Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the range of an object. A first image of at least a portion of the object viewed from a first position is generated. A second image of the portion viewed from a second position spaced apart from the first position is generated by calculation from the first image and the distance between the first and second position. It is assumed that all of the portion represented by the first image lies on a radius less than the distance to the object. A third image of the portion viewed from the second position is generated and the range determined by comparison of the first and third images.

Abstract: A system for generating an image of a space includes a camera having an image plane and a field of view. A reflective surface is positioned within the field of view of the camera and configured to reflect radiation from the space onto the image plane of the camera. The camera occludes radiation from being received at the reflective surface from an area of the space and the reflective surface is configured such that the occluded area is of substantially constant or decreasing area with increasing distance into the space.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system, for monitoring a space, comprises a single camera and a dome-like convex mirror. The camera is mounted relative to the mirror so that at least most of the surface of the mirror is within the field of view of the camera. The mirror has an elevation gain, .alpha., greater than 3 and a profile which (a) ensures that radiation from at least most of the space is reflected by the mirror onto the image plane of the camera, and (b) satisfied the relationship, in polar co-ordinates,Sin?A+0.5(1+.alpha.).theta.!=C.r.?-0.5(1+.alpha.)!where C is a constant and A specifies the inclination of the profile to the optical axis of the camera at the point on the mirror which is closest to the aperture lens of the camera. The camera may be an electronic camera having a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor at its image plane, and the processed image of the space produced by the camera may be displayed on a monitor screen as a dewarped image.