Patents Assigned to Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130194675
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for causing a single imaging lens system to simultaneously form multiple high resolution images on multiple imaging sensor planes. The images are preferably substantially identical, with no parallax error, except for different light levels so that the multiple images are of sufficient quality and similarity that they may be compared and/or combined (typically pixel-by-pixel) to create a single instantaneous high dynamic range (HDR) image. The invention may be used to create high-resolution HDR snapshots of moving subjects, as well as high-resolution HDR moving pictures (e.g. cinematographic films, movies, or other video) in which the subject and/or camera is moving. Alternatively, the images are substantially identical except for different focuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CONTRAST OPTICAL DESIGN & ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8320047
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for causing a single imaging lens system to simultaneously form multiple high resolution images on multiple imaging sensor planes. The images are preferably substantially identical, with no parallax error, except for different light levels so that the multiple images are of sufficient quality and similarity that they may be compared and/or combined (typically pixel-by-pixel) to create a single instantaneous high dynamic range (HDR) image. The invention may be used to create high-resolution HDR snapshots of moving subjects, as well as high-resolution HDR moving pictures (e.g. cinematographic films, movies, or other video) in which the subject and/or camera is moving. Alternatively, the images are substantially identical except for different focuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tocci
  • Patent number: 7961398
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously producing multiple images substantially identical images on multiple separate detector planes is disclosed. A reflective spatially beam-splitting element preferably comprising multiple reflective areas is preferably placed at a location substantially coincident with the pupil or aperture of the system. In non-diffraction limited systems, each area preferably comprises an actual cross section that is circular or has the rotational symmetry (or a multiple thereof) of the number of images to be formed. In diffraction limited systems, all of the areas preferably comprise actual cross sections that have the same shape, size and orientation with respect to the incoming optical beam. Each individual actual cross section may be due to the shape of each area, optionally in combination with a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tocci
  • Publication number: 20100328780
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for causing a single imaging lens system to simultaneously form multiple high resolution images on multiple imaging sensor planes. The images are preferably substantially identical, with no parallax error, except for different light levels so that the multiple images are of sufficient quality and similarity that they may be compared and/or combined (typically pixel-by-pixel) to create a single instantaneous high dynamic range (HDR) image. The invention may be used to create high-resolution HDR snapshots of moving subjects, as well as high-resolution HDR moving pictures (e.g. cinematographic films, movies, or other video) in which the subject and/or camera is moving. Alternatively, the images are substantially identical, or substantially identical except for different focuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: CONTRAST OPTICAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tocci
  • Publication number: 20090244717
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for causing a single imaging lens system to simultaneously form multiple high resolution images on multiple imaging sensor planes. The images are preferably substantially identical, with no parallax error, except for different light levels so that the multiple images are of sufficient quality and similarity that they may be compared and/or combined (typically pixel-by-pixel) to create a single instantaneous high dynamic range (HDR) image. The invention may be used to create high-resolution HDR snapshots of moving subjects, as well as high-resolution HDR moving pictures (e.g. cinematographic films, movies, or other video) in which the subject and/or camera is moving. Alternatively, the images are substantially identical except for different focuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tocci
  • Publication number: 20090225433
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously producing multiple images substantially identical images on multiple separate detector planes is disclosed. A reflective spatially beam-splitting element preferably comprising multiple reflective areas is preferably placed at a location substantially coincident with the pupil or aperture of the system. In non-diffraction limited systems, each area preferably comprises an actual cross section that is circular or has the rotational symmetry (or a multiple thereof) of the number of images to be formed. In diffraction limited systems, all of the areas preferably comprise actual cross sections that have the same shape, size and orientation with respect to the incoming optical beam. Each individual actual cross section may be due to the shape of each area, optionally in combination with a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Contrast Optical Design & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Tocci