Imaging apparatus and method, and method for designing imaging apparatus

A single-focus imaging apparatus including an array of imaging devices, the apparatus comprising:

• an optical system including
• a first imaging system that produces a focused image;
• a first imaging plane on which an image produced through the first imaging system is formed;
• and
• a second imaging system group including an array of second imaging systems, each second imaging system including a second imaging device and a lens through which at least part of the image formed on the first imaging plane is formed on a second imaging plane on the second imaging device,
• processing means for joining images captured through the respective imaging devices of the second imaging systems having the first type parameters to form a first image and joining images captured through the respective imaging devices of the second imaging systems having the second type parameters to form a second image
• wherein
• at least the position of the lens, the distance between the lens and the second imaging device, and the angle of view are determined as parameters of each second imaging system in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane that changes depending on the distance between the imaging apparatus and an object,
• the second imaging system group includes
• a first subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having first type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a first length;
• and
• a second subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having second type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a second length shorter than the first length.

A method for imaging with an imaging apparatus that includes at least a first imaging system and a plurality of second imaging systems each having a lens and a corresponding imaging device, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a focused image on a predetermined imaging plane through the first imaging system;
• forming an image of a predetermined part of the image, formed on the predetermined imaging plane, on the imaging device of each second imaging system, the lenses of the second imaging system being distinct from each other and the corresponding imaging devices being distinct from each other;
• and
• capturing the predetermined part images formed on each imaging device therethrough,
• wherein
• before capturing the predetermined part image, at least the position of the respective lenses, the distance between the lens and the corresponding imaging device, and the angle of view are determined as parameters of each second imaging system in accordance with the position of the imaging plane that changes depending on the distance between the imaging apparatus and an object
• the second imaging system group includes:
• a first subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having first type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a first length;
• and
• a second subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having second type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a second length shorter than the first length.

A method for designing an imaging apparatus including at least a first imaging system and a plurality of second imaging systems each having a lens and a corresponding imaging device, the lenses of the second imaging system being distinct from each other and the corresponding imaging devices being distinct from each other, the method comprising:

• determining at least the position of the respective lenses, the distance between the lens and the corresponding imaging device, and the angle of view are determined as parameters of each second imaging system in accordance with the position of a predetermined imaging plane that changes depending on the distance between the imaging apparatus and an object so that a focused image is formed on the predetermined imaging plane through the first imaging system and an image of predetermined part of the image formed on the imaging plane is formed on the imaging device of each second imaging system and
• the second imaging system group includes:
• a first subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having first type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a first length;
• and
• a second subgroup including an array of second imaging systems each having second type parameters determined in accordance with the position of the second imaging plane located when the distance between the imaging apparatus and the object is a second length shorter than the first length.