Patent ID: 7006710

Claim:
A multichannel imaging system for generating an ensemble of images from an object for each field of view of the object, wherein each image in the ensemble contains information from substantially only one source, comprising: (a) a collection lens disposed so that light traveling from the object passes through the collection lens and travels along a collection path; (b) a dispersing component disposed in the collection path so as to receive the light that has passed through the collection lens, dispersing the light into a plurality of light beams, each light beam being directed away from the dispersing component in a different predetermined direction; (c) an imaging lens disposed to receive the light beams from the dispersing component, thereby producing said ensemble of images, each image being produced from a different one of the light beams and being projected by the imaging lens toward a different predetermined location; (d) a multichannel detector disposed to receive the plurality of images produced by the imaging lens, the multichannel detector producing a plurality of output signals, such that a separate output signal is produced for each of said light beams; and (e) means for processing the output signals to: (i) correct the output signals for any misalignment between the images in the ensemble on the multichannel detector to within sub-pixel resolution; and (ii) reduce contributions from the output signals of other channels, to the output signal in each channel.