Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a camera lens assembly. The camera lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, which all have refractive power and are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens and the sixth lens have negative refractive power; the third lens and the fifth lens have positive refractive power; at least one of the first lens to the sixth lens has a non-rotationally symmetric aspheric surface; wherein tan(FOVx/2)*tan(FOVy/2)<2.0, where FOVx is a full field-of-view of the camera lens assembly in an X-axis direction and FOVy is a full field-of-view of the camera lens assembly in a Y-axis direction, and values of FOVx and FOVy are different.

Abstract: An airborne super-continuum 50-band hyperspectral light detection and ranging system comprises an integrated control system, a storage unit, a super-continuum laser system, an optical transmitting system, a reflecting mirror, a scanning system, an optical receiving system, a super-continuum hyperspectral laser detection system, a plane array CCD camera. The operation process includes super-continuum laser system emitting continuous hyperspectral pulsed lasers, performing lasers beam expansion and collimation, emitting it to ground objects, reflecting it, receiving it by the scanning system, transmitting to the optical receiving system, and focusing it into hyperspectral laser detection system for outputting laser hyperspectrum and 3D spatial data, storing laser data in the storage unit with high-resolution multi-spectral data.

Abstract: A surgery visualization system is described herein. The surgery visualization system includes a display monitor positioned in view of a surgeon and a support arm system including a first support arm and a second support arm. The first and second support arms are orientated such that the display monitor is visible to the surgeon between the first and second support arms. A 3D digital viewport coupled to the first support arm. A 3D digital microscope coupled to the second support arm. A computer system including a processor programmed to receive and process images from the 3D digital microscope and display the processed images on the 3D digital viewport and the display monitor.

Abstract: Optical hyperfocal reflective systems and methods are provided. One such optical hyperfocal reflective system has an optical substrate; an optical input coupling portion configured to input couple a collimated display image to the optical substrate; and an optical hyperfocal output coupling portion integrated with said optical substrate. The optical output coupling portion includes at least one hyperfocal reflective view port formed from a discrete optical hyperfocal reflector spot integrated with the optical substrate. The discrete optical hyperfocal reflector spot is sized to form a reflected discrete optical spot beam with a diameter at a target area such that a view of a discrete virtual display image portion, as seen by a lens-detector system locatable at the target area, is hyperfocused.

Abstract: An optical system includes an incident part, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, a third reflective surface, and an exit part. The incident part is rotationally symmetric around a central axis. Incident light from the incident part intersects the central axis and enters the first reflective surface. Reflected light from the first reflective surface intersects the central axis and enters the second reflective surface. Reflected light from the second reflective surface enters the third reflective surface.

Abstract: A variety of femtoprojector optical systems are described. Each of them can be made small enough to fit in a contact lens using plastic injection molding, diamond turning, photolithography and etching, or other techniques. Most, but not all, of the systems include a solid cylindrical transparent substrate with a curved primary mirror formed on one end and a secondary mirror formed on the other end. Any of the designs may use light blocking, light-redirecting, absorbing coatings or other types of baffle structures as needed to reduce stray light.

Abstract: A imaging device includes: a plurality of optical systems each forming an image of a subject; a plurality of imaging sensors corresponding to the respective plurality of optical systems; a common transmissive optical element through which optical paths of the respective plurality of optical systems pass; and a housing part that houses the optical systems, the imaging sensors and the transmissive optical element, the housing part having a peripheral surface along a circumferential direction about a reference axis, wherein at least two of the plurality of optical systems each have: a peripheral lens arranged along the peripheral surface and located closest to an object; and a first optical path, the first optical paths of the at least two optical systems intersecting each other inside the transmissive optical element.

Abstract: A camera optical lens is provided, including, from an object side to an image side: a first lens having negative refractive power; a second having positive refractive power; a third lens having positive refractive power; and a fourth lens having negative refractive power, where the camera optical lens satisfies following conditions: ?3.00?f1/f??1.20; 4.00?f2/f?9.00; 15.00?R4/R3; 2.50?R7/R8?6.00; and 10.00?d5/d6?20.00. The above camera optical lens can meet design requirements for large aperture and wide angle, while obtaining high imaging quality.

Abstract: An endoscopic camera system having a camera that captures and outputs an image; a camera controller coupled to the camera; a user input device coupled to the camera or the camera controller, wherein the user input device is usable to select a region of interest in the image, the region of interest being a sub-part of the image; and wherein the camera controller: computes a measured luminance value for the region of interest; and adjusts an exposure in response to a comparison of the measured luminance value with a target luminance value.

Abstract: An optical lens assembly and an imaging device. The optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens (L1) being a meniscus lens having a negative focal power, the first lens having an object side surface (S1) being a convex surface, and an image side surface (S2) being a concave surface; a second lens (L2) having a negative focal power, an image side surface (S4) of the second lens being a concave surface; a third lens (L3) being a meniscus lens having a positive focal power, the third lens having an object side surface (S5) being a concave surface, and an image side surface (S6) being a convex surface; a fourth lens (L4); a fifth lens (L5) cemented to the fourth lens; and a sixth lens (L6) having a positive focal power.

Abstract: An optical system includes a splitting optic configured to receive a light beam from a light source and form a set of light bands radiating from the optical system at predetermined angles relative to illuminate a scene. The optical system further includes a lens configured to project a field of view of the scene into a two-dimensional format. The optical system further includes an optical sensor arranged offset from the central axis of the lens to capture a segment of the field of view projected by the lens.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain a setting value for identifying an end line corresponding to (i) at least a part of a fisheye image and (ii) an end in a panoramic image serving as an image on which distortion correction processing has been performed, and a generating unit configured to generate a plurality of panoramic images in which division lines are harmonized with each other from the fisheye image on a basis of the setting value.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an imaging lens assembly. The imaging lens assembly includes sequentially from an object side to an image side: a first lens, having a positive refractive power; a second lens, having a negative refractive power, an object-side surface of the second lens being a convex surface, and an image-side surface of the second lens being a concave surface; a third lens, having a positive refractive power, and an image-side surface of the third lens being a convex surface; a fourth lens, having a refractive power; and a fifth lens, having a refractive power, an object-side surface of the fifth lens being a convex surface. An effective focal length f of the imaging lens assembly and an effective focal length f1 of the first lens satisfy: 5.5<f1/f<25. The imaging lens assembly has the characteristics of large aperture, high relative brightness, wide angle, and good image quality.

Abstract: A method for sharpening gastrointestinal (GI) images and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. A first target distance between a first target region in a regular image and an imaging apparatus is determined, and a second target distance between a second target region in the regular image and the imaging apparatus is determined. One or more first filter parameters for a first de-blurring filter and one or more second filter parameters for a second de-blurring filter are selected from stored filter parameters according to the first and second target distances respectively. A first processed target region is generated by applying the first de-blurring filter to the first target region to improve sharpness of the first target region. A second processed target region is generated by applying the second de-blurring filter to the second target region to improve sharpness of the second target region.

Abstract: A mechanical device includes a housing, a transparent spacer member, a magnet, and an image capturing device. The housing has an internal space in which a machine component immersed in oil is housed. The spacer member is disposed in an opening of the housing. The magnet is supported by the spacer member. The image capturing device captures the internal space of the housing via the spacer member.

Abstract: The proposed method outlines a new control mechanism well-suited for small, unmanned aerial vehicles traversing in a GPS-denied areas. It has the strong advantage of simplifying the interface, so that even an untrained operator can handle the difficult, dynamic problems encountered in closed quarters. The proposed system seamlessly integrates point-and-click control with way-point navigation, in an intuitive interface. An additional advantage of the proposed system is that it adds minimal hardware to the payload of the UAV, and can possibly, strongly diminish the bandwidth and delay effects of the communication channel.

Abstract: A method for displaying a user interface (UI) of a head-mounted display device includes: providing a graphic user interface which includes a main interface region and an auxiliary interface region; displaying, on a display screen of the head-mounted display device, at least a portion of the graphic user interface, wherein, from an observation of a user wearing the head-mounted display device, the at least a portion of the graphic user interface is displayed at a first distance from the user; receiving a user interface movement instruction; and in response to the user interface movement instruction, adjusting a display of the graphic user interface on the display screen, wherein, from the observation of the user, the graphic user interface rotates around the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a frame packing arrangement for the encoding/decoding of, for example, panoramic content. In one embodiment, an encoder apparatus is disclosed. In a variant, the encoder apparatus is configured to encode Segmented Sphere Projections (SSP) imaging data and/or Rotated Sphere Projections (RSP) imaging data into an extant imaging format. In another variant, a decoder apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the decoder apparatus is configured to decode SSP imaging data and/or RSP imaging data from an extant imaging format. Computing devices, computer-readable storage apparatus, integrated circuits and methods for using the aforementioned encoder and decoder are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inspection assembly comprising a light source and a lens. In particular this invention relates to the provision of a reflection surface for improving the illumination of a field of view of a wide angle camera. An inspection assembly comprises a main body having a longitudinal axis and a distal end; a lens located at the distal end; a light source positioned to illuminate an area beyond the distal end of the main body; and a reflection surface, an angle between the reflection surface and the longitudinal axis of the main body being between 10° and 70°, wherein the reflection surface is positioned such that, in use, a first fraction of the light emitted by the light source is reflected by the reflection surface and a second fraction of the light emitted by the light source travels to an area beyond the distal end of the main body without being reflected by said surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel system and method for multiview, multispectral, polarimetric, light-field, and high dynamic range imaging in a concurrent manner specifically capturing information at different spectral bands and light polarizations simultaneously. The present system and method is capable of (1) concurrent imaging of multiple spectral bands (including spectral bands beyond the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum), proportional or greater than the number of filters used in the device, (2) concurrent imaging of multiple light polarizations (Stokes vectors), (3) acquiring images at different point-of-view of the same scene and/or object that allow for topographical reconstruction, (4) concurrent imaging of the multiple depth of fields that allow for light-field imaging, and (5) concurrent imaging of multiple simulated exposures of the detector that allow for high dynamic range imaging, all at the same time using a single sensor in the same imaging system enclosure.

Abstract: An optical imaging lens includes a first lens of negative refractive power, a second lens of negative refractive power and of an image-side surface with a concave portion near its optical-axis, a third lens of an object-side surface with a convex portion near its optical-axis and an image-side surface with a convex portion near its optical-axis, a fourth lens of an object-side surface with a convex portion near its optical-axis, a fifth lens of an object-side surface with a concave portion near its periphery and an image-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its optical-axis and a six lens of an image-side surface with a convex portion near its optical-axis. ALT is a total thickness of all six lens elements, AAG is a sum of all five air gaps and the first lens element has a first lens element thickness T1 to satisfy ALT/T1?6.70 or AAG/T1?4.71.

Abstract: An optical lens accessory used in conjunction with a terminal device equipped with two camera devices is provided, the optical lens accessory includes: an optical device including two fisheye lenses arranged in a back-to-back configuration, where directions of the two respective viewing angles associated with the two fisheye lenses are opposite to each other, and where viewing angle of each of the fisheye lenses is greater than 180° to allow each of the two fisheye lenses to independently frame a view in the respective direction of the respective viewing angle, to let the framed lights into the two camera devices; a housing device positioned outside the optical device, where the housing device is configured to support the optical device, and to isolate the framed lights from external stray light; and a fixture device configured to attach the optical lens accessory to the terminal device.

Abstract: At least one lens element defines a cylindrical void that encloses a conical element having a conical mirror surface defined about a common vertical axis upward from a tip on a generally 45-degree angle to the vertical axis. The lens element(s) have cross-sectional shapes defined relative to a plane passing through the lens element and including the vertical axis, the cross-sectional shape constant in rotation about the vertical axis and imparting a generally toroid shape to the lens element(s) for capturing image information from a surrounding scene and translating the captured light into a horizontal projection is oriented toward the conical mirror surface, which reflects the projection 90 degrees vertically downward toward an image plane of a light sensitive sensor for generating a photographic representation of the surrounding scene.

Abstract: An imaging lens system (imaging lens) having a focal length f is formed of a first lens group formed of three negative lenses and a single positive lens or a cemented lens and a second lens group having a positive focal length with the first lens group and the second lens group sequentially arranged from the enlargement side and employs the stereographic projection method that satisfies a condition of y=a·f·tan(?/2) (?: 1.8???2.2). The thus configured imaging lens system readily allows distortion to be reduced at each image height y and the degree of compression to be also reduced for sufficient resolution at the periphery.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of an optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front unit including a plurality of lenses, an aperture stop, and a rear unit having a positive refractive power. In at least one embodiment, four negative lenses are consecutively arranged from a side of the front unit closest to the object side, and a focal length of the front unit and a focal length of the rear unit are appropriately set.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention discloses an optical imaging device including an optical lens. The optical lens has N number of lenses, and the N number of lenses are divided into a first lens group and a second lens group and have at least three aspheric lenses. The first lens group is disposed between an object side and an image side, and the first lens group has (N/2)?1 piece of lens. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side, a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, and the second lens is an aspheric lens. The second lens group is disposed between the first lens group and the image side, and an aperture stop is disposed between the first lens group and the second lens group.

Abstract: A technique of generating a stereoscopic panorama image includes panning a portable camera device, and acquiring multiple image frames. Multiple at least partially overlapping image frames are acquired of portions of the scene. The method involves registering the image frames, including determining displacements of the imaging device between acquisitions of image frames. Multiple panorama images are generated including joining image frames of the scene according to spatial relationships and determining stereoscopic counterpart relationships between the multiple panorama images. The multiple panorama images are processed based on the stereoscopic counterpart relationships to form a stereoscopic panorama image.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a circuit board, a lighting element and a lens structure. The lighting element is disposed on the circuit board. The lighting element includes a lighting top surface and a lighting lateral surface adjoined to the lighting top surface and the circuit board. The lighting top surface has a center and an optical axis passing through the center. The lens structure covers the lighting element to receive a light from the lighting element. The lens structure includes an outer surface having a total reflection portion and a light outgoing portion surrounding the total reflection portion. The optical axis passes through the total reflection portion. The total reflection portion is configured to totally reflect a portion of light from the center. The light outgoing portion is configured to allow another light emitted from the center to leave away from the lens structure.

Abstract: The proposed method outlines a new control mechanism well-suited for small, unmanned aerial vehicles traversing in a GPS-denied areas. It has the strong advantage of simplifying the interface, so that even an untrained operator can handle the difficult, dynamic problems encountered in closed quarters. The proposed system seamlessly integrates point-and-click control with way-point navigation, in an intuitive interface. An additional advantage of the proposed system is that it adds minimal hardware to the payload of the UAV, and can possibly, strongly diminish the bandwidth and delay effects of the communication channel.

Abstract: An obstacle detecting unit includes a reflective mirror formed to reflect light which is incident from a front area and a lower portion of the front area below a central portion of the reflective mirror; a catadioptric lens disposed coaxially with the reflective mirror in an upper portion of the reflective mirror, the catadioptric lens on which light incident from the front area and an upper portion of the front area; and an image forming module disposed coaxially with the reflective mirror below the reflective mirror, the image forming module on which the light reflected by the reflective mirror is incident, wherein a through hole is formed in the central portion of the reflective mirror, and the light coming out of the catadioptric lens passes through the through hole and then is incident on the image forming module.

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: Described herein is a lens having at least one object-side and at least one image-side refractive surface. In order to determine a light intensity of an effective luminous flux propagating through the lens without the need for additional components for coupling light out, the lens includes a reflective surface arranged between the object-side and the image-side refractive surfaces and aligned obliquely to the optical axis.

Abstract: A wide-angle optical system includes a first group having negative and positive lenses, a second group having a catadioptric optical element, and a third group. The catadioptric optical element includes a first surface at an object side, a second surface at an image side, and a third surface. The first surface has a first transmission surface and a first reflection surface disposed therearound. The second surface has a second transmission surface and a second reflection surface disposed therearound. The third surface is a circular conical transmission surface that is disposed between the first surface and the second surface and an apex of which is located at the object side.

Abstract: An optical lens system includes sequentially from an object side to an image plane side: a first lens having a negative refractive power and an object side surface that is convex toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power and an object side surface that is convex toward the object side; a third lens having a positive refractive power and an image side surface that is convex toward the image side; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and an object side surface that is concave toward the object side; and a fifth lens having a positive refractive power and an image side surface that is convex toward the image side.

Abstract: The invention relates to an omnidirectional lens, an optical measuring device, and a method for optical measurement. The lens comprises a central portion, collecting optically in a first direction, and an edge portion, which surrounds the central portion, and which is arranged to guide the light arriving at the edge portion omnidirectionally relative to the said first direction essentially transversely relative to the said first direction. According to the invention, the edge portion is arranged to guide the light through the central portion. With the aid of the invention, it is possible to create, for example, a simpler laser radar.

Abstract: A method for panoramic image completion is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a panoramic image; obtaining a projected image by mapping pixels of the panoramic image onto a polar coordinate system, wherein a long side component of the pixel coordinate of the pixels is corresponding to the polar angle of the polar coordinate system and a short side component of the pixel coordinate of the pixels is corresponding to a radial coordinate of the polar coordinate system; acquiring an incomplete region of the projected image, and obtaining a completed image by completing the incomplete region; and obtaining a completed panoramic image by inverse mapping the pixels of the completed image according to the polar coordinate system. Furthermore, a device for panoramic image completion is also disclosed. The above method and device for panoramic image completion take account of the perspective curvature of the panoramic image, to improve the degree of restoration.

Abstract: Enabling an ordinary image-capturing apparatus to achieve all-around image-capturing without having a user to perform particularly difficult setting operation. There is provided an image-capturing apparatus including, an image-capturing unit capable of detachably attaching an adapter having an all-around image-capturing optical system for capturing an image of a subject all around the image-capturing apparatus, and having an image-capturing optical system being for capturing a subject in one direction, and an image-capturing device for capturing a subject image incident from the image-capturing optical system, an attachment detection unit for detecting whether or not the adapter is attached to the image-capturing unit, and a control unit for controlling settings of the image-capturing apparatus in accordance with a characteristic of the all-around image-capturing optical system when the adapter is attached to the image-capturing unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a panoramic imaging system for projecting a 360 degree cylindrical field of view onto a two-dimensional annular format using a panoramic imaging block with a concentric axis 5 of symmetry, two refractive surfaces and two reflective surfaces, and an additional aspheric lens for mitigating aberrations inherent in refractive and reflective lenses.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens having a field angle larger than 180 degrees includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front group, a reflection surface, and a back group, wherein the front group includes three lenses having a negative refractive power, the reflection surface is configured to curve an optical axis of the front group at 90 degrees toward the back group, the back group includes four lenses having a positive refractive power, a front principle point is set between a second lens and a third lens from the object side in the front group, and a focal length of an entire system f and a distance between an intersection of the reflection surface and the optical axis of the front group and the front principle point d satisfy the following condition (1) 7.0<d/f<9.0.

Abstract: An optical system includes a central portion having a magnification per unit angle of view which increases from a center to an outside at an increase rate and a circumferential portion being outside the central portion and having a magnification per unit of view which increases from the central portion to an outside at an increase rate smaller than the increase rate of the central portion.

Abstract: The automatic system makes it possible to reduce the probability of error when identifying the vehicle of an offender, increases the length of a speed limit monitoring zone to several hundreds/thousands of meters, and makes it possible to cut expenditure on the construction and maintenance of gantries for the installation of speed limit monitoring devices. A method for the combined processing of signals from a radar and a panoramic video camera is proposed, in which data flows from the video camera and the radar are independently obtained, after which they are compared and data about the speed and coordinates are obtained with little probability of error in identifying the vehicle of an offender. The device for realizing the method comprises a radar with a signal processing module to calculate the speed and distance of all vehicles on a chosen section of road, and a panoramic video camera.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for panoramic imaging are disclosed herein. Systems for capturing a panoramic image of a panoramic field of view include a fisheye lens having a first field of view, a mirror optically coupled to the fisheye lens for reflecting an image of the a second field of view through the fisheye lens, the second field of view having a portion overlapping the first field of view, and a detector, optically coupled to the fisheye lens and the mirror, for capturing a first portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the first field of view and a second portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the second field of view.

Abstract: In a typical two-dimensional rectilinear image, all pixel widths are constant across the image. If the two-dimensional rectilinear image is mapped to a cylindrical surface, the pixels at the edge of the image are viewed at an angle, making the effective width of the pixels at the edge smaller than the effective width of the pixels in the interior of the image. This problem may be solved by applying a tuned distortion curve to the two-dimensional rectilinear image, which makes the pixels near the edge of the image wider than pixels in the interior of the image. When pixels that have been distorted in this manner are mapped to a cylindrical surface, the effective pixel width is uniform. A lens with a tuned distortion curve built into its optical profile captures at least a portion of the surrounding imagery such that the resultant image has uniform resolution when projected onto a virtual cylinder centered around a viewer.

Abstract: A method for identifying a blur profile of a multi image display with a first image separating mask. The method comprises displaying a calibration pattern through a second image separating mask, allowing an evaluator to provide a visual estimation indicating a blur brought about to the calibration pattern by the second image separating mask, and generating a blur profile of at least the first image separating mask according to the visual estimation. The first and second image separating masks having a substantially similar optical profile.

Abstract: An optical system includes: a main mirror (11) having a shape of a portion of a convex paraboloid which includes an opening in a center and is rotationally symmetric; a second-reflection mirror (12) which further reflects light reflected by the main mirror (11), and has a shape of a portion of a concave paraboloid which is rotationally symmetric; at least one lens which forms an image of the light reflected by the second-reflection mirror (12); and a lens barrel (14) holding the at least one lens, and a position of a front principal point of the at least one lens coincides with a focal position of the second-reflection mirror (12), and an optical axis of the at least one lens is tilted with respect to a rotational axis of each of the convex paraboloid and the concave paraboloid.

Abstract: An optical element of the present invention is provide with a first surface which is formed on the front-object side and upon which light from the front-object side is incident, a second surface formed on the image side, and a third surface which is formed between the first surface and the second surface and upon which light from the generally lateral object side is incident. The first surface is provided with a first transmission surface formed around the optical axis and a first reflection surface which faces the image side and which is formed annularly around the first transmission surface. The second surface is provided with a second transmission surface formed around the optical axis, and a second reflection surface which faces the front object side and which is formed annularly around the second transmission surface.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining images having an ultra-wide field of view angle. A panoramic camera includes two subsystems: an optical subsystem and an image sensor. The optical subsystem includes at least a three-aspheric mirrors for producing an image of objects in the ultra-wide field of view. The produced images are correctable by a standard optical element to produce on an image plane an image having an optical resolution approximately equal or exceeding the Nyquist sampling criterion for the image sensor. A first mirror provides a sharp, compressed, virtual image using a convex paraboloidal or hyperboloidal mirror. Second and third mirrors redirect light onto the correction element through a folded optical path. The standard optical element projects a virtual image onto the image sensor. Image processing software can be used to decompress and unwrap the ultra-wide angle image captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: This invention is a wide field surveillance optical system with inherent features being, non mechanical, compact, high resolution, a field of view up to two pi steradians solid angle. The optics design uses a single optical system and multiple flat image collection devices. Multiple fiber plates translate the image off of the curved image surface to a plane for flat image collection devices. The fiber plates also act to translate the image into a larger volume as compared to the curved image surface, allowing required volume for the multiple image collection devices. This invention uses a single optical system with multiple CCD or CMOS detectors. Advantages over prior art are simple optical designs, rugged optics because it can be manufactured as a single piece, and wider field of view without the sacrifice of resolution.

Abstract: A 360 degree viewing angle lens unit, from the object side to the image side thereof, includes a 360 degree viewing angle lens and a relay lens. The viewing angle lens includes an annular incident surface, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an emitting surface. The annular incident surface has a positive radius of curvature and symmetrically concentric around an optical axis of the lens unit. The first reflective surface has a positive radius of curvature and is symmetrically concentric around the optical axis. The second reflective surface has a negative radius of curvature, and is coaxial with the incident surface. The emitting surface has a positive radius of curvature and is coaxial with the first reflective surface. The relay lens has a positive refractive power and is aligned with the emitting surface. The relay lens is configured for condensing image light output from the emitting surface.

Abstract: A panoramic lens includes an aspherical convex surface and an aspherical concave surface. The convex surface includes a transparent portion and an internally reflective portion, and the concave surface also includes a transparent portion and an internally reflective portion. Light from a 360-degree surrounding scene enters the panoramic lens through the transparent portion of the convex surface, is reflected by the internally reflective portion of the concave surface, is reflected by the internally reflective portion of the convex surface, and exits the panoramic lens through the transparent portion of the concave surface as a narrow column of light beams. Light beams containing image data can be provided to the transparent portion of the concave surface, and those beams will follow this same optical path through the panoramic lens in reverse to project a panoramic image out from the transparent region of the convex surface.