Reconstruction Algorithms for Compound Eye Images Using Lens Diversity

A traditional optical imaging device uses a single high quality lens designed to project the field of view onto a sensor array for direct image creation. A camera with a flatter form factor using an array of smaller lens elements would create an array of smaller lower resolution images. Reconstruction of high resolution images from multiple low resolution images at various displacements is a well studied, ill posed problem. Using lenses with different imaging characteristics improves theoretical performance results and also reduces the general image reconstruction problem to a set of loosely coupled smaller reconstructions. Performance limits for reconstruction from multiple lower resolution images is considered as a function of measurement bit precision, measurement noise, and lens model uncertainty.