Panoramic Imaging Systems Comprising Rotatable Mirrors for Image Stabilization

• US 20130088567A1
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3harris Cincinnati Electronics Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Spicer, Michael, Fitzpatrick, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,256,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/37
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0023 by tilting or inclining one or more optical elements with respect to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 with scanning movement of lens or cameras

Abstract

Panoramic imaging systems including rotatable minors are provided. A panoramic imaging system includes a rotatable platform, an imaging device mounted to the rotatable platform, and a minor rotatably mounted to the rotatable platform. The mirror is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device. The mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the minor and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, and an axis of rotation of the minor is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the mirror is in an initial position.

Claims

1. A panoramic imaging system comprising:

a rotatable platform;

an imaging device mounted to the rotatable platform;

a mirror rotatably mounted to the rotatable platform, wherein the minor is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device, wherein;

the mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the mirror and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, and an axis of rotation of the minor is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the minor is in an initial position.

2. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable subassembly for varying the axis of rotation of the mirror relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, wherein:

the imaging device and the minor are mounted to the rotatable subassembly; and

the rotatable subassembly is mounted to the rotatable platform.

3. The panoramic imaging system of claim 2, wherein an axis of rotation of the rotatable subassembly is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the imaging device.

4. The panoramic imaging system of claim 2, wherein an axis of rotation of the rotatable subassembly is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the imaging device.

5. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a continuous rotation motor operatively coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the continuous rotation motor rotates the platform.

6. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the minor has a neutral position about 45 degrees from the optical axis of the imaging device.

7. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a folding mirror mounted to the rotatable platform, wherein the folding minor is positioned in the optical path of the minor and the imaging device.

8. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of the mirror is located radially outward from a center of the rotatable platform.

9. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises a camera capable of detecting radiation in a visible light wavelength band.

10. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises an infrared focal plane array capable of detecting radiation in a shortwave-infrared wavelength band, a midwave-infrared wavelength band, or a long-wave infrared wavelength band.

11. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises an infrared focal plane array housed within a dewar flask for cooling the infrared focal plane array.

12. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises an ultraviolet microchannel plate capable of detecting radiation in the ultraviolet wavelength band.

13. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a slip ring assembly to enable the transfer of imaging data to a computing device external to the rotatable platform.

14. The panoramic imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a lens positioned between the imaging device and the minor, wherein the lens is positioned in the optical path of the imaging device.

15. A panoramic imaging system comprising:

a rotatable platform;

a continuous rotation motor operatively coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the continuous rotation motor rotates the platform;

a rotatable subassembly mounted to the rotatable platform comprising an imaging device, a lens, and a mirror, wherein;

the imaging device, the lens, and the mirror are mounted to the rotatable subassembly;

the mirror is positioned in an optical path of the lens; and

the mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the mirror and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform and an axis of rotation of the mirror is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the mirror is in an initial position; and

the lens is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device.

16. The panoramic imaging system of claim 15, further comprising a folding minor mounted to the rotatable platform, wherein the folding minor is positioned in the optical path of the minor and the imaging device.

17. The panoramic imaging system of claim 15, further comprising a slip ring assembly.

18. A panoramic imaging system comprising:

a rotatable platform;

an imaging device mounted to the rotatable platform;

a mirror rotatably mounted near an edge of the rotatable platform, wherein the minor is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device, wherein;

the mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the mirror and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, and an axis of rotation of the minor is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the minor is in an initial position.

19. The panoramic imaging system of claim 18, further comprising a folding minor mounted to the rotatable platform, wherein the folding minor is positioned in the optical path of the minor and the imaging device.

20. The panoramic imaging system of claim 18, further comprising a continuous rotation motor operatively coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the continuous rotation motor rotates the platform.