Patent ID: 6924935
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A multiple aperture imaging system comprising: a) an array of lens elements for capturing light and reducing a diameter of exiting light bundles, wherein the exiting light bundles exit from the array of lens elements; b) means for correcting optical phase of the exiting light bundles; c) means for reducing a total area of the exiting light bundles; and d) means for combining all the exiting light bundles from the array of lens elements to form an image with resolution comparable to a single lens element having an equivalent aperture size respective to the array of lens elements, wherein means for reducing the total area of the exiting light bundles includes first and second sets of reflective optical flats, arranged sequentially in space between the array of lens elements and the image, for sequentially compacting the exiting light bundles, initially in a first direction only and next in a second direction only, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.