Plenoptic imaging device

Abstract

A plenoptic imaging device includes an image multiplier for obtaining a multitude of optical images of an object or scene; and a diffuser screen. The image multiplier may be a kaleidoscope. The device may include an array of optical filters for filtering the multitude of optical images.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An imaging device, comprising:
 an image multiplier for obtaining a multitude of optical images of an object or scene; and   a diffuser screen.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the image multiplier is a kaleidoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an array of optical filters for filtering the multitude of optical images.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , further comprising
 an imaging system for imaging the filtered images onto the imaging sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pupil-matching system to adjust for external optical device properties. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , wherein the filters comprise neutral density, multispectral, polarization or temporal filters. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , wherein the filters are exchangeable. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , wherein the filters are active and/or controllable by a computer. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the image multiplier is a prism, in particular, a prism coated with a reflective material. 
     
     
         10 . Photo and/or video camera, comprising an imaging device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A camera add-on, comprising an imaging device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A camera add-on, comprising an imaging device according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising an imaging device according to  claim 1  and an objective lens. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented method, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a digital image or video, wherein the digital image or video comprises at least some images or image sequences acquired using an imaging device according to  claim 1 ;   reconstructing a digital image or video, based on the at least some images or image sequences; and   outputting the digital image or video.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the image or the video are output and/or received over the internet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the image or the video are output to a user.