Imaging apparatus and method

A method of imaging, comprising:

• guiding light from a subject to a photoelectric conversion portion of an imaging device through a plurality of apertures arranged adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device;
• performing arithmetic signal processing on electrical signals corresponding to pixels of the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device to obtain subject information units of the subject, the electrical signals derived from the light guided onto the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device through the plurality of apertures;
• and
• correcting differences between the subject information units,
• wherein,
• the arithmetic signal processing is performed on the signals of each of the pixels of the imaging device using a coefficient based on intensity distribution of the light incident on the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device to obtain the subject information units, the intensity distribution of the light incident on the imaging device based on a pitch of the plurality of apertures, the size of each of the plurality of apertures, and the shape of each of the plurality of apertures, and
• the intensity distribution of the light incident on the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device is based on pitch of the plurality of apertures, the size of each of the plurality of apertures, the shape of each of the plurality of apertures, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of apertures, the orientation of each of the plurality of apertures, the position of each of the plurality of apertures, the transmittance distribution of each of the plurality of apertures, the distance between each of the plurality of apertures and the imaging device, the distance between each of the plurality of apertures and the subject, the diffraction of light through each of the plurality of apertures, and the interference of light through each of the plurality of apertures.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an imaging device operable to convert light incident on a photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device into a plurality of electric signals;
• a light guide unit arranged adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device, the light guide unit including a plurality of apertures operable to guide light from a subject to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device;
• and
• a signal processing unit operable to (i) perform arithmetic processing on at least one electrical signal corresponding to one pixel of the photoelectric conversion portion to obtain subject information units of the subject, and (ii) correct differences between the subject information units,
• wherein,
• the at least one electrical signal is derived from the light guided onto the photo conversion portion of the imaging device through at least one of the plurality of apertures using a coefficient based on intensity distribution of the light, and
• the intensity distribution of the light is based on the size of the plurality of apertures, the shape plurality of apertures, the cross-sectional shape of the plurality of apertures, the orientation of the plurality of apertures, the position of the plurality of apertures, the transmittance distribution of the plurality of apertures, the distance between the plurality of apertures and the imaging device, the distance between the plurality of apertures and the subject, the diffraction of light through the plurality of apertures, the interference of light through the plurality of apertures, and the intensity distribution of the light incident on the imaging device being determined on the basis of the pitch of the plurality of apertures.

A method of imaging, comprising:

• guiding light from a subject to a photoelectric conversion portion of an imaging device through at least one aperture arranged adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device;
• and
• performing arithmetic processing on at least one electrical signal corresponding to one pixel of the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device to obtain subject information of the subject, the at least one electrical signal derived from the light guided onto the photo conversion portion of the imaging device through the at least one aperture;
• and
• performing difference correction processing on the subject information of the subject,
• wherein,
• the arithmetic processing is performed on the at least one electrical signal using a coefficient based on intensity distribution of the light, and
• the intensity distribution of the light is based on size of the at least one aperture, the shape of the at least one aperture, the cross-sectional shape of the at least one aperture, the orientation of the at least one aperture, the position of the at least one aperture, the transmittance distribution of the at least one aperture, the distance between the at least one aperture and the imaging device, the distance between the at least one aperture and the subject, the diffraction of light through the at least one aperture, the interference of light through the at least one aperture, and a pitch of the at least one aperture.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an imaging device operable to convert light incident on a photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device into a plurality of electric signals;
• a light guide mechanism arranged adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device, the light guide mechanism including at least one aperture operable to guide light from a subject to the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device;
• and
• a signal processing unit operable to perform (i) arithmetic processing on at least one electrical signal corresponding to one pixel of the photoelectric conversion portion of the imaging device to obtain subject information of the subject, and (ii) difference correction processing on the subject information of the subject,
• wherein,
• the at least one electrical signal is derived from the light guided onto the photo conversion portion of the imaging device through the plurality of apertures using a coefficient based on the intensity distribution of the light, and
• the intensity distribution of the light is based on size of the at least one aperture, the shape of the at least one aperture, the cross-sectional shape of the at least one aperture, the orientation of the at least one aperture, the position of the at least one aperture, the transmittance distribution of the at least one aperture, the distance between the at least one aperture and the imaging device, the distance between the at least one aperture and the subject, the diffraction of light through the at least one aperture, the interference of light through the at least one aperture, and a pitch of the at least one aperture.