Wavelength discriminating imaging systems and methods

• US 10,007,109 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2014
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Charlotte (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Charlotte (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Abolbashari, Mehrdad, Farahi, Faramarz
• Primary Examiner(s): Senfi, Behrooz
• Application Number:
  US14/219,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20140375776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,560 Days
• Field of Search: 348280, 348 49, 356326, 359615
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/004 fixed arrays, e.g. switchable aperture arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0064 multi-spectral or wavelength-selective arrangements, e.g. wavelength fan-out, chromatic profiling G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/005 for correction of secondary colour or higher-order chromatic aberrations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0075 with means for altering, e.g. increasing, the depth of field or depth of focus
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4211 correcting chromatic aberrations G02B27/0056, G02B27/4222, G02B27/4227 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/25 using two or more image sensors with different characteristics other than in their location or field of view, e.g. having different resolutions or colour pickup characteristics; using image signals from one sensor to control the characteristics of another sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2209/048 having several pick-up sensors

Abstract

The present disclosure provides wavelength discriminating imaging systems and methods that spatially separate (over different depths) the wavelength constituents of an image using a dispersive lens system or element, such that this spectral information may be exploited and used. The wavelength constituents of an image are deconstructed and identified over different depths using a dispersive lens system or element.

Claims

1. A spectral imaging system, comprising:

a dispersive element operable for separating wavelengths associated with an image of an object by distance;

an algorithm operable for identifying each of the separated wavelengths associated with the image using the distances; and

one or more sensors operable for determining intensity at each of the separated and identified wavelengths associated with the image and at each of the distances;

wherein the dispersive element is disposed at a distance from the object;

wherein the algorithm provides data in two spatial dimensions and a spectral dimension; and

wherein the data in the two spatial dimensions is captured simultaneously.

2. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, wherein the dispersive element comprises one or more lenses and a dispersive medium.

3. The spectral imaging system of claim 2, wherein the dispersive medium comprises one or more dispersive lenses.

4. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, wherein the dispersive element comprises one or more lenses with dispersion.

5. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a light field camera.

6. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a microlens array.

7. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising an array of dispersive lenses.

8. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a translation mechanism operable for moving the one or more sensors and one or more lenses.

9. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a lens array having varying focal lengths.

10. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a lens array having varying displacements with respect to a lens array plane.

11. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lens arrays having varying focal lengths and varying displacements with respect to a lens array plane.

12. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a lens system and one or more beamsplitters/image splitters operable for dividing a beam/image into a plurality of beams/images.

13. The spectral imaging system of claim 12, further comprising one or more filters operable for separating wavelengths.

14. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a profilometry algorithm operable for acquiring both depth and spectral information.

15. The spectral imaging system of claim 1, further comprising one of a 2D or 3D grayscale imaging system or a 2D or 3D color imaging system.

16. A spectral imaging method, comprising:

providing a dispersive element operable for separating wavelengths associated with an image of an object by distance;

providing an algorithm operable for identifying each of the separated wavelengths associated with the image using the distances; and

providing one or more sensors operable for determining intensity at each of the separated and identified wavelengths associated with the image and at each of the distances;

wherein the dispersive element is disposed at a distance from the object;

wherein the algorithm provides data in two spatial dimensions and a spectral dimension; and

wherein the data in the two spatial dimensions is captured simultaneously.

17. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, wherein the dispersive element comprises one or more lenses and a dispersive medium.

18. The spectral imaging method of claim 17, wherein the dispersive medium comprises one or more dispersive lenses.

19. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, wherein the dispersive element comprises one or more lenses with dispersion.

20. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a light field camera.

21. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a microlens array.

22. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing an array of dispersive lenses.

23. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a translation mechanism operable for moving the one or more sensors and one or more lenses.

24. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a lens array having varying focal lengths.

25. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a lens array having varying displacements with respect to a lens array plane.

26. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a plurality of lens arrays having varying focal lengths and varying displacements with respect to a lens array plane.

27. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a lens system and one or more beamsplitters/image splitters operable for dividing a beam/image into a plurality of beams/images.

28. The spectral imaging method of claim 27, further comprising providing one or more filters operable for separating wavelengths.

29. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing a profilometry algorithm operable for acquiring both depth and spectral information.

30. The spectral imaging method of claim 16, further comprising providing one of a 2D or 3D grayscale imaging system or a 2D or 3D color imaging system.