Abstract: A panoramic optical device includes a quadric reflector, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. The quadric reflector has a conical shape, which tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex includes an aperture. The mirror is positioned within the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror reflects environmental light that is reflected by the quadric reflector into the aperture or reflecting light emitting from the aperture onto the quadric reflector. The set of one or more optical elements are positioned at least partially within a volumetric region of the quadric reflector. The one or more optical elements focus light passing through the aperture.

Abstract: A reflector can have a conical shape. The shape can tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex can include an aperture, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. A mirror is location in a cavity and is positioned within an overhang enclosure of the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror can reflect environmental light that is reflected by the reflector into the aperture or reflect light emitting from the aperture onto the reflector. Stray light reflected by the mirror is absorbed by the cavity walls. A set of one or more optical elements can be positioned at least partially within a volumetric region of the reflector. The one or more optical elements focus light passing through the aperture to an image sensor.

Abstract: A quadric reflector can have an approximately conical shape. The shape can tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex can include an aperture, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. A mirror can be positioned within an overhang enclosure of the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror can reflect environmental light that is reflected by the quadric reflector into the aperture or reflect light emitting from the aperture onto the quadric reflector. The overhang enclosure can have a substantially conical shape which eliminates secondary reflection resulting from the environmental light reaching the aperture twice. Using the overhang enclosure to absorb the secondary reflection eliminates or minimizes banding.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a panoramic camera provides a protective housing that the camera can be placed in, and removed from, and which substantially reduces or eliminates undesirable second order reflections that would otherwise occur due to the presence of the additional optical layers of a transparent housing member and the gap between the transparent housing member and the cylindrical lens of the camera. Sealing members form a seal such that the concentric gap between the transparent housing member and the cylindrical lens can be filled with transparent liquid, thereby changing the optical properties of the system formed by the cylindrical lens, gap, and transparent housing member.

Abstract: A calibration method can begin by positioning a calibration image source around and substantially proximate to the exterior surface of a panoramic optical device that utilizes a conical quadric reflector having an aperture in its apex. The calibration image source can be made of a material that is substantially transparent to allow the passage of environmental light and can utilize a predetermined color palette having a calibration feature, such as a geometric shape and/or a line, which is in a known location. A quadric image of the calibration image source can then be captured. Coordinates for a visual image center of the calibration image can be determined by an image center calibration program using the location of the calibration feature. The visual image center can be the point around which a quadric image is transformed into a visually-correct panorama. The determined visual image center coordinates can be stored.

Abstract: A quadric reflector can have an approximately conical shape. The shape can tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex can include an aperture, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. A mirror can be positioned within an overhang enclosure of the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror can reflect environmental light that is reflected by the quadric reflector into the aperture or reflect light emitting from the aperture onto the quadric reflector. The overhang enclosure can have a substantially conical shape which eliminates secondary reflection resulting from the environmental light reaching the aperture twice. Using the overhang enclosure to absorb the secondary reflection eliminates or minimizes banding.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) with a customizable key pad assembly. The method (300) can provide the steps of: providing (310) a wireless communication device; connecting (320) a side pad module to the wireless communication device; and coupling (330) an end cap module to the wireless communication device. Advantageously, the method (300) provides an automated, modular and simplified method to assemble a wireless communication device.