Compact multiple aperture imaging array
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsBrian Miller, Robert Fiete, Theodore Tantalo, Kenneth Mason, Frederick Warner, Frank Tantalo, Taryn Czajka
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Abstract
In a method and system for imaging using multiple apertures, the present invention uses an array of lens elements to form the aperture for a high resolution imaging system. The light from each lens element is properly phased and reduced in volume to form a compact imaging system that captures images with higher resolution than possible with each individual element, potentially the resolution will correspond to an aperture equivalent to the size of the lens array.
Claims18
A multiple aperture imaging system comprising:
- a) an array of lens elements for capturing light and reducing a diameter of exiting light bundles, wherein the exiting light bundles exit from the array of lens elements;
- b) a means for correcting optical phase of the exiting light bundles;
- c) a means for reducing a total area of the exiting light bundles;
- and
- d) means for combining all the exiting light bundles from the array of lens elements to form an image with resolution comparable to a single lens element having an equivalent aperture size respective to the array of lens elements,
- wherein means for reducing the total area of the exiting light bundles includes first and second sets of reflective optical flats, arranged sequentially in space between the array of lens elements and the image, for sequentially compacting the exiting light bundles, initially in a first direction only and next in a second direction only, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
A method for forming an image with resolution equivalent to an array of lens elements, comprising the steps of:
- a) capturing light with the array of lens elements;
- b) directing the light exiting the array of lens elements into a plurality of exiting light bundles;
- c) reducing the plurality of exiting light bundles' diameters;
- d) correcting optical phase for the plurality of exiting light bundles;
- e) reducing the plurality of exiting light bundles' geometrical area;
- and
- f) combining each of the plurality of exiting light bundles from the array of lens elements to form an image with resolution comparable to a single lens element having an equivalent aperture size respective to the array of lens elements;
- wherein step (e) includes
- arranging, in spatial sequence, first and second sets of reflective optical flats, and
- first compacting the exiting light bundles in a first direction only, using the first set, and
- next compacting the exiting light bundles in a second direction only, using the second set, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.