Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An imaging lens unit is presented, comprising an imaging lens having a lens region defining an effective aperture, and a phase coder. The phase coder may be incorporated with or located close to the lens region. The phase coder defines a surface relief along the lens region formed by at least three phase patterns extending along the lens region. Each of the phase patterns differently affecting light components of one of at least three different wavelength ranges while substantially not affecting propagation of light components of other of said at least three wavelength ranges. The surface relief affects light propagation through the lens region to extend a depth of focus for at least one of said at least three wavelength ranges.

Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens is presented. The lens includes a toric optical zone and a phase-affecting, non-diffractive optical element for extending depth of focus of imaging.

Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An imaging lens unit is presented, comprising an imaging lens having a lens region defining an effective aperture, and a phase coder. The phase coder may be incorporated with or located close to the lens region. The phase coder defines a surface relief along the lens region formed by at least three phase patterns extending along the lens region. Each of the phase patterns differently affecting light components of one of at least three different wavelength ranges while substantially not affecting propagation of light components of other of said at least three wavelength ranges. The surface relief affects light propagation through the lens region to extend a depth of focus for at least one of said at least three wavelength ranges.

Abstract: An imaging lens structure and method of imaging are presented. The imaging lens structure comprising a lens region defining an effective aperture of the lens structure. The lens region comprises an arrangement of lens zones distributed within the lens region and comprising zones of at least two different optical functions differently affecting light passing therethrough. The zones of at least two different optical functions are arranged in an interlaced fashion along said lens region corresponding to a surface relief of the lens region such that adjacent lens zones of different optical functions are spaced apart from one another along an optical axis of the lens structure a distance larger than a coherence length of light at least one spectral range for which said lens structure is designed.

Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Abstract: An imaging system is presented for use in multi-range imaging of an object scene by incoherent light. The imaging system comprises aligned a phase mask section, a single focus lens section, and a pixel detector array (PDA). The phase mask section has a generally non-diffractive, narrowly bounded, phase variation corresponding to a profile of a through-object Modulated Transfer Function (MTF) of the imaging system, where the profile has, at an at least one non-zero spatial frequency, at least two regions of growth leading to the MTF higher than 10%.

Abstract: An imaging system is presented for use in multi-range imaging of an object scene by incoherent light. The imaging system comprises aligned a phase mask section, a single focus lens section, and a pixel detector array (PDA). The phase mask section has a generally non-diffractive, narrowly bounded, phase variation corresponding to a profile of a through-object Modulated Transfer Function (MTF) of the imaging system, where the profile has, at an at least one non-zero spatial frequency, at least two regions of growth leading to the MTF higher than 10%.

Abstract: A method of image compression, comprising: providing image-data encoding light; transforming said light from an image space to a transform space utilizing an optical component; and converting said transformed light into electrical signals, which electrical signals represent a compressed representation of said image data.