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US5014121A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

High image resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means

Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1989-08-21
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Granted: 1991-05-07
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Expires: 2009-08-21
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Abstract

Abstract An image pickup system with an illuminating device capable of sequentially irradiating three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object, an objective lens system forming images of the object with the color lights, a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of the object, a signal processing device producing individual color images of the object based on electric signals supplied from the solid-state image sensor, and a color dispersion device or a color separation device disposed in an optical path of light incident on the solid-state image sensor from the object. The color dispersion device includes the combination of variously shaped prisms and a diffraction grating, and the color separation device includes a structure compounded of dichroic mirrors, whereby the images with respective color lights are incident at positions shifted each other on the solid-state image sensor. The compound of signals indicative of individual color images makes it possible to bring about the object image with high resolution.

Inventors

  • 👤 Akira Hasegawa
  • 👤 Susumu Takahashi
  • 👤 Koyoshi Tsuji
  • 👤 Kimihiko Nishioka
  • 👤 Hiroshi Matsui

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 16:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/555; H04N23/58; H04N23/54; H04N23/55

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim 173 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with said color lights coming from said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a three-color separating optical system having light-emitting ends and being disposed to receive the images of said object formed by said objective lens system and separate the images for individual colors so as to emanate therefrom via said ends; three solid-state image sensors disposed to face light-emitting ends, respectively, of said three-color separating optical system so that each of the ends receives one color image; and signal processing means producing a color image of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensors, wherein: color dispersion means is disposed between said objective lens system and said three-color separating optical system to thereby shift a position of incidence of said color image on each of said solid-state image sensors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 173 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with said color lights coming from said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a three-color separating optical system having light-emitting ends and being disposed to receive the images of said object formed by said objective lens system and separate the images for individual colors so as to emanate therefrom via said ends; three solid-state image sensors disposed to face light-emitting ends, respectively, of said three-color separating optical system so that each of the ends receives one color image; and signal processing means producing a color image of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensors, wherein: color dispersion means is disposed between said objective lens system and said three-color separating optical system to thereby shift a position of incidence of said color image on each of said solid-state image sensors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 1, in which: said color dispersion means is comprised of mutually bonded two glass blocks, and one of said glass blocks is an acousto-optical device whose refractive index changes by altering the voltage applied to said one of the glass blocks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 2, in which: the voltage applied to said acousto-optical device is turned on and off in synchronism with the interlace of said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 107 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 1, in which: said three kinds of color lights are red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color light, said color dispersion means is comprised of a first and a second prism which are bonded together, and when the refractive indices of said first and second prisms for blue color light and red color light are assumed to be η 1B , η 2B , and η 1R , and η 2R , respectively, the following relationship is satisfied: η 1B <η 2B , and η 1R >η 2R' η 2B -η 1B η 1R -η 2R .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 122 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system provided with a plurality of lens components, forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of said object formed by said objective lens system; and signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor, one of said plurality of lens components being color dispersion means shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 122 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system provided with a plurality of lens components, forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of said object formed by said objective lens system; and signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor, one of said plurality of lens components being color dispersion means shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 5, in which: said solid-state image sensor is bonded to a light-emitting surface of said pair of lens elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 38 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 5, in which: the lens components constituting color dispersion means are comprised of a lens element eccentrically disposed with respect to an optical axis of said objective lens system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 150 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of said object formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color dispersion means being comprised of a pair of triangular prisms both made of a same material, and a plane-parallel plate sandwiched between said pair of triangular prisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 150 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of said object formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color dispersion means being comprised of a pair of triangular prisms both made of a same material, and a plane-parallel plate sandwiched between said pair of triangular prisms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 35 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 8, in which: the lens components constituting said color dispersion means are bonded together and include a pair of lens elements having mutually different Abb's numbers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 142 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means arranged between said objective lens system and said solid-state image sensor, comprised of a pair of prisms rendering an optical axis of said objective lens system parallel with an image-receiving surface of said solid-state image sensor, and shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 142 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means arranged between said objective lens system and said solid-state image sensor, comprised of a pair of prisms rendering an optical axis of said objective lens system parallel with an image-receiving surface of said solid-state image sensor, and shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 118 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of an image-rotating frusto-conical prism disposed within said objective lens system to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 118 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of an image-rotating frusto-conical prism disposed within said objective lens system to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 197 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color-separating optical means arranged in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor, shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color-separating optical means being provided with at least one dichroic mirror and a reflection surface reflecting at least a part of a color light having transmitted through said dichroic mirror in a direction substantially parallel with color light reflected by said dichroic mirror, an image by the color light having transmitted through said dichroic mirror and an image by the reflected color light being formed at mutually different positions on an light-receiving surface of said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 197 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color-separating optical means arranged in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor, shifting positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color-separating optical means being provided with at least one dichroic mirror and a reflection surface reflecting at least a part of a color light having transmitted through said dichroic mirror in a direction substantially parallel with color light reflected by said dichroic mirror, an image by the color light having transmitted through said dichroic mirror and an image by the reflected color light being formed at mutually different positions on an light-receiving surface of said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 88 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 12, in which: said three kinds of color lights are red, green and blue color lights, and said color-separating optical means is comprised of a triangular prism constructed by disposing, in successive order, a first dichroic mirror which reflects blue color light and transmits green color light and red color light therethrough, a second dichroic mirror which transmits red color light therethrough but reflects green color light, and a reflection surface, with a transparent layer intervening between them, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 154 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 12, in which: said three kinds of color lights are red, green and blue color lights, said color-separating optical means is comprised of a pair of triangular prisms disposed to insure that the incident light bundle and the emitting light bundle to and from said optical means are displaced for an angle of 90° relative to each other, a dichroic mirror reflecting blue color light and transmitting green color light and red color light therethrough and a reflection surface reflecting green color light and red color light are disposed via a transparent layer on the inclined surface of one of said triangular prisms, a dichroic mirror reflecting blue color light and green color light and transmitting red color light therethrough and a reflection surface reflecting red color light are disposed via a transparent layer on the slant surface of the other of said triangular prisms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 137 words
An image pickup device according to claim 1, in which: said three kinds of color lights are red, green and blue color lights, said color-separating optical means is comprised of a pair of triangular prisms disposed to insure that the optical paths which are bent by said prisms lie on a same plane, a dichroic mirror reflecting blue color light but transmitting green color light and red color light therethrough and a reflection surface reflecting red color light are disposed via a transparent layer on the slant surface of one of said triangular prisms, and a dichroic mirror reflecting blue color light and green color light but transmitting red color light therethrough and a reflection surface reflecting red color light are disposed via a transparent layer on the slant surface of the other of the triangular prisms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 43 words
An image pickup device according to claim 1, in which: said color-separating optical means is comprised of a penta-prism having, at least on one surface of said penta-prism, a dichroic mirror and a reflection surface provided via a transparent layer in successive order.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 67 words
An image pickup device according to claim 1, in which: said color-separating optical means is comprised of a mutually bonded pair of prisms arranged so that an incident light is emitted after reflection occurring four times by said prisms, and a dichroic mirror and a reflection surface are provided on at least one of those surfaces of said pair of prisms where reflection is to take place.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 41 words
A high resolution, image pickup device according to claim 1, in which: said color-separating optical means is comprised of a Dach-prism having a dichroic mirror and a reflection surface provided on a Dach surface of said prism via a transparent layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 71 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 12, in which: said three kinds of color lights are white color light, yellow color light and blue color light, and said color-separating optical means is comprised of a triangular prism constructed by disposing a semi-transmissive reflection surface, a dichroic mirror reflecting yellow color light but transmitting blue color light therethrough, and a reflection surface in successive order via a transparent layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 53 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 12, in which: said color-separating optical means is comprised of a frusto-conical prism constructed by a plurality of dichroic mirrors having mutually different characteristics and being disposed in successive order via a transparent layer intervening between respective said dichroic mirrors and reflection surfaces thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 119 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and a diffraction grating disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 119 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and a diffraction grating disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 19 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 21, in which: said diffraction grating is of transmission type.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 19 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 21, in which: said diffraction grating is of reflection type.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 132 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of a glass black formed by a medium of a heterogeneous substance, disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 132 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of a glass black formed by a medium of a heterogeneous substance, disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 143 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of a light-divider formed by a combination of a color dispersion prism with a liquid crystal light deflector arranged adjacent to said prism, disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 143 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means comprised of a light-divider formed by a combination of a color dispersion prism with a liquid crystal light deflector arranged adjacent to said prism, disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 183 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said image pickup system further comprising a parallel plate disposed adjacent to said color dispersion means and pivoted between a position where it intersects an optical axis at right angles and a position where it intersects the optical axis obliquely, in order to displace the respective color lights separated from each other by said color dispersion means in a direction normal to the optical axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 183 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said image pickup system further comprising a parallel plate disposed adjacent to said color dispersion means and pivoted between a position where it intersects an optical axis at right angles and a position where it intersects the optical axis obliquely, in order to displace the respective color lights separated from each other by said color dispersion means in a direction normal to the optical axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 164 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color dispersion means being able to be reciprocatingly provided about an optical axis, in order to displace images in a direction which intersects at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated from each other by said color dispersion means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 164 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said color dispersion means being able to be reciprocatingly provided about an optical axis, in order to displace images in a direction which intersects at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated from each other by said color dispersion means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 176 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said solid-state image sensor being able to be reciprocatingly oscillated in a direction intersecting at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated from each other, in order to displace images in a direction intersecting at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated by said color dispersion means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 176 words
A high resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means comprising: illuminating means capable of sequentially irradiating at least three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object under observation; an objective lens system forming images of said object with respective color lights of said object irradiated by said illuminating means; a solid-state image sensor receiving said object images formed by said objective lens system; signal processing means producing individual color images of said object based on electric signals supplied from said image sensor; and color dispersion means disposed in an optical path of light incident on said solid-state image sensor to shift positions of incidence of said individual color images on said solid-state image sensor, said solid-state image sensor being able to be reciprocatingly oscillated in a direction intersecting at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated from each other, in order to displace images in a direction intersecting at right angles the direction in which the respective color lights are separated by said color dispersion means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 55 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 8, 5, 10, 11, 12, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, in which: said color-separating optical means and said solid-state image sensor are disposed with a TV camera arranged to be able to pickup the image of an object formed by said objective lens system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 60 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 8, 5, 10, 11, 12, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, in which: said objective lens system is arranged to have an axial chromatic aberration in order to compensate for a displacement of focusing positions of the respective color lights which have been so separated by said color-separating optical means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 64 words
A high resolution image pickup system according to claim 8, 5, 10, 11, 12, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising: a plate glass block having light-dispersing ability and being disposed adjacent to said color-separating optical means in order to compensate for a displacement of focusing positions of the respective color lights which have been so separated by said color-separating optical means.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-05-06 1994-11-05 1995-05-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-05-06 1998-11-05 1999-05-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-05-06 2002-11-05 2003-05-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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