Patents Assigned to Pelican Imaging Corporation
-
Patent number: 9041824Abstract: 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, determining an initial estimate of at least a portion of a high resolution image using a plurality of pixels from the input images, and determining 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. In addition, each forward imaging transformation corresponds to the manner in which each imager generates the input images, and the high resolution image has a resolution that is greater than any of the input images.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Dan Lelescu, Gabriel Molina, Kartik Venkataraman
-
Patent number: 9041823Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
-
Patent number: 9042667Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map to create a rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: PELICAN IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9041829Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
-
Patent number: 9036928Abstract: Systems and methods configured to store images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files and render images using the stored image and the metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata including the depth map.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: PELICAN IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9036931Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map to create a rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: PELICAN IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9031342Abstract: Systems and methods configured to store images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files and render images using the stored image and the metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata including the depth map.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9031335Abstract: Systems and methods configured to store images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files and render images using the stored image and the metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata including the depth map.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9031343Abstract: Systems and methods configured to store images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files and render images using the stored image and the metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata including the depth map.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9025895Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map to create a rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 9025894Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map to create a rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Patent number: 8957976Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
-
Patent number: 8957977Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis, Jacques Duparre, Shane Ching-Feng Hu
-
Systems and methods for synthesizing higher resolution images using images captured by camera arrays
Patent number: 8957978Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis -
Patent number: 8957975Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
-
Patent number: 8928793Abstract: Architectures for imager arrays configured for use in array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data, and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventor: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
-
Publication number: 20140376826Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map to create a rendered image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
-
Publication number: 20140355870Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis, Jacques Duparre, Shane Ching-Feng Hu
-
Patent number: 8902321Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
-
Publication number: 20140347748Abstract: A variety of optical arrangements and methods of modifying or enhancing the optical characteristics and functionality of these optical arrangements are provided. The optical arrangements being specifically designed to operate with camera arrays that incorporate an imaging device that is formed of a plurality of imagers that each include 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Pelican Imaging CorporationInventor: Jacques Duparre