System and method for panoramic imaging using concentric spherical mirrors

• US 5,790,182 A
• Filed: 08/05/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: St. Hilaire, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): LIN, BRYAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/692,385
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/37, 348/38, 348/39, 352/69, 352/70, 352/71, 359/725, 359/726, 359/727, 359/728, 359/729, 359/730, 359/731, 359/732
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/061 on-axis systems with at least one of the mirrors having a central aperture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

A system and method for wide angle imaging create a high resolution image using a convex primary mirror concentrically positioned relative to a concave secondary mirror and one or more detectors spherically juxtaposed. The radii of the primary and secondary mirrors are related by the square of the "golden ratio" to reduce low order aberrations. A fiber optic faceplate coupled to each detector corrects field curvature of the image which may then be detected with a conventional flat detector, such as a CCD camera.

Claims

1. A system for imaging a wide angle field of view, the system comprising:

an annular spheroid having a convex surface for reflecting incident energy radiating from the field of view, the annular spheroid having an axially extending aperture, an associated center point, and a first radius extending from the center point to the convex surface;

a second spheroid having a concave surface for reflecting energy propagating from the annular spheroid toward the center point, the second spheroid positioned concentrically relative to the annular spheroid and having a second radius extending from the center point to the concave surface; and

at least one detector positioned to receive at least a portion of the energy reflected from the second spheroid, the detector including a fiber optic faceplate having a plurality of fibers with first and second ends and varying lengths, the plurality arranged such that the first ends are substantially coplanar and the second ends define a generally convex spheroidal surface.