Yoav Y Schechner

US Patent:

20040056966, Mar 25, 2004

Filed:

Sep 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/312891

Inventors:

Yoav Schechner - New York NY, US
Shree Nayar - New York NY, US

International Classification:

G03B017/48

US Classification:

348/229100, 396/429000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided for capturing images using a camera or other imager having imaging sensitivity characteristics which vary across the imager's viewing angle. The imager's characteristics can be non-uniform with respect to exposure, color sensitivity, polarization sensitivity, focal distance, and/or any other aspect of image detection. The imager is rotated or translated in order to capture different portions of the scene being imaged. Because the imager is in multiple positions when the respective scene portions are captured, each scene portion is imaged by multiple portions of the imager's sensitivity profile.

US Patent:

20050041113, Feb 24, 2005

Filed:

Apr 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/474580

Inventors:

Shree Nayar - New York NY, US
Yoav Schechner - New York NY, US

International Classification:

H04N005/225

US Classification:

348219100

Abstract:

An imager () including a spatially varying optical element () which moves while the imager records a sequence of images. The optical element () can be an intensity reduction filter, a spectral or polarization filter, or a refractive or reflective element. Because the optical element () moves between frames, each scene portion is captured under a range of imaging conditions. A spatially varying intensity reduction filter enables imaging of each scene portion using multiple, different exposure to generate a high dynamic range image. A spatially varying spectral or polarization filter enables measurement of the spectral or polarization characteristics of radiation from each scene portion. A refractive or reflective element enables imaging of scene portions under various focal characteristics, thereby providing depth information and producing an image which is focused everywhere. A refractive or reflective element is used to apply different vertical and/or horizontal shifts to the different frames, thereby generating an enhanced-resolution image.