Systems and methods for enhanced depth sensor devices

A depth imaging system comprising:

• an imaging device comprising:
• an optical sensor having an optical axis;
• a lens positioned to focus reflected light from a scene onto the optical sensor;
• a matrix of variable-phase optical elements patterned to introduce at least two different phase delays into a wavefront of the light from the scene;
• and
• a housing that secures the matrix of variable-phase optical elements between the optical sensor and the lens in a configuration that enables the optical image sensor to capture at least two different perspectives of the scene to create an output image;
• and
• a light projection device comprising:
• a light source that emits light;
• and
• a lens to direct the emitted light from the light source toward the scene, the scene reflecting the emitted light so as to produce the reflected light.

A method comprising:

• positioning a matrix of variable-phase optical elements, disposed between an optical sensor and a lens positioned to focus light from a scene onto the optical sensor, in a first position at least substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical sensor;
• capturing, with the optical sensor, at least two different perspectives of the scene;
• determining depth characteristics of the scene based on the captured at least two perspectives of the scene;
• and
• generated an output depth image of the scene, the output depth image representing the depth characteristics of the scene.