Patent ID: 7274454

Claim:
An imaging apparatus comprising: a) an input optics section for obtaining a multispectral image bearing light; b) a programmable spectral switching section comprising: a first lens for directing light along toward a dichroic separator, the dichroic separator separating the multispectral image bearing light into a plurality of discrete spectral bands, each spectral band directed to one of a plurality of optical switches to form a one-to-one correspondence; each optical switch in the plurality of optical switches is selectively enabled to redirect its corresponding spectral band as switched spectral band light; a light path selector element directing the switched spectral band light toward an image forming section; c) the image forming section comprising a sensor lens for directing the switched spectral band light toward an image sensor; the image sensor forming image data according to the switched spectral band light from each optical switch; and, d) a control logic processor in communication with the optical switches and with the image sensor, the control logic processor providing instructions for enablement of the optical switches and obtaining sensor data.