Toshiba develops Camera Module for Smartphones, Tablets

Toshiba has developed a dual-sensor camera module incorporating two 1/4-inch Type 5 MP CMOS image sensors for Smartphones and Tablet computers. The TCM9518MD camera calculates the distance between a camera and objects by using parallax between the two image sensors while capturing pan-focus images. The distance information can be used by camera designers as depth data. This makes it possible to have a focus adjustment and object extraction feature and create blurred images after the capture. Even though the two image sensors are 5 MP CMOS, the resolution enhancement feature built in the companion LSI makes it possible to increase the output resolution of still images to the same level as 13 MP Smartphone cameras. Toshiba plans to start shipping sample modules to Smartphone and Tablet manufacturers in January next year.