Apparatus method and system for imaging

Abstract

There is provided in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention an optical assembly including a set of optical paths, wherein two or more optical paths receive an image from a common surface. The optical paths may direct received images onto a common image sensor generating a complex multidimensional data set, an image processing block may extrapolate each of the subset of optical paths printed on the image sensor and may generate a multidimensional data set based on the collected images.

1 . A apparatus for acquiring an image comprising: 
 a set of optical paths, each of which includes a lens and a diaphragm structure, wherein each of a subset of the set of optical paths is adapted to collect optical image information from a common projection plain.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the subset of optical paths is further adapted to direct onto a respective area of a common image sensor collected optical image information.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a first respective area associated with a first received image overlaps with a second respective area associated with a second received image.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second respective areas substantially overlap.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a data processing block adapted to generate a multidimensional data set from data produced by the image sensor.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising an extrapolation block adapted to extrapolate image data from the multidimensional data set.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the image data extrapolated from the multidimensional data set is of an image type selected from the group consisting of depth map, virtual view point image, stereo image and holographic stereogram.  
     
     
         8 . A method for acquiring an image comprising: 
 directing onto a respective area of a common image sensor an image received by each of two or more optical paths from a common projection plain.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein a first respective area associated with a first received image overlaps with second respective area associated with a second received image.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second respective areas substantially overlap.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising generating a multidimensional data set from data produced by the image sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising extrapolating image data from the multidimensional data set.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the image data extrapolated from the multidimensional data set is of an image type selected from the group consisting of depth map, virtual view point image, stereo image and holographic stereogram.