Radially-oriented planar surfaces for flare reduction in panoramic cameras

• US 20020146248A1
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 360ai Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: EyeSee360, Inc.
• Inventors: Herman, Herman, Rondinelli, Michael, Stentz, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 6,594,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe

Abstract

A panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a camera, a transparent cylinder for mounting the convex reflector to the camera, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A second radially-oriented planar member can be positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. The first and second radially-oriented planar members would preferably lie in perpendicular planes, however, they may lie in non-perpendicular planes. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a transparent cylinder for supporting the convex reflector, means for connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A method of reducing unwanted reflections in the panoramic imaging system is also included.

Claims

1. A panoramic imaging system comprising:

a convex reflector;

a camera;

a transparent cylinder for mounting the convex reflector to the camera; and

a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera.

2. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members lie in different planes.

3. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the planes are perpendicular to each other.

4. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members each extend diametrically across the cylinder.

5. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members each include a non-reflective surface.

6. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 2, further comprising:

additional radially-oriented planar members positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera.

7. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first radially-oriented transparent member extends diametrically across the cylinder.

8. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first radially-oriented planar member includes a non-reflective surface.

9. A panoramic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the camera comprises one of:

a still camera or a video camera.

10. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system comprising:

a convex reflector;

a transparent cylinder for supporting the convex reflector;

means for connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder; and

a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and means for connecting the camera.

11. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a second radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and means for connecting the camera, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members lie in different planes.

12. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the planes are perpendicular to each other.

13. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members each extend diametrically across the cylinder.

14. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members each include a non-reflective surface.

15. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 11, further comprising:

additional radially-oriented planar members positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and means for connecting the camera.

16. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 10, wherein the first radially-oriented transparent member extends diametrically across the cylinder.

17. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system according to claim 10, wherein the first radially-oriented planar member includes a non-reflective surface.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

inserting a second radially-oriented planar member in the transparent cylinder, wherein the first and second radially-oriented planar members lie in different planes.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the planes are perpendicular to each other.

21. A method according to claim 19, further comprising:

the step of

inserting additional radially-oriented planar members in the transparent cylinder.

22. A method according to claim 18, wherein the camera comprises one of:

a still camera or a video camera.

18. A method of reducing unwanted reflections in a panoramic imaging system comprising the steps of:

mounting a convex reflector in a transparent cylinder;

inserting a first radially-oriented planar member in the transparent cylinder;

connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder; and

using the camera to capture an image of a scene embodied in light reflected from the convex mirror.