TR2007-043

Optical Splitting Trees for High-Precision Monocular Imaging


    •  M. McGuire, W. Matusik, H. Pfister, B. Chen, J.F. Hughes, S.K. Nayar, "Optical Splitting Trees for High-Precision Monocular Imaging", Tech. Rep. TR2007-043, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Cambridge, MA, March 2007.
      BibTeX TR2007-043 PDF
      • @techreport{MERL_TR2007-043,
      • author = {M. McGuire, W. Matusik, H. Pfister, B. Chen, J.F. Hughes, S.K. Nayar},
      • title = {Optical Splitting Trees for High-Precision Monocular Imaging},
      • institution = {MERL - Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories},
      • address = {Cambridge, MA 02139},
      • number = {TR2007-043},
      • month = mar,
      • year = 2007,
      • url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2007-043/}
      • }
Abstract:

In this article, we consider the design of monocular multiview optical systems that form optical splitting trees, where the optical path topology takes the shape of a tree because of recursive beam splitting. Designing optical splitting trees is challenging when it requires many views with specific spectral properties. We introduce a manual design paradigm for optical splitting trees and a computer-assisted design tool to create efficient splitting-tree cameras. The tool accepts as input a specification for each view and a set of weights describing the user\'s relative affinity for efficiency, measurement accuracy, and economy. An optimizer then searches for a design that maximizes these weighted priorities. Our tool\'s output is a splitting-tree design that implements the input specification and an analysis of the efficiency of each root-to-leaf path. Automatically designed trees appear comparable to those designed by hand; we even show some cases where they are superior. With the help of the optimizer, the system demonstrates high dynamic range, focusing, matting, and hybrid imaging implemented on a single, reconfigurable camera containing eight sensors.