Abstract: A light-field optical image system with dual mode, having a main lens (103), a microlens array (102), an image sensor (101) and a first actuator (201) configured to cause a relative displacement between the image sensor (101) and the microlens array (102) to switch between at least two different optical configurations including: a light-field configuration, in which the image sensor (101) and the microlens array (102) are separated by a first distance (107a) that allows the image sensor (101) to capture a light-field image; and a 2D imaging configuration, in which the image sensor (101) and the microlens array (102) are separated by a second distance (107b), lower than the first distance (107a), that allows the image sensor (101) to avoid the light-field effect.

Abstract: A plenoptic camera for mobile devices is provided, having a main lens, a microlens array, an image sensor, and a first reflective element configured to reflect the light rays captured by the plenoptic camera before arriving at the image sensor, in order to fold the optical path of the light captured by the camera before impinging the image sensor. Additional reflective elements may also be used to further fold the light path inside the camera. The reflective elements can be prisms, mirrors or reflective surfaces of three-sided optical elements having two refractive surfaces that form a lens element of the main lens. By equipping mobile devices with this plenoptic camera, the focal length can be greatly increased while maintaining the thickness of the mobile device under current constraints.

Abstract: A plenoptic camera for mobile devices is provided, having a main lens, a microlens array, an image sensor, and a first reflective element configured to reflect the light rays captured by the plenoptic camera before arriving at the image sensor, in order to fold the optical path of the light captured by the camera before impinging the image sensor. Additional reflective elements may also be used to further fold the light path inside the camera. The reflective elements can be prisms, mirrors or reflective surfaces of three-sided optical elements having two refractive surfaces that form a lens element of the main lens. By equipping mobile devices with this plenoptic camera, the focal length can be greatly increased while maintaining the thickness of the mobile device under current constraints.

Abstract: A method for obtaining depth information from a scene is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of: a) acquiring a plurality of images of the scene by means of at least one camera during a time of shot wherein the plurality of images offer at least two different views of the scene; b) for each of the images of step a), simultaneously acquiring data about the position of the images referred to a six-axis reference system; c) selecting from the images of step b) at least two images; d) rectifying the images selected on step c) thereby generating a set of rectified images; and e) generating a depth map from the rectified images. Additionally devices for carrying out the method are disclosed.

Abstract: A microlens array that corrects the problems caused by aberrations and non-paraxiality of microlenses is provided. The microlens array has a plurality of microlenses tilted a tilting degree (?, ?) depending on the position of the microlens in the microlens array. Simultaneously, or alternatively, the distances Pul(i) between optical centres (Pi, Pi?1) of adjacent microlenses depend on their positions in the microlens array. Both these distances Pul(i) and the tilting degrees (?, ?) are dependent normally increasing upon the distance to the center of the microlens array. The size of the microlenses may also increase with the distance to the center of the microlens array. An opaque layer may also be applied covering the edges of adjacent microlenses.

Abstract: A trolling assembly with breakaway system, that has a movable arm assembly, an adjustable assembly, a mounting assembly, which has an extension arm having a first angle, an arm connector assembly, an actuator assembly, and a shield arm assembly that defines an acute angle, while in a deployed configuration, with a water line that a sea vessel is in while in a path of travel to shield a fishing line and baits and/or lures from seaweed and debris by pushing the seaweed and debris upwardly towards the water line along a tapered end of the shield arm assembly to then be released. The shield arm assembly, in the deployed configuration, extends outwardly from the sea vessel to define a second angle, and is fixedly connected to the arm connector assembly providing the shield arm assembly a predetermined resistance to maintain the acute angle while in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A device and method for obtaining depth information from a light field is provided. The method generating a plurality of epipolar images from a light field captured by a light field acquisition device; an edge detection step for detecting, in the epipolar images, edges of objects in the scene captured by the light field acquisition device; for each epipolar image, detecting valid epipolar lines formed by a set of edges; and determining the slopes of the valid epipolar lines. In a preferred embodiment, the method extend the epipolar images with additional information of images captured by additional image acquisition devices and obtain extended epipolar lines. The edge detection step calculates a second spatial derivative for each pixel of the epipolar images and detects the zero-crossings of the second spatial derivatives.

Abstract: A method for obtaining depth information from a scene is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of: a) acquiring a plurality of images of the scene by means of at least one camera during a time of shot wherein the plurality of images offer at least two different views of the scene; b) for each of the images of step a), simultaneously acquiring data about the position of the images referred to a six-axis reference system; c) selecting from the images of step b) at least two images; d) rectifying the images selected on step c) thereby generating a set of rectified images; and e) generating a depth map from the rectified images. Additionally devices for carrying out the method are disclosed.

Abstract: A microlens array that corrects the problems caused by aberrations and non-paraxiality of microlenses is provided. The microlens array has a plurality of microlenses tilted a tilting degree (?,?) depending on the position of the microlens in the microlens array. Simultaneously, or alternatively, the distances Pul(i) between optical centres (Pi,Pi?1) of adjacent microlenses depend on their positions in the microlens array. Both these distances Pul(i) and the tilting degrees (?,?) are dependent normally increasing upon the distance to the center of the microlens array. The size of the microlenses may also increase with the distance to the center of the microlens array. An opaque layer may also be applied covering the edges of adjacent microlenses.

Abstract: A device and method for obtaining depth information from a light field is provided. The method generating a plurality of epipolar images from a light field captured by a light field acquisition device; an edge detection step for detecting, in the epipolar images, edges of objects in the scene captured by the light field acquisition device; for each epipolar image, detecting valid epipolar lines formed by a set of edges; and determining the slopes of the valid epipolar lines. In a preferred embodiment, the method extend the epipolar images with additional information of images captured by additional image acquisition devices and obtain extended epipolar lines. The edge detection step calculates a second spatial derivative for each pixel of the epipolar images and detects the zero-crossings of the second spatial derivatives.

Abstract: A trolling assembly structured to protect at least a portion of a fishing line from water-borne debris while trolling in a body of water from a boat includes a first positioning assembly attached to the boat and being adjustable to facilitate positioning the portion of the fishing line in a first predetermined spaced relation to the boat, and a second positioning assembly interconnected to the first positioning assembly and being positionable to facilitate positioning the portion of the fishing line in a second predetermined spaced relation to the boat. The trolling assembly also includes a shield assembly, interconnected to the second positioning assembly, which is structured to releasably retain the portion of the fishing line below a surface of the body of water while trolling, and to protect at least the portion of the fishing line from water-borne debris while trolling.

Abstract: A trolling assembly structured to protect at least a portion of a fishing line from water-borne debris while trolling in a body of water from a boat includes a first positioning assembly attached to the boat and being adjustable to facilitate positioning the portion of the fishing line in a first predetermined spaced relation to the boat, and a second positioning assembly interconnected to the first positioning assembly and being positionable to facilitate positioning the portion of the fishing line in a second predetermined spaced relation to the boat. The trolling assembly also includes a shield assembly, interconnected to the second positioning assembly, which is structured to releasably retain the portion of the fishing line below a surface of the body of water while trolling, and to protect at least the portion of the fishing line from water-borne debris while trolling.