Flat-panel camera
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flat-panel camera comprising:
- a tapered transparent slab comprising a planar face and a thick end, the tapered transparent slab receiving light at a glancing angle into the planar face;
a first miniature camera receiving light emerging from the thick end after internal reflection within the tapered transparent slab, at an angle dependent on the distance up the planar face at which the light entered the tapered transparent slab;
an output slab continuing from the thick end; and
a cylindrical collimating means directing light emerging from the thick end of the tapered transparent slab through the output slab towards the first miniature camera, wherein the cylindrical collimating means is placed between the tapered transparent slab and the output slab.
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Abstract
A flat-panel camera comprises a tapered transparent slab 1, a prismatic sheet 3 for introducing light into one face of the slab at near the critical angle so that it is reflected along the slab towards the thick end, and a miniature camera 2 receiving light emerging from the thick end of the slab at an angle depending on where the light entered the slab. An image processor 7 eliminates distortion in the image such as gaps caused by the light missing the camera.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A flat-panel camera comprising:
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a tapered transparent slab comprising a planar face and a thick end, the tapered transparent slab receiving light at a glancing angle into the planar face; a first miniature camera receiving light emerging from the thick end after internal reflection within the tapered transparent slab, at an angle dependent on the distance up the planar face at which the light entered the tapered transparent slab; an output slab continuing from the thick end; and a cylindrical collimating means directing light emerging from the thick end of the tapered transparent slab through the output slab towards the first miniature camera, wherein the cylindrical collimating means is placed between the tapered transparent slab and the output slab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification