Engineered point spread function for simultaneous extended depth of field and 3D ranging
US9325971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/10052
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Optical systems utilize waveplates to simultaneously encode information for increasing image depth of field and for providing a depth map of the imaged object or sample. These waveplates are configured to result in a focus-invariant point spread function in one focal region, and to result in point spread functions that vary as a function of range within the imaged object in a different focal region. For example, a basic compound microscope might have a specially shaped waveplate inserted at the back aperture plane of the microscope objective to manipulate the phase of the wavefront. An image formed on one side of the plane of best focus is focus invariant, and is brought into focus by a restoring algorithm. An image formed on the other side of the plane of best focus captures point spread functions comprising rings that vary with depth within the imaged object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.