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Panoramic mirror and system for producing enhanced panoramic images

  • US 6,856,472 B2
  • Filed: 02/22/2002
  • Issued: 02/15/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A panoramic photographic apparatus comprising:

  • a mirror; and

    means for mounting the mirror on an axis;

    wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface symmetric about the axis, the surface forming a first angle C with respect to a first plane perpendicular to the axis substantially at a point of intersection between the axis and the mirror, the first angle C being at least about 0.5°

    , wherein the convex reflective surface comprises a surface of rotation defined by rotating around the axis a shape described by the equation;



    r


    (θ

    +Aα

    )
    =r





    cot

    (k





    tan

    (θ

    +Aα

    )
    +π

    2
    )
    where θ

    is the angle that a light ray makes with the axis as it reflects off of a point on the surface of the mirror and into a camera lens, r is the length of a light ray between the camera lens and a point on the surface of the mirror, α

    is a constant defining the gain, and k is a constant defined by (−

    1−

    α

    )/2.

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