US5877807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optoelectronic colored image converter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-09-02
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2017-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An optoelectronic colored image converter having an imaging system, which images an object onto a two-dimensional CCD-array, the matrix of which, comprising light-sensitive sensor elements, has a color filter mask for picking up images with at least three color takes. The image is shifted relative to the CCD-array between taking consecutive frames in such a manner that the sensor elements of the CCD-array sensitive for the various colors come consecutively to rest on the same point of the image. A memory and control unit congruently composes the color takes of the frames picked up with the shifted CCD-array.
Inventors
- 👤 Reimar Lenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/48; H04N1/486; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/13; H04N25/134; H04N25/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An optoelectronic -image converter apparatus for obtaining a color still picture of an object, comprising: a) an optical projection system for forming a projection image of said object, said projection image having a plurality of imaginary pixel sites; b) a two-dimensional CCD-array having a plurality of light sensitive pixel sensor elements; c) a color mosaic filter having at least three groups of different filter elements, each group belonging to a different color and each filter element being associated with one pixel sensor element of said CCD-array; d) means for successively exposing said CCD-array to said projection image and forming at least three sets of output signals during each such exposing step, each set of output signals belonging to one specific color; e) means for successively shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array in such a manner that at least one filter element of each of said at least three groups of different filter elements comes consecutively to rest on each of the imaginary pixel sites of said projection image so that at each of the imaginary pixel sites at least three different colors are captured; f) a storage and control unit for storing the output signals obtained at each exposing step from said CCD-array and for combining those output signals, which were obtained for each one specific imaginary pixel site of the projection image, thereby obtaining the color still picture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An optoelectronic -image converter apparatus for obtaining a color still picture of an object, comprising: a) an optical projection system for forming a projection image of said object, said projection image having a plurality of imaginary pixel sites; b) a two-dimensional CCD-array having a plurality of light sensitive pixel sensor elements; c) a color mosaic filter having at least three groups of different filter elements, each group belonging to a different color and each filter element being associated with one pixel sensor element of said CCD-array; d) means for successively exposing said CCD-array to said projection image and forming at least three sets of output signals during each such exposing step, each set of output signals belonging to one specific color; e) means for successively shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array in such a manner that at least one filter element of each of said at least three groups of different filter elements comes consecutively to rest on each of the imaginary pixel sites of said projection image so that at each of the imaginary pixel sites at least three different colors are captured; f) a storage and control unit for storing the output signals obtained at each exposing step from said CCD-array and for combining those output signals, which were obtained for each one specific imaginary pixel site of the projection image, thereby obtaining the color still picture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said CCD-array is shiftable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said CCD-array is shiftable two-dimensionally in a plane of the projection image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for successively shifting include piezopositioning elements which shift said CCD-array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for increasing the resolution of the color still picture by additionally shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array by fractions of a distance between said pixel sensor elements between successive exposing steps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein by said additional shifting an assimilation of the image resolution occurs in directions perpendicular to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for successively shifting comprise means for shifting in a hexagonal pattern to scan said projection image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said CCD-array is shiftable two-dimensionally in a plane of the image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for successively shifting include piezopositioning elements which shift said CCD-array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for increasing the resolution by additionally shifting the image relative to said CCD-array by fractions of a distance between said pixel sensor elements between successive exposing steps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for successively shifting comprise means for shifting in a hexagonal pattern to scan said projection image.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for obtaining a color still picture of an object, comprising the acts of: forming a projection image of said object, said projection image having a plurality of imaginary pixel sites; successively exposing a two-dimensional CCD-array having a plurality of light sensitive pixel sensor elements to said projection image; forming at least three sets of output signals during each such exposing step, each set of output signals belonging to one specific color; successively shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array in such a manner that at least one filter element of each of at least three groups of different filter elements of a color mosaic filter comes consecutively to rest on each of the imaginary pixel sites of said projection image, each group of different filter elements belonging to a different color and each filter element being associated with one pixel sensor element of said CCD-array, wherein at each of the imaging pixel sites at least three different colors are captured; storing output signals obtained at each exposing step from said CCD-array; and combining those output signals, which were obtained for each one specific imaginary pixel site of the projection image, thereby obtaining the color still picture.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for obtaining a color still picture of an object, comprising the acts of: forming a projection image of said object, said projection image having a plurality of imaginary pixel sites; successively exposing a two-dimensional CCD-array having a plurality of light sensitive pixel sensor elements to said projection image; forming at least three sets of output signals during each such exposing step, each set of output signals belonging to one specific color; successively shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array in such a manner that at least one filter element of each of at least three groups of different filter elements of a color mosaic filter comes consecutively to rest on each of the imaginary pixel sites of said projection image, each group of different filter elements belonging to a different color and each filter element being associated with one pixel sensor element of said CCD-array, wherein at each of the imaging pixel sites at least three different colors are captured; storing output signals obtained at each exposing step from said CCD-array; and combining those output signals, which were obtained for each one specific imaginary pixel site of the projection image, thereby obtaining the color still picture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein the act of successively shifting the projection image relative to the CCD-array includes the act of two-dimensionally shifting the CCD-array in a plane of the projection image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 12, further comprising the act of additionally shifting the projection image relative to said CCD-array by fractions of a distance between said pixel sensor elements between successive exposing steps to increase the resolution of the color still picture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein the act of successively shifting includes the act of shifting the projection image relative to the CCD-array in a hexagonal pattern to scan said projection image.
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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) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |