Abstract: A device and method for obtaining distance information from views is provided. The method generating 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; in each epipolar image, detecting valid epipolar lines formed by a set of edges; determining the slopes of the valid epipolar lines. The edge detection step may calculate a second spatial derivative for each pixel of the epipolar images and detect the zero-crossings of the second spatial derivatives, to detect object edges with subpixel precision. The method may be performed by low cost mobile devices to calculate real-time depth-maps from depth-camera recordings.

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 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 distance information from views is provided. The method generating 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; in each epipolar image, detecting valid epipolar lines formed by a set of edges; determining the slopes of the valid epipolar lines. The edge detection step may calculate a second spatial derivative for each pixel of the epipolar images and detect the zero-crossings of the second spatial derivatives, to detect object edges with subpixel precision. The method may be performed by low cost mobile devices to calculate real-time depth-maps from depth-camera recordings.

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: An electrical device includes signal ports, transformers, and a differential mode device. The transformers are in communication with the signal ports, respectively. The transformers are configured to receive input signals, respectively, from the signal ports. Each transformer is configured to inject the respective input signal onto a pair of output lines of the transformer. The differential mode device is connected to a first output line of the pair of output lines of a first transformer exclusive of connection to a second output line of the first transformer. The differential mode device is configured to inject a signal from the first output line onto the pair of output lines of a second transformer. Signals from the pair of output lines of the second transformer are injected onto a pair of conductors, respectively, of a communications medium.

Abstract: A system including first and second network nodes that communicate with additional nodes in first and second networks, respectively, using a shared communication channel. In response to detecting presence of the first network node, the second network node transmits a first signal to the first network node including a predetermined sequence known to both the first and second network nodes. The first network node measures a strength of the transmitted signal based on knowledge of the predetermined sequence and calculates a throughput metric (throughput referring to amount of information transmitted per second) based on the measured strength. In response to the throughput metric being less than a unification threshold, the first network node selectively transmits a unification request to the second network node. The unification request invites the second network node to coordinate operation with the first network node to reduce interference between the first network and the second network.

Abstract: A monolithic integration of a plenoptic structure on an image sensor is provided using material with low refractive index on the substrate of photosensors and arranging material with a high refractive index on the material with low refractive index to create the plenoptic microlenses. Plenoptic lenses are created directly on the substrate of photosensors. Photosensors with a high integration density are arranged at minimum distances to minimize inter-pixel interferences and on the integration density end having “deformed square” geometries on the vertices adjacent to a pixel of the same color, removing any photosensitive area from the vertices. The light efficiency is increased by structures of plenoptic microlenses at variable distances from the substrate, with more asymmetric profiles on the periphery, or pixels of different sizes and shapes towards the periphery of the sensor. Micro-objectives are produced by the creation of alternate layers of low and high refractive index.

Abstract: An electrical device includes signal ports, transformers, and a differential mode device. The transformers are in communication with the signal ports, respectively. The transformers are configured to receive input signals, respectively, from the signal ports. Each transformer is configured to inject the respective input signal onto a pair of output lines of the transformer. The differential mode device is connected to a first output line of the pair of output lines of a first transformer exclusive of connection to a second output line of the first transformer. The differential mode device is configured to inject a signal from the first output line onto the pair of output lines of a second transformer. Signals from the pair of output lines of the second transformer are injected onto a pair of conductors, respectively, of a communications medium.

Abstract: A method including selecting a factor based on a number of bits in a codeword and a natural number and generating a model matrix including first and second matrices having data and parity bits. Hamming weights of the model matrix are not constant and Hamming weights of columns of the model matrix follow a statistical distribution dependent upon a codification rate of a channel. A compact matrix is generated by replacing elements of the model matrix equal to: 1 with a pseudo-random positive whole number; and 0 with ?1. A quasi-cyclic code is generated by replacing in the compact matrix: positive elements with identity matrices; and elements equal to ?1 with null matrices. A number of rows and columns in each of the identity and null matrices is equal to the factor. The quasi-cyclic code is applied to a word to generate a codeword, which is transmitted on the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the monolithic integration of a plenoptic structure on an image sensor, using a material with a low refractive index on the substrate of photosensors (including or not including colour filters and/or pixel microlenses) and arranging a material with a high refractive index on said material with a low refractive index in order to create the plenoptic microlenses. Plenoptic lenses are created directly on the substrate of photosensors. Photosensors with a high integration density are arranged at minimum distances in order to minimise inter-pixel interferences, having, on the integration density end, “deformed square” geometries on the vertices thereof adjacent to a pixel of the same colour, removing any photosensitive area from said vertices in order to distance them from the noise of adjacent pixels of the same colour (irradiances of circles and Airy disks of neighboring pixels of the same colour).

Abstract: A method including selecting a factor based on a number of bits in a codeword and a natural number and generating a model matrix including first and second matrices having data and parity bits. Hamming weights of the model matrix are not constant and Hamming weights of columns of the model matrix follow a statistical distribution dependent upon a codification rate of a channel. A compact matrix is generated by replacing elements of the model matrix equal to: 1 with a pseudo-random positive whole number; and 0 with ?1. A quasi-cyclic code is generated by replacing in the compact matrix: positive elements with identity matrices; and elements equal to ?1 with null matrices. A number of rows and columns in each of the identity and null matrices is equal to the factor. The quasi-cyclic code is applied to a word to generate a codeword, which is transmitted on the channel.

Abstract: A method including generating a matrix. The matrix includes first and second portions. The first portion includes data bits. The second portion includes parity bits and has a triple diagonal structure. The triple diagonal structure includes a first central diagonal, a second central diagonal, and a last row diagonal. Bits of the first central diagonal, the second central diagonal, and the last row diagonal are equal to 1 and a remainder of bits in the triple diagonal structure are equal to 0. The method further includes: determining parity bits based on the matrix; if the matrix is generated to codify data for transmission from a first device to a second device, transmitting the parity bits from the first device to the second device; and if the matrix is generated based on a vector of bits received from the second device, generating a block of data based on the parity bits.

Abstract: A system including first and second network nodes that communicate with additional nodes in first and second networks, respectively, using a shared communication channel. In response to detecting presence of the first network node, the second network node transmits a first signal to the first network node including a predetermined sequence known to both the first and second network nodes. The first network node measures a strength of the transmitted signal based on knowledge of the predetermined sequence and calculates a throughput metric (throughput referring to amount of information transmitted per second) based on the measured strength. In response to the throughput metric being less than a unification threshold, the first network node selectively transmits a unification request to the second network node. The unification request invites the second network node to coordinate operation with the first network node to reduce interference between the first network and the second network.

Abstract: A method for sharing a communication channel between a first network and a second network. The method includes transmitting a signal from the second network to the first network in response to the second network detecting presence of the first network. The signal includes a predetermined sequence measuring the strength of the signal arriving at the first network and transmitting a unification request from the first network to the second network when a metric based on the measured strength is less than a unification threshold. The unification request invites the second network to coordinate operation with the first network to reduce interference between the first network and the second network.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving data includes a physical adaptation block configured to separate the data into a plurality of frequency bands. Each of the frequency bands has an associated symbol time, and each of the associated symbol times is a whole multiple of one half of a smallest symbol time of all of the frequency bands. An analog front end is configured to provide the data in the plurality of frequency bands to a transmission medium.

Abstract: A system including a coupler to couple a signal to a plurality of conductors of an electric network and a transmitter to select a plurality of modes to inject the signal into the plurality of conductors and to transmit the signal via the plurality of conductors. The plurality of modes is selected from a group consisting of a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first mode includes injection of the signal through a selective combination of the plurality of conductors and circulation of current through ground. The second mode includes injection of the signal through a first conductor and return through a second conductor. The third mode includes injection of the signal through one or more first conductors and return through one or more second conductors. The first conductors are different than the second conductors.