Processing method device and system to produce a focused image signal from an unfocused image

• US 20110187883A1
• Filed: 10/20/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allan J. Cooper
• Original Assignee: Allan J. Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Allan J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,553,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/702 SSIS architectures characterised by non-identical, non-equidistant or non-planar pixel layout
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects

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.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method of forming an image signal comprising:

receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector, said convex photodetector including a plurality of photosensors, said plurality of photosensors each having a different 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, an image signal related to said plurality of intensity signals.

3. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said convex photodetector comprises a substantially hemispherical photodetector.

4. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said convex photodetector comprises a substantially ellipsoidal photodetector.

5. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein computing said image signal comprises:

determining an intensity and angular position, with respect to said convex photodetector, of at least one source of said flux of photons.

6. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said receiving a flux of photons comprises:

receiving substantially collimated light waves from a light source outwardly of said convex photodetector.

7. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality of photosensors comprises a plurality of CMOS photosensors.

8. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality of photosensors comprises a plurality of charge coupled devices.

9. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of photosensors includes a substantially planar light-receiving surface.

10. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said signal processor device comprises a computer processor disposed on a common substrate with said convex photodetector.

11. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 10 wherein said signal processor device comprises a digital electronic computer.

12. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said signal processor device includes a computer readable memory, said computer readable memory being adapted to contain a program, said program being adapted to transform said plurality of intensity signals by matrix inversion to produce said image signal.

13. A method of forming an image signal as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality of intensity signals includes a plurality of analog electronic signals, said method further comprising:

receiving said plurality of analog electronic signals at least one analog to digital converter; and

producing a plurality of digital electronic signals.

14-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A method of converting a photon flux to a focused image comprising:

receiving a photon flux of a finite intensity at a plurality of photosensors, said flux of photons propagating along an axis of propagation, said plurality of photosensors each having a different angular orientation with respect to said axis of propagation;

generating a plurality of intensity signals at said plurality of photosensors respectively, each of said plurality of intensity signals related to said finite intensity and said angular orientation;

receiving said plurality of intensity signals at a signal processor;

generating an image signal with said signal processor based on said plurality of intensity signals; and

displaying a focused image based on said image signal.

24-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A photodetector comprising:

a substrate;

a convex support member disposed on said substrate, said convex support member having an upper surface; and

a plurality of photosensors disposed on said upper surface.

31. A photodetector as defined in claim 30 further comprising:

a plurality of analog to digital converters disposed on said substrate, said plurality of analog to digital converters being coupled to said plurality of photosensors respectively.

32. A photodetector as defined in claim 31 further comprising:

a numerical signal processor including a digital memory device, said numerical signal processor being disposed on said substrate, said numerical signal processor being coupled to said plurality of analog to digital converters.

33. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said upper surface includes a substantially smooth hemispherical surface.

34. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said upper surface includes a substantially smooth ellipsoidal surface.

35. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said upper surface includes a substantially smooth ovoid surface.

36. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said upper surface includes a plurality of substantially flat terraces.

37. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said substrate comprises a silicon substrate.

38. A photodetector as defined in claim 30, wherein said substrate comprises a compound semiconductor substrate.

39-54. -54. (canceled)