System and method for high numeric aperture imaging systems
First Claim
1. An imaging system comprising:
- a first subsystem configured to obtain a first image using light propagating along a first optical axis just before the light used to obtain the first image intersects a first focal plane, the first focal plane lying generally perpendicular to the first optical axis; and
a second subsystem configured to obtain a second image, simultaneously with the obtaining of the first image by the first subsystem, using light in the second subsystem that is also propagating along the first optical axis just before the light used to obtain the second image intersects a second focal plane, the second focal plane lying generally parallel to the first focal plane.
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Abstract
A system and method for high numeric aperture imaging systems includes a splitter, a defocusing system, and a combiner. The splitter reflects a portion of collected light and transmits another portion of the collected light. The defocusing system is configured to modify optical power of either the transmitted portion or reflected portion of the collected light. The combiner is oriented with respect to a mechanical angle. The combiner recombines portions of the transmitted portion and the reflected portion such that the transmitted portion and reflected portion are subsequently transmitted being separated by an optical separation angle based upon the mechanical angle of orientation of the combiner. Various other implementations are used to maintain focus with regards to the imaging systems involved.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An imaging system comprising:
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a first subsystem configured to obtain a first image using light propagating along a first optical axis just before the light used to obtain the first image intersects a first focal plane, the first focal plane lying generally perpendicular to the first optical axis; and a second subsystem configured to obtain a second image, simultaneously with the obtaining of the first image by the first subsystem, using light in the second subsystem that is also propagating along the first optical axis just before the light used to obtain the second image intersects a second focal plane, the second focal plane lying generally parallel to the first focal plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of obtaining an image, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a first image using light propagating along an optical axis just before the light used for obtaining the first image intersects a first focal plane that is generally perpendicular to the optical axis; and obtaining, simultaneously with obtaining the first image, a second image using light also propagating along the optical axis just before the light used to obtain the second image intersects a second focal plane, different from, and generally parallel to, the first focal plane. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An imaging system comprising:
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a first subsystem configured to obtain a first image at a first depth of field using light propagating along a first optical axis so as to intersect a first focal plane, the first focal plane lying generally perpendicular to the first optical axis; and a second subsystem configured to obtain a second image at a second depth of field, simultaneously with the obtaining of the first image by the first subsystem, using light in the second subsystem that also propagates along the first optical axis to intersect a second focal plane, the second focal plane lying generally parallel to the first focal plane, wherein the first depth of field and the second depth of field are different, but overlap.
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24. A method of obtaining an image, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a first image at a first depth of field, using light propagating along an optical axis, intersecting a first focal plane; and simultaneously with the step of obtaining the first image, obtaining a second image at a second depth of field, using light also propagating along the optical axis, intersecting a second focal plane that is different from and generally parallel to the first focal plane, wherein the first depth of field and the second depth of field are different, but overlap.
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Specification