Development of Thin Observation Module by Bound Optics

A compact image capturing system called TOMBO (thin observation module by bound optics) is proposed. This system is an opto-electronic hybrid system, that utilizes a compound-eye imaging optics to achieve a very thin system configuration. Digital processing of the captured multiple images is used to retrieve the object image. Experimental results using the TOMBO prototype system are presented. As an application, a compact fingerprint capturing system using the TOMBO is described.