Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and structures for monocentric multiscale gigapixel imaging systems and cameras employing a Galilean architecture wherein adjacent subimages do not overlap while advantageously producing a reduced system volume, improved relative illumination and image quality as compared with prior art systems.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures for improved compression of array camera image data and improved power budgets for array cameras.

Abstract: Disclosed are various arrangements of monocentric multiscale imaging systems and cameras that advantageously exhibit an enhanced field of view (FoV). Illustrative examples of such systems include a 360° ring FoV MMS lens that advantageously captures approximately 500-mega-pixel image from a circular ring area. Additionally, by varying microcamera imaging channel configurations, we disclose a multi-focal design that advantageously can range from 15 mm to 40 mm providing coverage of a scene with widely different imaging magnifications. Finally, additional illustrative configurations combine multiple MMS systems such that an arbitrary solid angle in 4? space is covered.

Abstract: A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.

Abstract: An imaging system for monitoring an observation region is disclosed, wherein the imaging system comprises a plurality of cameras having diverse focal lengths, where the plurality of cameras is arranged such that they can collectively observe any point in the observation region with the same ground sample distance. In some embodiments, each of the cameras has a different angular field of view. In some embodiments, the cameras are arranged such that each monitors a different region within the observation region, and such that the chief ray of each camera passes through the center of the region it monitors. In some embodiments, the plurality of cameras are arranged in two groups, one on each side of the observation region. In some embodiments, the plurality of cameras is mounted on a movable platform that traverses the observation region.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and structures for monocentric multiscale gigapixel imaging systems and cameras employing a Galilean architecture wherein adjacent subimages do not overlap while advantageously producing a reduced system volume, improved relative illumination and image quality as compared with prior art systems.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures for improved compression of array camera image data and improved power budgets for array cameras.

Abstract: An array-camera imaging system and method for producing a rendered image are presented, wherein the system includes a plurality of imagers, a plurality of image processors, and a plurality of memory modules that are networked with the image processors via a communications bus. Each image processor provides processed and processed image data from at least one imager to the memory modules. Preferably, the processed image data is distributed among the memory modules at multiple resolution scales. In response to a request from an image rendering system, image data is read out from the memory modules at the resolution scale of the request.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for enabling the capture and rendering of an image without the latency and bandwidth requirements of the prior art is presented. Embodiments of the present invention employ a plurality of imagers that provide image data to a plurality of capture and hosting servers to which they are connected via a first communications bus. One or more rendering systems are interconnected to the plurality of servers via a second communications bus. The servers perform parallel processing of only raw image data necessary to satisfy individual rendering requests from the rendering systems. Since image processing is performed only on the image data required to render the particular view of interest, an entire high-resolution image is not formed to satisfy the rendering request and the desired image can be rendered with less latency and requires less bandwidth for transmission to the rendering system.

Abstract: An array-camera imaging system and method for producing a rendered image are presented, wherein the system includes a plurality of imagers, a plurality of image processors, and a plurality of memory modules that are networked with the image processors via a communications bus. Each image processor provides processed and processed image data from at least one imager to the memory modules. Preferably, the processed image data is distributed among the memory modules at multiple resolution scales. In response to a request from an image rendering system, image data is read out from the memory modules at the resolution scale of the request.

Abstract: An imaging system operative for providing a volumetric molecular image of an object is disclosed. The imaging system interrogates the object with structured x-ray radiation while continuous relative motion between the object and source is induced during a measurement period. As the radiation passes through the object, the radiation scatters based on the molecular composition within the object, and the scattering changes as a function of time due to the relative motion between the source and object. Coherent scatter radiation is detected and processed to reconstruct an estimate of the three-dimensional molecular structure of the object using a reconstruction algorithm, such as maximum likelihood estimation.

Abstract: A method and system for forming tomographic images of an object using discrete, non-continuous illumination rays is disclosed. In some embodiments, coded apertures, collimation filters, or reference structures are used to filter the set of illumination rays from a two- or three-dimensional radiation signal, wherein the set of illumination rays are then used to interrogate the object. In some embodiments, the object is interrogated with a set of illumination rays that is continuous and a sparse array of detectors is used to sub-sample the illumination rays after they have passed through the object.

Abstract: A surface scattering reflector antenna includes a plurality of adjustable scattering elements and is configured to produce a reflected beam pattern according to the configuration of the adjustable scattering elements.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for enabling the capture and rendering of an image without the latency and bandwidth requirements of the prior art is presented. Embodiments of the present invention employ a plurality of imagers that provide image data to a plurality of capture and hosting servers to which they are connected via a first communications bus. One or more rendering systems are interconnected to the plurality of servers via a second communications bus. The servers perform parallel processing of only raw image data necessary to satisfy individual rendering requests from the rendering systems. Since image processing is performed only on the image data required to render the particular view of interest, an entire high-resolution image is not formed to satisfy the rendering request and the desired image can be rendered with less latency and requires less bandwidth for transmission to the rendering system.

Abstract: Optical systems based on an objective lens comprising one or more plastic lens elements are disclosed. The inclusion of plastic lens element reduces one or more of system cost, size, weight, and/or complexity. The chromatic performance of some imaging systems in accordance with the present invention is improved by incorporation of a diffractive surface into the entry surface of the objective lens.

Abstract: An array of scattering and/or reflector antennas are configured to produce a series of beam patterns, where in some embodiments the scattering antenna and/or the reflector antenna includes complementary metamaterial elements. In some embodiments circuitry may be configured to set a series of conditions corresponding to the array to produce the series of beam patterns, and to produce an image of an object that is illuminated by the series of beam patterns.

Abstract: A monocentric lens-based multi-scale imaging system is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a monocentric lens as an objective lens that collects light from a scene. Monocentric lenses in accordance with the present invention include a spherical central lens element and a plurality of lens shell sections that collectively reduce at least one of spherical and chromatic aberration from the magnitude introduced by the spherical lens element itself. A plurality of secondary lenses image the scene through the objective lens and further reduce the magnitude of aberrations introduced by the objective lens. A plurality of sensor arrays converts optical sub-images of the scene into a plurality of digital images, which can then be used to form a composite image of the scene.

Abstract: A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.

Abstract: Methods for stitching multiple sub-images together to form a substantially seamless composite image are disclosed. Overlap regions formed by each pair of neighboring sub-images are periodically examined and key features common to the overlap regions in each sub-image of the pair are identified. A transformation is determined for each sub-image pair based on the positions of these key features. The transformation is split between the sub-images and applied to distort the overlap regions in each sub-image pair such that they are substantially aligned. Applying the transformations to each overlap region in the overall image enables creation of a substantially seamless composite image. In some embodiments, the process wherein the transformations are determined is run as a feedback loop to enable continuing refinement of the transformations.

Abstract: A system and method for computing a digital image of a scene, where the digital image contains enhanced depth information are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention form a light distribution on a focal-plane array, where the light distribution is based on an optical image of the scene formed by a lens system. During the exposure period of the focal-plane array, longitudinal and transverse motion are imparted between the light distribution and the focal-plane array, which encodes depth information on the blur kernel of the lens system, thereby generating an encoded digital output signal. A depth-information-enhanced digital image of the scene is computed by deconvolving the encoded digital output signal with the blur kernel of the lens system and a model of the transverse motion.