Microlens array for acquiring multi-focus plenoptic image and method of manufacturing the same

A method of manufacturing a microlens array for acquiring a multi-focus plenoptic image, the method comprising:

• forming a plurality of first microlenses on a substrate to manufacture a first individual microlens array;
• forming a plurality of second microlenses on the substrate to manufacture a second individual microlens array;
• and
• stacking the first individual microlens array and the second individual microlens array to form the microlens array, wherein a first portion of the microlens array includes a first one of the first microlenses without overlapping any of the second microlenses so as to form a first focal length with a first focal point, and a second portion of the microlens array includes a second one of the first microlenses overlapping a corresponding one of the second microlenses so as to form a second focal length with a second focal point, each of the first and second focal points lying outside the first and second individual microlens arrays.

An apparatus for acquiring a multi-focus plenoptic image, the apparatus comprising:

• a main lens configured to focus a light from an object;
• an image sensor configured to image the light focused by the main lens;
• and
• a microlens array including a first individual microlens array which is positioned between the main lens and the image sensor and in which a plurality of first microlenses are arranged, and a second individual microlens array which overlaps the first individual microlens array and in which a plurality of second microlenses are arranged, wherein the microlens array transfers the light focused by the main lens to the image sensor at a plurality of focal lengths,
• wherein the first individual microlens array and the second individual microlens arrays are stacked to form the microlens array, a first portion of the microlens array includes a first one of the first microlenses without overlapping any of the second microlenses so as to form a first focal length with a first focal point, and a second portion of the microlens array includes a second one of the first microlenses overlapping a corresponding one of the second microlenses so as to form a second focal length with a second focal point, each of the first and second focal points lying outside the first and second individual microlens arrays.