Sharp unveils 3D camera module for mobile devices

Electronics giant Sharp Corporation announced the development of a 3D camera module optimized for mobile devices, enabling users to capture 3D video images in high-definition format. According to Sharp, 3D images are made up of two views taken using two cameras that simultaneously capture separate images for each human eye--as a result, a 3D camera requires peripheral circuitry to process both images, but the new Sharp module incorporates functions to process the image data output by the left and right cameras, including Color Synchronizing Processing to adjust color and brightness, Timing Synchronizing Processing to synchronize the timing of the video signals, and Optical Axis Control Processing to correct positioning. Sharp adds that it Fast Readout Technology accelerates video data transfer from the image sensor, enabling 3D image capture in high-resolution HD mode.

Sharp will begin shipping samples of the 3D camera modules in July, with mass production slated to begin later this year. Last month, the company announced the development of a 3D touchscreen LCD enabling users to view 3D images without wearing special glasses, which the firm says makes the LCD ideal for smartphones, digital cameras and portable media devices. According to Sharp, the LCD employs a parallax barrier system including a series of vertical slits incorporated into an ordinary LCD to control the path of light reaching the user's eyes, effectively creating a sense of depth. Advances in CG-Silicon technology enable both high brightness and low crosstalk to bolster image quality. Sharp adds that 3D images can be displayed in both portrait and landscape screen orientations, further optimizing the viewing experience on smartphones.

For more on the Sharp 3D camera module:
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