Apparatus and method for image super-resolution using integral shifting optics
First Claim
1. An image capture device configured to capture images of an object, the image capture device comprising:
- an imaging camera lens system;
an electro-optics arrangement positioned between the object and the imaging camera, the electro-optics arrangement including;
one or more polarizers configured to orient a polarization of light passing therethrough;
a plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements having an optical path length that changes with different polarization states so as to provide for capture of the object images at each of a plurality of different focal planes; and
a plurality of polarization modulating elements configured to selectively control a polarization rotation of light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements responsive to voltages applied thereto;
wherein the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements comprises at least a first polarization sensitive optical element and a second polarization sensitive optical element, with the first polarization sensitive optical element and the second polarization sensitive optical element having an edge displaced relative to a plane normal to an optical axis of the electro-optics arrangement; and
a control system coupled to the electro-optics arrangement and being configured to control the application of voltages to each of the plurality of polarization modulating elements to control the polarization rotation of the light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements, such that the optical path length of the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements is changed to provide for capture of the object images at each of the plurality of different focal planes;
wherein the first and second polarization sensitive optical elements generate lateral image shifts between respective object images captured at the plurality of different focal planes responsive to the polarization rotation of the light input thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image capture device includes an electro-optics arrangement having an arrangement of polarizers, polarization sensitive optical elements, and polarization modulating elements. First and second polarization sensitive optical elements are provided having an edge displaced relative to a plane normal to an optical axis of the electro-optics arrangement. A control system coupled to the electro-optics arrangement controls the application of voltages to the polarization modulating elements to control the polarization rotation of the light input to the polarization sensitive optical elements, such that the optical path length of the polarization sensitive optical elements is changed to provide for capture of the object images at each of the different focal planes. The first and second polarization sensitive optical elements generate lateral image shifts between respective object images captured at the different focal planes responsive to the polarization rotation of the light input thereto.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An image capture device configured to capture images of an object, the image capture device comprising:
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an imaging camera lens system; an electro-optics arrangement positioned between the object and the imaging camera, the electro-optics arrangement including; one or more polarizers configured to orient a polarization of light passing therethrough; a plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements having an optical path length that changes with different polarization states so as to provide for capture of the object images at each of a plurality of different focal planes; and a plurality of polarization modulating elements configured to selectively control a polarization rotation of light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements responsive to voltages applied thereto; wherein the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements comprises at least a first polarization sensitive optical element and a second polarization sensitive optical element, with the first polarization sensitive optical element and the second polarization sensitive optical element having an edge displaced relative to a plane normal to an optical axis of the electro-optics arrangement; and a control system coupled to the electro-optics arrangement and being configured to control the application of voltages to each of the plurality of polarization modulating elements to control the polarization rotation of the light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements, such that the optical path length of the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements is changed to provide for capture of the object images at each of the plurality of different focal planes; wherein the first and second polarization sensitive optical elements generate lateral image shifts between respective object images captured at the plurality of different focal planes responsive to the polarization rotation of the light input thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for acquiring images of an object via an image capture device, the method comprising:
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providing an image capture device comprising an image forming optical lens and an electro-optic lens section, the electro-optics lens section further including; one or more polarizers configured to orient a polarization of light passing therethrough; birefringent windows that exhibit a different index of refraction depending on an input polarization of light passing therethrough, wherein at least one of the birefringent windows has an edge displaced relative to a plane normal to an optical axis of the electro-optic lens section; and liquid crystal polarization rotators configured to selectively rotate an axis of the input polarization of light provided to the birefringent windows; and capturing an image of at least a portion of the object at each of a plurality of fixed focus positions by way of the image capture device, wherein capturing the object images at the plurality of fixed focus positions comprises; selectively applying a voltage to the liquid crystal polarization rotators in the electro-optics lens section to rotate the axis of the input polarization of light provided to the birefringent windows; and capturing an image of at least a portion of the object at each of the plurality of fixed focus positions responsive to the voltage applied to the liquid crystal polarization rotators, with images being captured at each of the plurality of fixed focus positions based on differing indexes of refraction of the birefringent windows; wherein each object image acquired at a respective fixed focus position has a sub-pixel lateral image shift as compared to object images acquired at adjacent fixed focus positions responsive to the axis rotation of the input polarization of light provided to the at least one birefringent window having the edge displaced relative to the plane normal to the optical axis of the electro-optic lens section. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electro-optics lens section for use in an image capture device configured to capture objects of an image at a plurality of different focal planes, the electro-optics lens section comprising:
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one or more polarizers configured to orient a polarization of light passing therethrough; a plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements having an optical path length that changes with different polarization states so as to provide for capture of the object images at each of a plurality of different focal planes, the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements including at least a first polarization sensitive optical element and a second polarization sensitive optical element, with the first polarization sensitive optical element and the second polarization sensitive optical element being tilted relative to a plane normal to an optical axis of the electro-optics lens section and tilted in planes 90 degrees in rotation about the optical axis relative to each other; and a plurality of polarization modulating elements configured to selectively control a polarization rotation of light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements responsive to voltages applied thereto, so as to enable capture of object images at a plurality of different focal planes; wherein the tilted first and second polarization sensitive optical elements generate lateral image shifts between respective object images captured at the plurality of different focal planes responsive to varying of the polarization rotation of the light input to the plurality of polarization sensitive optical elements resulting from the voltages applied to the plurality of polarization modulating elements, such that no mechanical motion of the electro-optics lens section is needed in generating the lateral image shifts. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification