Panoramic imaging arrangement

• US 6,388,820 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Be Here Corporation
• Inventors: Carbo, Jorge E. Jr., Wallerstein, Edward P., Driscoll, Edward C. Jr., Furlani, John L., Bacho, Edward V., Lomax, Willard C., Parris, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spector, David N.
• Application Number:
  US09/999,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20020034020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 169 Days
• Field of Search: 359/725, 359/727
• US Class Current: 359/725
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0896 with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems systems with only refractive elements G02B15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/12 Panospheric to cylindrical image transformations
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19626 optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19682 Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

According to one aspect the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertically extending axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent component covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for capturing a panoramic scene, the apparatus comprising:

a vertically extending support structure;

a lower lens block secured to an upper end of the support structure;

an upper lens block secured to the lower lens block in a position above the lower lens block, the upper lens block having convex, outer surface having a vertically extending axis of revolution;

a convex reflective surface on the upper lens block wherein light from a substantially 360°

surrounding panoramic scene passes through the convex outer surface of the upper lens block into the upper lens block, the light is then reflected off the convex reflective surface, and the light then passes through the upper lens block and then through the lower lens block.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 that includes a system of lenses, positioned below the lower lens block to receive the light after passing through the lower lens block.

3. A method of mounting a panoramic lens arrangement which includes a first lens block including a convex reflective surface having a vertically extending axis of revolution, a transparent component covering the reflective surface, and a second lens block located on the first lens block, the method comprising:

securing the second lens block to a support structure in a position so that light from a substantially 360°

surrounding panoramic scene passes through the transparent component, whereafter the light is reflected by the convex reflective surface, whereafter the light passes through the second lens block.