Imaging arrangement which allows for capturing an image of a view at different resolutions

• US 6,493,032 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Be Here Corporation
• Inventors: Lomax, Willard Curtis, Driscoll, Edward Jr., Wallerstein, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/439,114
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5225, H04/N.700, 348/207, 348/211, 348/212, 348/213, 348/335, 348/340, 348/343, 348/344, 348/345, 348/349, 348/350, 348/218, 348/36-39, 348/143, 348/47, 359/725, 359/726, 359/727, 359/128, 359/729
• US Class Current: 348/335
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1066 for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/123 The splitting element being a lens or a system of lenses, including arrays and surfaces with refractive power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19626 optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

The invention provides a method of viewing an image. Light is projected from the image. The projected light is split into first and second bundles of light focusing over a first and a second focal region respectively. The light at the first focal region is detected at a first resolution. The light at the second focal region is detected at a second resolution different from the first resolution.

Claims

1. An imaging arrangement which includes:

a system of lenses which receives light from a 360°

surrounding panoramic scene and projects the light;

an optical component, positioned to receive the projected light, which splits the projected light into a first bundle of light which focuses over a first focal region, and a second bundle of light which focuses over a second focal region;

a first detector array positioned in the first focal region so that a first image of the scene is created thereon, the first detector array having an array of detectors positioned relative to one another to detect the first image of the scene at a first resolution; and

a second detector array positioned in the second focal region so that a second image of at least a portion of the scene is created thereon, the second detector array having an array of detectors positioned relative to one another to detect the second image of the scene at a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution.

2. An imaging arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the scene extends from below the horizon to above the horizon.

3. An imaging arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the optical component is a partially transmissive mirror which splits the projected light by transmitting some of the projected light and reflecting some of the projected light.

4. An imaging arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the second detector array is smaller than the second focal region and the second focal region and the second detector array are movable relative to one another so that the second detector array can be selectively positioned within a required portion of the second focal region.

5. An imaging arrangement as in claim 4 wherein the second focal region and the second detector array are rotatable relative to one another about an axis extending in a direction of travel of the second bundle of light.

6. An imaging arrangement as in claim 5 which includes an optical device which is positioned to receive the second bundle of light, the optical device being capable of angularly displacing the second bundle of light about the axis by an angle which is adjustable.

7. An imaging arrangement as in claim 6 wherein the optical device is a Pechan prism which is rotatable about the axis.

8. A panoramic imaging arrangement which includes:

a system of lenses capable of receiving light from a 360°

surrounding panoramic scene, and projecting the light;

a partially transmissive mirror positioned to receive the projected light and capable of splitting the projected light into first and second bundles of light by transmitting some of the projected light and reflecting some of the projected light, the first bundle of light being focused over a first focal region, and the second bundle of light being focused over a second focal region;

a first detector array positioned in the first focal region so that a first image of the 360°

surrounding panoramic scene is created thereon, the first detector array having an array of detectors positioned relative to one another to detect the first image of the 360°

surrounding panoramic scene at a first resolution;

a second detector array, which is smaller than the first detector array, positioned in the second focal region so that a second image is created thereon representing only a portion of the 360°

surrounding panoramic scene, the second detector array having an array of detectors positioned relative to one another to detect the second image at a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution, and the second bundle of light and the second detector array being rotatable relative to one another so as to selectively position the second detector array in different positions of the second bundle of light.

9. A method of viewing an image, which includes the steps of:

projecting light from the image, said image from a 360°

surrounding panoramic scene;

splitting the projected light into first and second bundles of light, focusing over a first and second focal region respectively;

detecting, by a first imaging detector array, an image formed at the first focal region at a first resolution; and

detecting, by a second imaging detector array, an image formed at the second focal region at a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution.

10. A method of viewing an image as in claim 9 wherein the size of the image detected at the second focal region is smaller than the size of the image detected at the first focal region.

11. A method of viewing an image as in claim 10 which includes adjusting the positioning of the image detected within the second focal region.

12. A method of viewing an image as in claim 11 wherein the positioning of the image is adjusted by rotating a Pechan prism.