Optical compound eye sensor with ommatidium sensor and related methods
OwnerLuis R. Lopezinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical compound eye sensor (100) comprises a plurality of ommatidium sensors (10) disposed in a fixed relationship to form a multifaceted sensing surface. Each of the ommatidium sensors (10) has a conical body (12) of refractive material situated longitudinally along a respective optic axis (14) and has a lens face (16) and an electro-optic element (18), such as an emitter or detector, situated at substantially opposing ends of the conical body (12) along the respective optic axis (14). The lens face (16) and the conical body (12) direct light either to or from the electro-optic element (18). The lens faces (16) of the ommatidium sensors (10) collectively define the multifaceted surface for receiving light from the light source.
Claims26
An optical compound eye sensor for detecting distributions of light by apposition, comprising:
- a plurality of ommatidium sensors disposed in a fixed relationship to form a compound eye sensing means with a multifaceted surface for receiving light;
- and
- each of said ommatidium sensors having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated longitudinally along a respective optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said respective optic axis, said lens faces and said conical body for directing light to said light detector, said lens faces of each of said ommatidium sensors for collectively defining said multifaceted surface.
An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising:
- a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, having a wide end and a narrow end;
- a lens face situated at said wide end;
- a light detector at said narrow end, said light detector for receiving light passing through said lens faces and said conical body;
- and
- mounting means for mounting said body in a fixed relationship relative to an adjacent body of an adjacent ommatidium sensor;
- whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.
A method for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each having a substantially conical body of refractive material with a lens face situated at a wide end and with a light detector situated at a narrow end;
- and
- mounting said ommatidium sensors in a fixed relationship relative to each other so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.
An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, said sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis,
- whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens face of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.
An optical compound eye sensor comprising a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each ommatidium sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and the light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis so as to produce an asymmetric angle of acceptance function about said optic axis, said sensors held together in a fixed relationship so as to provide a polarization sensitive compound eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.