Thin form factor computational array cameras and modular array cameras

A 1×N array camera module comprising:na plurality of 1×X sub-array modules, each comprising:na 1×X arrangement of focal planes, wherein:nX is greater than or equal to 1;each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels;each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; andthe 1×X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×X sub-array module; anda 1×X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, wherein each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from other 1×X sub-array modules to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of: another 1×X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module;nwherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled 1×X sub-array module or a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module;wherein the plurality of 1×X sub-array modules are positioned in a one-dimensional arrangement so as to form a 1×N arrangement of cameras; and wherein N is greater than or equal to 2.

A 1×X sub-array module comprising:na 1×X arrangement of focal planes, wherein:nX is greater than or equal to 1;each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels;each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; andthe 1×X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×X sub-array module;a 1×X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, wherein each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from another 1×X sub-array module to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of: another 1×X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module;nwherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module.

A 1×N array camera comprising:na plurality of 1×X sub-array modules, each comprising:na 1×X arrangement of focal planes, wherein:nX is greater than or equal to 1;each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels;each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane; andthe 1×X arrangement of focal planes is embodied within an integrated circuit that does not include any focal planes of another 1×X sub-array module; anda 1×X arrangement of lens stacks, the 1×X arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the 1×X arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×X arrangement of cameras, each of which being configured to independently capture an image of a scene, where each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene;image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the 1×X sub-array module that is capable of being aggregated with image data from other 1×X sub-array modules to construct an image of the scene; andinterface circuitry configured to couple, either directly or indirectly, with one of: another 1×X sub-array module or a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module;nwherein the interface circuitry is configured to transmit output image data to a directly or indirectly coupled 1×X sub-array module or a directly or indirectly coupled processor that is in electrical communication with at least one other 1×X sub-array module;wherein the plurality of 1×X sub-array modules are positioned in a one-dimensional arrangement so as to form a 1×N arrangement of cameras; wherein N is greater than or equal to 2; anda processor that is configured to construct an image of the scene using image data generated by the 1×N arrangement of cameras.