Patent ID: 8514491

Claim:
A lens stack array configured to form multiple images of a scene, comprising: lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers are configured to form a plurality of optical channels, where the optical channels are configured to form an image of an object space within a scene from slightly different viewpoints so that the images formed by each of the optical channels include a view of the same object space within the scene and contain non-redundant information about the object space; 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; light blocking materials located within the lens stack array to optically isolate the optical channels; and wherein the shape of at least one lens surface of at least one lens element within at least a first optical channel is a function of a first spectral band of light; wherein the shape of at least one lens surface of at least one lens element within at least a second optical channel is also a function of the first spectral band of light; and wherein the shape of at least one lens surface of at least one lens element within at least a third optical channel is a function of a second spectral band of light.