Method of forming image with binary lens element array

• US 5,811,320 A
• Filed: 10/24/1994
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Rostoker
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Rostoker
• Inventors: Rostoker, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan H.
• Application Number:
  US08/292,336
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 437/2, 437/3, 437/53, 437/48, 438/29, 438/31, 438/32, 438/66, 438/69, 438/70, 438/73, 438/48
• US Class Current: 438/48
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14618 Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14627 Microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02327 the optical elements being integrated or being directly associated to the device, e.g. back reflectors optical coatings H01L31/0216
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 148/099 LED, multicolor

Abstract

Methods of etching optical elements in association with photosensitive elements are described. In some of the arrangements, the optical elements are formed integrally with a substrate containing the photosensitive elements. In other arrangements, an optical element is mounted to a package, or the like, containing the substrate and photosensitive elements. In other arrangements, two or more optical elements are employed, including conventional refractive elements, refractive focusing elements, and refractive beam splitting elements. Utility as solid state image sensors is discussed. Utility for monochromatic and color imaging is discussed.

Claims

1. A method of forming a color electronic image corresponding to a light image, comprising:

arranging a plurality of lenses for each to diffractively form three substantially identical segments of the light image in three different colors on three spaced areas of a surface respectively;

arranging three photosensors on said surface at said three spaced areas for receiving the three segments to generate electrical signals corresponding to respective ones of the segments and

processing said electrical signals to produce the color electronic image.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each lens is a circular binary diffractive lens.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the three spaced areas are substantially equally rotationally spaced from an axis of each lens respectively.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the three spaced areas are substantially equidistant from each lens respectively.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the three different colors are red, green and blue respectively.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein each photosensor is a two-dimensional array of photosensitive elements.

7. A method of forming a color electronic image corresponding to a light image, comprising:

arranging a plurality of lenses so that each individual lens diffractively forms a plurality of substantially identical segments of the light image in a plurality of different colors on a plurality of spaced areas respectively;

arranging a plurality of photosensors on said surface at said plurality of spaced areas for receiving the three segments to generate electrical signals corresponding to the segments respectively; and

processing said electrical signals to produce said electronic image.