Omnidirectional catadioptric lens structure

A method for capturing image information from a surrounding scene and generating a photographic representation of the surrounding scene, the method comprising:

• capturing light input from a surrounding scene via at least one lens element that is disposed about a conical element, wherein the conical element is defined about a vertical axis and has a tip on the vertical axis, wherein the conical element has a conical mirror surface that is defined upward from the tip on a generally 45 degree angle to the vertical axis, wherein the at least one lens element defines a generally cylindrical void that encloses the conical element, wherein the at least one lens element has a cross-sectional shape defined relative to a plane passing through the at least one lens element and including the vertical axis, wherein the at least one lens element cross-sectional shape is constant in rotation about the vertical axis and imparts a generally toroid shape to the at least one lens element relative to the vertical axis;
• translating, as function of the cross-sectional shape of the at least one lens element, the captured light input into at least one horizontal projection that is oriented toward the conical mirror surface;
• and
• reflecting, via the conical mirror surface, the at least one horizontal projection of the captured light input 90 degrees vertically downward into downward image projection data toward an image plane for receipt by at least one light sensitive sensor.