Capturing and Processing of Images Including Occlusions Captured by Heterogeneous Camera Arrays

Abstract

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. Lens stack arrays in accordance with many embodiments of the invention include lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers are configured to form a plurality of optical channels, at least one aperture located within each optical channel, at least one spectral filter located within each optical channel, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light, and light blocking materials located within the lens stack array to optically isolate the optical channels.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A camera array, comprising:
 a plurality of imagers, where each imager comprises:
 optics comprising at least one lens element and at least one aperture that form an optical channel; 
 an sensor comprising a two dimensional array of pixels and control circuitry for controlling imaging parameters; and 
 at least one spectral filter located within the imager, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light; 
   wherein the plurality of imagers are configured to capture images of the same scene;   wherein the shape of at least one lens element of an imager of a first type that includes a spectral filter configured to pass a first spectral band of light differs from the shape of at least one lens element forming a second optical channel for an imager of a second type that includes a spectral filter configured to pass a second spectral band of light;   wherein the images captured by the plurality of imagers include different occlusions sets, where the occlusion set of a given imager is the portion of a scene visible to a baseline imager in the plurality of imagers that is occluded from the view of the given imager; and   wherein the plurality of imagers includes a first imager that captures pixels around an edge of a foreground object that is visible to the baseline imager and is in the occlusion set of a second of the plurality of imagers that has the same imaging characteristics as the first imager.