Optical imaging systems and formation of co-oriented and co-directional images in different fields of view of the same

A method for forming an image of the object space with the use of an optical imaging system that has an optical axis, a front field of view (FFOV), a lateral FOV (LFOV), an optical detector, and programmable electronic circuitry operably cooperated with the optical detector,

• the image including:
• a first portion of the image having a first perimeter that circumscribes an axial point of the first image
• a second portion of the image dimensioned as a stripe or band having a second perimeter and located outside of the first perimeter,
• wherein the first portion of the image represents a first portion of the object space covered by the FFOV,
• wherein the second portion of the optical image represents a second portion of the object space covered by the LFOV,
• and
• wherein a first directionality of the first portion of the image and a second directionality of the second portion of the image are the same,
• the method comprising:
• forming the first portion of the image by collecting first light from the FFOV through both first and second optical elements of said optical system with the use of the optical detector,
• wherein the first optical element is an optical element directly exposed to the first portion of the object space, and wherein the second optical element is immediately adjoining the first optical element,
• forming, with the use of the optical detector, a third portion of the image by at least in part collecting second light from the LFOV of the optical system through an edge surface of the second element of the optical system while preventing said second light from traversing any surface of the first optical element,
• wherein the third portion of the image is dimensioned as said stripe or band having the second perimeter and located outside of the first perimeter, and wherein a third directionality of the third portion of the image is opposite to the second directionality;
• transforming irradiance of the third portion of the image to create the second portion of the image by radially redistributing said irradiance of the third portion of the image with respect to a circle of a chosen radius located between inner and outer perimeters of said second portion of the image;
• and
• with the use of said programmable electronic circuitry, generating a report containing a visually-perceivable representation of said image.

An image of an object space formed with the use of an optical system that has an optical axis, a front field of view (FFOV), and a lateral FOV (LFOV), the image comprising:

• a first portion of the image having a first perimeter that circumscribes an axial point of the first image
• a second portion of the image dimensioned as a stripe or band having a second perimeter and located outside of the first perimeter,
• wherein the first portion of the image represents a first portion of the object space covered by the FFOV,
• wherein the second portion of the image represents a second portion of the object the object space covered by the LFOV,
• and
• wherein a first directionality of the first portion of the image and a second directionality of the second portion of the image are the same.