Photodetector system, apparatus and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image signal by receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector such as a hemispherical photodetector. The convex photodetector includes a plurality of photosensors. Each photosensor has a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of the flux of photons. The photosensors generate a respective plurality of intensity signals. Each of the intensity signals is related to the respective orientation of the photosensor that generates it. The intensity signals are received by a signal processor, such as a digital signal processor, which uses the intensity signals to compute an image signal related to the intensity signals and thereby produce a focused output image.

1 . A method of forming an image signal comprising:
 providing a curved photodetector, said curved photodetector including a plurality of photosensors;   absorbing a flux of photons at said plurality of photosensors, each of said photosensors respectively having a different functional orientation with respect to a propagation vector of said flux of photons;   generating a plurality of intensity signals at said plurality of photosensors respectively, each of said intensity signals being related to said respective orientation;   receiving said plurality of intensity signals at a signal processor device; and   computing, with said signal processor device, a focused image signal related to said plurality of intensity signals.   
     
     
         2 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said curved photodetector comprises a substantially hemispherical photodetector. 
     
     
         3 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said curved photodetector comprises a substantially ellipsoidal photodetector. 
     
     
         4 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said computing said image signal comprises:
 determining an intensity and angular position, with respect to said curved photodetector, of at least one source of said flux of photons. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said absorbing a flux of photons comprises:
 receiving substantially collimated lightwaves from a light source outwardly of said curved photodetector 
 
     
     
         6 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of photosensors comprises a plurality of CMOS photosensors. 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of photosensors comprises a plurality of charge coupled devices. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of photosensors includes a substantially planar light receiving surface. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said signal processor device comprises a computer processor disposed on a common substrate with said plurality of photosensors. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 9  wherein said signal processor device comprises a digital electronic computer. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said signal processor device includes a computer readable memory, said computer readable memory being adapted to contain a program, said program being adapted to transform said plurality of intensity signals by matrix inversion to produce said image signal. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of intensity signals includes a plurality of analog electronic signals, said method further comprising:
 receiving said plurality of analog electronic signals at least one analog-to-digital converter; and 
 
       producing a plurality of digital electronic signals. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming an image signal comprising:
 receiving a flux of photons at a concave photodetector, said concave photodetector including a plurality of photosensors, said plurality of photosensors each having a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of said flux of photons;
 generating a plurality of intensity signals at said plurality of photosensors respectively, each of said intensity signals being related to said respective orientation; 
 receiving said plurality of intensity signals at a signal processor device; and 
 computing, with said signal processor device, an image signal related to said plurality of intensity signals. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 13  wherein said concave photodetector comprises a substantially hemispherical photodetector. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming an image signal as defined in  claim 13  wherein said concave photodetector comprises a substantially ellipsoidal photodetector. 
     
     
         16 . A digital camera comprising:
 an electronic photodetector including a plurality of photosensors with a respective plurality of light-receiving surfaces, said electronic photodetector adapted to receive an unfocused image at said plurality of light-receiving surfaces;   an analog to digital converter device adapted to receive an analog input signal from at least one photosensor of said plurality of photosensors; and   a computer device, said computer device being adapted to receive a digital input signal including digital unfocused image data from said analog to digital converter device and produce digital focused image data related to said unfocused image.   
     
     
         17 . A digital camera as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said electronic photodetector is adapted to detect a substantial portion of a visible optical spectrum.