serial control signal
`operating under the IC (Intelligent Interface Controller)
`protocol developed by Philips Semiconductor. IC uses two
`wires, a serial data wire and a serial clock wire, to carry
`25
`information between devices connected to the wires. A
`unique address is provided for each of the master CMOS
`image sensor 102 and the slave CMOS image sensor 104.
`The control signal 112 specifies which CMOS image sensor
`is the master. The master CMOS image sensor 102 responds
`to the control signal 112 and also relays the control signal
`instructions (except the master/slave assignment instruc
`tions) to the slave CMOS image sensor 104. This assures
`that the operation of the slave CMOS image sensor 104
`follows the operation of the master CMOS image sensor
`102. The control signal 112 additionally includes instruc
`tions specifying operation of the CMOS image sensors. Such
`as gain, exposure, and frame size and location on the pixel
`array.
`A timing signal 114 from the master CMOS image sensor
`102 forces the slave CMOS image sensor 104 to synchronize
`with the master CMOS image sensor 102. The timing signal
`114 directs the slave CMOS image sensor 104 when to begin
`a frame and when to begin a line. Because the first clock
`signal 108 at the master CMOS image sensor 102 and the
`second clock signal 110 at the slave CMOS image sensor
`104 are only offset by one half of a clock period, the image
`acquisition by the slave CMOS image sensor 104 only lags
`the image acquisition by the master CMOS image sensor
`102 by one half a clock period.
`In operation, the master CMOS image sensor 102 and the
`slave CMOS image sensor 104 receive the control signal
`112, which assigns them as master and slave. The control
`signal 112 assigns operating parameters, such as frame size
`and location, to the master CMOS image sensor 102, which
`passes the control signal 112 to the slave CMOS image
`sensor 104. The timing signal 114 from the master CMOS
`image sensor 102 forces the line-by-line exposure of the
`slave CMOS image sensor 104 to synchronize with the
`exposure of the master CMOS image sensor 102.
`60
`In the example shown, the image data from the CMOS
`image sensors is interleaved to produce a single interleaved
`output. A phase locked loop (PLL) 116 receives the second
`clock signal 110 and generates a double speed clock signal
`118. The double speed clock signal 118 is provided to an
`interleaver 120, which interleaves master data signal 122
`and slave data signal 124 to produce interleaved data signal
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`126. The master data signal 122 and slave data signal 124 are
`typically parallel signals eight or ten bits wide. The data
`signals are offloaded as read without handshaking, so the
`receiving circuit must accept data at the rate presented. The
`line and frame synchronization signals 128 inform the
`receiving circuit how to interpret the data signals.
`The interleaved data signal 126 alternates data from the
`master and slave CMOS image sensors, so that data on one
`of the parallel signal paths is MSMSMSMS . . . , where M
`indicates data from the master data signal 122 and S indi
`cates data from the slave data signal 124. The interleaved
`data signal 126 delivers twice as much data in a single output
`as would be delivered at the normal clock rate of clock 106.
`The interleaved data signal 126 is sent to the receiving
`circuit (not shown). The synchronization signals 128 and the
`double speed clock signal 118 are sent to the receiving
`circuit with the interleaved data signal 126 to coordinate
`processing of the interleaved data signal 126 by the receiv
`ing circuit. In another embodiment, the PLL 116 and the
`interleaver 120 can be omitted, and the master data signal
`122 and slave data signal 124 provided directly to the
`receiving circuit as two separate signals.
`FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a stereo imaging system
`using CMOS image sensors. In the stereo imaging system
`200, the CMOS image sensors are dedicated as master and
`slave.
`The stereo imaging system 200 includes a master CMOS
`image sensor 202 and a slave CMOS image sensor 204. The
`master CMOS image sensor 202 is designated as the master
`by hardwiring the master/slave selector pin 203 high. The
`slave CMOS image sensor 204 is designated as the slave by
`hardwiring the master/slave selector pin 205 low. Because
`the CMOS image sensors are hardwired as master and slave,
`the designations are independent of control signal 212. One
`example of a CMOS image sensor is the HDCS-2020
`CMOS image sensor manufactured by Agilent Technolo
`gies, Inc. The CMOS image sensors comprise a photodiode
`array which acquires image information line-by-line as a
`narrow exposure interval rolls across the photodiode array.
`A clock 206 provides clock signal 208 to the master CMOS
`image sensor 202 and the slave CMOS image sensor 204.
`A controller (not shown) provides control signal 212 in
`parallel to the master CMOS image sensor 202 and the slave
`CMOS image sensor 204. The control signal 212 coordi
`nates and controls operation of the master CMOS image
`sensor 202 and the slave CMOS image sensor 204. In one
`embodiment, the control signal 212 operates under the
`above described IC (Intelligent Interface Controller) pro
`tocol. The CMOS image sensors are hardwired as master
`and slave, so that one particular CMOS image sensor is
`always the master. The master CMOS image sensor 202
`responds to the control signal 212 and the slave CMOS
`image sensor 204 remains as a slave regardless of the
`instructions contained in the control signal 212. The control
`signal 212 includes instructions specifying operation of the
`CMOS image sensors, such as gain, exposure, and frame
`size and location on the pixel array.
`A timing signal 214 from the master CMOS image sensor
`202 forces the slave CMOS image sensor 204 to synchronize
`with the master CMOS image sensor 202. The timing signal
`214 directs the slave CMOS image sensor 204 when to begin
`a frame and when to begin a line. Because the master CMOS
`image sensor 202 and the slave CMOS image sensor 204 are
`driven by the common clock signal 208, the image acqui
`sition by the slave CMOS image sensor 204 is synchronized
`with the image acquisition by the master CMOS image
`sensor 202. In another embodiment, the timing signal 214 to
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`US 7,112,774 B2
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`the slave CMOS image sensor 204 is retarded by a few clock
`cycles of the clock signal 208 to simplify digital logic
`design. A one pixel or one line lag between the master
`CMOS image sensor 202 and the slave CMOS image sensor
`204 is sufficient synchronization to provide accurate depth
`information from the acquired data.
`In operation, the master CMOS image sensor 202 and the
`slave CMOS image sensor 204 receive the control signal
`212. The control signal 212 assigns operating parameters,
`Such as gain, exposure, and frame size and location on the
`pixel array, to the master CMOS image sensor 202 and the
`slave CMOS image sensor 204. The timing signal 214 from
`the master CMOS image sensor 202 forces the line-by-line
`exposure of the slave CMOS image sensor 204 to synchro
`nize with the exposure of the master CMOS image sensor
`202.
`The master CMOS image sensor 202 and the slave CMOS
`image sensor 204 generate master data signal 222 and slave
`data signal 224, respectively, which are provided to a
`receiving circuit (not shown). The master data signal 222
`and slave data signal 224 are typically parallel signals eight
`or ten bits wide. The data signals are offloaded as read
`without handshaking, so the receiving circuit must accept
`data at the rate presented. The synchronization signals 228.
`230 inform the receiving circuit how to interpret the data
`signals.
`The examples of FIGS. 1-2 show stereo imaging using a
`pair of CMOS image sensors, such as used in Stereo cam
`eras, but additional CMOS image sensors can be added as
`desired for particular applications. The master/slave organi
`zation of the CMOS image sensors facilitates use of addi
`tional CMOS image sensors. The additional CMOS image
`sensors can be used to provide additional depth information
`in the plane of the initial pair of CMOS image sensors or can
`acquire images in other planes. For example, a third CMOS
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`image sensor can be mounted along the same axis of and in
`the same plane as the initial pair of CMOS image sensors.
`In another example, a third CMOS image sensor can be
`mounted off the axis of and in the same plane as the initial
`pair of CMOS image sensors. In yet another example,
`additional CMOS image sensors can be mounted outside the
`plane of the initial pair of CMOS image sensors, such as in
`the plane perpendicular to the plane of the initial CMOS
`image sensors. Such arrangements can provide imaging
`along multiple axes for multiple views and increased pre
`cision.
`In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, additional CMOS
`image sensors can be connected by providing the clock
`signal 208, the control signal 212, and the timing signal 214
`to each additional CMOS image sensor. The master/slave
`selector pin for each additional CMOS image sensor is
`hardwired low to assign each additional CMOS image
`sensor as a slave. Each additional CMOS image sensor
`provides a slave data signal and a data ready signal to the
`receiving circuit.
`FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for stereo imaging
`using CMOS image sensors. A pair of CMOS image sensors
`is synchronized to acquire line-by-line image data simulta
`neously. Typically, the CMOS image sensors are located in
`the same plane and are offset by a distance to obtain
`three-dimensional information.
`A pair of CMOS image sensors is provided at 300. One of
`the pair of CMOS image sensors is assigned as a master
`CMOS image sensor and the other is assigned as a slave
`CMOS image sensor at 302. The slave CMOS image sensor
`is synchronized to the master CMOS image sensor at 304. In
`one embodiment, the CMOS image sensors are assigned as
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`master and slave CMOS image sensors using a control
`signal. In another embodiment, the CMOS image sensors are
`assigned as master and slave CMOS image sensors by
`hardwiring them as master and slave. Such as by setting the
`master/slave selector pin for each CMOS image sensor. In
`another embodiment, data from the master and slave CMOS
`image sensors can be interleaved into a single signal. In yet
`another embodiment, one or more additional CMOS image
`sensors can be provided and synchronized to the master
`CMOS image sensor.
`The slave CMOS image sensor is synchronized to the
`master CMOS image sensor by Synchronizing timing of the
`slave CMOS image sensor and the master CMOS image
`sensor within one line, although the synchronization can be
`within the timing of one pixel or one-half pixel. Any timing
`offset that provides three-dimensional imaging without error
`due to motion of the Subjects in the image constitutes
`“synchronization.”
`While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein
`are presently considered to be preferred, various changes
`and modifications can be made without departing from the
`scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is
`indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come
`within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to
`be embraced therein.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A method for stereo imaging using CMOS image
`sensors, the method comprising:
`providing a pair of CMOS image sensors;
`assigning one of the pair of CMOS image sensors as a
`waster CMOS image sensor and the other as a slave
`CMOS image sensor; and
`synchronizing line-by-line exposure of the slave CMOS
`image sensor to the master CMOS image sensor during
`image data acquisition.
`2. The method of claim 1, in which the assigning com
`prises using a control signal to assign the one of the pair of
`CMOS image sensors as the master CMOS image sensor.
`3. The method of claim 1, in which the assigning com
`prises hardwiring the one of the pair of CMOS image
`sensors as the master CMOS image sensor and the other of
`the pair of CMOS image sensors as the slave CMOS image
`SSO.
`4. The method of claim 1, in which the synchronizing
`comprises synchronizing timing of the slave CMOS image
`sensor and the master CMOS image sensor within one line.
`5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising:
`generating a master data signal using the master CMOS
`image sensor,
`generating a slave data signal using the slave CMOS
`image sensor, and
`interleaving the master data signal and the slave data
`signal.
`6. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising:
`providing at least one additional CMOS image sensor,
`assigning the additional CMOS image sensor as an addi
`tional slave CMOS image sensor; and
`synchronizing the additional CMOS image sensor so the
`master CMOS image sensor.
`7. A system for Stereo imaging using CMOS image
`sensors, the system comprising:
`a master CMOS image sensor connected so receive a
`control signal, the master CMOS image sensor gener
`ating a timing signal; and
`a slave CMOS image sensor connected to receive the
`control signal and the timing signal;
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`wherein the timing signal synchronizes line-by-line expo
`sure of the slave CMOS image sensor to the master
`CMOS image sensor during image data acquisition.
`8. The system of claim 7, in which the control signal is a
`serial control signal and additionally assigns the waster
`CMOS image sensor as master and the slave CMOS image
`sensor as slave.
`9. The system of claim 7, additionally comprising a clock
`generating a first clock signal and a second clock signal
`offset in phase from the first clock signal, wherein the master
`CMOS image sensor is connected to receive the first clock
`signal and the slave CMOS image sensor is connected to
`receive the second clock signal.
`10. The system of claim 9, in which:
`the master CMOS image sensor generates a master data
`signal;
`the slave CMOS image sensor generates a slave data
`signal;
`the system additionally comprises:
`a phase locked loop (PLL) connected to receive the
`second clock signal and generating double speed clock
`signal; and
`an interleaver connected to receive the master data signal,
`the slave data signal, and the double speed clock signal,
`the interleaver generating an interleaved data signal.
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`11. The system of claim 7, in which the master CMOS
`image sensor and the slave CMOS image sensor are serially
`connected to receive the control signal.
`12. The system of claim 7, in which the master CMOS
`image sensor comprises a first master/slave pin hardwired to
`30
`assign the master CMOS image sensor as master and the
`slave CMOS image sensor comprises a second master/slave
`pin hardwired to assign the slave CMOS image sensor as
`slave.
`13. The system of claim 7, additionally comprising a
`35
`clock generating a clock signal, wherein the master CMOS
`image sensor and the slave CMOS image sensor are con
`nected to receive the clock signal.
`14. The system of claim 7, in which the master CMOS
`image sensor and the slave CMOS image sensor are con
`40
`nected in parallel to receive the control signal.
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`15. The system of claim 7, in which the control signal is
`a serial control signal comprising an IC (Intelligent Inter
`face Controller) protocol signal.
`16. The system of claim 7, in which the timing signal
`synchronizes timing of the slave CMOS image sensor and
`the master CMOS image sensor within one line.
`17. The system of claim 7, additionally comprising at least
`one additional slave CMOS image sensor connected to
`receive the control signal and the timing signal.
`18. A system for Stereo imaging using CMOS image
`sensors, the system comprising:
`a pair of CMOS image sensors;
`means for assigning one of the pair of CMOS image
`sensors as a master CMOS image sensor and for
`assigning the other of the pair of CMOS image sensors
`as a slave CMOS image sensor; and
`means for synchronizing line-by-line exposure of the
`slave CMOS image sensor to the master CMOS image
`sensor during image data acquisition.
`19. The system of claim 18, in which:
`the master CMOS image sensor generates a master data
`signal;
`the slave CMOS image sensor generates a slave data
`signal; and
`the system additionally comprises:
`an interleaver connected to receive the master data signal
`and the slave data signal, the interleaver generating an
`interleaved data signal.
`20. The system of claim 18, additionally comprising:
`at least one additional CMOS image sensor;
`means for assigning the additional CMOS image sensor as
`an additional slave CMOS image sensor; and
`means for synchronizing the additional CMOS image
`sensor to the master CMOS image sensor.
`
`APPL-1034 / Page 8 of 8
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

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