Systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention can perform parallax detection and correction in images captured using array cameras. Due to the different viewpoints of the cameras, parallax results in variations in the position of objects within the captured images of the scene. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention provide an accurate account of the pixel disparity due to parallax between the different cameras in the array, so that appropriate scene-dependent geometric shifts can be applied to the pixels of the captured images when performing super-resolution processing. In a number of embodiments, generating depth estimates considers the similarity of pixels in multiple spectral channels. In certain embodiments, generating depth estimates involves generating a confidence map indicating the reliability of depth estimates.

[Object] In a configuration in which an image of a target is captured using a plurality of imaging elements, the plurality of imaging elements can be efficiently disposed in a limited space.

[Solving Means] A branching optical system includes: a first branching optical system that separates first light belonging to a predetermined wavelength band from incident light in a first direction that is a surface direction of a plane including an optical axis corresponding to a normal direction of an incidence surface on which the incident light is incident; and a second branching optical system that is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and separates, from second light after the first light is separated from the incident light, third light that is a part of the second light, in a second direction crossing the plane.

Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.

A system, method, and computer program product for generating a digital image is disclosed. In use, a first image is received from a first image sensor, where the first image sensor detects visible light color, and a second image and a third image are received from a second image sensor, where the second image sensor detects non-visible light intensity. Using an image processing subsystem, a resulting image is generated by combining the first image, the second image, and the third image, where at least one of the first image, the second image, or the third image is sampled under strobe illumination.

An electronic device includes a lens, an optical filter asymmetric to an optical axis of the lens, and an image sensor including a visible light image sensor and a non-visible light image sensor. The optical filter has an opening and is configured to transmit visible light and block at least one type of non-visible light. The visible light image sensor is configured to sense the visible light and the non-visible light image sensor is configured to sense the at least one type of non-visible light.

An optical device for capturing an image of a scene, the optical device comprising: a plurality of image sensors each operable to capture a respective initial image of the scene; a lens arrangement operable to receive light from the scene and to form each initial image on each respective image sensor, each image sensor being located at a different respective distance from the lens arrangement; and an image processor operable to generate the captured image of the scene on the basis of image data from one or more of the captured initial images.

A novel dual-path-endoscope where a multi-function light source produces a first-light and a second-light toward an object. The first-light exhibits first-light-characteristics. The second-light exhibits second-light-characteristics different from the first-light-characteristics. The endoscope includes two light-paths, the disparity there between is larger than zero. Each light-path includes a respective pupil and a respective light-separator coupled with the pupil, transmitting there through one of the first-light and the second-light, associating the first-light and the second-light with a respective light-path. The dual-channel-imager includes two imaging sensors, each associated with a respective light-path and optically coupled with a respective light-separator. Each imaging-sensor exhibits sensitivity to the characteristics of the respective one of the first-light and the second-light. A first imaging-sensor acquires a first-image of the first-light reflected of the object and a second imaging-sensor acquires a second-image of the second-light reflected of the object. The processor processes the acquired images.

In a color separation prism that includes a first and second prism blocks bonded to each other, the first and second prism blocks are bonded to the first and second adhesive portions of the first and second base plates, respectively. The first and second base plates are fixed to the first and second base plate-fixing portions of a base with the first and second base-fixing portion interposed therebetween, respectively. The second adhesive portion is disposed between the first and second base plate-fixing portions so that a direction in which the second base plate-fixing portion is displaced from the first base plate-fixing portion and a direction in which the second adhesive portion is displaced from the second base-fixing portion are opposite to each other in a case in which the base and the second base plate expand or contract due to a change in temperature.

The invention enables image processing of visible light and near-infrared light using an imaging device. An acquisition unit (110) acquires an image signal representing an image including near-infrared light that has an intensity according to a pattern having a prescribed geometric shape. A signal processing unit (120) uses pattern information which defines the pattern to output, a color signal representing visible light components corresponding to the image signal and a near-infrared signal representing near-infrared light components corresponding to the image signal.

The first and second optical elements are held so as to be rotatable relative to each other about an optical axis. An aberration, which can cancel an aberration caused by a color separation prism, is generated from a synthesis of aberrations generated by the first and second optical elements in a case in which the second optical element is positioned at a first position with respect to the first optical element. The aberration generated by the first optical element is cancelled by the aberration generated by the second optical element in a case in which the second optical element is positioned at a second position with respect to the first optical element. The second optical element is positioned at the first position in a case in which the lens device is to be used in a 3-CCD type first camera device, and the second optical element is positioned at the second position with respect to the first optical element in a case in which the lens device is to be used in a single-CCD type second camera device.