Prior art

The following analysis is based on US Patent 7916180, titled "Simultaneous multiple field of view digital cameras," which was published on March 29, 2011. The application filing date for this patent is April 19, 2007, with a priority date of August 25, 2004, claimed from US11/212,803. The core invention relates to digital cameras capable of simultaneously acquiring image data via multiple channels, each with independent image sensors and different fields of view (FOV). A processing component is configured to control simultaneous data acquisition and combine data to provide a high-resolution image.

To identify the most relevant prior art, we examine the "References Cited" section of US7916180B2 as found on Google Patents.

Analysis of Relevant Prior Art for US7916180:

Given the extensive list of cited patents, many of which share inventors and are related to image sensor technology (particularly a large number by "Maeng et al."), the most relevant prior art for anticipating the core inventive concept of US7916180 (simultaneous multiple fields of view) would typically be those that disclose systems with multiple image sensors or optical paths that might enable different fields of view, or methods of processing images from such systems.

It is important to note that a full anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would require a detailed claim-by-claim comparison, which is beyond the scope of this high-level review. The following assessments are based on the general description of the cited patents' abstracts and titles as commonly found in patent databases.

For the purpose of identifying "most relevant" prior art, we will focus on earlier patents that broadly cover aspects of multiple image sensors, multiple optical paths, or varying fields of view, rather than more specific signal processing or pixel structure improvements that are common in many of the Maeng et al. patents. The sheer volume of "Maeng et al." patents with similar titles suggests a large family of related inventions, likely focusing on various aspects of CMOS image sensor design and manufacturing, but without detailed review, it's difficult to pinpoint which, if any, specifically teach the simultaneous multiple field of view aspect central to US7916180. Therefore, a selection of patents focusing on camera systems with multiple imaging elements, even if not explicitly "multiple FOV," would be more broadly relevant to the system's architecture.

Selected Potentially Relevant Prior Art References:

1. U.S. Patent 4,651,200 A

   • Full Citation: US4651200A, "Television camera for taking a photograph or the like with a picture angle switching function," invented by Kawamura, issued March 17, 1987.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Issued March 17, 1987; Filed September 17, 1985.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a television camera capable of switching between different picture angles (fields of view). It includes a first imaging system for a wide picture angle and a second imaging system for a narrow picture angle. While it mentions "switching," indicating sequential acquisition, the concept of having multiple optical systems for different fields of view in a single camera is pertinent.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates the broad concept of a camera system having multiple channels for different fields of view. However, it specifically describes a switching function, which implies sequential capture rather than the simultaneous acquisition emphasized in US7916180. Claims relating to the presence of multiple channels with different fields of view (e.g., portions of the independent camera channels for different fields of view) might be partially anticipated, but the "simultaneous" aspect would likely differentiate US7916180.

2. U.S. Patent 5,379,064 A

   • Full Citation: US5379064A, "Electronic camera having a plurality of image pickup elements and a plurality of photographic optical systems," invented by Sugahara, issued January 3, 1995.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Issued January 3, 1995; Filed October 22, 1993.
   • Brief Description: This patent discloses an electronic camera with multiple photographic optical systems and corresponding image pickup elements. The camera can capture images from different directions or with different magnifications. This directly relates to the concept of multiple optical paths and image sensors within a single camera body.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates claims of US7916180 that generally describe a digital camera system with two or more camera channels, each including an optics component and an image sensor. The mention of "different magnifications" could be interpreted as different fields of view. However, like US4651200, it would depend on whether "simultaneous" capture and independent control of those channels for high-resolution images across different FOVs are explicitly taught or made obvious.

3. U.S. Patent 5,946,031 A

   • Full Citation: US5946031A, "Digital camera having a plurality of lens units for performing a digital zoom," invented by Yamamoto et al., issued August 31, 1999.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Issued August 31, 1999; Filed April 22, 1998.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a digital camera with multiple lens units (e.g., wide-angle and telephoto) and image pickup devices. It can perform digital zoom by selecting or combining images from different lens units. This directly addresses having multiple optical paths and sensors for different magnifications/fields of view.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it describes a digital camera with multiple lens units and image sensors for different zoom levels (different fields of view). While it mentions "digital zoom" which often implies processing after capture, the underlying hardware structure (multiple optics and sensors) and the idea of combining data are relevant. Claims in US7916180 related to the architecture of multiple camera channels with different fields of view, and a processing component to combine data, could be potentially anticipated by this patent, depending on the specifics of the simultaneous acquisition and independent control aspects.

4. U.S. Patent 6,184,896 B1

   • Full Citation: US6184896B1, "System and method for processing image signals in a digital camera," invented by Maeng et al., issued February 6, 2001.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Issued February 6, 2001; Filed November 12, 1999.
   • Brief Description: This patent focuses on signal processing within a digital camera, particularly for handling image signals from an image sensor. While it doesn't explicitly describe multiple fields of view, many of the "Maeng et al." patents cited relate to image sensor technology. This specific patent might be relevant to the processing component of US7916180, which "generates an image or data based at least in part on information of the output signal" and "generates a combined image."
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Although this patent (and many others by Maeng et al.) may not directly disclose multiple fields of view, they could potentially anticipate elements of US7916180's claims regarding the processing component, image sensor architecture, or aspects of color processing, especially if US7916180's claims extend to these details beyond the multiple FOV concept. For instance, claims relating to signal processing circuitry that receives signals from photo detectors, processes them, and outputs a color image could be broadly anticipated if not for the specific multi-FOV context.

General Assessment of the "Maeng et al." Patents:
The vast number of patents by Maeng et al. (over 200 cited by US7916180) typically describe various improvements in CMOS image sensors, such as pixel structures, readout circuits, noise reduction, and manufacturing processes. Without a detailed review of each, it is difficult to identify which specific ones would anticipate the simultaneous multiple field of view aspect of US7916180. It is more likely that these patents individually disclose elements used in image sensors (e.g., pixel arrays, signal processing circuitry) rather than the overall system architecture of multiple, simultaneously operating channels with different fields of view as claimed in US7916180. They would generally be relevant for anticipating particular components or sub-processes mentioned in dependent claims of US7916180, such as the specific configuration of photo-detectors or signal processing techniques, but less likely to anticipate the overarching system claim of simultaneous multiple FOV cameras.