Abstract: Depth imaging methods and systems with edge and baseline angle correction are disclosed. The system includes an angle-sensitive optical encoder and an image sensor disposed behind the encoder and having orthogonal pixel axes. The system captures image data including two images representing two scene viewpoints separated from each other by an encoder-defined baseline that is obliquely offset relative to a nominal baseline direction parallel to one of the pixel axes. The method can include steps of identifying an edge present in the two images; determining an angle of the edge; determining a parallel disparity, measured along one of the pixel axes, between the edge as viewed in each of the two images; and determining depth information about the edge based on the parallel disparity, the edge angle, and calibration data relating vectorial disparity information to object distance and edge angle information.

Abstract: Stereoscopic and multiscopic imaging methods and systems are disclosed. An example method can include capturing, with a first image capture device, first image data from a scene within a first field of view, and capturing, with a second image capture device, second image data from the scene within a second field of view overlapping with the first field of view over a stereoscopic overlap region, wherein either or both of the first and second image capture devices include a transmissive diffraction mask (TDM) configured to encode TDM depth information in the first and/or second image data. The method can also include determining stereoscopic depth information within the stereoscopic overlap region based on the first and second image data, determining the TDM depth information encoded in first and/or second image data, and generating combined depth information based on the stereoscopic depth information and the first and/or second TDM depth information.

Abstract: Diffraction-grating-based depth imaging systems and methods for pixel crosstalk mitigation are disclosed. The system includes a transmissive diffraction mask (TDM) and an underlying image sensor. The TDM receives light from a scene and generates diffracted light encoding angle-of-incidence information, which is detected by the image sensor including a plurality of pixels. The TDM has a grating structure that spatially maps the diffracted light onto distinct pixel groups, including bright-positive pixels that receive a portion of the diffracted light and exhibit a pixel response that increases with angle of incidence, bright-negative pixels that receive another portion of the diffracted light and exhibit a pixel response that decreases with angle of incidence, and dark pixels that receive substantially no diffracted light. The dark pixels are interspersed among the bright-positive and bright-negative pixels to mitigate pixel crosstalk, enhancing the accuracy and contrast of depth measurements.

Abstract: A method of lens position determination in an imaging system is disclosed. The system can include an imaging lens, an image sensor, and an optical encoder interposed between the imaging lens and the image sensor. The method can include capturing image data from a scene by detecting, with the array of pixels of the image sensor, light incident from the scene having passed through the imaging lens and the encoder, the encoder being configured to encode angle-dependent information about the incident light in the image data in accordance with an angular response of the encoder. The method can also include generating a uniform-field image from the captured image data, the uniform-field image having an intensity profile that varies with image position in accordance with the encoded angle-dependent information. The method can further include determining current lens position information about the imaging lens from the intensity profile of the uniform-field image.

Abstract: Stereoscopic and multiscopic imaging methods and systems are disclosed. An example method can include capturing, with a first image capture device, first image data from a scene within a first field of view, and capturing, with a second image capture device, second image data from the scene within a second field of view overlapping with the first field of view over a stereoscopic overlap region, wherein either or both of the first and second image capture devices include a transmissive diffraction mask (TDM) configured to encode TDM depth information in the first and/or second image data. The method can also include determining stereoscopic depth information within the stereoscopic overlap region based on the first and second image data, determining the TDM depth information encoded in first and/or second image data, and generating combined depth information based on the stereoscopic depth information and the first and/or second TDM depth information.