Thin-film optical system

Abstract

A planar optical element (e.g., a camera) is provided comprising a diverter for diverting light from an object into an imaging plane; a planar lens waveguide in the imaging plane, receiving the diverted light and focusing it onto a line; and a sensor line located on the focus line, for forming a one-dimensional image of the object. Many such elements can be applied to a planar substrate at different angles, and the one-dimensional inputs Fourier-analysed to reconstruct the desired two-dimensional image. The elements may be transparent, so that the substrate may be a display screen; eliminating the need to locate a camera to the side of the screen. The elements can cover all or most of the screen, and a subset chosen at any given time to constitute the camera. The system can also be run backwards as a projector, with light-emitting elements instead of sensors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.