Optical imaging apparatus

Claim 2

An optical imaging apparatus, comprising: a flat multi-reflective array having a number of reflecting elements arranged in a row, each reflecting element having two symmetrical flat reflecting surfaces which face each other, are oriented at a predetermined angel to the row and intersect along a line perpendicular to the row; a flat multi-refractive array having a number of image focusing refracting elements arranged in a row in front of the reflecting elements respectively for refracting a light image of an object disposed in a plane in front of the multi-refractive array onto the respective reflecting elements, each refracting element comprising a converging lens having a substantially spherical light refracting surface; the refracting and reflecting elements of the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays being aligned with each other and arranged in such a manner as to be spaced from adjacent elements in a row direction at a predetermined distance; the reflecting elements reflecting the light image back through the respective refracting elements, said predetermined angle of orientation between the two reflecting surfaces, a focal length of the converging lenses, a spacing between respective reflecting and refracting elements and a distance between the refracting elements and said plane being predetermined in such a manner that a focussed image of the object consisting of superposed light images from said individual refracting and reflecting elements is formed in said plane which is equal in size to said object, erect in a direction parallel to said rows and inverted in a direction perpendicular to said rows; and a light intercepting plate means disposed between the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays, the plate means having openings aligned with the respective elements of the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays which are shorter in the direction of said rows and longer in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Claim 3

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each reflecting element comprises a prism.

Claim 4

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each reflecting element comprises a roof prism.

Claim 5

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays are integrally retained.

Claim 6

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays are molded together integrally.

Claim 7

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays are molded individually and cemented together.

Claim 8

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays are molded individually and interconnected at a preselected spacing.

Claim 9

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which an aperture of at least one of each of the refracting and reflecting elements is oblong shaped.

Claim 10

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an additional integrally formed flat multi-refractive array having a number of additional image focusing refractive elements arranged in a row and aligned with the refracting elements of the multi-refractive array.

Claim 11

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the refracting elements of the additional flat multi-refractive array comprises lenses having a focal length which is different from said focal length of the lenses of the flat multi-refractive array.

Claim 12

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the individual refracting elements are aligned with the individual reflecting elements along respective individual optical axis.

Claim 13

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined distance is substantially zero.

Claim 14

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined distance is substantially equal to an integral multiple of a size of the element.

Claim 15

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each respective refracting and reflecting element is integrally formed.

Claim 16

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which each integral refracting and reflecting element comprises parallel narrow surfaces, each of the parallel narrow surfaces bordering the two reflecting surfaces and the refracting element.

Claim 17

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a mounting means for supporting the integral refracting and reflecting elements, the mounting means being formed with a row of equidistant recesses in which the elements are fixedly retained.

Claim 18

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which each of the recesses is formed with a rectangular section in which each of the parallel narrow surfaces is fixedly retained.

Claim 19

An optical imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined angle is 45° degrees.

Claim 20

An optical imaging apparatus, comprising: a flat multi-reflective array having a number of reflecting elements arranged in a row, each reflecting element having two symmetrical flat reflecting surfaces which face each other, are oriented at a predetermined angle to the row and intersect along a line perpendicular to the row; and a flat, multi-reflective array having a number of image focusing refractive elements arranged in a row in front of the reflecting elements respectively for refracting a light image of an object disposed in a plane in front of the multi-refractive array onto the respective reflecting elements, each refracting element comprising a converging lens having a substantially spherical light refracting surface; the refracting and reflecting elements of the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays being aligned with each other and arranged in such a manner as to be spaced from adjacent elements in a row direction at a predetermined distance; the reflecting elements reflecting the light image back through the respective refracting elements, said predetermined angle of orientation between the two reflecting surfaces a focal length of the converging lenses, a spacing between respective reflecting and refracting elements and a distance between the refracting elements and said plane being predetermined in such a manner that a focussed image of the object consisting of superposed light images from said individual refracting and reflecting elements is formed in said plane which is equal in size to said object, erect in a direction parallel to said rows and inverted in a direction perpendicular to said rows; each reflecting element comprising a prism; the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays being integrally retained; the apparatus further comprising a light intercepting plate means disposed between the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays and having substantially oblong openings aligned with the respective elements of said arrays which are shorter in the direction of said rows and longer in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Claim 21

An optical imaging apparatus, comprising: a flat multi-reflective array having a number of reflecting elements arranged in a row, each reflecting element having two symmetrical flat reflecting surfaces which face each other, are oriented at a predetermined angle to the row and intersect along a line perpendicular to the row; and a flat, multi-reflective array having a number of image focusing refractive elements arranged in a row in front of the reflecting elements respectively for refracting a light image of an object disposed in a plane in front of the multi-refractive array onto the respective reflecting elements, each refracting element comprising a converging lens having a substantially spherical light refracting surface; the refracting and reflecting elements of the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays being aligned with each other and arranged in such a manner as to be spaced from adjacent elements in a row direction at a predetermined distance; the reflecting elements reflecting the light image back through the respective refracting elements, said predetermined angle of orientation between the two reflecting surfaces a focal length of the converging lenses, a spacing between respective reflecting and refracting elements and a distance between the refracting elements and said plane being predetermined in such a manner that a focussed image of the object consisting of superposed light images from said individual refracting and reflecting elements is formed in said plane which is equal in size to said object, erect in a direction parallel to said rows and inverted in a direction perpendicular to said rows; each reflecting element comprising a prism; the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays being integrally retained; the apparatus further comprising a light intercepting plate means disposed between the multi-refractive and multi-reflective arrays and having substantially oblong openings aligned with the respective elements of said arrays which are shorter in the direction of said rows and longer in a direction perpendicular thereto.