Abstract: The invention relates to a panoramic attachment optical system and a panoramic optical system for taking an image having a full 360°-direction angle of view or projecting an image at a full 360°-direction angle of view. These optical systems are reduced in size and flare light and improved in resolving power. A panoramic attachment optical system 10 attached to the entrance side of an image-formation lens 20 to form a full 360°-direction image on an image plane 30 comprises a transparent medium that is rotationally symmetric about a center axis 1 and includes at least two internal reflecting surfaces 12, 13 and at least two refracting surfaces 11, 14. A light beam enters the transparent medium via the refracting surface 11, and reflects at the internal reflecting surfaces 12 and 13 in this order to leave the transparent medium via the refracting surface 14, forming an image at a position of the image plane 30 off the center axis 1 via an image-formation lens 20.

Abstract: A wide-angle optical system (2, 40) having an objective (4, 42) and a mirror system, including a curved mirror (6, 46) for projecting a wide-angle image through the objective (4, 42) onto a detector (10, 44). At least one mirror (8, 46) of the mirror system is arranged movably relative to the objective (4, 42). It is possible to achieve a zoom function, a large elevation range and a selection of an enlarged section from the wide-angle image.

Abstract: A panoramic field of view acquiring system comprises three telescopes, which acquire three separate images, each typically covering a little over one third of the total required scene and a multiplexer, which is used to transmit the three images, one at a time, to an appropriate detector. Standard imaging techniques are then used to coordinate the images to form a complete picture and display them as required.

Abstract: A fisheye lens system with a half angle-of-view of 90° includes a negative front lens group, a diaphragm, and a positive rear lens group. The negative front lens group includes at least three negative meniscus lens elements each of which has the convex surface facing toward the object; and the three negative meniscus lens elements satisfy the following conditions: 0.2<SF(i=1)<0.6??(1) 0.8<SF(i=2)/SF(i=1)<1.5??(2) 0.8<SF(i=3)/SF(i=1)<2.0??(3) wherein SFi designates the shaping factor of the ith (1?i?3) negative meniscus lens element (SFi=(R1i?R2i)/(R1i+R2i)); R1i designates the radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the ith (1?i?3) negative meniscus lens element; and R2i designates the radius of curvature of the image-side surface of the ith (1?i?3) negative meniscus lens element.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a convex mirror for reflecting first incident light representing an object, the convex mirror having a shape of solid of revolution; an imaging mechanism for taking a reflected image represented by light reflected in the convex mirror; and an optical member for guiding the first incident light toward the convex mirror and guiding the reflected light toward the imaging mechanism, the optical member having an attenuation section for attenuating second incident light which is incident on an outer circumferential surface of the optical member in an opposite direction to the first incident light, passes through the optical member, is reflected by an inner circumferential surface of the optical member so as to be directed toward the convex rotational mirror, and is superimposed on the first incident light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of plane mirrors disposed into a polygonal pyramid shape, and a plurality of cameras disposed so as to individually face to the plurality of plane mirrors, wherein each of the plurality of cameras includes a lens, and an incident angle of a light beam traveling along an optical axis of the lens of each of the plurality of cameras on the corresponding one of the plurality of plane mirrors is less than 45°. With this configuration, the sizes of the mirrors and the whole size of the imaging device are reduced, to thereby miniaturize the imaging device.

Abstract: A projection optical system and an image projection apparatus that are small in size and can achieve projection with a wide angle while a good image forming performance is assured includes a first lens group having a negative refracting power and a second lens group also having a negative refracting power. The first and second lens groups are arranged in order from the projection side. The first lens group includes a negative meniscus lens that has a concave surface directed to the projection side and formed as an aspherical reflecting surface.

Abstract: A fisheye lens with a field angle of at least one hundred sixty degrees is formed of two lens groups, arranged in order from the object side, as follows: a first lens group having negative refractive power and a second lens group having positive refractive power. The first lens group includes, arranged in order from the object side, two lens elements, each having negative refractive power and a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the object side, a lens element having negative refractive power with a concave surface on the image side, and two lens elements of opposite refractive powers. The second lens group includes, arranged in order from the object side, two lens elements of opposite refractive powers, a stop, and two lens elements of opposite refractive powers. The fisheye lens preferably satisfies specified conditions related to spacings of lens surfaces and to distortion characteristics of the fisheye lens.

Abstract: A solid catadioptric lens with a single viewpoint has a spherical refractive surface with a center C on an optical axis of the lens. An ellipsoidal reflective surface of the lens faces the spherical refractive surface such that a first focus F1 of the ellipsoidal reflective surface is coincident with the center C of the spherical refractive surface. Furthermore, the lens has a shaping surface facing the ellipsoidal reflective surface for shaping a light that passes the single viewpoint. The shaping surface can be refractive, reflective or semi-transparent and its shape can be ellipsoidal with its first focus F1? coincident with the second focus F2 of the ellipsoidal reflective surface. The single viewpoint of the lens is at the center C of the spherical reflective surface and is enforced with an aperture that can be positioned at various points inside, on a surface or even outside the lens, depending on the type of shaping surface chosen.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a first imaging structure having a first optical axis and a first field of view, wherein the first imaging structure forms an image on a common focal plane, and a second imaging structure having a second optical axis parallel to the first optical axis and a second field of view different from the first field of view, wherein the second imaging structure forms an image on the common focal plane. The imaging structures preferably contain identical lens modules, most preferably identical Petzval lenses, and achromatic or apochromatic prisms of different spatial orientations. A planar sensor structure lies in the common focal plane, wherein the first optical axis and the second optical axis pass through the planar sensor structure.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a fisheye lens system having an angle of view of 170 degrees or more capable of being used with a plurality of cameras having different image formats in size. The lens system includes a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power disposed to the most object side and a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power disposed to an image side of the first lens group. A distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is variable. The lens system takes the maximum focal length state when the distance is minimum and the minimum focal length state when the distance is maximum. The maximum image height in the maximum focal length state is different from that in the minimum focal length state. In each focal length state, the fisheye lens system has an angle of view of 170 degrees or more.

Abstract: An immersive scanning camera provides for a high speed imager to capture a scene of interest on a pixel by pixel basis. Distance data is collected for each pixel. This distance data is representative of the distance from the immersive camera of the object depicted by the pixel data.

Abstract: A digital camera has a plurality of fields of view combined with a panning and/or tilting functionality. The camera comprises: a camera housing (6) with an optical input (5), such as a lens or objective. The camera also has an image capturing unit for producing a digital image from light received through the optical input, a controller, a mirror (1) having a first plane surface (12) and a second curved surface (13), and a driving device (7) coupled to the mirror and adapted to rotate the mirror to a first position, where the first plane surface is inserted into an optical path (31) of the digital camera, thereby providing a first field of view of the digital camera. The driving device is also adapted to rotate the mirror to a second position, where the second curved surface is inserted into the optical path of the digital camera, thereby providing a second field of view of the digital camera.

Abstract: A panoramic viewing apparatus has an imaging system that is arranged in a housing provided with a rotary drive. The imaging system has a lens system by means of which the images of the objects are imaged on a detector after passing through the lens system. There is provided in the beam path for the purpose of compensating the image motion caused by the rotation a counter-motion device that produces during the imaging time a motion directed at least approximately synchronously against the rotation produced by the rotary drive. The counter-motion device is arranged in a convergent beam path of the lens system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of viewing an image. Light is projected from the image. The projected light is split into first and second bundles of light focusing over a first and a second focal region respectively. The light at the first focal region is detected at a first resolution. The light at the second focal region is detected at a second resolution different from the first resolution.

Abstract: A method for capturing a digital panoramic image, includes projecting a panorama onto an image sensor by means of a fish-eye objective lens having a constant field angle relative to its optical axis. The image sensor is rectangular in shape. The fish-eye objective lens is provided to project onto the image sensor, without reducing the field of view, a distorted panoramic image that covers a number of pixels on the image sensor higher than the number of pixels that would be covered by an image disk.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a convex mirror for reflecting incident light representing an object, the convex mirror having a shape of solid of revolution; an imaging mechanism for taking an image represented by reflected light from the convex mirror; and an optical member for guiding the incident light toward the convex mirror and guiding the reflected light toward the imaging mechanism, the optical member being in close-contact with the convex mirror.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing enhanced panoramic images with an improved panoramic mirror. A panoramic mirror is provided with a controlled vertical field of view. The controlled vertical field of view improves the resolution of a viewable panoramic image by eliminating portions of unwanted images from the viewable panoramic image.

Abstract: This invention provides a relay imaging optical system which is composed of a small number of lenses and can be miniaturized and reduced in weight with maintaining required optical characteristics. This relay imaging optical system is provided for forming an image of a first plane (10) on a second plane (M), and comprises a first lens group G1 which is constructed so that an image plane thereof is positioned within a limited range, a second lens group G2, and a third lens group G3, from the first plane side. At least two lens groups of the first lens group through the third lens group have at least one aspheric surface respectively; and the total number of lenses which constitute this optical system are ten or fewer.

Abstract: A method for capturing a digital panoramic image includes projecting a panorama onto an image sensor by means of a panoramic objective lens. The panoramic objective lens has a distribution function of the image points that is not linear relative to the field angle of the object points of the panorama, such that at least one zone of the image obtained is expanded while at least another zone of the image is compressed. When a panoramic image obtained is then displayed, correcting the non-linearity of the initial image is required and is performed by means of a reciprocal function of the non-linear distribution function of the objective lens or by means of the non-linear distribution function.

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.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system is constructed to acquire panoramic images of a very large field of view. The field of view ranges from being nearly hemispherical, to being omni directional with some parts occluded. The panoramic imaging system is comprised of multiple imaging sensors, each imaging different parts of the field of view. The panoramic image is constructed by mosaicing the images taken by different sensors that share a common viewpoint. The resolution across the entire panoramic image is substantially the same. Specific embodiments of the camera provide specific combinations of features, such as different visual fields.

Abstract: An omnidirectional vision sensor includes: an optical system including a body-of-revolution mirror having a convex portion and having a symmetrical structure with respect to a revolution axis, wherein the body-of-revolution mirror includes a cutaway section in the convex portion of the body-of-revolution mirror so as to allow light incident from surroundings of the revolution axis of the body-of-revolution mirror to be collected; and imaging means, including a light-receiving element for receiving the collected light and image processing means for converting an optical image generated from the collected light received by the light-receiving element into image data. The revolution axis of the body-of-revolution mirror and an optic axis of the light-receiving element coincide.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for creating a new compound image by correcting a correlation error in a compound image. According to one embodiment, information identifying a correlation error in a compound image is received, a first constituent image and a second constituent image whose miscorrelation caused the correlation error are identified, a correlation offset of the first constituent image is ascertained, and a new compound image is created by substantially aligning the first constituent image with the second constituent image using the correlation offset.

Abstract: The image pickup device includes a plurality of plane mirrors arranged in the form of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of cameras disposed opposite the plane mirrors, respectively. The angle of incidence of a ray passing along the optical axis of a lens of the camera on the plane mirror is set to be less than 45 degrees.

Abstract: An improved conical panoramic mirror element design is disclosed such that the panoramic vertical field of view is not fixed and the image covers at least 90% of the toroidal image pixels of an imaging device. The data required to prescribe the panoramic conical element includes the position of the detector device, the most negative vertical scene angle, the most positive vertical scene angle, the panoramic cone's base diameter, the cone's apex to base ratio. These are utilized according to a mathematical prescription that optimizes the mirror element's design.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective which images a pattern arranged in an object plane into an image plane, with the production of a real intermediate image, has between the object plane and the image plane a catadioptric first objective portion and a concave mirror and a ray deflecting device and behind the ray deflecting device a dioptric second objective portion. The ray deflecting device has a preferably fully reflecting first reflecting surface for the deflection of the radiation coming from the object plane to the concave mirror. Positive refractive power is arranged behind the first reflecting surface and between this and the concave mirror, in an optical neighborhood of the object plane in which the principal ray height of the outermost field point of the radiation coming from the object is greater than the marginal ray height.

Abstract: A retainer is constructed of a retainer top section, a retainer body section and a retainer bottom section. Connecting portions of the sections are screwed by screws provided for the connecting portions with interposition of an O-ring. A mirror having a surface of revolution is mounted on the top portion of the body section. The bottom section is assembled with a mounting base for movably mounting an image pickup device and with a fixture for fixing the image pickup device to the mounting base. There is thus obtained a compact omnidirectional visual angle system, which has a waterproof function and does not interrupt the visual angle and in which the retainer structure of the mirror and the image pickup device, the distance therebetween can be varied, is integrated with an exterior casing for sealing use. The retainer can easy replace the components.

Abstract: Cameras are positioned so that at least a portion of the field of view of at least one camera is redirected by a reflective surface. Images from these cameras are merged to produce a composite image while disregarding at least a portion of a camera's field of view such that there is at least one blind region in the composite field of view. Advantageously, such blind regions can be made to encompass edges of mirror surfaces that would otherwise produce image artifacts in the composite image; this can be accomplished without introducing gaps in the angular span of the composite field of view. Data representative of the composite image is stored in a memory from which it may be retrieved selectively using a control means to display a portion of the composite image. The image and control data may be transmitted over a communication network to facilitate remote control and display.

Abstract: An audio/visual conference station that sits in the middle of a conference table, and includes a panoramic lens to capture and record a panoramic scene (e.g., meeting participants) that are surrounding the conference table and facing the conference station. The panoramic scene is captured as an annular image that is “unwrapped” and processed to form a rectangular panoramic image. The station also includes communication mechanisms to compress the panoramic image for transmission to a remote audio/visual conference station for display. Thus, people around the remote audio/visual conference station are able to both hear and see those at the local audio/visual conference station and vice versa. In addition, the audio/visual conference station includes several independently controlled display devices that allow meeting participants to enhance selected portions of the panoramic image, such as a current speaker.

Abstract: A panoramic viewing apparatus has an imaging system that is arranged in an units housing provided with a rotary drive. The imaging system has a lens system by means of which the images of the objects are imaged on a detector after passing through the lens system. There is provided in the beam path for the purpose of compensating the image motion caused by the rotation a counter-motion device that produces during the imaging time a motion directed at least approximately synchronously against the rotation produced by the rotary drive. The counter-motion device is arranged in a convergent beam path of the lens system.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging lens having an annular light incident surface formed in a substantial convex lens form; a first reflective surface formed in an annular concave mirror form to reflect light inside the lens; a second reflective surface provided at a central part inside the annular light incident surface to reflect the reflected light from the first reflective surface toward an inner part of the annular first reflective surface; and a light outgoing surface positioned at a central part inside the annular first reflective surface and opposing the second reflective surface to transmit light. A non-reflective part exerting no regular reflection of light is provided on a light path toward the light incident surface amongst light paths of light proceeding to agree with a light path of imaging light incident on and refracted at the light incident surface and proceeding inside the lens.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising a first and second transparent component both rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution. The first transparent component has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes a reflective portion and a refractive portion both about the axis of revolution. The refractive portion extends radially from the axis of revolution to the start of the reflective portion. The second transparent component is attached to the first transparent component at a refractive interface that extends into the upper surface. The second transparent component includes a distal reflective surface. Light from a portion of a surrounding panoramic scene is refracted by a portion of the upper surface, is reflected by the reflective portion of the lower surface through the refractive interface to the distal reflective surface.

Abstract: An optical device having a semi-spherical or hemispherical field-of-view is provided. A conically-shaped piece of optical material has an annular surface satisfying Snell's Law for total internal reflection with respect to light passing through the piece and incident on the annular surface from within the piece.

Abstract: It has an annular light incident surface formed in a substantial convex lens form; a first reflective surface formed in an annular concave mirror form to reflect light inside the lens; a second reflective surface provided at a central part inside the annular light incident surface to reflect the reflected light from the first reflective surface toward an inner part of the annular first reflective surface; and a light outgoing surface positioned at a central part inside the annular first reflective surface and opposing the second reflective surface to transmit light.

Abstract: A compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning optical sensor. In a most general embodiment, the inventive optical arrangement (10) includes an at least semi-spherical lens (14) having a base; a reflective surface (16) centered at a center of said base and parallel thereto; and an array (20) of detectors dispose to receive electromagnetic energy received through said lens and reflected by said surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the semi-spherical lens is a ball lens (14). The reflective surface is aspheric and designed to effect aberration correction. A mechanism (19) is included for rotating the ball lens (14) causing the system to scan. A dome lens (18) is disposed over the ball lens and concentric therewith. Electromagnetic energy is received through the dome and ball lenses and reflected by the mirror to the detector array. A field lens assembly (21) is disposed between the detectors and the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a first camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, at least one secondary camera for capturing a portion of the scene, means for mapping pixel data of the image captured by the first camera into a viewable image, and means for cooperatively displaying the viewable image and the portion of the scene captured by the at least one of the secondary cameras. The mirror may include a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. The secondary camera may also capture a portion of the image reflected by the mirror. Alternatively, the system may include a single camera including an active-pixel image sensor for capturing at least a portion of the image reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing enhanced panoramic images with an improved panoramic mirror. A panoramic mirror is provided with a controlled vertical field of view. The controlled vertical field of view improves the resolution of a viewable panoramic image by eliminating portions of unwanted images from the viewable panoramic image.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising a first and second transparent component both rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution. The first transparent component has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes a reflective portion and a refractive portion both about the axis of revolution. The refractive portion extends radially from the axis of revolution to the start of the reflective portion. The second transparent component is attached to the first transparent component at a refractive interface that extends into the upper surface. The second transparent component includes a distal reflective surface. Light from a portion of a surrounding panoramic scene is refracted by a portion of the upper surface, is reflected by the reflective portion of the lower surface through the refractive interface to the distal reflective surface.

Abstract: A panoramic image acquisition device including at least one primary reflector provided with an outer primary surface which is at least partially reflective to reflect an image towards at least one image sensor, wherein the primary reflector has a concave conical primary surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an omnidirectional wide angle optical system, which is associated with a sensor, camera, projector, medical instrument, surveillance system, flight control system, robotic command and control or sensing system, home entertainment system, conference area, virtual reality suite, theater, or similar article. The optical system consists of an external refracting surface which may be strongly curved, an strongly curved internal primary reflector surface, a secondary reflector surface (in most embodiments), central wide angle refracting optics (in some embodiments), a modular or integral imaging and correcting lens system which may have aperture adjustment means, and mounting components.

Abstract: Most camera systems only record an image from a limited viewing angle. A new panoramic camera apparatus is disclosed that instantaneously captures a 360 degree panoramic image. In the camera device, virtually all of the light that converges on a point in space is captured. Specifically, in the camera of the present invention, light striking this point in space is captured if it comes from any direction, 360 degrees around the point and from angles 50 degrees or more above and below the horizon. The panoramic image is recorded as a two dimensional annular image. Furthermore, various different systems for displaying the panoramic images and distributing the panoramic images. Specifically, methods and apparatus for digitally performing a geometric transformation of the two dimensional annular image into rectangular projections such that the panoramic image can be displayed using conventional methods such as printed images and televised images.

Abstract: An optical device having a semi-spherical or hemispherical field-of-view is provided. A conically-shaped piece of optical material has an annular surface satisfying Snell's Law for total internal reflection with respect to light passing through the piece and incident on the annular surface from within the piece.

Abstract: Cameras are positioned so that at least a portion of the field of view of at least one camera is redirected by a reflective surface. Images from these cameras are merged to produce a composite image while disregarding at least a portion of a camera's field of view such that there is at least one blind region in the composite field of view. Advantageously, such blind regions can be made to encompass edges of mirror surfaces that would otherwise produce image artifacts in the composite image; this can be accomplished without introducing gaps in the angular span of the composite field of view. Data representative of the composite image is stored in a memory from which it may be retrieved selectively using a control means to display a portion of the composite image. The image and control data may be transmitted over a communication network to facilitate remote control and display.

Abstract: According to one aspect the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertically extending axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent component covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertically extending axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent component covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertically extending axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent component covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface.