Array cameras incorporating optics with modulation transfer functions greater than sensor Nyquist frequency for capture of images used in super-resolution processing
US9578237B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B3/0006
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A variety of optical arrangements and methods of modifying or enhancing the optical characteristics and functionality of these optical arrangements are provided. The optical arrangements being specifically designed to operate with camera arrays that incorporate an imaging device that is formed of a plurality of imagers that each include a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. In many optical arrangements the MTF characteristics of the optics allow for contrast at spatial frequencies that are at least as great as the desired resolution of the high resolution images synthesized by the array camera, and significantly greater than the Nyquist frequency of the pixel pitch of the pixels on the focal plane, which in some cases may be 1.5, 2 or 3 times the Nyquist frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.