A digital stereo camera using a single sensor array to take both left and
right images for stereo (three-dimensional) image capture. In one
embodiment, a micro-lens array is used to focus, at a first instant in
time, light ("left light") from a left lens system onto a sensor array
for left image capture. Then, the micro-lens array is moved to focus
light ("right light") from a right lens system onto the sensor array for
right image capture. In another embodiment, a portion of the left light
(the portion having a first polarized direction) and a portion of the
right light (the portion having a second polarized direction) are
directed to a sensor array; the second polarized direction being
orthogonal to the first polarized direction. To capture the left image, a
polarization filter is used to allow the left light (having the first
polarized direction) to pass toward the sensor array while preventing the
right light (having the second polarized direction) from reaching the
sensor array. To capture the right image, polarization direction of the
polarization filter is switched to allow only the right light (having the
second polarized direction) to reach the sensor array.