Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A tri-color separating optical system for separating an optical image of a subject into three different color optical images, which comprises: (a) focusing means for focusing the subject optical image on a first optical image forming plane (I g ); (b) dichroic reflecting means, optically coupled to said focusing means, for directly passing a first color optical image therethrough and reflecting a second color optical image in a first direction therefrom, and a third color optical image in a second direction opposite to the first direction therefrom; (c) first optical block means having therein a first total reflection surface optically coupled to said dichroic reflecting means and a first extended optical path length, for reflecting the second color optical image reflected from said dichroic reflecting means in the first direction to a second optical image forming plane (I b ) through the first extended optical path length; and (d) second optical block means having therein a second total reflection surface optically coupled to said dichroic reflecting means and a second extended optical path length, for reflecting the third color optical image reflected from said dichroic reflecting means in the second direction to a third optical image forming plane (I r ) through the second extended optical path length; the first, second and third different-color optical image forming planes (I g , I b , I r ) being aligned with each other in close vicinity on a single plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A tri-color separating optical system for separating an optical image of a subject into three different color optical images, which comprises: (a) focusing means for focusing the subject optical image on a first optical image forming plane (I g ); (b) dichroic reflecting means, optically coupled to said focusing means, for directly passing a first color optical image therethrough and reflecting a second color optical image in a first direction therefrom, and a third color optical image in a second direction opposite to the first direction therefrom; (c) first optical block means having therein a first total reflection surface optically coupled to said dichroic reflecting means and a first extended optical path length, for reflecting the second color optical image reflected from said dichroic reflecting means in the first direction to a second optical image forming plane (I b ) through the first extended optical path length; and (d) second optical block means having therein a second total reflection surface optically coupled to said dichroic reflecting means and a second extended optical path length, for reflecting the third color optical image reflected from said dichroic reflecting means in the second direction to a third optical image forming plane (I r ) through the second extended optical path length; the first, second and third different-color optical image forming planes (I g , I b , I r ) being aligned with each other in close vicinity on a single plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The tri-color separating optical system of claim 1, wherein the first or second extended optical path length is determined in accordance with a formula as x = d(n - 1)n where x denotes an extended amount of optical path length; d denotes an optical path length of said first or second optical block means; and n denotes a refraction index of material of said optical block means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tri-color separating optical system of claim 1, wherein said focusing means is an image pickup convex lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The tri-color separating optical system of claim 1, wherein said dichroic reflecting means is a dichroic mirror composed of a first mirror for reflecting only the blue color optical image and passing through the red and green color optical images and a second mirror for reflecting only the red color optical image and passing through the blue and green color optical images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The tri-color separating optical system of claim 1, wherein said dichroic reflecting means is a dichroic prism having a first dichroic mirror surface for reflecting only the blue color optical image and passing through the red and green color optical images and a second dichroic mirror surface for reflecting only the red color optical image and passing through blue and green color optical images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tri-color separating optical system of claim 1, wherein said first and second optical block means are first and second prisms each formed with a total reflection surface and an extended optical path length, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A color image pickup apparatus, comprising: (a) a tri-color separating optical system for separating an optical image of a subject into three different color optical images, as recited in claim 1; and (b) photoelectric transducing elements arranged on the first, second and third different color optical image forming planes, respectively.