Panoramic imaging arrangement
First Claim
1. A partial panoramic imaging arrangement comprising:
- a transparent component having;
a first surface, about an axis of revolution, having a convex profile with a first curvature in a plane of said axis of revolution;
a second surface, about said axis of revolution, having a first concave profile with a second curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said second surface being substantially spherical; and
an opening formed within the transparent component to define a third internal surface, about said axis of revolution, having a second concave profile with a third curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said first curvature being larger than said third curvature; and
a reflective material on said second surface to provide a reflective surface against said second surface;
wherein said first surface and said reflective surface are positioned relative to one another so that light, from a greater than 90 degree surrounding partial panoramic scene, enters the transparent component through said first surface, is reflected from said reflective surface, and leaves the transparent component through said third internal surface.
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Abstract
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising a transparent component and a reflective material. The transparent component has a first surface about a vertical axis of revolution, a second surface about the axis of revolution, and an opening formed therein to define a third, internal surface about the axis of revolution. The third surface has a concave profile in a plane of the axis of revolution. The reflective material is located on the second surface to provide a reflective surface against the second surface. The first surface, the reflective surface and the third surface are positioned relative to one another so that light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene enters the transparent component through the first surface, whereafter the light is reflected from the reflective surface, whereafter the light exits the transparent component through the third surface.
244 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A partial panoramic imaging arrangement comprising:
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a transparent component having;
a first surface, about an axis of revolution, having a convex profile with a first curvature in a plane of said axis of revolution;
a second surface, about said axis of revolution, having a first concave profile with a second curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said second surface being substantially spherical; and
an opening formed within the transparent component to define a third internal surface, about said axis of revolution, having a second concave profile with a third curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said first curvature being larger than said third curvature; and
a reflective material on said second surface to provide a reflective surface against said second surface;
wherein said first surface and said reflective surface are positioned relative to one another so that light, from a greater than 90 degree surrounding partial panoramic scene, enters the transparent component through said first surface, is reflected from said reflective surface, and leaves the transparent component through said third internal surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A panoramic camera system comprising:
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an imaging arrangement comprising;
a transparent component having;
a first surface, about an axis of revolution, having a convex profile with a first curvature in a plane of said axis of revolution;
a second surface, about said axis of revolution, having a first concave profile with a second curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said second surface being substantially spherical; and
an opening formed within the transparent component to define a third internal surface, about said axis of revolution, having a second concave profile with a third curvature in said plane of said axis of revolution, said first curvature being larger than said third curvature; and
a reflective material on said second surface to provide a reflective surface against said second surface;
wherein said first surface and said reflective surface are positioned relative to one another so that light, from a greater than 90 degree surrounding partial panoramic scene, enters the transparent component through said first surface, is reflected from said reflective surface, and leaves the transparent component through said third internal surface; and
a camera, configured to capture the light that leaves the transparent component. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification