Toshiba launched the world"s first dual camera module for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014 in Las Vegas today.
CES 2014 has already seen the launch of laptops with 4K displays from Toshiba, now, Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) has launched the industry"s first dual camera module which would provide mobile devices the ability to simultaneously shoot images and gather depth data.
Toshiba has made available a handful of the TCM9518MD dual camera modules for testing on devices for manufacturers. According to the press release, the dual camera combined with a dedicated companion LSI chip deliver highly focused images by processing the depth data obtained. The module incorporates two 1/4 inch optical format 5-megapixel CMOS camera modules. The LSI chip measures and appends depth data to objects in the image. The camera is also capable of capturing upscaled images of 13 megapixels while utilizing a thinner sensor due to lack of focus motors.
The new computational camera as Toshiba calls it, is expected to bring many new possibilities to digital imaging compared to standard cameras. Andrew Burt, vice president of the Image Sensor Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC said that, "We expect the TCM9518MD to drive new applications for smartphone, tablets and mobile devices including refocus and defocus; highlighting objects in a scene and then editing, cropping etc.; as well as image and gesture operation."
Image via Toshiba