# US 12,761,493 B2 · Imaging apparatus

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- Number: US 12,761,493 B2
- Document ID: US12761493B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 19/223,073
- Filed: 2025-05-30
- Published: 2025-09-18
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2022-12-21
- Assignees: JVCKENWOOD Corporation
- Applicants: JVCKENWOOD Corporation
- Inventors: Shogo Masuda; Toshihide Kobayashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12761493B2

## CPC

- G02B 27/1013: {for colour or multispectral image sensors, e.g. splitting an image into monochromatic image components on respective sensors (spectral imaging systems G01J)}
- G02B 5/3025: {Polarisers, i.e. arrangements capable of producing a definite output polarisation state from an unpolarised input state (G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence)}
- H04N 23/16: Optical arrangements associated therewith, e.g. for beam-splitting or for colour correction
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An imaging apparatus includes: a light splitting element that includes a first splitting surface that splits an incident light into a first reflected light and a first transmitted light, and a second splitting surface that splits the first transmitted light into a second reflected light and a second transmitted light; a first sensor that images the first reflected light; a second sensor that images the second reflected light; and a third sensor that images the second transmitted light. One of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor is a polarization sensor, another one is a visible light sensor, and yet another one is an infrared light sensor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An imaging apparatus comprising:
a light splitting element that includes a first splitting surface that splits an incident light into a first reflected light and a first transmitted light, and a second splitting surface that splits the first transmitted light into a second reflected light and a second transmitted light;
a first sensor that images the first reflected light;
a second sensor that images the second reflected light; and
a third sensor that images the second transmitted light,
wherein one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor is a polarization sensor including a plurality of first pixels provided with a first polarizer adapted to transmit a linearly polarized light in the first direction, a plurality of second pixels provided with a second polarizer adapted to transmit a linearly polarized light in the second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of third pixels provided with a third polarizer adapted to transmit a linearly polarized light in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a plurality of fourth pixels provided with a fourth polarizer adapted to transmit a linearly polarized light in the fourth direction intersecting the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction,
wherein another one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor is a visible light sensor including a plurality of pixels provided with a filter adapted to transmit a visible light, and
wherein yet another of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor is an infrared light sensor including a plurality of pixels provided with a filter adapted to transmit an infrared light.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein one of the first splitting surface and the second splitting surface includes a non-polarization dichroic mirror that separates a visible light from an infrared light, and
wherein the other of the first splitting surface and the second splitting surface includes a non-polarization beam splitter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a phase difference plate provided between the light splitting element and the polarization sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the light splitting element comprises a first prism including the first splitting surface and a second prism including the second splitting surface,
wherein the first prism further includes a first incidence surface on which the incident light is incident and a first exit surface from which the first reflected light totally reflected internally by the first incidence surface exits,
wherein the second prism further includes a second incidence surface on which the first transmitted light from the first splitting surface is incident and a second exit surface from which the second reflected light totally reflected internally by the second incidence surface exits, and
wherein the polarization sensor is the first sensor,
the imaging apparatus further comprising:
a phase difference plate provided between the first exit surface and the polarization sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the light splitting element comprises a first prism including the first splitting surface and a second prism including the second splitting surface,
wherein the first prism further includes a first incidence surface on which the incident light is incident and a first exit surface from which the first reflected light totally reflected internally by the first incidence surface exits,
wherein the second prism further includes a second incidence surface on which the first transmitted light from the first splitting surface is incident and a second exit surface from which the second reflected light totally reflected internally by the second incidence surface exits, and
wherein the polarization sensor is the third sensor.