Camera scope electronic variable prism
A system, apparatus and methods for providing a scope having an imaging sensor which provides a two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels. The imaging sensor allows for an angle of view to be changed within a field of view by selecting a one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel set within the two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels containing imaging data that corresponds to a desired angle of view.
1. A system comprising:
a single image sensor comprising a pixel array, wherein the pixel array of the single image sensor comprises a plurality of subarrays that each comprises fewer pixels than all pixels in the pixel array;
an interface element for selecting a view pattern for visualizing a scene; and
a processor in communication with the single image sensor and the interface element;
wherein, for at least one readout period of the single image sensor, the processor instructs the single image sensor to read out only one subarray of the plurality of subarrays of the pixel array of the single image sensor, such that the single image sensor reads out fewer than all pixels within the pixel array for the at least one readout period of the single image sensor; and
wherein the one subarray of the plurality of subarrays is selected based on input received from the interface element.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a lens for providing a field of view for visualizing the scene with the single image sensor.
3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a handpiece unit, wherein the interface element is disposed on the handpiece unit;
a tube; and
wherein the lens is disposed at a distal end of the tube.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the field of view provided by the lens is digitally partitioned into a plurality of view patterns by selectively reading out the plurality of subarrays of the single image sensor.
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the field of view provided by the lens is within a range from 125° to 180°.
6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lens is a wide-angle lens.
7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lens provides a 0° offset, and wherein the single image sensor digitally approximates the selected view pattern by reading out only the one subarray of the plurality of subarrays of the pixel array.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the single image sensor reads out only the pixels within the one subarray of the single image sensor to digitally implement the selected view pattern.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the single image sensor reads out only the one subarray of the plurality of subarrays of the pixel array to digitally implement the selected view pattern based on the input from the interface element.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the single image sensor is a 4K image sensor, and wherein the selected view pattern approximates an angle of view selected by a user, and wherein the single image sensor senses the selected view pattern by reading out only a one-thousand-pixel by one-thousand-pixel subarray of the 4K image sensor.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the selected view pattern approximates a 30° offset such that the single image sensor approximates visualizing a scene through a 30° prism by reading out only the one subarray of the plurality of subarrays of the pixel array.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the selected view pattern approximates a 70° offset such that the single image sensor approximates visualizing a scene through a 70° prism by reading out only the one subarray of the plurality of subarrays of the pixel array.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an emitter for pulsing a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation comprises a visible wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and a non-visible wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the emitter pulses electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the single image sensor, and wherein the emitter cycles off during a readout period of the single image sensor.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the processor synchronizes timing of the single image sensor and the emitter such that the emitter pulses electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the single image sensor, and wherein the emitter pulses a pulse cycle pattern comprising one or more of: a visible wavelength, a near-infrared wavelength, an infrared wavelength, an ultraviolet wavelength, or a multispectral wavelength.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation comprises an ultraviolet emission.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input received from the interface element comprises a selection of the view pattern, and wherein a user may actuate the interface element to change the view pattern during operation.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the view pattern approximates an offset angle of view provided by a prism for visualizing the scene, and wherein the view pattern comprises one or more of a 30° angle of view, a 0° angle of view, or a 70° angle of view.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor instructs the single image sensor to read out two subarrays of the plurality of subarrays for sensing two image frames in a single readout period, wherein the two image frames comprise:
a first image frame comprising a first view pattern, wherein the first view pattern represents a first portion of a field of view provided by a lens; and
a second image frame comprising a second view pattern, wherein the second view pattern represents a second portion of the field of view provided by the lens.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the first view pattern is different from the second view pattern, and wherein the first view pattern is sensed by a first subarray of the pixel array and the second view pattern is sensed by a second subarray of the pixel array during the single readout period.