High Speed, Optically-Multiplexed, Hyperspectral Imagers and Methods Thereof

• US 20080204744A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boysel R. Mark, Jose Mir
• Original Assignee: Boysel R. Mark, Jose Mir
• Inventors: Mir, Jose, Boysel, R. Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/995,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204744A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/303
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1239 and separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2823 Imaging spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/41 Extracting pixel data from a plurality of image sensors simultaneously picking up an image, e.g. for increasing the field of view by combining the outputs of a plurality of sensors

Abstract

High speed, optically-multiplexed, hyperspectral imagers and methods for producing multiple, spectrally-filtered image information of a scene. In a preferred embodiment, an array of imaging lenslets project multiple images of a scene along parallel optical paths which are then collimated, filtered into distinct wavelengths, and focused onto an array of image sensors. A digital image formatter converts output data from the image sensors into hyperspectral image information of the scene.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

an array of imaging lenslets that project multiple images of a scene along parallel optical paths;

an array of collimating lenslets aligned in the parallel optical paths with the array of imaging lenslets;

an array of filters aligned in the parallel optical paths with the array of collimating lenslets, wherein each of the filters transmits a different wavelength;

an image sensor array;

an array of imaging lenslets which focuses images at different wavelengths on to the array of image sensors; and

an image processing system that converts output data from the array of image sensors into hyperspectral image information of the scene.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the array of imaging lenslets is a linear array of imaging lenslets.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the array of imaging lenslets is an area array of imaging lenslets.

4. The system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the filters in the array is a narrow band pass filter.

5. The system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, and further comprising at least one baffle between the array of lenslets and the array of collimating lenslets.

6. The system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the array of imaging lenslets further comprises an opaque optical mask with openings for each lenslet in the array of lenslets.

7. The system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the array of imaging lenslets further comprises an array of plano-convex field lenslets.

8. The system as set forth in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the array of imaging lenslets comprises an array of positive field lenslets.

9. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the array of filters is on a flat surface of the array of plano-convex lenslets.

10. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the array of filters is on a flat surface of multi-element positive field lenslets.

11. A method for making an imaging system, the method comprising:

providing an array of imaging lenslets that project multiple images of a scene along parallel optical paths;

aligning an array of collimating lenslets to be in the parallel optical paths with the array of imaging lenslets;

aligning an array of filters to be in the parallel optical paths with the array of collimating lenslets, wherein each of the filters transmits a different wavelength;

providing an image sensor array;

arranging an array of imaging lenslets to focus the different wavelengths on to the image sensor array; and

converting output data from the one or more array of image sensors into hyperspectral image information of the scene.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the array of imaging lenslets is a linear array of imaging lenslets.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the array of imaging lenslets is an area array of imaging lenslets.

14. The method as set forth in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein each of the filters in the array is a narrow band pass filter.

15. The method as set forth in any one of claims 11 to 14, and further comprising at least one battle between the array of lenslets and the array of collimating lenslets.

16. The method as set forth in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the array of imaging lenslets further comprises an opaque optical mask with openings for each lenslet in the array of lenslets.

17. The method as set forth in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the array of imaging lenslets further comprises an array of plano-convex field lenslets.

18. The method as set forth in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the array of imaging lenslets further comprises an array of positive field lenslets.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the array of filters is on a flat surface of the array of plano-convex lenslets.

20. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the array of filters is on a flat surface of the array of multi-element positive field lenslets.