# US 7,609,289 B2 · Methods and apparatus for capturing images with a multi-image lens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,289 B2 - Document ID: US7609289B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/950,240 - Filed: 2004-09-27 - Published: 2005-08-04 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-25 - Assignees: Omnitek Partners LLC - Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar; Robert S. Smeza - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609289B2 ## CPC - G02B 13/06: Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" {including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces} - G02B 27/1066: {for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view} - H04N 13/218: using spatial multiplexing - H04N 23/58: Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An apparatus for imaging a scene is provided. The apparatus including: a charged coupled device (CCD) in optical communication with the scene along an optical path; a multi-image lens disposed in the optical path, the multi-image lens having two or more facets, each facet transmitting an image of the scene to the CCD; and a device which isolates one of the images from each of the two or more facets, such that only the isolated image is incident upon the image capturing means at any instant. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for imaging objects, the apparatus comprising: a multi-image lens having two or more facets, each facet imaging the objects along a different optical axis; an image capturing means in optical communication with the different optical axes for capturing the imaged objects from each of the two or more facets; and means for sequentially isolating one of the images from each of the two or more facets of the multi-image lens, such that only the isolated image is incident upon the image capturing means; wherein the means for sequentially isolating one of the images from each of the two or more facets of the multi-image lens comprises: an electrochromic shutter associated with each of the two or more facets; and a processor for sequentially closing all but one of the electrochromic shutters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-image lens is a biprism having two facets on one side thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-image lens has five facets on one side thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image capturing means is a charged coupled device (CCD). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor for processing each of the isolated images to construct a video image of the objects. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor for processing each of the isolated images to determine depth measurements for the objects. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor further generates a three-dimensional rendering of the objects from the determined depth measurements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-image lens is a unitary lens. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-image lens comprises a plurality of lens. ### Claim 10 A method for imaging objects, the method comprising: imaging the objects along at least two different optical axes; sequentially isolating images of the objects from each of the optical axes; and capturing each of the isolated images of the objects; wherein the sequentially isolating images from each of the optical axes comprises: providing an electrochromic shutter associated with each of the optical axes; and sequentially closing all but one of the electrochromic shutters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising processing each of the isolated images to construct a wide field of view image of the objects. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising processing each of the isolated images to construct a video image of the objects. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising processing each of the isolated images to determine depth measurements for the objects. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the processing further generates a three-dimensional rendering of the objects from the determined depth measurements. ### Claim 15 An apparatus for imaging a scene, the apparatus comprising: a charged coupled device (CCD) in optical communication with the scene along an optical path; a multi-image lens disposed in the optical path, the multi-image lens having two or more facets, each facet transmitting an image of the scene to the CCD; and a device which isolates one of the images from each of the two or more facets, such that only the isolated image is incident upon the image capturing means at any instant; wherein the device comprises: an electrochromic shutter associated with each of the two or more facets; and a processor for sequentially closing all but one of the electrochromic shutters. ### Claim 16 An endoscope comprising: a multi-image lens having two or more facets, each facet imaging the objects along a different optical axis; an image capturing means in optical communication with the different optical axes for capturing the imaged objects from each of the two or more facets; and means for sequentially isolating one of the images from each of the two or more facets of the multi-image lens, such that only the isolated image is incident upon the image capturing means; wherein the means for sequentially isolating one of the images from each of the two or more facets of the multi-image lens comprises: an electrochromic shutter associated with each of the two or more facets; and a processor for sequentially closing all but one of the electrochromic shutters. ### Claim 17 An endoscope comprising: a charged coupled device (CCD) in optical communication with a scene along an optical path; a multi-image lens disposed in the optical path, the multi-image lens having two or more facets, each facet transmitting an image of the scene to the CCD; and a device which isolates one of the images from each of the two or more facets, such that only the isolated image is incident upon the image capturing means at any instant; wherein the device comprises: an electrochromic shutter associated with each of the two or more facets; and a processor for sequentially closing all but one of the electrochromic shutters.