Thick single-lens extended depth-of-field imaging systems
First Claim
1. An imaging system for imaging an object within an extended depth-of-field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- , comprising;
an optical system having an optical axis and consisting of a single lens element having a focal length F, an axial thickness TH wherein 0.25F≦
TH≦
1.2F, an amount of field curvature FC wherein 20 microns≦
FC≦
300 microns, an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, and an amount of spherical aberration SA wherein 0.2λ
≦
SA≦
2λ
when forming an image of the object; and
an image sensor arranged to receive the image and form therefrom a digitized electronic raw image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging system (10) is disclosed that has an optical system (20) consisting of a single lens element (22) having a focal length (F), a thickness (TH) between 0.25F and 1.2F, and an objectwise aperture stop (AS). The optical system has a select amount of spherical aberration (SA) that allows for correcting coma by positioning the aperture stop. The optical system has an amount of field curvature (FC) such that 20 microns≦FC≦300 microns, which is made possible by the thickness of the single lens element. The imaging system has an image sensor (30) and an image processing unit (54) adapted to process raw images to form contrast-enhanced images.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An imaging system for imaging an object within an extended depth-of-field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- , comprising;
an optical system having an optical axis and consisting of a single lens element having a focal length F, an axial thickness TH wherein 0.25F≦
TH≦
1.2F, an amount of field curvature FC wherein 20 microns≦
FC≦
300 microns, an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, and an amount of spherical aberration SA wherein 0.2λ
≦
SA≦
2λ
when forming an image of the object; andan image sensor arranged to receive the image and form therefrom a digitized electronic raw image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- , comprising;
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13. A method of forming an image of an object over an extended depth of field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- , comprising;
forming a raw image of an object with an optical axis and consisting of a single lens element having a focal length F, an axial thickness TH wherein 0.25F≦
TH≦
1.2F, an amount of field curvature FC wherein 20 microns≦
FC≦
300 microns, an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, and an amount of spherical aberration SA wherein0.2λ
≦
SA≦
2λ
when forming the raw image of the object; andusing an image sensor, electronically capturing the raw image to form a digitized raw image. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- , comprising;
Specification