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US 6,546,208 B1Granted
Stereoscopic telescope with camera
AssigneeSL3D, Inc.
InventorBryan L. Costales
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The optical device of the present invention is able to capture a three-dimensional image via one or more imaging devices while permitting the viewer to view the object(s) during image acquisition. The user is thereby able to adjust the orientation of the optical device to obtain the desired image.
Claims39
An optical device, comprising:
- one or more first lenses to project radiation along a first optical path;
- at least a first dividing surface for dividing the projected radiation into first and second radiation portions;
- a negative meniscus positioned between the one or more first lenses and the first dividing surface, wherein the negative meniscus is operable to collimate the projected radiation;
- at least a second dividing surface for dividing the first radiation portion into first and second radiation segments;
- one or more second lenses for focusing the first radiation segment on an imaging surface, the imaging surface being a part of an image acquisition device;
- and
- one or more third lenses for focusing the second radiation segment for viewing by a user, whereby the user can view the image being acquired by the image acquisition device during acquisition thereof.
4 more elements
An optical device, comprising:
- one or more first lenses to project radiation along a first optical path;
- at least a first encoder for encoding the projected radiation into first and second radiation portions, the first and second radiation portions having a different characteristic;
- a negative meniscus positioned between the one or more first lenses and the first encoder to collimate the projected radiation;
- at least a first directing surface for directing the first and second radiation portions along second and third optical paths, respectively, the second optical path being transverse to the third optical path;
- one or more second lenses for focusing the first radiation portion on an imaging surface, the imaging surface being a part of an image acquisition device;
- and
- one or more third lenses for focusing the second radiation portion for viewing by a user, whereby the user can view the image being acquired by the image acquisition device during acquisition thereof.
4 more elements
A method for acquiring a stereoscopic image of an object, comprising:
- (a) passing image radiation, containing image information relating to the object, through at least a first lens and a negative meniscus of an optical device;
- (b) thereafter separating the image radiation into first and second radiation portions, wherein at least one of the following is true:
- (i) the first and second radiation portions traverse different optical paths and (ii) the first and second radiation portions have one or more differing characteristics;
- (c) directing at least a portion of the first radiation portion to an imaging surface of an imaging device connected to the optical device;
- and
- (d) directing at least a portion of the second radiation portion to an ocular of the optical device for viewing by a user.
3 more elements
A method for acquiring a stereoscopic image of an object, comprising:
- providing an optical device, comprising at least a first lens, at least one imaging surface, and at least one ocular;
- configuring the optical device to operate in a first mode in which the following steps are performed:
- (i) passing image radiation, containing image information relating to the object, through the at least a first lens of an optical device;
- (ii) separating the image radiation into first and second radiation portions, wherein at least one of the following is true:
- (a) the first and second radiation portions traverse different optical paths and (b) the first and second radiation portions have one or more differing characteristics;
- (iii) directing at least a portion of the first radiation portion to an imaging surface of an imaging device connected to the optical device;
- and
- (iv) directing at least a portion of the second radiation portion to an ocular of the optical device for viewing by a user wherein in the separating step the image radiation is contacted with at least one of a reflective and refractive surface;
- configuring the device to operate in a second different mode in which the following steps are performed:
- (i) passing the image radiation, containing image information relating to the object, through the at least a first lens of the optical device;
- (ii) directing image radiation to the at least one ocular;
- and
- (iii) not directing image radiation to the imaging surface.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.