Multi-band imaging systems

A method of operating an imaging system comprising a tunable spectral filter and a non-tunable multi-bandpass filter, the tunable spectral filter and the multi-bandpass filter arranged in a common optical path between an object and an image sensor, wherein the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter comprises at least a first transmission window and a second transmission window, each transmission window allows passage of light in a certain wavelength range, the method comprising:

• a) tuning the tunable spectral filter to a first operation state that correlates with a first imaging mode to allow passage of light in a first wavelength range which at least partly overlaps with a wavelength range of the first transmission window of the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter such that passage of light outside the first wavelength range is reduced by the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter;
• and
• b) tuning the tunable spectral filter to a second operation state that is correlated with a second imaging mode to allow passage of light in a second wavelength range different than the first wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range of the tunable filter at least partly overlaps with a wavelength range of the second transmission window of the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter;
• wherein the tunable spectral filter is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) etalon device.

A system, comprising:

• a) an image sensor, a tunable spectral filter and a non-tunable multi-bandpass filter, the tunable spectral filter and the multi-bandpass filter arranged in a common optical path between an object and the image sensor;
• and
• b) a controller configured and operable to position the tunable spectral filter in a plurality of operation states correlated with a plurality of imaging modes, wherein at least one of the plurality of imaging modes provides respective image data of the object;
• wherein the tunable spectral filter is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) etalon device;
• and
• wherein the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter comprises at least a first transmission window and a second transmission window, wherein each transmission window allows passage of light in a certain wavelength range, wherein the controller is configured to operate the tunable filter to be positioned in a first operation state to allow passage of light in a first wavelength range, which at least partly overlaps with the wavelength range of the first transmission window of the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter, and wherein in a second operation state the tunable filter is positioned to allow passage of light in a second wavelength range different than the first wavelength range, the second wavelength range of the tunable filter at least partly overlaps with the wavelength range of the second transmission window of the non-tunable multi-bandpass filter;
• wherein the first and second wavelength ranges do not overlap such that in the first operation state the transmission of light of the second wavelength range is reduced or blocked and in the second operation state the transmission of light of the first wavelength range is reduced or blocked.