Systems and methods for encoding light field image files having a depth map

1. A system for encoding light field image data as a light field image file, comprising:

a processor; and

memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of images of a scene captured from different viewpoints;

wherein the plurality of images of a scene is captured using a camera array comprising a collection of imagers designed to function as a unitary component, where the collection of imagers comprises at least two heterogeneous images; and

wherein the encoding application directs the processor to:

create a depth map that specifies depths for pixels in a reference image in the plurality of images;

encode the reference image; and

create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, wherein:

the light field image file is structured using the Exchangable image file (Exif) format; and

the metadata includes the depth map.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light field image file conforms to the JFIF standard.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the encoded image is encoded in accordance with the JPEG standard.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metadata is located within an application marker segment within the light field image file.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the application marker segment is identified using the APP9 marker.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the application marker segment is identified using an APP1 marker that is used to identify the Exif data.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the encoding application directs the processor to encode the depth map and the depth map included in the metadata describing the encoded image is the encoded depth map.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the depth map is losslessly encoded.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the encoding application directs the processor to decode the depth map using a JPEG decoder.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the depth map is encoded using lossy compression.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

encoding the reference image includes creating a confidence map for the depth map, where the confidence map indicates the reliability of the depth value for a pixel in the depth map; and

the metadata describing the encoded image in the light field image file includes the confidence map.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

encoding the reference image involves identifying pixels in the plurality images of the scene that are occluded in a reference viewpoint; and

the metadata describing the encoded image in the light field image file includes descriptions of the occluded pixels.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the descriptions of the occluded pixels includes data selected from the group consisting of colors, locations, and depths of the occluded pixels.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein:

the encoding application directs the processor to generate an edge map that indicates pixels in the reference image that lie on a discontinuity; and

the metadata describing the encoded image in the light field image file includes the edge map.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the edge map identifies whether a pixel lies on a discontinuity selected from the group consisting of an intensity and depth discontinuity.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein:

the encoding application directs the processor to generate a missing pixel map that indicates pixels in the reference image that do not correspond to a pixel from the plurality images of the scene and that are generated by interpolating pixel values from adjacent pixels in the reference image; and

the metadata describing the encoded image in the light field image file includes the missing pixels map.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metadata also includes a focal plane.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the encoding application directs the processor to:

select a second reference image from the plurality of images, where the second reference image is distinct from the reference image and the reference image and the second reference image comprise a stereo pair of images;

encode the second reference image; and

include the second reference image in the encoded light field image file.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein each imager in the at least two heterogeneous imagers comprises at least two sensor elements and has different imaging characteristics.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collection of imagers is fabricated on a single chip.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collection of imagers comprises a one dimensional array of imagers.

22. A method for encoding light field image data as a light field image file, comprising:

obtaining a set of light field image data comprising a plurality of images of a scene captured from different viewpoints using an encoding system, where the plurality of images of a scene is captured using a camera array comprising a collection of imagers designed to function as a unitary component, where the collection of imagers comprises at least two heterogeneous images;

creating a depth map that specifies depths for pixels in a reference image in the plurality of images using the encoding device;

encoding the reference image using the encoding device; and

creating a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image using the encoding device, wherein:

the light field image file is structured using the Exchangeable image file (Exif) format; and

the metadata includes the depth map.

23. A non-transitory machine readable medium containing processor instructions, where execution of the instructions by a processor causes the processor to perform a process comprising:

obtaining a set of light field image data comprising a plurality of images of a scene captured from different viewpoints, where the plurality of images of a scene is captured using a camera array comprising a collection of imagers designed to function as a unitary component, where the collection of imagers comprises at least two heterogeneous images;

creating a depth map that specifies depths for pixels in a reference image in the plurality of images;

encoding the reference image; and

creating a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, wherein:

the light field image file is structured using the Exchangable image file (Exif) format; and

the metadata includes the depth map.