Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including: a substrate; a photoelectric conversion element for converting light to electric charges; and a color filter formed on the photoelectric conversion element for color separation. The color filter is a layered color filter including a dye-contained color filter layer and a pigment-dispersed color filter layer formed on the dye-contained color filter layer, the dye-contained color filter layer and the pigment-dispersed color filter layer having the same hue.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus adding image signals output from a sensor array which receives a light flux through an optical system and performs photoelectric conversion thereon, the sensor array being arranged a plurality of light receiving elements two-dimensionally, the imaging apparatus includes a pixel adding unit that divides the light receiving elements on the sensor array into a plurality of groups with a region including predetermined types of pixels as a group unit, and that adds, for each of the types of pixels, image signals output from the pixels included in four of the groups which are positioned “n” groups away from each other on the sensor array.

Abstract: There are many, many inventions described herein. In one aspect, what is disclosed is a digital camera including a plurality of arrays of photo detectors, including a first array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a first wavelength and a second array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a second wavelength. The digital camera further may also include a first lens disposed in an optical path of the first array of photo detectors, wherein the first lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the first wavelength, and a second lens disposed in with an optical path of the second array of photo detectors wherein the second lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the second wavelength.

Abstract: An exemplary digital camera module (200) includes a lens module (20), a chip package (30) and a focusing structure (40). The lens module includes a holder (24) and a barrel slidably received in the holder. At least one lens element (222) is fixed in the barrel. The holder has several channels (246) defined therein. Each channel respectively has an enlarged end opening (2468) and receives a corresponding wire (28) therein. The focusing structure is attached to the holder. Several pads (36) are formed on the surface of the chip package. Each wire electrically connects with a given pad using a conductive adhesive (52), and, via such a connection, the chip package is able to control the focusing structure to drive movement of the barrel. The respective enlarged end openings serve to help retain the corresponding conductive adhesive proximate/adjacent a given pad.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method of forming an image sensor. The image sensor includes an array of pixel cells at a surface of a substrate. Each pixel cell has a photo-conversion device. At least one a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) element including a photonic crystal structure is provided over at least one of the pixel cells. The MEMS-based photonic crystal element is supported by a support structure and configured to selectively permit electromagnetic wavelengths to reach the photo-conversion device upon application of a voltage. As such, the MEMS-based photonic crystal element of the invention can replace or compliment conventional filters, e.g., color filter arrays.

Abstract: There is provided an optical imaging device (18) for splitting an initial image into at least two images with different optical characteristics. The device comprises a dichroic mirror (32) to create first and second optical pathways respectively incident on first and second mirrors (41, 41?) carried on a centrally pivoted rotatable arm, characterised in that the first and second reflective means are moveable along the arm (42) whilst held in fixed relationship to each other, thereby to adjust separation of the first and second optical pathways. A third mirror (46) in fixed relationship to the beam splitter (32) is positioned adjacent where the first and second optical pathways intersect, or just before the intersection of the first and second optical pathways, or just after the point of intersection.

Abstract: A multispectral image capturing apparatus has different spectral sensitivity characteristics of at least four bands. Three primary bands of the at least four bands have spectral sensitivity characteristics of standard RGB. At least one auxiliary band of the rest of the at least four bands excluding the three primary bands has a spectral sensitivity characteristic of a narrower bandwidth than bandwidths of the RGB.

Abstract: In the imaging apparatus, an image signal derived from an imaging element is supplied to color signal producing means so as to be separated into a R(red) color signal, a G(green) color signal and a B(blue) color signal. These R, G, B signals are supplied to color-depending frequency component changing means. While predetermined information has been stored in a memory with respect to each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and the predetermined information is used in order to change a signal level of a high frequency component every R, G, B signals, the color-depending frequency component changing means extracts a high frequency component from each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and then, corrects frequency components of these extracted high frequency components in such a manner that the corrected frequency characteristics may constitute relevant signals.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided to inject an image into a viewing optical system, which is used for viewing a scene. An image injector includes first and second optical elements with first and second sides, respectively, and a reflective material. The first side adjoins the second side and the reflective material is between the adjoining sides. An image generator is optically coupled to the second optical element and generates an image. The image injector is placed at the aperture of the viewing optical system and passes energy from the scene into the viewing optical system. The reflective material reflects energy from the image generator into the viewing optical system. The image generator may produce the image based upon an information signal from an information generator. The reflective material may reflect energy from the scene into an output optical system and the information generator produce the information signal based on the energy received in the output optical system.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of light-receiving parts arranged in an array in a substrate and performing photoelectric conversion on incident light; and a plurality of color separators each provided for adjacent four of the light-receiving parts arranged in two rows and two columns. Each of the color separators includes first through fourth color-separating elements and first and second mirror elements.

Abstract: A color solid-state imaging device used in combination with an interference-type infrared cut filter, the element comprises a coloring material which is contained in or formed on any of layers provided within an incident light path in the color solid-state imaging device, wherein the coloring material absorbs an incident light within a wavelength range in which a cut wavelength of the interference-type infrared cut filter shifts toward shorter wavelengths when the incident light obliquely enters the interference-type infrared cut filter.

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: An optical system with a tilted window. The novel optical system includes a first optical element for receiving an input signal and generating an output signal; a first window adapted to transmit the output signal, the first window being tilted at an angle relative to an axis normal to an optical axis of the system; and a second window adapted to compensate for the first window. In an illustrative embodiment, the first window is an input window of a camera adapted to detect the output signal and is tilted such that reflections from and within the window do not strike detector elements of the camera. In a preferred embodiment, the second window has similar thickness and optical properties as the first window, and is positioned in the optical path of the input signal, tilted at an angle designed to compensate for the first window.

Abstract: Electro-optical apparatus includes lens apparatus, a CCD having a predetermined filter pattern and a spectrally dispersive element interposed between the lens apparatus and the CCD.

Abstract: A detector includes a photosensitive array including at least one photosensitive surface. A focusing device focuses spectrally split light onto the photosensitive array. The focusing device is located in an optical path upstream from the photosensitive array. The focusing device includes a microlens array including at least one microlens.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an imaging unit, comprising an imaging device, an imaging device driver, and a signal-processing block, is provided. The imaging device has pixels which are arranged in a first direction. The pixels are alternately and repeatedly covered with N1 kinds of different color filters along the first direction. The imaging device driver drives the imaging device. N1*N2 pixels successively arranged in the first direction are defined as a pixel block. The imaging device driver orders the N1 pixels covered with the different color filters in the pixel block to output pixel signals when a first output method with thinning out is carried out.

Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes though the prism, wherein the color splitting-converging prism includes a dichroic coating having multiple layers of high and low index of refraction and ¼ wavelength thickness at each desired angle of incidence for reducing dichroic shift and thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dual-sensor video camera are disclosed. The dual-sensor video camera includes a color filter array (CFA) sensor, which has a low-pass filter. The dual-sensor video camera also includes a panchromatic sensor. A beam splitter directs an incoming light beam to both sensors. An output image is produced based on image information from the two sensors. The output image includes luminance information based on the image information from the panchromatic sensor and chrominance information based on the image information from the CFA sensor.

Abstract: The invention includes a first incidence plane, a second incidence plane, a third incidence plane, a first synthesis plane and a second synthesis plane that are interiorly orthogonal to each other. The first synthesis plane reflects light of a first color component that enters the first incidence plane, and transmits light of a second color component that enters the second incidence plane, having the first color component and the second color component, at least a portion of which has the same color component, and light of a third color component that enters the third incidence plane. The second synthesis plane reflects the light of the third color component that enters the third incidence plane, and transmits the light of the first color component that enters the first incidence plane and the light of the second color component that enters the second incidence plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a visible and infrared light image-taking optical system which can facilitate changing a wavelength of infrared light used to take an infrared video image with an infrared light camera and which can achieve an infrared video image not affected by infrared light of any wavelength other than a desired wavelength, by separating object light incident on an image-taking optical system into object light in a visible light region and object light in an infrared light region and taking an object image formed by each object light for each object light in each wavelength region decomposed by the color separation optical system.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has input optics for obtaining a multispectral image bearing light and a programmable spectral switching section. The programmable spectral switching section has a first lens for directing light toward a dichroic separator that separates the multispectral image bearing light into a plurality of discrete spectral bands, each directed to an optical switch. Each optical switch is selectively enabled to redirect its corresponding spectral band back through the first lens as switched spectral band light. A light path selector element directs switched spectral band light toward an image forming section that has a sensor lens for directing switched spectral band light toward an image sensor. The image sensor forms image data according switched spectral band light from each optical switch. A control logic processor communicates with optical switches and with the sensor, providing instructions for enablement of optical switches and obtaining sensor data.

Abstract: An image pickup element includes: a photoelectric conversion section; a wavelength selection section formed closer to an incident side of light than said photoelectric conversion section, for transmitting light in a predetermined wavelength range; a first area having a predetermined refractive index and being formed closer to the incident side of light than said wavelength selection section; and a second area having a predetermined refractive index and being formed closer to the incident side of light than said first area wherein the refractive index of said first area is higher than the refractive index of said second area.

Abstract: An image pickup element comprising a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric conversion section and a wavelength selection section for transmitting to the photoelectric conversion section light of a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the wavelength selection section has a vertex, and wherein, for a pixel located in the peripheral portion of the image pickup element, the vertex of the wavelength selection section is located closer to the center of the image pickup element than to the center of the photoelectric conversion section.

Abstract: An integrated pixel sensor structure having a light sensitive diode including a transparent conductor. In addition, a protective layer is also placed over the transparent conductor, the protective layer including a set of diffraction grating elements for producing complementary colors. A system including the integrated pixel sensor structure and post-capture circuitry.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas, and a light adjustment area including a first transmission portion for transmitting light which is provided in association with a first photoelectric conversion area included in the plurality of photoelectic conversion areas and a second transmission portion for transmitting light which is provided in association with a second photoelectric conversion area included in the plurality of photoelectric conversion areas. The light adjustment area is configured to cause a part of light incident on the second transmission portion to be incident on the first transmission portion.

Abstract: In a color separation optical system in a camera, subject light entering focus-imaging elements, to which optical path lengths from the taking lens are different, is obtained with a light dividing face. The focusing state is determined with focus evaluation values according to high frequency components of images captured by the focus-imaging elements. Thus, the focusing state can be quickly determined by a simple construction without using the wobbling method. The green light in the subject light entering the color separation optical system is transmitted through a blue light separation prism and a red light separation prism, and is divided into a reflected light and a transmitted light by a beam splitter face, which is a contact face between a first green light separation prism and a second green light separation prism. The light reflected on the beam splitter face exits from the color separation optical system as the subject light for determining the focusing state, and enters the focus-imaging element.

Abstract: Device comprising: matrices of reflecting elements which can be electrically driven, and means for deconstructing a beam of polychromatic light and means for reconstructing complementary reflected beams, comprising two dichroic filters with a gradient where, for at least one of these filters, the direction of the gradient HOG, H?OG? makes an angle of inclination of non-zero gradient ?, ?? with a plane (DOE, D?OE?) orthogonal to the reflecting surfaces of the matrices. By virtue of the inclination of the gradient, the chromatic performance of the device is substantially improved.

Abstract: A color separation beam splitter for projectors is provided, which comprises a plurality of prisms connected with each other and three optical interference filters having different wavelength ranges respectively formed on side surfaces of the plurality of prisms. The three optical interference filters include a yellow color reflective dichroic mirror, a red color reflective dichroic mirror, and a blue color reflective dichroic mirror to filter out the yellow light and provide three primary color lights with high color purity. Moreover, by reflecting a light beam twice, the number of layers of dichroic mirror can be reduced. The color purity of the light is increased after reflected twice by the dichroic mirrors. Moreover, configuration of a liquid crystal projector by use of this prism assembly as color separation unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical low-pass filter used in association with an imaging element which has a plurality of pixels arranged in vertical and horizontal direction with regularity, is provided with first through third birefringent plates arranged in the order from a light incident side. The low-pass filter separates an incident ray into four rays, a separation width of the rays in the vertical direction being &dgr;v, and a separation width of the rays in the horizontal direction being &dgr;h. A separation angles of the first through third birefringent plates are &thgr;, (&thgr;−90°) and 0°, respectively, and separation widths of the first through third birefringent plates are (&dgr;v×sin &thgr;), (&dgr;v×cos &thgr;) and &dgr;h, respectively.

Abstract: Provided are a color combining optical element capable of forming a good projected image on a screen surface while permitting scaling-down of entire apparatus and a projection image display apparatus using it.

Abstract: An image reading system includes an imaging optical system for forming an image of an object, the optical system including at least one refractive lens and a diffractive grating blazed at a predetermined wavelength, an aperture stop positioned close to the diffractive grating, main image sensors for receiving the images of respective color components, and a flare compensating unit for compensating the image signals input from the main image sensors to eliminate flare components due to unnecessary order diffractive light.

Abstract: In addition to an autofocusing operation performed under visible light, an autofocusing operation is also performed under infrared light. By using infrared light, changes in the contrast can be detected accurately regardless of the character of the image. As a result, the focused position can be detected with a high degree of accuracy even in a dark image or an image in which the character of the image changes drastically. In addition, by ascertaining the difference between the infrared light focused position and the visible light focused position and correcting with the infrared light focused position, a focused matched position can be detected with an even higher degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A portable imaging system for viewing distant objects is disclosed comprising an optical lensing system for magnifying a viewed distant object; a sensing system for simultaneously sensing said viewed distant object; a processor means interconnected to said sensing system for processing said sensed image and forwarding it to a printer mechanism; and a printer mechanism connected to said processor means for printing out on print media said sensed image on demand by said portable imaging system. Preferably the system further comprises a detachable print media supply means provided in a detachable module for interconnection with said printer mechanism for the supply of a roll of print media and ink to said printer mechanism. The printer mechanism can comprise an ink jet printing mechanism providing a full color printer for the output of sensed images. The preferred embodiment is implemented as a system of binoculars with a beam splitting device which projects said distant object onto said sensing system.

Abstract: A color separation beam splitter for projectors is provided, which comprises a plurality of prisms connected with each other and three optical interference filters having different wavelength ranges respectively formed on side surfaces of the plurality of prisms. The three optical interference filters include a yellow color reflective dichroic mirror, a red color reflective dichroic mirror, and a blue color reflective dichroic mirror to filter out the yellow light and provide three primary color lights with high color purity. Moreover, by reflecting a light beam twice, the number of layers of dichroic mirror can be reduced. The color purity of the light is increased after reflected twice by the dichroic mirrors. Moreover, configuration of a liquid crystal projector by use of this prism assembly as color separation unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an optical filter apparatus in which a filter loading disk having a plurality of filters is rotated around a rotation axis so as to position a desired filter onto an optical axis of a color separation prism, the filter loading disk and the rotation axis are unitedly formed, while the rotation axis is supported by a housing member disposed in front of and behind the disk, thereby reducing the number of parts to decrease the manufacturing cost of the apparatus while preventing the disk from fluctuating upon rotation. In a filter disk (8), a disk holding section (8A) holding a plurality of filters (9) and an axis section (8B) are unitedly formed, thereby reducing the number of parts. The axis section (8B) is supported by an axial hole (1A) and an axial hole (4A) of a dust cover (4) so as to increase the fitting length of the axis section (8B), thereby preventing the filter disk (8) from fluctuating upon rotation.

Abstract: A vertical line multiplication method and circuit multiplies the number of vertical lines of a video signal which is imaged by use of 4 CCDs to transform the video signal into another video signal having a higher resolution by controlling writing and reading of signals to and from memories. A first memory receives G1 channel data of a 0.5H period from a G1 CCD and outputs the written data at twice a speed of a writing speed. A second memory receives G2 channel data of a 1H period from a G2 CCD and outputs the written data at twice the speed of the writing speed. A selection device selects the data from the first and second memories alternately and outputs the selected signals sequentially as a wide bandwidth G signal.

Abstract: A video camera system includes a camera body having a camera electrical connecting terminal which performs at least a communication, a camera mount, a color separation prism, and a plurality of imaging elements, and an optical accessory having an accessory mount which is attachable/detachable to/from the camera mount of the camera body, and having an accessory electrical connecting terminal which is connected with the camera electrical connecting terminal when the optical accessory is attached. The camera electrical connecting terminal is disposed at least at one side position of the direction of the color separation axis where is at the rear of a flange plane of the camera mount along the optical axis and is substantially the same as the direction of the color separation axis of the color separation prism.

Abstract: A color calibration system comprises a processor for receiving and transmitting data. A first sensor coupled to the processor detects emissive color images for providing first color sampling data to the processor. A second sensor coupled to the processor detects reflective color images for providing second color sampling data to the processor. A color output device coupled to the processor is calibrated in response to data generated by at least one of the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A holder assembly includes at least two holder members for holding electro-developing recording media, respectively, and a connecting member for connecting the holder members to each other through the intermediary thereof, and each of the holder members is hinged to the connecting member. An electro-developing type camera includes a photographing lens system for focusing a light beam derived from an object, and an optical separator for separating the light beam, passing through the photographing lens system, into at least two light beam components. The photographing lens system and the optical separator are constituted and arranged such that the light beam components are focused on different image planes, respectively. The holder assembly is shaped and positioned such that the electro-developing recording media are included in the different image planes, respectively.

Abstract: A display unit includes a light-emitting element array having a plurality of linearly arranged light-emitting elements drivable by a time sequential image information signal to emit beams of light in accordance with pieces of information allotted to the corresponding picture elements, a deflector such as a polygon mirror for deflecting the light beams simultaneously in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting element array, and a light-to-light conversion element including a photoconductive layer and a photo-modulation layer, the light beams being imaged on the photoconductive layer.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus for converting an object image formed by a photographic lens into electrical signals includes a solid-state image sensor having an offset sampling structure for converting the image into electrical signals. An optical low-pass filter is positioned between the lens and the solid-state image sensor and includes at least two optical members each for splitting a light beam into plural light beams having two different propagation directions from each other.

Abstract: For correcting vignetting in the upper or lower range of the pick-up area of optoelectric transducers of a multichannel color television camera with zoom lens are described, a representative signal is derived from the diaphragm aperture setting and from the zoom setting. Dependent on corresponding signals for the minimum diaphragm aperture, on the one hand, and the minimum values for wide-angle and telesetting of the zoom range, on the other hand, these representative signals generate control voltages with which the level of a field frequency sawtooth signal is controlled. Finally, this sawtooth-shaped control signal influences the video signal of each chrominance channel in the sense of a vignetting compensation.

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus includes a plurality of line sensors formed by arranging a plurality of one-dimensional sensor arrays on a single substrate, a focusing optical system for focusing an object on the sensors, and a volume hologram, arranged in the optical path between the focusing optical system and the sensors, for color-separating light from the object into a plurality of color components and guiding the plurality of color components to the corresponding one-dimensional sensor arrays.