REFRACTIVE OPTICAL DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An optical device configured to refractively shift light propagating along a field of view axis of a field of view about a vehicle to an image sensing device axis of an image sensing device, wherein the field of view axis is directed through a vehicle window characterized as having a substantial rake angle, said optical device comprising:
- a first refractive element formed of material having a first index of refraction, wherein said first refractive element defines a first surface configured to be optically coupled with the vehicle window, wherein said first refractive element defines a second surface oriented at a first prism angle to the first surface, whereby light impinging on the first surface along the field of view axis passes through the first refractive element and exits the second surface along an intermediate axis; and
a second refractive element formed of material having a second index of refraction, wherein said second refractive element defines a third surface separated from the second surface by a refractive boundary layer, wherein said second refractive element defines a fourth surface oriented to the third surface at a second prism angle, whereby light propagating through the refractive boundary layer and impinging on the third surface along the intermediate axis passes through the second refractive element and exits the fourth surface along the image sensing device axis, whereby light from the field of view is directed to the image sensing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system is configured to refractively shift light from a field of view about a vehicle to an image sensing device. The field of view is directed through a vehicle window characterized as having a substantial rake angle. The imaging system includes a first refractive element configured to be optically coupled with the vehicle window. Light impinging on a first surface of the first refractive element along the field of view axis passes through the first refractive element and exits a second surface along an intermediate axis. The imaging system includes a second refractive element in optical communication with an image sensing device. Light impinging on a third surface of the second refractive element along the intermediate axis passes through the second refractive element and exits a fourth surface along an image sensing device axis, whereby light from the field of view is directed into the image sensing device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optical device configured to refractively shift light propagating along a field of view axis of a field of view about a vehicle to an image sensing device axis of an image sensing device, wherein the field of view axis is directed through a vehicle window characterized as having a substantial rake angle, said optical device comprising:
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a first refractive element formed of material having a first index of refraction, wherein said first refractive element defines a first surface configured to be optically coupled with the vehicle window, wherein said first refractive element defines a second surface oriented at a first prism angle to the first surface, whereby light impinging on the first surface along the field of view axis passes through the first refractive element and exits the second surface along an intermediate axis; and a second refractive element formed of material having a second index of refraction, wherein said second refractive element defines a third surface separated from the second surface by a refractive boundary layer, wherein said second refractive element defines a fourth surface oriented to the third surface at a second prism angle, whereby light propagating through the refractive boundary layer and impinging on the third surface along the intermediate axis passes through the second refractive element and exits the fourth surface along the image sensing device axis, whereby light from the field of view is directed to the image sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An imaging system configured to refractively shift light propagating along a field of view axis of a field of view about a vehicle to an image sensing device axis of an image sensing device, wherein the field of view axis is directed through a vehicle window characterized as having a substantial rake angle, said imaging system comprising:
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a first refractive element formed of material having a first index of refraction, wherein said first refractive element defines a first surface configured to be optically coupled with the vehicle window, wherein said first refractive element defines a second surface oriented at a first prism angle to the first surface, whereby light impinging on the first surface along the field of view axis passes through the first refractive element and exits the second surface along an intermediate axis; a second refractive element formed of material having a second index of refraction, wherein said second refractive element defines a third surface separated from the second surface by a refractive boundary layer, wherein said second refractive element defines a fourth surface oriented to the third surface at a second prism angle, whereby light impinging on the third surface along the intermediate axis passes through the second refractive element and exits the fourth surface along the image sensing device axis; and the image sensing device in optical communication with the second refractive element, whereby light from the field of view is directed into the image sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification