Color sequential optical offset image sampling system

Abstract

The system of the present invention increases the resolution (number of picture elements or pixels) of an image that may be formed from an image sensor without increasing the resolution of the sensor. The system operates upon a color image beam using a set of primary color filters, including at least two filters of the same color, with at least one of the filters being capable of displacing the color image beam by a distance equal to a fraction of the distance between adjacent photosensitive elements which form the image sensor. The color wheel is rotated to sequentially place each filter of the set of primary filters into the color image beam. The array of photosensitive elements forming the image sensor is positioned to receive the colored image beam which passes through each filter. Each photosensitive element produces signals indicative of the intensity of the color image beam components incident thereon. The signals produced by the photosensitive elements of the image sensor are stored for each filter positioned in the path of the color image beam. A composite image signal is formed from the stored signals by combining the signals such that the filter displaced pixels are interleaved with the non-displaced pixels. The resultant image therefore has a greater number of pixels, or higher resolution, than the image sensor.