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Stereo camera having 360 degree field of view

  • US 8,174,562 B2
  • Filed: 11/09/2007
  • Issued: 05/08/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A navigation system comprising:

  • a stereo camera configured to capture a first and a second view of an area at a common moment in time, each of the first and second views comprising an approximately 360 degree view of the area; and

    a processor configured to calculate the location of objects which exist in both views;

    wherein the stereo camera comprises;

    a first reflective surface configured to reflect the first view of the area;

    a first image sensor configured to capture the first reflected view in a first image;

    a second reflective surface configured to reflect the second view of the area; and

    a second image sensor configured to capture the second reflected view in a second image;

    wherein the processor is configured to calculate the location of objects which exist in both views by;

    correlating the position of the objects in the first image with the position of the objects in the second image;

    determining one or more relative measurements between the objects and the first and second surfaces based on the correlation of the position of the objects in the first and second images; and

    calculating the distance from the navigation system to the objects based on the relative measurements;

    wherein the processor is further configured to determine one of the velocity of the navigation system relative to the objects or the velocity of objects relative to the navigation system based on changes in position of the objects in the first and second images after a period of time.

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