Abstract: Systems and methods for extended color processing on Pelican array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of generating a high resolution image includes obtaining input images, where a first set of images includes information in a first band of visible wavelengths and a second set of images includes information in a second band of visible wavelengths and non-visible wavelengths, determining an initial estimate by combining the first set of images into a first fused image, combining the second set of images into a second fused image, spatially registering the fused images, denoising the fused images using bilateral filters, normalizing the second fused image in the photometric reference space of the first fused image, combining the fused images, determining a high resolution image that when mapped through a forward imaging transformation matches the input images within at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating restricted depth of field depth maps. In one embodiment, an image processing pipeline application configures a processor to: determine a desired focal plane distance and a range of distances corresponding to a restricted depth of field for an image rendered from a reference viewpoint; generate a restricted depth of field depth map from the reference viewpoint using the set of images captured from different viewpoints, where depth estimation precision is higher for pixels with depth estimates within the range of distances corresponding to the restricted depth of field and lower for pixels with depth estimates outside of the range of distances corresponding to the restricted depth of field; and render a restricted depth of field image from the reference viewpoint using the set of images captured from different viewpoints and the restricted depth of field depth map.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement one-dimensional array cameras, as well as modular array cameras using sub-array modules. In one embodiment, a 1×N array camera module includes: a 1×N arrangement of focal planes, where N is greater than or equal to 2, each focal plane includes a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels, and each focal plane not including pixels from another focal plane; and a 1×N arrangement of lens stacks, the arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the arrangement of focal planes so as to form a 1×N arrangement of cameras, each configured to independently capture an image of a scene, where each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to that of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array camera configurations that include a plurality of constituent array cameras, where each constituent array camera provides a distinct field of view and/or a distinct viewing direction, are described. In several embodiments, image data captured by the constituent array cameras is used to synthesize multiple images that are subsequently blended. In a number of embodiments, the blended images include a foveated region. In certain embodiments, the blended images possess a wider field of view than the fields of view of the multiple images.

Abstract: Array cameras, and array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks are disclosed. Processes for manufacturing array camera modules including independently aligned lens stacks can include: forming at least one hole in at least one carrier; mounting the at least one carrier relative to at least one sensor so that light passing through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier is incident on a plurality of focal planes formed by arrays of pixels on the at least one sensor; and independently mounting a plurality of lens barrels to the at least one carrier, so that a lens stack in each lens barrel directs light through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier and focuses the light onto one of the plurality of focal planes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing high resolution images using image deconvolution and depth information in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, an array camera includes a processor and a memory, wherein an image deconvolution application configures the processor to obtain light field image data, determine motion data based on metadata contained in the light field image data, generate a depth-dependent point spread function based on the synthesized high resolution image, the depth map, and the motion data, measure the quality of the synthesized high resolution image based on the generated depth-dependent point spread function, and when the measured quality of the synthesized high resolution image is within a quality threshold, incorporate the synthesized high resolution image into the light field image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed that use super-resolution (SR) processes to use information from a plurality of low resolution (LR) images captured by an array camera to produce a synthesized higher resolution image. One embodiment includes obtaining input images using the plurality of imagers, using a microprocessor to determine an initial estimate of at least a portion of a high resolution image using a plurality of pixels from the input images, and using a microprocessor to determine a high resolution image that when mapped through the forward imaging transformation matches the input images to within at least one predetermined criterion using the initial estimate of at least a portion of the high resolution image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the generating compressed light field representation data using captured light fields in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, an array camera includes a processor and a memory connected configured to store an image processing application, wherein the image processing application configures the processor to obtain image data, wherein the image data includes a set of images including a reference image and at least one alternate view image, generate a depth map based on the image data, determine at least one prediction image based on the reference image and the depth map, compute prediction error data based on the at least one prediction image and the at least one alternate view image, and generate compressed light field representation data based on the reference image, the prediction error data, and the depth map.

Abstract: A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement array cameras and array camera modules that have spectral filters disposed outside of constituent image sensors. In one embodiment, an array camera module includes: a lens stack array including lens elements arranged to form a plurality of optical channels, each optical channel including a field-of-view that is shifted with respect to the fields-of-views of each other optical channel so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene, a glass substrate located within an optical channel, and a spectral filter disposed within, or else proximate to, a glass substrate within the lens stack array; and an imager array including a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane includes a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels, and where each focal plane does not include pixels from another focal plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention utilize array cameras incorporating quantum dot color filters. One embodiment includes: lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers form a plurality of optical channels; at least one aperture located within each optical channel; at least one spectral filter located within each optical channel, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light; and at least one quantum dot color filter located within each optical channel to receive the specific spectral band of light passed by the at least one spectral filter located within the optical channel, where the at least one quantum dot color filter is configured to emit a spectral band of light having a bandwidth that is narrower than the specific spectral band of light passed by the at least one spectral filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extended color processing on Pelican array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of generating a high resolution image includes obtaining input images, where a first set of images includes information in a first band of visible wavelengths and a second set of images includes information in a second band of visible wavelengths and non-visible wavelengths, determining an initial estimate by combining the first set of images into a first fused image, combining the second set of images into a second fused image, spatially registering the fused images, denoising the fused images using bilateral filters, normalizing the second fused image in the photometric reference space of the first fused image, combining the fused images, determining a high resolution image that when mapped through a forward imaging transformation matches the input images within at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the generating compressed light field representation data using captured light fields in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, an array camera includes a processor and a memory connected configured to store an image processing application, wherein the image processing application configures the processor to obtain image data, wherein the image data includes a set of images including a reference image and at least one alternate view image, generate a depth map based on the image data, determine at least one prediction image based on the reference image and the depth map, compute prediction error data based on the at least one prediction image and the at least one alternate view image, and generate compressed light field representation data based on the reference image, the prediction error data, and the depth map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array camera configurations that include a plurality of constituent array cameras, where each constituent array camera provides a distinct field of view and/or a distinct viewing direction, are described. In several embodiments, image data captured by the constituent array cameras is used to synthesize multiple images that are subsequently blended. In a number of embodiments, the blended images include a foveated region. In certain embodiments, the blended images possess a wider field of view than the fields of view of the multiple images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. Lens stack arrays in accordance with many embodiments of the invention include lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers are configured to form a plurality of optical channels, at least one aperture located within each optical channel, at least one spectral filter located within each optical channel, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light, and light blocking materials located within the lens stack array to optically isolate the optical channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement modular array cameras using sub-array modules. In one embodiment, an X×Y sub-array module includes: an X×Y arrangement of focal planes, where X and Y are each greater than or equal to 1; and an X×Y arrangement of lens stacks, the X×Y arrangement of lens stacks being disposed relative to the X×Y arrangement of focal planes so as to form an X×Y arrangement of cameras, where each lens stack has a field of view that is shifted with respect to the field-of-views of each other lens stack so that each shift includes a sub-pixel shifted view of the scene; and image data output circuitry that is configured to output image data from the X×Y sub-array module that can be aggregated with image data from other sub-array modules so that an image of the scene can be constructed.

Abstract: A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention actively align a lens stack array with an array of focal planes to construct an array camera module. In one embodiment, a method for actively aligning a lens stack array with a sensor that has a focal plane array includes: aligning the lens stack array relative to the sensor in an initial position; varying the spatial relationship between the lens stack array and the sensor; capturing images of a known target that has a region of interest using a plurality of active focal planes at different spatial relationships; scoring the images based on the extent to which the region of interest is focused in the images; selecting a spatial relationship between the lens stack array and the sensor based on a comparison of the scores; and forming an array camera subassembly based on the selected spatial relationship.