Photodetector system, apparatus and method
OwnerAllan J. Cooperinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image signal by receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector such as a hemispherical photodetector. The convex photodetector includes a plurality of photosensors. Each photosensor has a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of the flux of photons. The photosensors generate a respective plurality of intensity signals. Each of the intensity signals is related to the respective orientation of the photosensor that generates it. The intensity signals are received by a signal processor, such as a digital signal processor, which uses the intensity signals to compute an image signal related to the intensity signals and thereby produce a focused output image.
Claims18
A method of forming an image signal comprising:
- providing a curved photodetector, said curved photodetector including a plurality of photosensors;
- absorbing an un-refracted flux of photons at said plurality of photosensors, each of said photosensors respectively having a different functional orientation with respect to a propagation vector of said flux of photons;
- generating a plurality of intensity signals at said plurality of photosensors respectively, each of said intensity signals being related to said respective orientation;
- receiving said plurality of intensity signals at a signal processor device;
- and
- computing, with said signal processor device, a focused image signal related to said plurality of intensity signals.
A photodetector comprising:
- a support member, said support member having an upper surface;
- a plurality of photosensors disposed on said upper surface;
- said plurality of photosensors being arranged to receive un-refracted light from a light source;
- and
- a processor, said processor being adapted to receive respective signals from said plurality of photosensors and apply a mathematical transform to produce a focused image signal;
- wherein said upper surface includes at least one of a smooth hemispherical surface, a smooth ellipsoidal surface and a smooth ovoid surface.
A photodetector comprising:
- a support member, said support member having an upper surface;
- a plurality of photosensors disposed on said upper surface;
- said plurality of photosensors being arranged to receive un-refracted light from a light source;
- and
- a processor, said processor being adapted to receive respective signals from said plurality of photosensors and apply a mathematical transform to produce a focused image signal;
- wherein said upper surface defines a piecewise approximation to at least one of a hemispherical surface, an ellipsoidal surface and an ovoid surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.