Patent US5299275A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5299275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber filter for reducing artifacts in imaging apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1993-03-31
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Granted: 1994-03-29
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Expires: 2013-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber array is used as a blur filter in imaging apparatus to limit high spatial frequencies incident upon an image sensor, and thereby to reduce undersampling artifacts. The optical fiber array is disposed in the path of incident image light a predetermined distance from the image sensor such that at least some of the optical fibers composing the array emit a cone of light over adjacent photosites, thereby producing a blurred image. The blurring effect can also be obtained by using a pseudo-random array of fibers, and the imaging assembly can be additionally simplified by using the fiber optic array as a protective cover plate for the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd A. Jackson
- 👤 Robert H. Hibbard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N23/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an array of photosites; and an array of optical fibers interposed in the path of the incident image light such that at least some of the optical fibers emit light over adjacent photosites so as to substantially blur the image upon said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an array of photosites; and an array of optical fibers interposed in the path of the incident image light such that at least some of the optical fibers emit light over adjacent photosites so as to substantially blur the image upon said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said array of optical fibers is disposed a predetermined distance from said sensor so that at least some of said optical fibers provide a cone of light that substantially covers at least two adjacent photosites.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said optical fibers provide a cone of light that covers a two-dimensional configuration of photosites.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical fibers are smaller in cross section than the photosites.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical fibers have a plurality of different diameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical fibers are packed together in an ordered array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical fibers are packed together in a disordered array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical fiber array functions both as an optical low pass filter and as a cover glass for environmentally protecting said sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from a two-dimensional array of photosites, each having a particular cross section; and an array of optical fibers each having a cross section that is less than the particular cross section of said photosites, said array interposed in the path of the incident image light relative to said sensor such that each optical fiber emits a cone of light that covers a substantial proportion of a two-dimensional configuration of photosites so as to output a blurred image upon said sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from a two-dimensional array of photosites, each having a particular cross section; and an array of optical fibers each having a cross section that is less than the particular cross section of said photosites, said array interposed in the path of the incident image light relative to said sensor such that each optical fiber emits a cone of light that covers a substantial proportion of a two-dimensional configuration of photosites so as to output a blurred image upon said sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said array of optical fibers is disposed at a sufficient distance from said sensor that the cone of light spreads over the configuration of photosites.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein a lens is used to direct the image light upon the optical fiber array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said optical fibers are disposed in an ordered pattern in said array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said optical fibers are disposed in a disordered pattern in said array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an area array of photosites; and a fiber optic array composed of a pseudo-random array of optical fibers interposed in the path of the incident image light a predetermined distance from said sensor such that a substantial proportion of the optical fibers emit cones of light that substantially cover at least two photosites so as to output a blurred image upon said sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
An imaging apparatus for generating an image signal from incident image light having its higher spatial frequencies limited to reduce undersampling artifacts, said apparatus comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an area array of photosites; and a fiber optic array composed of a pseudo-random array of optical fibers interposed in the path of the incident image light a predetermined distance from said sensor such that a substantial proportion of the optical fibers emit cones of light that substantially cover at least two photosites so as to output a blurred image upon said sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said pseudo-random array of optical fibers includes fibers with a plurality of different diameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said pseudo-random array of optical fibers includes fibers that are variably packed into the array so as to have a variety of fiber pitches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
An imaging device for generating an image signal from incident image light, said device comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an array of photosites; a sensor carrier having an opening in one direction for receiving image light, said carrier supporting said image sensor therein in such orientation that the photosites receive image light through the opening; and a transparent protective glass element covering the opening in said sensor carrier, said glass element comprising an array of optical fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An imaging device for generating an image signal from incident image light, said device comprising: an image sensor for generating the image signal from an array of photosites; a sensor carrier having an opening in one direction for receiving image light, said carrier supporting said image sensor therein in such orientation that the photosites receive image light through the opening; and a transparent protective glass element covering the opening in said sensor carrier, said glass element comprising an array of optical fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
An imaging device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said array of optical fibers is separated from said image sensor by a distance sufficient to output a blurred image upon said sensor and thereby reduce undersampling artifacts in the image signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-28 | 1997-09-27 | 1998-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-28 | 2001-09-27 | 2002-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-28 | 2005-09-27 | 2006-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |