# US 7,746,567 B2 · Image pickup apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,746,567 B2
- Document ID: US7746567B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/391,786
- Filed: 2009-02-24
- Published: 2009-09-10
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2008-03-06
- Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Takashi Toyoda; Yoshizumi Nakao; Yoshimasa Imahori
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746567B2

## CPC

- H04N 25/41: {Extracting pixel data from a plurality of image sensors simultaneously picking up an image, e.g. for increasing the field of view by combining the outputs of a plurality of sensors}
- G02B 5/04: Prisms
- G02B 13/06: Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" {including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An image pickup apparatus includes a first lens for converging light incident thereto through a first field area, a first prism to which light is incident through a second field area at a right of the first field area, a second lens for converging the light emitted from the first prism, a second prism to which light is incident through a third field area at a left of the first field area, and a third lens for converging the light emitted from the second prism. The respective lenses are placed at areas corresponding to the vertices of a triangle in a front view.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image pickup apparatus comprising a first lens for converging light incident thereto through a first area, the image pickup apparatus further comprising:
a first optical-path changing member to which light is incident through a second area at a right of the first area;
a second lens for converging the light emitted from the first optical-path changing member;
a second optical-path changing member to which light is incident through a third area at a left of the first area; and
a third lens for converging the light emitted from the second optical-path changing member;
wherein the first lens, the second lens and the third lens are placed at areas corresponding to the vertices of a triangle in a front view.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first lens is placed such that a distance from the first lens to the second lens is substantially equal to a distance from the first lens to the third lens, and
a line connecting the first lens and the second lens and a line connecting the first lens and the third lens form substantially the same angle to a line connecting the second lens and the third lens.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an image pickup device to which light is incident through the first, second and third lenses; and
a light shielding member provided between the first, second and third lenses and the image pickup device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first optical-path changing member is provided at an area corresponding to the second lens, and
the second optical-path changing member is provided at an area corresponding to the third lens.