Method of producing a remote imaging array

• US 8,471,907 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VI Technologies, LLC (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Original Assignee: Visual Intelligence LP (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence LP) (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Inventors: Peters, Leo J. III, Smitherman, Chester L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US12/583,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/144, 348/159
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/025 by scanning the object
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of producing a remote imaging array. A first imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to a housing, having a curvilinear array axis, along the curvilinear array axis. A second imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along the curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and second imaging sensors intersect one another at an intersection area. A third imaging sensor, having a focal axis, is coupled to the housing along a curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, opposite the second imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and third imaging sensors intersect one another at the intersection area. The second and third imaging sensors'"'"' fields of view are aligned with target areas opposite their respective positions in the housing.

Claims

1. A method of producing a remote imaging array, comprising the steps of:

providing a camera housing, having a curvilinear array axis;

coupling a first imaging sensor, having a focal axis, to the housing along the curvilinear array axis;

coupling a second imaging sensor, having a focal axis, to the housing along the curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and second imaging sensors intersect one another at an intersection area in a cross-eyed fashion;

coupling a third imaging sensor, having a focal axis, to the housing along a curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging sensor, opposite the second imaging sensor, such that the focal axes of the first and third imaging sensors intersect one another at the intersection area in a cross-eyed fashion; and

aligning the second and third imaging sensors'"'"' fields of view with target areas opposite their respective positions in the housing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of aligning the first, second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect within an intersection area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at an aperture.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at a target.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at a point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of aligning the second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to be parallel to each other.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of aligning the second and third imaging sensors further comprises aligning their focal axes to diverge from one another.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are repeated to produce a plurality of imaging arrays.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at a point.

10. A method of producing a remote imaging array, comprising the steps of:

providing a camera housing, having a curvilinear array axis;

coupling a first imaging array, having a focal axis, to the housing along the curvilinear array axis;

coupling a second imaging array, having a focal axis, to the housing along the curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging array, such that the focal axes of the first and second imaging arrays intersect one another at an intersection area in a cross-eyed fashion;

coupling a third imaging array, having a focal axis, to the housing along a curvilinear array axis adjacent to the first imaging array, opposite the second imaging array, such that the focal axes of the first and third imaging arrays intersect one another at the intersection area in a cross-eyed fashion; and

aligning the second and third imaging arrays'"'"' fields of view with target areas opposite their respective positions in the housing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of aligning the first, second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect within an intersection area.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at an aperture.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the steps of aligning the first, second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to intersect at a target.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of aligning the second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to be parallel to each other.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the steps of aligning the second and third imaging arrays further comprises aligning their focal axes to diverge from one another.