Integrated Panoramic and Forward Optical Device, System and Method for Omnidirectional Signal Processing
AssigneeInterScience, Inc.
InventorsMichelle D. Simkulet, Jiayin Ma, Jason E. Smith
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Abstract
A device, system and method integrating forward and panoramic fields is disclosed, comprising: a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field, reflective on at least part of the convex surface; a secondary reflector, forward of the primary reflector relative to the forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof facing rearward toward the primary reflector; a primary reflector hole in the primary reflector, substantially centered about an optical axis of the apparatus; and a secondary reflector hole in the secondary reflector, substantially centered about the optical axis.
Claims32
An apparatus seamlessly integrating forward and panoramic fields to achieve a continuous wide field of view, comprising:
- a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field;
- a secondary reflector, forward of said primary reflector relative to said forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof facing rearward toward said primary reflector;
- at least one field collecting element, forward of said secondary reflector relative to said forward field;
- and
- at least one field focusing element, rearward of said primary reflector relative to said forward field:
- as configured in combination, substantially matching magnifications and F/#s as between said forward and panoramic fields and thereby projecting a substantially seamless boundary between said forward and panoramic fields onto a detection plane.
A method for seamlessly integrating forward and panoramic fields thereby achieving a continuous wide field of view, comprising configuring in combination:
- a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field, reflective on at least part of said convex surface;
- a secondary reflector, forward of said primary reflector relative to said forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof, facing rearward toward said primary reflector;
- at least one field collecting element, forward of said secondary reflector relative to said forward field;
- and
- at least one field focusing element, rearward of said primary reflector relative to said forward field;
- to:
- substantially match magnifications and F/#s as between said forward and panoramic fields and thereby project a substantially seamless boundary between said forward and panoramic fields onto a detection plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.