Abstract: In a general aspect, a camera can include a dynamic memory, and a software driver configured to store, in the dynamic memory, a plurality of predetermined lookup tables (LUTs), and to issue an interpolation command indicating a value of a quantitative image factor corresponding with an image frame received by the ISP. The camera can also include a LUT processing circuit configured to receive the interpolation command, and in response to receiving the interpolation command: read a first predetermined LUT and a second predetermined LUT from the dynamic memory; and perform at least one interpolation operation to generate an interpolated LUT. The camera can further include an image signal processor (ISP) including a configuration register, and the LUT processing circuit can be configured to write the interpolated LUT to the configuration register.

Abstract: A light-field camera may have enhanced autofocus functionality that does not require a dedicated optical pathway or dedicated sensors, and yet brings the camera rapidly into focus for image capture. According to one method, light may be received through the aperture of a light-field camera, with the main lens of the light-field camera at a first focus setting. The light may be directed to a sensor of the light-field camera via an optical pathway. The sensor may capture the light to generate preliminary light-field data. In a processor, the preliminary light-field data may be used to generate an offset, which may be used to refocus the main lens to a second focus setting. Additional light may be directed along the same optical pathway and captured with the main lens at the second focus setting to capture a focused light-field image.

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 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 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, light-field image data may be processed so as to prevent, remove, and/or mitigate artifacts caused by previous processing steps. A light-field image may first be captured by a light-field camera. One or more processing steps may be applied to the light-field image to generate a processed light-field image having one or more artifacts. A flat white modulation light-field image may also be captured by the light-field camera. The same processing steps previously applied to the light-field image may be applied to the modulation light-field image to generate a processed modulation light-field image with the same artifacts. The artifacts may then be identified in the processed modulation light-field image to generate an identification of the artifacts. This identification may be used to identify the same artifacts in the processed light-field image, which may then be corrected to remove the artifacts to generate a corrected, processed light-field image.

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 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: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for light-field based autofocus. In response to receiving a focusing request at a camera, a light-field autofocus system captures a light-field image. An image crop that contains a region of interest and a specified border is determined. A series of refocused images are generated for the image crop at different scene depths. A focus metric is calculated for each refocused image. The scene depth of the refocused image with the best focus metric is identified as the appropriate focus. The focus motor position for the appropriate focus is selected and the focus motor is automatically driven to the selected focus motor position.

Abstract: A light-field camera may have enhanced autofocus functionality that does not require a dedicated optical pathway or dedicated sensors, and yet brings the camera rapidly into focus for image capture. According to one method, light may be received through the aperture of a light-field camera, with the main lens of the light-field camera at a first focus setting. The light may be directed to a sensor of the light-field camera via an optical pathway. The sensor may capture the light to generate preliminary light-field data. In a processor, the preliminary light-field data may be used to generate an offset, which may be used to refocus the main lens to a second focus setting. Additional light may be directed along the same optical pathway and captured with the main lens at the second focus setting to capture a focused light-field image.

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 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: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for capturing, processing, analyzing, displaying, annotating, modifying, and/or interacting with light-field data on a light-field capture device. In at least one embodiment, the light-field capture device communicates to the user information about the scene during live-view to aid him or her in capturing light-field images that provide increased refocusing ability, increased parallax and perspective shifting ability, increased stereo disparity, and/or more dramatic post-capture effects. Additional embodiments present a standard 2D camera interface to software running on the light-field capture device to enable such software to function normally even though the device is actually capturing light-field data.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for light-field based autofocus. In response to receiving a focusing request at a camera, a light-field autofocus system captures a light-field image. An image crop that contains a region of interest and a specified border is determined. A series of refocused images are generated for the image crop at different scene depths. A focus metric is calculated for each refocused image. The scene depth of the refocused image with the best focus metric is identified as the appropriate focus. The focus motor position for the appropriate focus is selected and the focus motor is automatically driven to the selected focus motor position.