Retinal concave array compound camera system

• US 20090295924A1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• 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: M7 Visual Intelligence, LP
• Inventors: Smitherman, Chester L., Peters, Leo J. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,896,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/159
• 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 camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system preferably comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. At least one secondary imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor, in the preferred embodiment, intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area.

Claims

1. A compound camera system comprising:

a first concave array having an apex;

a second concave array, angularly displaced with respect to the first array and adapted to meet the apex of the first concave array;

a primary imaging sensor, centrally disposed along the concave surface of the first array, having a primary focal axis; and

a plurality of secondary imaging sensors, disposed along the concave surfaces of the first and second arrays at angular intervals from the primary imaging sensor, having a focal axes that intersect with the primary focal axis in an intersection area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the focal axes intersect within an intersection area.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the focal axes pass through an aperture, and wherein the aperture is selected from the group consisting of a void, a screen, a window and an optical device not including a lens.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the focal axes intersect at an aperture.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the focal axes intersect at a target.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the arrays are parallel to each other.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein all imaging sensors are of similar size and shape.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are of varied size and shape.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors comprise cameras.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors comprise infrared sensors.