Abstract: An image such as a light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array. The image may be received in a data store along with a depth map that indicates depths at which objects in different portions of the image are disposed. A function may be applied to the depth map to generate a mask that defines a gradual transition between the different depths. An effect may be applied to the image through the use of the mask such that applicability of the effect is determined by the mask. A processed image may be generated. The first effect may be present in the processed image, as applied previously. The processed image may be displayed on a display device. If desired, multiple effects may be applied through the generation of multiple masks, depth maps, and/or intermediate images prior to generation of the processed image.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein serve to at least partially compensate for departures of an actual main lens of a light-field camera from the properties of an ideal main lens. Light-field data may be captured and processed through the use of product calibration data and unit calibration data. The product calibration data may be descriptive of departure of a main lens design of the light-field camera from an ideal main lens design. The unit calibration data may be descriptive of departure of the actual main lens of the light-field camera from the main lens design. Corrected light-field data may be generated as a result of the processing, and may be used to generate a light-field image.

Abstract: An image such as a light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array. The image may be received in a data store along with a depth map that indicates depths at which objects in different portions of the image are disposed. A function may be applied to the depth map to generate a mask that defines a gradual transition between the different depths. An effect may be applied to the image through the use of the mask such that applicability of the effect is determined by the mask. A processed image may be generated. The first effect may be present in the processed image, as applied previously. The processed image may be displayed on a display device. If desired, multiple effects may be applied through the generation of multiple masks, depth maps, and/or intermediate images prior to generation of the processed image.

Abstract: A light-field camera may generate four-dimensional light-field data indicative of incoming light. The light-field camera may have an aperture configured to receive the incoming light, an image sensor, and a microlens array configured to redirect the incoming light at the image sensor. The image sensor may receive the incoming light and, based on the incoming light, generate the four-dimensional light-field data, which may have first and second spatial dimensions and first and second angular dimensions. The first angular dimension may have a first resolution higher than a second resolution of the second angular dimension.

Abstract: An image capture device, such as a camera, has multiple modes including a light field image capture mode, a conventional 2D image capture mode, and at least one intermediate image capture mode. By changing position and/or properties of the microlens array (MLA) in front of the image sensor, changes in 2D spatial resolution and angular resolution can be attained. In at least one embodiment, such changes can be performed in a continuous manner, allowing a continuum of intermediate modes to be attained.

Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.

Abstract: A camera may have two or more image sensors, including a first image sensor and a second image sensor. The camera may have a main lens that directs incoming light along an optical path, and microlens array positioned within the optical path. The camera may also have two or more fiber optic bundles, including first and second fiber optic bundles with first and second leading ends, respectively. A first trailing end of the first fiber optic bundle may be positioned proximate the first image sensor, and a second trailing end of the second fiber optic bundle may be positioned proximate the second image sensor, displaced from the first trailing end by a gap. The leading ends may be positioned adjacent to each other within the optical path such that image data captured by the image sensors can be combined to define a single light-field image substantially unaffected by the gap.

Abstract: A compressed format provides more efficient storage for light-field pictures. A specialized player is configured to project virtual views from the compressed format. According to various embodiments, the compressed format and player are designed so that implementations using readily available computing equipment are able to project new virtual views from the compressed data at rates suitable for interactivity. Virtual-camera parameters, including but not limited to focus distance, depth of field, and center of perspective, may be varied arbitrarily within the range supported by the light-field picture, with each virtual view expressing the parameter values specified at its computation time. In at least one embodiment, compressed light-field pictures containing multiple light-field images may be projected to a single virtual view, also at interactive or near-interactive rates.

Abstract: A capture system may capture light-field data representative of an environment for use in virtual reality, augmented reality, and the like. The system may have a plurality of light-field cameras arranged to capture a light-field volume within the environment, and a processor. The processor may use the light-field volume to generate a first virtual view depicting the environment from a first virtual viewpoint. The light-field cameras may be arranged in a tiled array to define a capture surface with a ring-shaped, spherical, or other arrangement. The processor may map the pixels captured by the image sensors to light rays received in the light-field volume, and store data descriptive of the light rays in a coordinate system representative of the light-field volume.

Abstract: A light field data acquisition device includes optics and a light field sensor to acquire light field image data of a scene. In at least one embodiment, the light field sensor is located at a substantially fixed, predetermined distance relative to the focal point of the optics. In response to user input, the light field acquires the light field image data of the scene, and a storage device stores the acquired data. Such acquired data can subsequently be used to generate a plurality of images of the scene using different virtual focus depths.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein process light-field image data so as to prevent, mitigate, and/or remove artifacts and/or other image degradation effects. A light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array. Based on a depth map of the light-field image, a plurality of layers may be created, and samples from the light-field image may be projected onto the layers to create a plurality of layer images. The layer images may be processed with one or more algorithms such as an inpainting algorithm to fill null values, a reconstruction algorithm to correct degradation effects from capture, and/or an enhancement algorithm to adjust the color, brightness, contrast, and/or sharpness of the layer image. Then, the layer images may be combined to generate a processed light-field image.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a solid spacing layer between a plenoptic microlens array (MLA) and a pixel-level MLA, avoiding the need for an air gap. Such an assembly, and systems and methods for manufacturing same, can yield improved reliability and efficiency of production, and can avoid many of the problems associated with prior art approaches. In at least one embodiment, the plenoptic MLA, the spacing layer, and the pixel-level MLA are created from optically transmissive polymer(s) deposited on the photosensor array and shaped using photolithographic techniques. Such an approach improves precision in placement and dimensions, and avoids other problems associated with conventional polymer-on-glass architectures. Further variations and techniques are described.

Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.

Abstract: A dual-mode light field camera or plenoptic camera is enabled to perform both 3D light field imaging and conventional high-resolution 2D imaging, depending on the selected mode. In particular, an active system is provided that enables the microlenses to be optically or effectively turned on or turned off, allowing the camera to selectively operate as a 2D imaging camera or a 3D light field camera.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein facilitate the design of plenoptic camera lens systems to enhance camera resolution. A first configuration for the plenoptic camera may first be selected, with a first plurality of variables that define attributes of the plenoptic camera. The attributes may include a main lens attribute of a main lens of the plenoptic camera and/or a phase mask attribute of a phase mask of the plenoptic camera. A merit function may be applied by simulating receipt of light through the main lens and the plurality of microlenses of the first configuration to calculate a first merit function value. The main lens attribute and/or the phase mask attribute may be iteratively perturbed, and the merit function may be re-applied. An optimal set of variables may be identified by comparing results of successive applications of the merit function.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a solid spacing layer between a plenoptic microlens array (MLA) and a pixel-level MLA, avoiding the need for an air gap. Such an assembly, and systems and methods for manufacturing same, can yield improved reliability and efficiency of production, and can avoid many of the problems associated with prior art approaches. In at least one embodiment, the plenoptic MLA, the spacing layer, and the pixel-level MLA are created from optically transmissive polymer(s) deposited on the photosensor array and shaped using photolithographic techniques. Such an approach improves precision in placement and dimensions, and avoids other problems associated with conventional polymer-on-glass architectures. Further variations and techniques are described.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, the optical systems of light field capture devices are optimized so as to improve captured light field image data. Optimizing optical systems of light field capture devices can result in captured light field image data (both still and video) that is cheaper and/or easier to process. Optical systems can be optimized to yield improved quality or resolution when using cheaper processing approaches whose computational costs fit within various processing and/or resource constraints. As such, the optical systems of light field cameras can be optimized to reduce size and/or cost and/or increase the quality of such optical systems.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein process light-field image data so as to prevent, mitigate, and/or remove artifacts and/or other image degradation effects. A light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array. Based on a depth map of the light-field image, a plurality of layers may be created, and samples from the light-field image may be projected onto the layers to create a plurality of layer images. The layer images may be processed with one or more algorithms such as an inpainting algorithm to fill null values, a reconstruction algorithm to correct degradation effects from capture, and/or an enhancement algorithm to adjust the color, brightness, contrast, and/or sharpness of the layer image. Then, the layer images may be combined to generate a processed light-field image.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a solid spacing layer between a plenoptic microlens array (MLA) and a pixel-level MLA, avoiding the need for an air gap. Such an assembly, and systems and methods for manufacturing same, can yield improved reliability and efficiency of production, and can avoid many of the problems associated with prior art approaches. In at least one embodiment, the plenoptic MLA, the spacing layer, and the pixel-level MLA are created from optically transmissive polymer(s) deposited on the photosensor array and shaped using photolithographic techniques. Such an approach improves precision in placement and dimensions, and avoids other problems associated with conventional polymer-on-glass architectures. Further variations and techniques are described.