Multi-camera system using folded optics free from parallax and tilt artifacts
First Claim
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1. A system configured to form an image of a target scene, comprising:
- a refractive prism including a plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces and an apex located at an intersection of each of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces; and
a plurality of cameras, each including an optical axis aligned to intersect at the apex of the refractive prism and including an image sensor associated with a respective one of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces, the image sensor configured to;
receive incoming light from the target scene that is redirected from the respective one of the primary light redirecting surfaces; and
capture an image of a portion of the target scene, wherein the refractive prism is disposed between at least two of the plurality of cameras.
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Abstract
Aspects relate to an array camera exhibiting little or no parallax artifacts in captured images. For example, the planes of the central prism of the array camera can intersect at an apex defining the vertical axis of symmetry of the system. The apex can serve as a point of intersection for the optical axes of the sensors in the array. Each sensor in the array “sees” a portion of the image scene using a corresponding facet of the central prism, and accordingly each individual sensor/facet pair represents only a sub-aperture of the total array camera. The complete array camera has a synthetic aperture generated based on the sum of all individual aperture rays.
297 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system configured to form an image of a target scene, comprising:
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a refractive prism including a plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces and an apex located at an intersection of each of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces; and a plurality of cameras, each including an optical axis aligned to intersect at the apex of the refractive prism and including an image sensor associated with a respective one of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces, the image sensor configured to; receive incoming light from the target scene that is redirected from the respective one of the primary light redirecting surfaces; and capture an image of a portion of the target scene, wherein the refractive prism is disposed between at least two of the plurality of cameras. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of manufacturing a folded optic array camera configured to form an image of a target scene, the method comprising:
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providing a refractive prism including a plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces and an apex located at an intersection of planes formed by each of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces; and arranging a plurality of cameras around the refractive prism such that the refractive prism is disposed between at least two of the plurality of cameras, each of the plurality of cameras including an image sensor associated with a respective one of the plurality of light redirecting surfaces and configured to capture an image of a portion of the target scene, wherein the arranging comprises, for each camera of the plurality of cameras; positioning a lens assembly having an optical axis to receive a portion of light representing the target scene from a respective one of the plurality of primary light redirecting surfaces; positioning the lens assembly such that the optical axis is aligned to intersect with the apex, and positioning the image sensor to receive light from the lens assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification