System and method for panoramic imaging using concentric spherical mirrors

• US 6,003,998 A
• Filed: 01/22/1998
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: St. Hilaire, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US09/010,879
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 359/366, 359/365, 359/727, 359/730, 359/731, 359/857, 359/858, 359/859, 359/861, 359/900, 250/216, 250/227, 250/11, 396/20, 396/351, 348/36
• US Class Current: 359/859
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/061 on-axis systems with at least one of the mirrors having a central aperture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A system and method for wide angle imaging create a high resolution image using a convex primary mirror concentrically positioned relative to a concave secondary mirror and one or more detectors spherically juxtaposed. The radii of the primary and secondary mirrors are related by the square of the "golden ratio" to reduce low order aberrations. A fiber optic faceplate coupled to each detector corrects field curvature of the image which may then be detected with a conventional flat detector, such as a CCD camera.

Claims

1. A method for imaging a wide angle field of view using first and second concentrically positioned spherical surfaces having a common center point, the method comprising:

reflecting light rays emanating from the field of view using the first generally spherical surface such that generally parallel light rays diverge after being reflected;

reflecting light rays emanating from the first generally spherical surface using the second generally spherical surface through an aperture in the first generally spherical surface such that generally parallel light rays converge after being reflected to form a generally spherical image of the field of view; and

transforming the generally spherical image to a generally planar image.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting the generally planar image by generating electrical signals in response thereto.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising storing a representation of the generally planar image.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein transforming the generally spherical image comprises mathematically processing data based on the electrical signals to correct for field curvature of the image.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transforming comprises physically transforming the generally spherical image using an optical element.

6. A method for panoramic imaging of a field of view, the method comprising:

reflecting light rays emanating from the field of view from a generally spherical convex surface having a first radius of curvature and an associated center point;

reflecting light rays emanating from the generally spherical convex surface from a generally spherical concave surface having the associated center point through an aperture in the generally spherical convex surface form a generally spherical image of the field of view; and

transforming the generally spherical image to a generally planar image.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step oftransforming comprises mathematically processing the generally spherical image to produce a generally planar image.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of transforming the generally spherical image comprises passing light rays of the spherical image through an optical element.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of transforming the generally spherical image comprises passing light rays of the spherical image through an optical element having a generally spherical convex surface opposite a generally planar surface.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of transforming the generally spherical image comprises correcting the image for field curvature.