Digital camera for capturing spectral and spatial information

A camera, comprising:

• an optical system for focusing an image;
• a sensor array comprising an array of pixels;
• an array of color spreaders positioned between the optical system and the sensor array for spreading light associated with the image data across the array of pixels so that the sensor array can capture blended spatial and spectral data associated with the image, the array of color spreaders comprising a first segment including slits running along a first axis of the array of color spreaders and a second segment including slits running along a second axis of the array of color spreaders, the second axis different from the first axis;
• and
• a controller coupled to the sensor array for reconstructing an unblended image from the blended spatial and spectral data using an inverse transfer function of the camera and a spatial model of the image.

A method of detecting an image, comprising:

• storing one or more spatial models;
• directing light toward a color spreader comprising a two-dimensional array of segments, the color spreader in an optical path of an array of light sensors, the array of segments comprising a first segment including slits running along a first axis of the color spreader and a second segment including slits running along a second axis of the color spreader, the second axis different from the first axis;
• spatially distributing a spectrum of light incident on each segment of the color spreader toward a corresponding group of pixels of the array of light sensors, the spectrum of light spatially distributed by refraction or diffraction;
• detecting the intensity of light at each light sensor of the array of light sensors;
• capturing image data from the array of light sensors, the captured image data comprising blended spatial and spectral components of the image;
• and
• reconstructing unblended spectral and spatial components of the image from the captured image data and one of the spatial models.