Abstract: A plurality of imaging regions are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of optical systems and are disposed on optical axes of the respective optical systems. Each imaging region has a plurality of pixels. The imaging apparatus further comprises an origin detecting means for detecting an origin of each imaging region, a pixel position specifying means for specifying positions of a plurality of pixels included in each imaging region using the origin as a reference, and a combination means for combining a plurality of images captured by the respective imaging regions. Thereby, it is possible to make a thin imaging apparatus capable of being easily assembled.

Abstract: A plurality of lenses 102a to 102d arranged in the same plane form a plurality of subject images on a plurality of imaging regions 104a to 104d. Vertical line directions and horizontal line directions of the pixel arrangement in the respective plurality of imaging regions are equal to one another among the plurality of imaging regions. Further, at least one pair of subject images received by at least one pair of imaging regions having a parallax in the vertical line (or horizontal line) direction among the plurality of imaging regions are shifted from each other by a predetermined amount in the horizontal line (or vertical line) direction. By performing pixel shifting in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a parallax is generated, it always is possible to obtain a high-resolution image even when the subject distance varies.

Abstract: A plurality of imaging regions are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of optical systems and are disposed on optical axes of the respective optical systems. Each imaging region has a plurality of pixels. The imaging apparatus further comprises an origin detecting means for detecting an origin of each imaging region, a pixel position specifying means for specifying positions of a plurality of pixels included in each imaging region using the origin as a reference, and a combination means for combining a plurality of images captured by the respective imaging regions. Thereby, it is possible to make a thin imaging apparatus capable of being easily assembled.

Abstract: A plurality of imaging regions are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of optical systems and are disposed on optical axes of the respective optical systems. Each imaging region has a plurality of pixels. The imaging apparatus further comprises an origin assigning means for assigning an origin of each imaging region, a pixel position specifying means for specifying positions of a plurality of pixels included in each imaging region using the origin as a reference, and a combination means for combining a plurality of images captured by the respective imaging regions. Thereby, it is possible to make a thin imaging apparatus capable of being easily assembled.

Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical lenses (301a to 301c) form a plurality of subject images on a plurality of imaging regions (302a to 302c), respectively. When viewed along a direction parallel with optical axes, at least one straight line connecting corresponding points in at least one pair of the subject images that are formed by at least one pair of the imaging optical lenses is inclined with respect to a direction in which pixels are arranged in the imaging regions. In this way, a high-resolution image always can be obtained regardless of the subject distance.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes a base 13, a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions 11 formed in a surface of the base 13, and an insulating film 18 formed above the base 13. Openings 18h are formed in the insulating film 18 so that each of the openings 18h is located above each of the photoelectric conversion portions 11. Optical waveguides 19 having a refractive index higher than that of the insulating film 18 are formed in each of the openings 18h. And the optical waveguides 19 are made of a composite material containing a resin 19a and inorganic particles 19b.

Abstract: A plurality of lenses 102a to 102d arranged in the same plane form a plurality of subject images on a plurality of imaging regions 104a to 104d. Vertical line directions and horizontal line directions of the pixel arrangement in the respective plurality of imaging regions are equal to one another among the plurality of imaging regions. Further, at least one pair of subject images received by at least one pair of imaging regions having a parallax in the vertical line (or horizontal line) direction among the plurality of imaging regions are shifted from each other by a predetermined amount in the horizontal line (or vertical line) direction. By performing pixel shifting in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a parallax is generated, it always is possible to obtain a high-resolution image even when the subject distance varies.

Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical lenses (301a to 301c) form a plurality of subject images on a plurality of imaging regions (302a to 302c), respectively. When viewed along a direction parallel with optical axes, at least one straight line connecting corresponding points in at least one pair of the subject images that are formed by at least one pair of the imaging optical lenses is inclined with respect to a direction in which pixels are arranged in the imaging regions. In this way, a high-resolution image always can be obtained regardless of the subject distance.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes a base 13, a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions 11 formed in a surface of the base 13, and an insulating film 18 formed above the base 13. Openings 18h are formed in the insulating film 18 so that each of the openings 18h is located above each of the photoelectric conversion portions 11. Optical waveguides 19 having a refractive index higher than that of the insulating film 18 are formed in each of the openings 18h. And the optical waveguides 19 are made of a composite material containing a resin 19a and inorganic particles 19b.

Abstract: A color separator includes a polarization converting section for converting an incoming light ray into a linearly polarized light ray such that the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light ray is selectable from a number of predetermined directions, and a diffracting section, which is arranged so as to receive the linearly polarized light ray that has gone out of the polarization converting section and which produces a zero-order light ray in which one of multiple different wavelength components is selectively weakened according to the polarization direction at least.

Abstract: In a method for forming an image of a subject on a solid-state imaging device, a first time period for splitting a light beam from a subject into a plurality of light beams that have different polarization directions and then combining the plurality of light beams to form a single subject image on the solid-state imaging device and a second time period for splitting the light beam from the subject into the plurality of light beams that have different polarization directions and forming a plurality of subject images that overlap each other partially on the solid-state imaging device are switched time-wise. A first image information on the single subject image is obtained based on pieces of signal information in the first time period, and a second image information on one of the plurality of subject images is calculated by using and computing pieces of signal information in the second time period.

Abstract: A plurality of lenses (1a-1d) of a lens module (1), a plurality of wavelength selection regions (2a-2d) each having at least one optical filter, and a plurality of imaging regions (4a-4d) are placed in one-to-one correspondence. At least two of the plurality of wavelength selection regions transmit light in at least one wavelength band among infrared light, red light, green light, and blue light. The distance to an object is calculated based on at least two pieces of image information outputted respectively from at least two imaging regions respectively corresponding to the at least two wavelength selection regions. Furthermore, a camera module outputs an image signal based on image information outputted from at least one of the plurality of imaging regions. This can realize a small and low-cost camera module capable of measuring the distance to an object and capturing the object.

Abstract: A plurality of lenses (1a-1d) of a lens module (1), a plurality of wavelength selection regions (2a-2d) each having at least one optical filter, and a plurality of imaging regions (4a-4d) are placed in one-to-one correspondence. At least two of the plurality of wavelength selection regions transmit light in at least one wavelength band among infrared light, red light, green light, and blue light. The distance to an object is calculated based on at least two pieces of image information outputted respectively from at least two imaging regions respectively corresponding to the at least two wavelength selection regions. Furthermore, a camera module outputs an image signal based on image information outputted from at least one of the plurality of imaging regions. This can realize a small and low-cost camera module capable of measuring the distance to an object and capturing the object.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which includes a first substrate having a first information surface, a semitransparent reflection film formed on the first information surface of the first substrate, and a second substrate having a second information surface. In addition, the optical recording medium includes a reflection film formed on the second information surface of the second substrate, and an adhesive layer for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first information surface of the first substrate faces the second information surface on the second substrate. The thickness of the first substrate is the same as the thickness of the second substrate.

Abstract: An imaging device includes at least three color filters, including first to third color filters having respectively different filtering characteristics; at least three lens systems, including first to third lens systems respectively associated with the first to third color filters; and a photodetection section. The photodetection section includes a first photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the first color filter and the first lens system, a second photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the second color filter and the second lens system, and a third photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the third color filter and the third lens system. Each of the first to third photodetectors has a two-dimensional array of photodetection cells such that centers of the photodetection cells are positioned at apices of triangles sharing respective sides with one another, where none of three corner angles of each triangle is equal to 90°.

Abstract: A color separator includes a polarization converting section for converting an incoming light ray into a linearly polarized light ray such that the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light ray is selectable from a number of predetermined directions, and a diffracting section, which is arranged so as to receive the linearly polarized light ray that has gone out of the polarization converting section and which produces a zero-order light ray in which one of multiple different wavelength components is selectively weakened according to the polarization direction at least.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging device comprising: at least three color filters, including first to third color filters 9R, 9G, and 9B having respectively different filtering characteristics; at least three lens systems, including first to third lens systems 2R, 2G, and 2B respectively associated with the first to third color filters; and a photodetection section including a first photodetector 4R for receiving light transmitted through the first color filter 9R and the first lens system 2R, a second photodetector 4G for receiving light transmitted through the second color filter 9G and the second lens system 2G, and a third photodetector 4B for receiving light transmitted through the third color filter 9B and the third lens system 2B.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus is provided for reproducing information stored on an optical medium. The apparatus includes a light source for illuminating the optical medium, the optical medium having at least one surface containing information stored thereon; a focusing arrangement operable to focus the light source on the at least one surface containing information thereon; and a detection arrangement operable to detect the information stored on the optical medium. The optical medium includes a first substrate having a first information surface; a semitransparent reflection film formed on the first information surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having a second information surface; a reflection film formed on the second information surface of the second substrate; and an adhesive layer for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first information surface and the second information surface face each other, wherein the thickness of the first substrate is at least 0.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus is provided for reproducing information stored on an optical medium. The apparatus includes a light source for illuminating the optical medium, the optical medium having at least one surface containing information stored thereon; a focusing arrangement operable to focus the light source on the at least one surface containing information thereon; and a detection arrangement operable to detect the information stored on the optical medium. The optical medium includes a first substrate having a first information surface; a semitransparent reflection film formed on the first information surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having a second information surface; a reflection film formed on the second information surface of the second substrate; and an adhesive layer for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first information surface and the second information surface face each other, wherein the thickness of the first substrate is at least 0.

Abstract: The disk-shaped optical information medium of this invention includes: a first substrate having a center hole; a second substrate having a center hole; and a radiation curable resin interposed between the first and second substrates for bonding together the first and second substrates, wherein the optical information medium further includes a stopper for preventing the radiation curable resin from protruding into the center holes of the substrates, and a space between the first and second substrates of at least half of a clamp region for clamping the optical information medium is filled with the resin.