Computational imaging device

Abstract

Dense field imagers are disclosed which are configured to provide combined, aggregated, fused, and/or stitched light field data for a scene. A dense field imager can include a plurality of imaging elements configured to be joined into image blocks or facets that each provides light field data about a scene. The dense field imager can include a plurality of facets in a fixed or modular fashion such that the dense field imager is configured to combine, aggregate, fuse and/or stitch light field data from the plurality of facets. The facets can be mounted such that one or more facets are non-coplanar with other facets. The facets can be configured to provide a representation of the light field with overlapping fields of view. Accordingly, the dense field imager can provide dense field data over a field of view covered by the plurality of facets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dense field imaging system, comprising:
 a plurality of imaging blocks, each of the imaging blocks comprising:
 a support; 
 at least a first imaging element and a second imaging element carried by the support, each imaging element comprising a sensor and a lens; 
 a mechanical connector for mechanically connecting the imaging block into an array of imaging blocks; and 
 an electrical connector for electrically connecting the imaging block into an array of imaging blocks; 
   an image processor system configured to:
 for each imaging block, generate a light field representation using pixel data acquired at least by the first imaging element and the second imaging element; and 
 aggregate the light field representations to create a dense field image data set having, in aggregate, a wider field of view than the individual light field representations.