Use of a lenslet array with a vertically stacked pixel array
AssigneeFoveon, Inc.
InventorDomenick Montalbo Joseph
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved optical imaging system includes a vertically stacked pixel array and a lenslet array for capturing images while minimizing the focal length. The vertically stacked pixel array is configured to operate as an image sensor. The lenslet array is configure to focus the image on the image sensor. Each lens of the lenslet array focuses an image on a sub-array of the image sensor. Each sub-array is shifted from one another so that additional data obtained for each equivalent pixel in each sub-array. An image is obtained by combining the data of each sub-array.
Claims15
A method for capturing an image, comprising:
- positioning a lenslet array parallel to a vertically stacked pixel array, wherein the lenslet array is spaced from the vertically stacked pixel array according to an associated focal length;
- focusing light reflected from an image source onto the vertically stacked pixel array, wherein each pixel of the vertically stacked pixel array senses multiple colors of light;
- reading data that is associated with each pixel such that an image is obtained, whereby the focal length and color distortion are minimized;
- and
- each pixel of a vertically stacked pixel array corresponds to a vertically stacked photodiode cell, wherein each vertically stacked photodiode cell includes photodiodes formed at different depths in silicon, such that each photodiode is sensitive to a different color of light;
- and
- wherein the vertically stacked pixel array is separated into sub-arrays, wherein each sub-array corresponds to a lens of the lenslet array.
An optical imaging system, comprising:
- a vertically stacked pixel array that is arranged as an image sensor, wherein each pixel of the vertically stacked pixel array senses multiple colors of light;
- a lenslet array that is positioned parallel to the vertically stacked pixel array between the vertically stacked pixel array and an image source according to a focal length associated with the lenslet array, such that lenses of the lenslet array focus an image onto the vertically stacked pixel array, whereby an image is read by the vertically stacked pixel array;
- and
- each pixel of a vertically stacked pixel array corresponds to a vertically stacked photodiode cell, wherein each vertically stacked photodiode cell includes photodiodes formed at different depths in silicon that are each sensitive to different colors of light;
- and
- wherein the vertically stacked pixel array is separated into sub-arrays that each correspond to an associated lens within the lenslet array.
An optical imaging system for capturing an image, comprising:
- multiple means for sensing light that are arranged in an array, wherein each means for sensing light is arranged to sense multiple colors of light;
- multiple means for focusing light that are arranged in an array, wherein the means for focusing light are spaced from the means for sensing light according to an associated focal length;
- means for interpreting data associated with each means for sensing light such that an image is obtained, whereby the focal length and color distortion are minimized;
- a means for associating each pixel of a vertically stacked pixel array to a corresponding vertically stacked photodiode cell, wherein each vertically stacked photodiode cell includes photodiodes formed at different depths in silicon that are each sensitive to different colors of light;
- and
- wherein the array means for sensing light is separated into sub-arrays, wherein each sub-array corresponds to a selected means for focusing light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.