Camera system

• US 20050018069A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh, Methyigene, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh
• Inventors: Krogmann, Dirk, Moldenhauer, Kai, Tholl, Hans Dieter
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/340
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 with scanning movement of lens or cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

The invention concerns a camera system (2, 40, 50) comprising a sensor (12, 58) and a first optical system which includes a convex mirror (4, 42) and through which the image of a solid angle region (14) can be produced on the sensor (12, 58) by way of a first beam path (18).

In order, in addition to producing an image of a large solid angle region (14), to permit scanning or detailed representation of a smaller partial region (20, 66, 82) of the solid angle region (14), it is proposed that the camera system (2, 40, 50) includes a second optical system through which a partial region (20, 66, 82) of the solid angle region (14) can be detected by way of a second beam path (34, 60) on a detail sensor (68), wherein the detail region (20, 66, 82) can be selected by an optical element (28) which is movable relative to the sensors (12, 58, 68).

Claims

1. A camera system (2, 40, 50) comprising a sensor (12, 58), a first optical system which includes a convex mirror (4, 42) and through which the image of a solid angle region (14) is producible on the sensor (12, 58) by way of a first beam path (18), a second optical system through which a partial region (20, 66, 82) of the solid angle region (14) is detectable by way of a second beam path (34, 60) on a detail sensor (68), and wherein the detail region (20, 66, 82) is selectable by an optical element (28) which is movable relative to the sensors (12, 58, 68).

2. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised by at least one optical element arranged in the first beam path (18) and in the second beam path (34, 60).

3. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensor (12, 58) is designed for a first frequency range and the detail sensor (68) is designed for a second frequency range which is different from the first one.

4. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised by a dichroic element for separating the first beam path (18) from the second beam path (34, 60).

5. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised by a radiation source and an optical element for coupling radiation from the radiation source into the first beam path (18).

6. A camera system (2, 50) according to claim 5 characterised by a distance measuring device, wherein the radiation source is a laser and the detail sensor (68) is a photodiode (27, 76).

7. A camera system (40) according to claim 5 characterised by a device for spectral analysis, wherein the radiation source is a laser and the detail sensor is a spectrometer (48).

8. A camera system (50) according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensor (58) is integral with the detail sensor (68).

9. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised by a second mirror (8, 44, 54) arranged in the first beam path (18).

10. A camera system (2, 40, 50) according to claim 1 characterised in that the convex mirror (4, 42) includes an opening (36) through which the first beam path (18) is passed.

11. A camera system (2, 40) according to claim 1 characterised in that the movable optical element (28) includes a diverging lens (30) and a converging lens (32) which are displaceable relative to each other.