USO0RE43 842E

(19) United States (12) Reissued Patent

(10) Patent Number:

Wallerstein et a]. (54)

(45) Date of Reissued Patent:

PANORAMIC IMAGING SYSTEM

6,449,103 B1 6,646,818 B2

.

(75)

US RE43,842 E

-

7,012,757 B2

Inventors

CC‘:

2004/0008407 A1*

(US); Stanley P. DeMarta, Pleasanton,

Dec. 4, 2012

9/2002 Charles ll/2003 Doi 3/2006

Wallerstein et al.

1/2004 Wallerstein et al. ........ .. 359/362

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

CA (US); Edward C. Driscoll, Jr.,

_

Ponola Valley, CA (Us)

_

_ _

Internatronal Search Report and Wrrtten Oprnion for PCT/US2004/ 018486 mailed Dec. 16, 2004.

(73) Assignee; B_H_ Image Co_ LLC’ Wilmington, DE (Us)

International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US2004/ 018486 issued Dec. 13, 2005, (p. 1 only). *

(21) Appl.No.:12/057,867 (22)

Filed_

Mar 28 2008

.

.

Primary Examiner * Jordan Schwartz

720192918

transparent portion and an internally re?ective portion, and

Mar“ 28’ 2006

the concave surface also includes a transparent portion and an

91131)d'_ NO"

(110/461220230 3

1e '

un'

internally re?ective portion. Light from a 360-degree sur



rounding scene enters the panoramic lens through the trans

Int Cl

parent portion of the convex surface, is re?ected by the inter

GoZB 13/06 (52) (58)

ABSTRACT

A panoramic lens includes an aspherical convex surface and an aspherical concave surface. The convex surface includes a

~

Issuid'

(51)

(57)

Related U‘s‘ patent Documents

(64) Patent N05

.

,

(Under 37 CFR 1.47) _ Relssue Of:

.

med by exmnlner

(200601)

nally re?ective portion of the'concave surface, is re?ected by

us. Cl. ....................... .. 359/725- 359/718- 359/728 Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. 359/725, 359/718 348/36i39

the Internally re?ecnve Porno“ of the convex surface’ and exnsthe Panoramlc lens through‘he‘ransparempomon Of‘he concave surface as a narrow column of light beams. Light

’ See application ?le for complete search history.

beams containing image data can be provided to the transpar_ _ ent portron of the concave surface, and those beams wrll

(56)

References Cited

follow this same optical path through the panoramic lens in

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

reverse to project a panoramic image out from the transparent region of the convex surface.

4,012,126 A *

5,473,474 A

3/1977

Rosendahl et al. ......... .. 359/725

12/1995 Powell

28 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

100A

1 10A

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\\ 101 A

X y:

1 1 OA(2]

l

R11A

110/10) ‘

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US. Patent

Dec. 4, 2012

Sheet 1 0f5

US RE43,842 E

1 00A

110A

110A(1)

A1A

110A(1)

120A(2)

120A

FIG. 1A

R12A

US. Patent

Dec. 4, 2012

Sheet 2 0f5

100B

1015

1308

l I

1208(1)

1205(2)

l

l I I l I

1208

US RE43,842 E

US. Patent

Dec. 4, 2012

Sheet 3 0f5

US RE43,842 E

/

#— R5

R6 :4—

FIG. 2

220(3)

US. Patent

390

200

Dec. 4, 2012

Sheet 4 0f5

US RE43,842 E

US. Patent

Dec. 4, 2012

Sheet 5 0f5

Fig 4 (AMENDED)

US RE43,842 E

US RE43,842 E 1

2

PANORAMIC IMAGING SYSTEM

surface, and undergoes various internal re?ections at the internally re?ective portions of the convex and concave sur

faces. For example, when capturing a 360-degree surround ing image, light enters the lens through the transmissive por tion of the convex surface, is refracted towards the internally re?ective portion of the concave surface, is re?ected towards the internally re?ective portion of the convex surface, is

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

re?ected towards the transmissive portion of the concave

surface, and is refracted by the transmissive portion of the

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

concave surface as it exits the lens. When projecting a 360

degree image, the light path is reversed.

1. Field of the Invention

By properly selecting the curvatures of the convex surface and the concave surface, any desired optical performance can be obtained from the panoramic lens. According to an

This invention relates to imaging systems, and in particular to a panoramic imaging system for capturing or creating a

360-degree surrounding panoramic scene.

embodiment of the invention, the transparent portion of the convex surface is preferably capable of receiving light for an

2. Related Art

Panoramic imaging arrangements have become popular in recent years for purposes of viewing 360-degree surrounding panoramic scenes. Older generations of panoramic imaging

arrangements generally consisted of revolving periscope-like constructions having relatively complex mechanisms for revolving them. More recently, stationary panoramic imaging

unbroken included angle of at least 60 degrees in a vertical

plane, with the included angle preferably extending from an 20

sive surfaces of the convex and concave surfaces are left

arrangements have been developed.

A stationary panoramic imaging arrangement generally has one or more lenses, each having a vertical axis of revolu tion, which are used to refract or re?ect light received from a

25

360-degree surrounding panoramic scene. The lenses alter the direction of the light, after which the light passes through

“clear” (or coated with an anti-re?ective coating to improve transmission). According to another embodiment of the invention, only those portions of the convex and concave surfaces that in the desired optical path are coated with the re?ective or anti-re?ective coatings. Portions of the lens that are not in the desired optical path are coated with an absorbing

a series of lenses-which are located vertically one above the

coating to minimize stray light within the lens, thereby

other and which further manipulate the light by, for example,

focusing the light.

angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon. According to an embodiment of the invention, a re?ective coating is applied to the portions of the convex and concave surfaces to create the re?ective surfaces, while the transmis

30

enhancing imaging quality. According to another embodiment of the invention, a pan

The task of receiving light in a sideways direction and altering the direction of the light so that the light then pro

oramic lens includes two concave surfaces about an axis of revolution and a convex surface about the axis of revolution,

ceeds in a vertical direction is a di?icult one. Altering the

aberrations in the resulting light. Relatively complex lenses

the convex surface being positioned between the two concave surfaces. The upper concave surface includes an internally re?ective portion, the convex surface includes a transmissive portion, and the lower concave surface includes both an inter

and lens arrangements have been developed to provide

nally re?ective portion and a transmissive portion.

direction of light to such a degree, especially when coming from a 360-degree surrounding scene, oftentimes leads to

35

acceptable images from 360-degree surrounding scenes, but

When capturing a 360-degree surrounding image, light

that complexity increases manufacturing and system costs. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a highly manufac turable lens system for capturing/projecting a 360-degree panoramic surrounding scene.

enters the lens through the transmissive portion of the convex 40

surface, is refracted towards the internally re?ective portion of the lower concave surface, is re?ected towards the inter

nally re?ective portion of the upper concave surface, is re?ected towards the transmissive portion of the lower con

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

cave surface, and is refracted by the transmissive portion of 45

A “panoramic lens” is a lens that is capable of changing the

360-degree image, the light path is reversed.

substantially horizontal light from a 360-degree surrounding

According to another embodiment of the invention, a sec

?eld into a substantially vertical single beam, and vice versa. A panoramic lens therefore enables the capture and proj ec

tion of a 360-degree panoramic image.

the concave surface as it exits the lens. When projecting a

50

According to an embodiment of the invention, a panoramic

ondary imaging system can be positioned to receive the light exiting the transparent portion of the concave surface of the panoramic lens. The secondary imaging system can comprise a system of lenses or other optical elements (e.g., mirrors or

lens includes a convex surface about an axis of revolution

?lters) for focusing, correcting astigmatism, color correcting,

(i.e., a surface having a convex pro?le in a plane of the axis of revolution) and a concave surface about the axis of revolution (i.e., a surface having a concave pro?le in a plane of the axis

creating a ?at image plane, or otherwise managing the exiting light. The light can be focused onto a photosensing element, 55

of revolution). The simple “two surface” construction of the lens bene?cially allows the lens to be molded from plastic to simplify manufacturing and reduce cost.

such as a chemical-based ?lm or a digital image sensor.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the secondary imaging system can provide a source image to the transmissive portion of the concave surface of the panoramic lens for projection by the panoramic lens as a 360-degree

The convex surface follows a ?rst aspheric curve, while the concave surface follows a second aspheric curve. The convex 60

surrounding image.

surface is positioned above the concave surface and includes a transmissive portion surrounding an internally re?ective portion. Similarly, the concave surface includes an internally

view of the following description and drawings.

re?ective portion surrounding a transmissive portion. When capturing or projecting a 360-degree panoramic image, light enters and exits the lens via the transmissive portions of the ?rst concave surface and the second concave

The present invention will be more fully understood in BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 65

FIG. 1A a cross-section of a panoramic lens having a

partially re?ective, partially transmissive convex surface and

US RE43,842 E 3

4

a partially re?ective, partially transmissive concave surface,

values in Table 1 into Equation 1, the dimensions of surfaces

according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-section of a panoramic lens having a re?ective concave surface, a transmissive convex surface, and

110A and 120A can be determined.

TABLE 1

a partially re?ective, partially transmissive concave surface, according to another embodiment of the invention.

SAMPLE CONSTANT VALUES FOR EQUATION 1

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a panoramic lens having par

Constant

tially re?ective, partially transmissive, and partially absorb

r

ing convex and concave surfaces, according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is an imaging system including a panoramic lens according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an example annular image that can be generated from a panoramic scene by the imaging system of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.

00

20

D

-s.3517 X 10*7 mnf3

6.7256 X 10*7 mnf3

E

3.0011 X 10*10 mnf5

3.3104><10*10 mnf5

P G

2.1066 X 10*13 mm7 5.9933 ><10*21 mm’g

20978 X 10*13 mm7 1.1191 X 10*21 mm’9

100A with a re?ective coating that re?ects light within lens 100A. The re?ective coating can be any coating capable of creating an intemally-re?ective surface, such as standard

High Re?ective (H.R.) coatings (e.g., aluminum, silver, gold) that can be formed using vacuum, chemical, or even sputter

Convex surface 110A is “convex” since it exhibits a convex

deposition, among others. Meanwhile, transmissive portions

pro?le in a plane of axis of rotation 101A (i.e., a plane parallel to axis of rotation 101A). Similarly, concave surface 120A is “concave” since it exhibits a concave pro?le in a plane of axis of rotation 101A. Convex surface 110A is an aspheric surface (i.e., the cross section of convex surface 110A follows a ?rst aspheric curve)

25

and includes a transmissive portion 110A(1) (indicated by the thin line) surrounding an internally re?ective portion 110A(2) (indicated by the dark line). Concave surface 120A follows a

30

110A(1) and 120A(1) can simply be left uncoated, or can be coated with an anti -re?ective (A.R.) coating to improve trans mission characteristics.

In use, light from a 360-degree surrounding panoramic scene enters lens 100A through transparent portion 110A(1) of convex surface 110A. The entering light spans an unbroken included angle A1A that can include light rays from above the

horizon (i.e., the plane perpendicular to axis of rotation 101A), such as light ray R11A, and light rays from below the horizon, such as light ray R12A.

second aspheric curve and includes an internally re?ective

portion 120A(2) (indicated by the dark line) surrounding a 35

When light enters transparent portion 110A(1), the light is refracted slightly downward at the convex surface towards

thin line).

internally re?ective portion 120A(2) of concave surface 120A. The light is then re?ected upwards by internally re?ec

Note that speci?c geometries of the ?rst and second aspheric curves will depend on the overall design and desired performance of lens 100A. For example, an aspheric surface

can be de?ned by the following equation:

15.802 mm

-4.s17717

Lens 100A is formed using an optically transparent mate

includes a convex surface 110A and a concave surface 120A.

transmissive (or refractive) portion 120A(1) (indicated by the

11.531 mm

-0.s11179

Surface 120A

rial, and so internally re?ective portions 110A(2) and 120A (2) can be created by covering the appropriate portions of lens

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a panoramic lens 100A according to an embodiment of the invention. Panoramic lens 100A is symmetric about an axis of rotation 101A and

Surface 110A

tive portion 120A(2) towards internally re?ective portion 40

110A(2) of convex surface 110A, which in turn re?ects the

light back downwards towards transmissive portion 120A(1) of concave surface 120A, where it exits lens 100A. Refraction

at the curved surface of transmissive portion 120A(1) decreases the angle the exiting light rays make with axis of z:

45

where: 50

rotation 101A. In this manner, a 360-degree surrounding scene can be

captured into a narrow column of light beams by (monolithic) lens 100A without any additional optical elements. The exit ing beams can then be manipulated and/or captured by sec ondary optics and an imaging system (both of which are

described in greater detail below). Note that panoramic lens 100A can also project a 360-degree panoramic image from an image contained in a column of light beams. Directing the column of light beams at transparent portion 120A(1) of and where x, y, and Z are the Cartesian coordinates of the

surface (x and y in the plane perpendicular to the axis of

concave surface 120A(2) will cause the light to follow the same path within lens 100A described above with respect to

rotation and Z parallel to the axis of rotation), and constants r

the image capturing operation described, except in the oppo

55

(radius of curvature), cc (conical constant), D, E, F, and G

site direction. Therefore, the light beams that enters lens

(polynomial constants) are selectedbased on the desired char

100A at transparent portion 120A(1) will be projected from

acteristics of the aspheric surface. Note that, as indicated by Equation 1, an aspheric surface can even comprise a spherical surface (i.e., setting constants cc, D, E, F, and G equal to zero results in an equation for a sphere of radius r). Table 1 provides sample constant values for a panoramic lens (e.g., lens 100A) having an axial thickness (i.e., thickness along axis of rotation 101A) of 18.171 mm, according to an embodiment of the invention. By incorporating the constant

60

transparent portion 110A(2) of convex surface 110A as a

360-degree panoramic image. By incorporating both re?ective and transmissive portions into both convex surface 110A and concave region 120A,

panoramic lens 100A provides panoramic capture/proj ection 65

capability in a simple layout. The two-surface design can be easily molded out of plastic for economical large-scale pro

duction, although any other optically transparent material

US RE43,842 E 5

6

(e. g., glass) could be used. Furthermore, according to various

optical path within lens 200. Those dimensions then deter mine the actual optical path followed by light in lens 200. For example, if light rays R21 and R22 represent the boundaries of a desired included angle A2 for the 360-degree surrounding scene to be captured by lens 200, those light rays de?ne the desired optical path within lens 200. Accordingly,

other embodiments of the invention, the panoramic lens can include additional surfaces/features. For example, FIG. 1B shows a cross-section of a pan oramic lens 100B in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Panoramic lens 100B is symmetric about an

transmissive portion 210(1) of convex surface 210 is sized to

axis of rotation 101B and includes a convex surface 110B, a lower concave surface 120B, and an upper concave surface

capture (or project) included angle A2 (i.e., sized just large enough to admit light within included angleA2 into lens 200).

130B. Convex surface 110B is positioned between upper

Thus, transmissive portion 210(1) is an annulus having an

concave surface 130B and lower concave surface 120B. Each of the surfaces follows its own aspheric curve.

outer radius R4 and an inner radius R3, where radii R4 and R3

correspond to the points at which light rays R22 and R21,

Convex surface 110B is transmissive (indicated by the thin line), upper concave surface 130B is re?ective (indicated by

respectively, are incident on convex surface 210.

Internally re?ective portion 220(2) of convex surface 220 then only needs to be large enough to re?ect the light trans

the dark line), and lower concave surface 120B includes an

internally re?ective portion 120B(2) (indicated by the dark line) surrounding a transmissive portion 120B(1) (indicated by the thin line). Just as with lens 100A shown in FIG. 1A, re?ective upper concave surface 130B and internally re?ec tive portion 120B(1) can be formed by applying a re?ective coating to lens 100B, while transmissive convex surface 110B

mitted by transmissive portion 210(1). Internally re?ective portion 220(2) is an annulus having an outer radius R7 and an inner radius R6, where radii R7 and R6 coincide with the

points at which light rays R22 and R21, respectively, are 20

incident on concave surface 220. Therefore, internally re?ec tive portion 220(2) is sized to be equal to the area on convex

and transmissive portion 120B(2) can be left clear or can be

surface 220 exposed to the light transmitted by transmissive

coated with an anti-re?ective coating to improve transmission characteristics.

portion 210(1) (i.e., the light from included angle A2).

In use, light from the surrounding scene (e.g., the light spanning an included angle A1B bounded by light rays R11B and R12B) enters lens 100B through transparent convex sur face 110B and is refracted towards internally re?ective por tion 120B(2) of lower concave surface 120B, which re?ects the light towards upper concave surface 130B, which re?ects the light back towards lower concave surface 120B. The light

In a similar manner, internally re?ective portion 210(2) is 25

an annulus having an outer radius R2 and an inner radius R1,

with radii R2 and R1 bounding the portion of convex surface 210 on which the light re?ected by internally re?ective por

tion 220(2) is incident. Finally, transmissive portion 220(1) is a curved disc having a radius R5, wherein radius R5 is just 30

large enough to allow all the light re?ected from internally re?ective portion 210(2) to pass through concave surface 220.

then exits lens 100B from transmissive region 120B(1) of

Note that the speci?c dimensions of transmissive portions

lower concave surface 120B. In this manner, (monolithic)

210(1) and 220(2) and internally re?ective portions 210(2)

lens 100B captures (and similarly can project) a 360-degree surrounding panoramic scene into a column of light beams without requiring any additional optical elements. Note that the particular paths of light rays R11 and R12 shown in FIG. 1A (and any subsequent ?gures) are for exemplary purposes only, as the speci?c paths traced by individual lights rays will vary depending on the speci?c shape of the lens.

35

and 220(2) depend on the desired size and optical character istics of panoramic lens 200. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, for a desktop conferencing application, the dimensions listed in Table 2, below, could be speci?ed for the lens de?ned in Table 1. TABLE 2

40

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a panoramic lens 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Pan oramic lens 200 is symmetric about an axis of rotation 201

SAMPLE LENS DIMENSIONS

Radius

Nominal Dimension

and includes a convex surface 210 and a concave surface 220.

In exterior form and basic operation, panoramic lens 200 is substantially similar to panoramic lens 100A shown in FIG. 1A. However, unlike lens 100A, only those portions of con

45

vex surface 210 and concave surface 220 in the desired optical path are made re?ective or transmissive. Other portions of convex surface 210 and concave surface 220 are covered with 50

R1 R2 M R4 R5

1.67 6.91 13.90 20.86 3.74

mm mm mm mm mm

R6

same as R5

R7

15.72 mm

an absorbing coating to minimize any stray re?ected or

refracted light that could degrade the imaging quality pro

All portions of lens 200 not in the desired optical path (i.e.,

vided by lens 220.

absorptive portions 210(3), 210(4), 210(5), 220(3), and 220 (4)) are coated with an absorbing layer such as black paint to

For example, convex surface 210 includes a transmissive

portion 210(1) (indicated by the thin line), an internally re?ective portion 210(2) (indicated by the heavy line), and

55

absorb any stray light. Note that to capture the desired included angle A2 for the

absorptive portions 210(3), 210(4), and 210(5) (indicated by

360-degree surrounding scene, transmissive region 210(1)

the medium weight line). Thus, while transmissive portion 210(1) still surrounds internally re?ective portion 210(2), the two portions are now separated by absorptive portion 210(4).

extends almost but not quite to the actual intersection of convex surface 210 and concave surface 220. Similarly, inter 60

nally re?ective portion 220(2) of concave surface 220 does

Similarly, concave surface 220 includes a transmissive por

not extend all the way to the outer limits of concave surface

tion 220(1) (indicated by the thin line), an internally re?ective

220. Therefore, according to various embodiments of the invention, the outer perimeter of lens 200 (i.e., the region in

portion 220(2) (indicated by the heavy line), and an absorp tive portion 220(3) (indicated by the medium-weight line).

the vicinity of the intersection between convex surface 210

The speci?c dimensions of the various transmissive, re?ec

65 and concave surface 220) can be modi?ed or even removed so

tive, and absorptive portions of convex surface 210 and con

long as the modi?cation or removal does not interfere with the

cave surface 220 can then be de?ned according to the desired

desired optical path of light within lens 200.

US RE43,842 E 8

7

2. The panoramic lens of claim 1, wherein the ?rst aspheric

FIG. 3 shows an imaging system 390 for capturing (or projecting) a 360-degree surrounding scene, according to an embodiment of the invention. Imaging system 390 includes a panoramic lens 200, a secondary optical system 340, and an imaging device 350. Imaging device 350 can comprise any type of photosensing element, such as a photosensitive ?lm

surface has a convex curvature in a plane of the axis of

revolution, wherein the ?rst transmissive portion surrounds the ?rst

internally re?ective portion, wherein the second aspheric surface has a concave curvature in the plane of

the axis of revolution, and wherein the second internally re?ective portion surrounds the second transmissive portion. 3. The panoramic lens of claim 2, wherein the second internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the ?rst transmissive portion and the ?rst internally re?ective portion, and wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the second internally re?ec tive portion and the second transmissive portion.

(i.e., chemical based ?lm) or a digital image sensor, and can

be coupled to an optional image processor 351 (indicated by

the dotted line) to provide additional digital image manipu lation. Imaging device 350 could alternatively comprise a source beam generator for emitting a column of light beams

containing image data that is passed by secondary optical system 340 to lens 200, which then projects the image data as a 360-degree panoramic scene.

Meanwhile, panoramic lens 200 in FIG. 3 is substantially

4. The panoramic lens of claim 3, wherein the ?rst trans missive portion is sized to capture light from a ?rst included

similar to panoramic lens 200 described with respect to FIG.

2. The particular con?guration (dimensions) of panoramic

angle of a 360-degree surrounding image.

lens 200 will depend on the requirements of imaging system 390. For example, if imaging system 390 is a video confer

encing system, panoramic lens 200 could be optimized to

20

maximize the resolution of image data captured from an

incident on a ?rst region of the concave aspheric surface, and

included angle (A2) substantially equal to 60-degrees4e.g., 45-degrees above the horizon (angle A2(1)) through 15-de

wherein the second internally re?ective portion is substan tially the same as the ?rst region of the concave aspheric surface.

grees below the horizon (angle A2(2)). Secondary optical system 340 can include any number and

5. The panoramic lens of claim 4, wherein light transmitted by the ?rst transmissive portion into the panoramic lens is

25

type of optical elements. For exemplary purposes, secondary

6. The panoramic lens of claim 5, wherein light re?ected by the second internally re?ective portion onto the ?rst aspheric

optical system 340 is depicted as including a ?eld ?attening

surface is incident on a second region of the ?rst aspheric

lens 341, a scaling lens 342, a set of color correcting lenses 343, 344, and 345, and an IR (infrared) ?lter 346. Therefore, light from a 360-degree panoramic scene entering lens 200

surface, and wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is substan 30

via transparent region 210(1) and exiting from transparent region 220(1) is corrected for image ?atness, scale, and color accuracy by secondary optical system 340 before being

7. The panoramic lens of claim 6, wherein light re?ected by the ?rst internally re?ective portion onto the concave aspheric

detected or captured by imaging device 350. As is well known in the art, various other arrangements

surface is incident on a third region of the concave aspheric 35

and/or selections of optical elements can be included in sec

ondary optical system 340. Secondary optical system 340 simply provides an optical pathway (that can provide various types of optical manipulations) between panoramic lens 200 40

manipulating the image (e.g., focusing, astigmatism correct ing, color correcting, image ?attening, and/or diffracting

45

wherein portions of the panoramic lens not included in the ?rst transmissive portion, the second transmissive por tion, the ?rst internally re?ective portion, or the second internally re?ective portion are coated with an absorbing

coating. 50

the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments

10. The panoramic lens of claim 9, wherein the ?rst trans missive portion and the second transmissive portion are coated with an anti-re?ective coating.

11. An imaging system comprising:

described. Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents. The invention claimed is: 55

about an axis of revolution and a second aspheric surface

about the axis of revolution, wherein the ?rst aspheric surface comprises a ?rst trans missive portion and a ?rst internally re?ective portion, the ?rst transmissive portion and the ?rst internally re?ective portion having a ?rst continuous curvature, wherein the second aspheric surface comprises a second transmissive portion and a second internally re?ective portion, the second transmissive portion and the second internally re?ective portion having a second continuous curvature, and wherein the ?rst aspheric surface contacts the second aspheric surface.

8. The panoramic lens of claim 7, wherein the ?rst included angle is at least 60-degrees. 9. The panoramic lens of claim 2, wherein the ?rst inter nally re?ective portion and the second internally re?ective portion are coated with a re?ective coating, and

lenses).

1. A panoramic lens comprising a ?rst aspheric surface

surface, and wherein the second transmissive portion is substantially the same as the third region of the concave aspheric surface.

and image processing system 360. For example, FIG. 4 shows a sample image 400 that could be captured from a 360-degree surrounding scene by imaging device 350. Depending on the intended use of image 400, secondary optical system 340 could comprise any combination of optical elements for

The various embodiments of the structures and methods of this invention that are described above are illustrative only of the principles of this invention and are not intended to limit

tially the same as the second region of the ?rst aspheric surface.

a panoramic lens; an imaging device; and a secondary set of optical elements providing an optical path between a photo sensing element and the panoramic

lens, wherein the panoramic lens comprises: a convex aspheric surface about an axis of revolution, the convex aspheric surface comprising a ?rst transmissive 60

65

portion surrounding a ?rst internally re?ective portion, wherein the ?rst transmissive portion and the ?rst inter nally re?ective portion have a ?rst continuous curvature; and a concave aspheric surface about the axis of revolution, the concave aspheric surface comprising a second internally re?ective portion surrounding a second transmissive

portion, wherein the second internally re?ective portion

US RE43,842 E 10

9 and the second transmissive portion have a second con

18. An imaging system comprising:

tinuous curvature, wherein the convex aspheric surface is in contact with the concave aspheric surface.

a panoramic lens; an imaging device; and a secondary set ofoptical elements providing an optical path between a photosensing element and the pan

12. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the second

internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the ?rst transmissive portion and the ?rst internally re?ective portion, and wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the second internally re?ective por

oramic lens, wherein the panoramic lens comprises: a convex aspheric surface, the convex aspheric surface comprising a?rst transmissive portion surrounding a

?rst internally re?ective portion, wherein the ?rst transmissive portion and the ?rst internally re?ective

tion and the second transmissive portion. 13. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the image

portion have a ?rst continuous curvature; and

processing system comprises a photosensing element for receiving light from the second transmissive portion via the secondary set of optical elements. 14. The imaging system of claim 13, wherein the secondary set of optical elements comprises at least one of a image ?attening lens, a scaling lens, a color correcting lens set, an astigmatism correcting lens, a diffracting lens, and an infrared ?lter. 15. The imaging system of claim 13, further comprising a

a concave aspheric surface, the concave aspheric sur

face comprising a second internally re?ective portion surrounding a second transmissive portion, wherein the second transmissive portion and the second inter nally re?ective portion have a second continuous cur vature, and wherein the convex aspheric surface is in contact with the concave aspheric surface. 20

digital image processor coupled to the photosensing element

ing a ?rst transmissive portion and

for manipulating images captured by the photosensing ele

a ?rst internally re?ective portion, wherein the ?rst aspheric surface has a convex curvature, and

ment.

16. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the image

25

a concave aspheric surface, the concave aspheric surface comprising a second internally re?ective portion sur rounding a second transmissive portion,

17. A panoramic lens comprising: 30

aspheric surface comprising a ?rst transmissive portion and a ?rst internally re?ective portion, wherein the ?rst

the ?rst internally re?ective portion,

axis of revolution, and wherein the ?rst transmissive 35

and a concave aspheric surface about the axis of revolution, the concave aspheric surface comprising a second internally re?ective portion surrounding a second transmissive

portion,

tion and the second transmissive portion, wherein the ?rst transmissive portion is sized to capture light from a ?rst included angle of a 360-degree sur

rounding image, wherein light transmitted by the ?rst transmissive portion 40

wherein the second internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the ?rst transmissive portion and

the ?rst internally re?ective portion, wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the second internally re?ective por

wherein the second internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the?rst transmissive portion and wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is adapted to re?ect light between the second internally re?ective por

aspheric surface has a convex curvature in a plane of the

portion surrounds the ?rst internally re?ective portion;

wherein the ?rst transmissive portion surrounds the ?rst

internally re?ective portion; and

processing system comprises a source beam generator for providing source beams to the second transmissive portion via the secondary set of optical elements. a ?rst aspheric surface about an axis of revolution, the ?rst

19. A panoramic lens comprising:

a ?rst aspheric surface, the ?rst aspheric surface compris

into thepanoramic lens is incident on a?rst region ofthe concave aspheric surface, wherein the second internally re?ective portion is substan tially the same as the?rst region ofthe concave aspheric

surface, wherein light re?ected by the second internally 45

tion and the second transmissive portion, wherein the ?rst transmissive portion is sized to capture

re?ective portion onto the ?rst aspheric surface is inci dent on a second region of the ?rst aspheric surface, wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is substan

light from a ?rst included angle of a 360-degree sur

tially the same as the second region of the ?rst aspheric

rounding image,

surface, wherein light re?ected by the ?rst internally

wherein light transmitted by the ?rst transmissive portion

50

into the panoramic lens is incident on a ?rst region of the

incident on a third region ofthe concave aspheric sur

concave aspheric surface, wherein the second internally re?ective portion is substan

face, wherein the second transmissive portion is substantially

tially the same as the ?rst region of the concave aspheric

surface, wherein light re?ected by the second internally

the same as the third region of the concave aspheric 55

re?ective portion onto the ?rst aspheric surface is inci dent on a second region of the ?rst aspheric surface, wherein the ?rst internally re?ective portion is substan tially the same as the second region of the ?rst aspheric

surface, wherein light re?ected by the ?rst internally

re?ective portion onto the concave aspheric surface is

surface, and wherein the ?rst included angle is 60-degrees. 20. A method ofimaging comprising: passing light through a transmissive portion ofa convex

surface; 60

re?ective portion onto the concave aspheric surface is

refracting the light towards an internally re?ective portion of the convex surface;

incident on a third region of the concave aspheric sur

re?ecting the light towards an internally re?ective portion

face,

of the convex surface; re?ecting the light towards a transmissive portion of the

wherein the second transmissive portion is substantially the same as the third region of the concave aspheric

surface, and wherein the ?rst included angle is 60-degrees.

65

concave surface; and

refracting the light with the transmissive portion of the concave surface,

US RE43,842 E 11

12

wherein the transmissive portion and the internally re?ec tive portion of the concave surface have a ?rst continu

25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the transmissivepor tion ofthe concave surface andthe transmissiveportion ofthe

ous curvature, wherein the transmissive portion and the

convex surface are coated with an anti-re?ective coating.

internally re?ective portion ofthe convex surface have a

26. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising imaging

second continuous curvature, and

through use ofa panoramic lens, wherein light transmitted by

wherein the convex surface is in contact with the concave

the transmissive portion of the convex surface into the pan

surface.

oramic lens is incident on a region ofthe concave surface, and

2]. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the concave surface comprises a?rst aspheric surface about an axis ofrevolution, and wherein the convex surface comprises a second aspheric surface about the axis of revolution. 22. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the transmissivepor tion of the convex surface is sized to capture lightfrom a ?rst

wherein the internally re?ective portion of the concave sur face is substantially the same as the region of the concave

surface. 27. The method ofclaim 20, wherein light re?ected by the internally re?ective portion of the convex surface onto the concave surface is incident on a region of the concave sur

included angle ofa 360-degree surrounding image.

face, and wherein the transmissive portion of the concave surface is substantially the same as the region ofthe concave

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the ?rst included angle is at least 60-degrees.

surface.

24. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising imaging

28. The method ofclaim 20, wherein light re?ected by the internally re?ective portion of the concave surface onto the

through use of a panoramic lens, wherein the internally

re?ective portion of the concave surface and the internally

convex surface is incident on a region of the convex surface,

re?ective portion of the convex surface are coated with a

re?ective coating, and wherein portions of the panoramic

20

and wherein the internally re?ective portion of the convex

lens not included in the transmissive portion of the concave

surface is substantially the same as the region of the convex

surface, the transmissive portion of the convex surface, the internally re?ective portion of the concave surface, or the internally re?ective portion of the convex surface are coated with an absorbing coating.

surface.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT No.

; RE43,842 E

APPLICATION NO.

: 12/057867 : December 4, 2012 : Wa11erstein et a1.

DATED INVENTOR(S)

Page 1 of 1

It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Claims

In Column 10, Line 61, in Claim 20, delete “the convex surface;” and insert -- a concave surface; --, therefor.

Signed and Sealed this

Twenty-eighth Day of May, 2013

Teresa Stanek Rea

Acting Director 0fthe United States Patent and Trademark O?ice

Panoramic imaging system

Mar 28, 2008 - (Under 37 CFR 1.47). (57). ABSTRACT. _. Related U's' patent Documents ... 359/718 348/36i39 concave surface as a narrow column of light ...

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