{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854146","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854146","title":"Imaging apparatus with two image sensors","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":25,"abstract":"A pair of pupil regions of an exit pupil, through which light beams received by a pair of photoelectric conversion units included in a pixel portion of a first image sensor respectively pass, are overlapped. A pair of pupil regions of an exit pupil, through which light beams received by a pair of photoelectric conversion units included in a pixel portion of a second image sensor respectively pass, are overlapped. A second base length, which is a distance between centroids of the pair of pupil regions corresponding to the pair of photoelectric conversion units included in the pixel portion of the second image sensor, is longer than a first base length, which is a distance between centroids of the pair of pupil regions corresponding to the pair of photoelectric conversion units included in the pixel portion of the first image sensor."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors patent presents a novel approach to digital image capture by utilizing a dual-sensor architecture. The core innovation lies in overlapping the pupil regions of two image sensors, each containing photoelectric conversion units. This design aims to enhance light capture and depth perception, addressing the limitations of traditional single-sensor systems, especially in low-light conditions. By strategically overlapping the light beams received by the two sensors, the system captures more light and provides more detailed depth information, leading to improved image clarity and reduced noise. The business value of this technology lies in its potential applications across various industries, including smartphones, security cameras, and medical imaging. In smartphones, it could lead to better low-light performance and improved portrait mode capabilities. In security cameras, it could enable clearer images at night. In medical imaging, it could improve the accuracy of diagnostic images. The market opportunity for this technology is significant, driven by the increasing demand for higher-quality images and enhanced imaging capabilities in various applications. The Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors offers a promising path toward achieving these goals and represents a valuable advancement in image sensor technology. This innovation could lead to increased revenue for companies implementing the technology and provide a competitive edge in the market. The system is designed to enhance image clarity and reduce noise in challenging lighting environments.","layman_explanation":"The Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors patent addresses the challenge of capturing high-quality images, particularly in low-light conditions, which is a common problem for cameras. Existing solutions, such as increasing pixel size or using image stabilization, have limitations that affect image resolution and clarity. This patent offers a novel approach by using two image sensors with strategically overlapping light capture areas, similar to how our two eyes provide better depth perception than one. \n\nInstead of one sensor trying to capture all the light, this system uses two sensors, each capturing a slightly different perspective of the same scene. By overlapping the areas where each sensor gathers light, the system can collect more light overall, resulting in brighter and clearer images, especially in dimly lit environments. The key is that the distance between the 'eyes' (sensors) is different, allowing the system to gather more depth information. This is similar to how our brain uses the slight difference between what each eye sees to judge distance.\n\nThis innovation matters because it has the potential to significantly improve the quality of images captured by smartphones, security cameras, medical imaging devices, and other applications. By providing clearer and more detailed images, this technology could enhance the user experience, improve security, and enable more accurate medical diagnoses. The competitive advantage lies in the ability to capture higher-quality images in challenging lighting conditions, which is a key selling point for many consumer and professional products. \n\nThe future applications of this technology could include advanced 3D imaging, improved facial recognition, and enhanced augmented reality experiences. The market adoption timeline will depend on the cost and complexity of implementing the dual-sensor system, but the potential benefits are significant enough to drive adoption in various industries. From an investment perspective, this patent represents a valuable asset in the digital imaging space, with the potential to generate significant returns through licensing or product development.","technical_analysis":"The Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors patent details a dual-sensor architecture designed to improve image quality and depth perception. The system comprises two image sensors, each with a pair of photoelectric conversion units. The key technical aspect is the overlapping of the pupil regions through which light beams pass. A critical parameter is the difference in the distance between the centroids of these pupil regions on the two sensors. This difference allows for enhanced depth perception and improved image clarity. The implementation requires precise alignment of the two sensors to ensure accurate overlapping of the pupil regions. Sophisticated algorithms are needed to process the data from both sensors and generate a final image. The system's performance characteristics include improved light capture, higher signal-to-noise ratio, and enhanced depth accuracy. The code-level implications involve developing efficient image processing algorithms to combine the data from the two sensors. Integration patterns would involve incorporating this dual-sensor system into existing camera modules. The technical architecture focuses on maximizing light capture and depth information while minimizing noise and distortion. This patent represents a significant advancement in image sensor technology and offers a promising path toward achieving higher-quality images in various applications. The design addresses the limitations of single-sensor systems in capturing sufficient light and depth information, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The overlapping pupil regions and the varying distances between the centroids of these regions are crucial to the functionality of this system.","business_analysis":"The Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors patent presents a significant business opportunity in the digital imaging market. The core innovation of the dual-sensor architecture with overlapping pupil regions addresses the growing demand for higher-quality images, particularly in low-light conditions. The market opportunity size is substantial, spanning across various industries, including smartphones, security cameras, and medical imaging. The competitive advantages of this technology include improved light capture, enhanced depth perception, and reduced noise, which can lead to superior image quality compared to existing single-sensor systems. The revenue potential is significant, as this technology can be licensed to camera manufacturers or integrated into proprietary products. Potential business models include licensing the patent to camera manufacturers, developing and selling camera modules with this technology, and integrating the technology into end-user products such as smartphones and security cameras. The strategic positioning of this technology is to target the high-end segment of the digital imaging market, where image quality is a critical factor. ROI projections indicate a strong return on investment, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality images and the competitive advantages of this technology. The implementation of the Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors could provide a significant competitive advantage to companies that adopt it. The technology addresses the limitations of single-sensor systems in capturing sufficient light and depth information, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The overlapping pupil regions and the varying distances between the centroids of these regions are crucial to the functionality of this system.","faqs":null,"topics":["dual image sensor","image sensor","low light photography","depth perception","camera technology","imaging","apparatus","image"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Dual Image Sensor System - Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors","description":"Explore the Imaging Apparatus with Two Image Sensors patent, featuring a dual-sensor design for enhanced image quality and depth perception. Read our analysis!","keywords":["dual image sensor","image sensor","low light photography","depth perception","camera technology","digital imaging","patent","patent US-9854146"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854146","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854146","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Imaging apparatus with two image sensors\" (US-9854146). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854146","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854146","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854146","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T08:35:25.317Z"}