Method and apparatus for implementing a panoptic camera system

• US 6,392,687 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Be Here Corporation
• Inventors: Morrow, Howard, Lomax, Willard Curtis, Driscoll, Edward Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): An, Shawn S.
• Application Number:
  US09/632,693
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/143, 354/95, 354/81, 396/21, 359/850, 359/851, 359/852
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence

Abstract

A panoptic camera system that can be used to capture all the light from a hemisphere viewing angle is disclosed. The panoptic camera comprises a main reflecting mirror that reflects light from an entire hemisphere onto an image capture mechanism. The main reflecting mirror consists of a paraboloid shape with a dimple on an apex. The surface area around the dimple allows the main reflector to capture light from behind an image capture mechanism or a second reflector. When two panoptic camera systems that capture the light from an entire hemisphere are placed back to back, a camera system that “sees” light from all directions is created. A stereo vision panoramic camera system is also disclosed. The stereo vision panoramic camera system comprises two panoramic camera systems that are separated by a known distance. The two panoramic camera systems are each placed in a “blind spot” of the other panoramic camera system. By using the different images generated by the two panoramic camera systems and the known distance between the two panoramic camera systems, the range to objects within the panoramic images can be determined.

Claims

1. A panoramic camera apparatus, said panoramic camera apparatus comprising:

an image capture mechanism;

a folding reflector, said folding reflector reflecting light down onto said image capture mechanism;

a main reflector, said main reflector reflecting light from a 360 degree panoramic view surrounding said panoramic camera apparatus onto said folding reflector; and

a first light shield, said first light shield mounted on said folding reflector for preventing light not reflected off said main reflector from reaching said image capture mechanism.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said folding reflector reflects light through an opening in said main reflector onto said image capture mechanism.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising

a second light shield, said second light shield surrounding said opening in said main reflector, said second light shield for preventing light not reflected off said main reflector from reaching said image capture mechanism.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

an adaptive light filter capable of adapting to an intensity variation in said reflected light by restricting the transmission of portions of said reflected light having high intensity relative to portions of said reflected light having less intensity;

whereby said intensity variation in said reflected light incident on the image capture mechanism is reduced.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said adaptive light filter comprises photogray glass.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said image capture mechanism comprises an electronic image capture mechanism and said adaptive light filter comprises an LCD array, and said apparatus further comprises:

an LCD controller coupled to said electronic image capture mechanism, said LCD controller darkening portions said LCD array where said electronic image capture mechanism detects high intensity light.