Optical Arrangements for Use with an Array Camera
First Claim
1. A monolithic lens optical arrangement for an array camera comprising:
- at least one lens element comprising;
a first monolithic lens having first proximal and distal surfaces, wherein the first proximal surface of the first monolithic lens has one of either a concave or convex profile, and wherein the first distal surface of the first monolithic lens has a plano profile;
at least one aperture disposed on the first distal surface of the first monolithic lens and in optical alignment therewith;
a second monolithic lens having second proximal and distal surfaces, wherein the second proximal surface of the second monolithic lens has a plano profile, and wherein the second distal surface of the second monolithic lens has one of either a concave or convex profile, and wherein the second monolithic lens is arranged in optical alignment with said aperture; and
wherein the first monolithic lens element is in direct contact with the aperture and the second monolithic lens.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variety of optical arrangements and methods of modifying or enhancing the optical characteristics and functionality of these optical arrangements are provided. The optical arrangements being specifically designed to operate with camera arrays that incorporate an imaging device that is formed of a plurality of imagers that each include a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers.
128 Citations
6 Claims
-
1. A monolithic lens optical arrangement for an array camera comprising:
-
at least one lens element comprising; a first monolithic lens having first proximal and distal surfaces, wherein the first proximal surface of the first monolithic lens has one of either a concave or convex profile, and wherein the first distal surface of the first monolithic lens has a plano profile; at least one aperture disposed on the first distal surface of the first monolithic lens and in optical alignment therewith; a second monolithic lens having second proximal and distal surfaces, wherein the second proximal surface of the second monolithic lens has a plano profile, and wherein the second distal surface of the second monolithic lens has one of either a concave or convex profile, and wherein the second monolithic lens is arranged in optical alignment with said aperture; and wherein the first monolithic lens element is in direct contact with the aperture and the second monolithic lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6)
-
-
5. An array comprising a plurality of the monolithic optical arrangements of claim 39, wherein the array is designed to image a selected wavelength band, and wherein the profile of at least one of the lens surfaces within each optical arrangement is adapted to optimally image only a narrow-band portion of the selected wavelength such that in combination the plurality of arrangements within the array image the entirety of the selected wavelength band.
Specification