US20020034020A1 - Panoramic imaging arrangement - Google Patents
Panoramic imaging arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020034020A1 US20020034020A1 US09/999,282 US99928201A US2002034020A1 US 20020034020 A1 US20020034020 A1 US 20020034020A1 US 99928201 A US99928201 A US 99928201A US 2002034020 A1 US2002034020 A1 US 2002034020A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light
- reflective surface
- panoramic
- lens block
- lens
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 claims description 26
- 201000009310 astigmatism Diseases 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005856 abnormality Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B13/00—Optical objectives specially designed for the purposes specified below
- G02B13/06—Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B17/00—Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
- G02B17/08—Catadioptric systems
- G02B17/0896—Catadioptric systems with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B37/00—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
-
- G06T3/12—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
- G08B13/19626—Surveillance camera constructional details optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
- G08B13/19626—Surveillance camera constructional details optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses
- G08B13/19628—Surveillance camera constructional details optical details, e.g. lenses, mirrors or multiple lenses of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
- G08B13/1963—Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19678—User interface
- G08B13/19682—Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
- H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
- H04N5/2628—Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
Definitions
- This invention relates to a panoramic imaging arrangement of the kind capable of capturing, focusing, correcting aberrations and otherwise manipulating light received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and to a method of capturing a 360° surrounding panoramic scene.
- Panoramic imaging arrangements have become popular in recent years for purposes of viewing 360° surrounding panoramic scenes. Older generations of panoramic imaging arrangements generally consisted of revolving periscope-like constructions having relatively complex mechanisms for revolving them. More recently, stationary panoramic imaging arrangements have been developed.
- a stationary panoramic imaging arrangement generally has one or more lenses, each having a vertically extending axis of revolution, which are used to refract or reflect light received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene. The lenses alter the direction of the light, whereafter the light passes through a series of lenses which are located vertically one above the other and which further manipulate the light by, for example, focusing the light or altering the intensity of the light.
- a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent lens.
- the convex reflective surface has a substantially vertical axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation.
- the transparent lens has a convex outer surface and covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface.
- An additional advantage is that a convex cover introduces fewer aberrations and internal reflections.
- the convex reflective surface may, for ease of fabrication, be substantially spherical.
- the transparent component may, for ease of fabrication, have a spherical outer surface thorough which light from the panoramic scene passes before reaching the convex reflective surface.
- the panoramic imaging arrangement may include a second lens block secured to the first lens block. Light, reflected by the convex reflective surface, may pass through the transparent component, whereafter the light may pass through the second lens block.
- the second lens block provides a way for the first lens block to be held without obscuring its field of view.
- the convex reflective surface is preferably capable of receiving light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60° in a vertical plane, from the panoramic scene, and reflecting the light so as to pass through the second lens block.
- the included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- the panoramic imaging arrangement is therefore capable of capturing more than just a hemispherical scene.
- the angle below the horizon is preferably at least 30° below the horizon and the angle above the horizon is preferably at least 30° above the horizon.
- a transparent optical cement may be located between the first and second lens blocks and secure the first and second lens blocks to one another.
- a panoramic imaging arrangement which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component.
- the convex reflective surface has a substantially vertical axis of revolution.
- the convex reflective surface is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene for an unbroken included angle, in a vertical plane extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- the convex reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light for further manipulation.
- the transparent component covers the reflective surface.
- a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising at least one lens having a substantially vertical axis of revolution and a convex spherical reflective surface capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene and reflecting the light received from the panoramic scene. Reflective surfaces cause less aberrations in color, convex reflective lenses require less power, and spherical lenses are easier to manufacture.
- Apparatus is preferably provided which is positioned to receive light reflected by the convex spherical reflective surface and is capable of correcting at least one aberration of the light.
- the apparatus preferably manipulates the light so as to correct astigmatism, so as to do color correction, to focus the light, to adjust f-theta closer to a desired level, or so as to create a flat image plane when the light is focused.
- the convex spherical reflective surface is preferably capable of receiving light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, whereafter the light from the entire included angle is received by the manipulation apparatus.
- the included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- a panoramic imaging arrangement comprising at least one lens, and light manipulation apparatus.
- the lens has a substantially vertical axis of revolution.
- the lens is also capable of receiving light from a 360° panoramic scene surrounding the lens for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- the lens is further capable of altering the direction of the light received from the panoramic scene.
- the light manipulation apparatus is positioned and capable of receiving light from the lens for the entire included angle.
- the lens preferably has a spherical surface altering the direction of the light.
- the lens may have a reflective surface which reflects the light.
- the reflective surface may be convex and is preferably spherical.
- apparatus for capturing a panoramic scene.
- the apparatus comprises a vertical support structure, lower and upper lens blocks, and a convex reflective surface.
- the lower lens block is secured to an upper end of the support structure.
- the upper lens block is secured to the lower lens block in a position above the lower lens block and has a convex outer surface having a substantially vertical axis of revolution.
- the convex reflective surface is located on the upper lens block. Light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene is capable of passing through the convex outer surface of the upper lens block into the upper lens block, the light is then reflected off the convex reflective surface, and the light then passes through the upper lens block and then through the lower lens block. In such an apparatus there is little obscuring of the panoramic view by the support structure.
- the apparatus for capturing the panoramic scene preferably includes a system of lenses positioned below the lower lens block to receive light after passing through the lower lens block.
- a method is provided of mounting a panoramic lens arrangement including a first lens block which includes a convex reflective surface having a substantially vertical axis of revolution, and a transparent component covering the reflective surface, and a second lens block located on the first lens block.
- the method includes the step of securing the second lens block to a support structure in a position so that light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene passes through the transparent component, whereafter the light is reflected by the convex reflective surface, whereafter the light passes through the second block.
- a method of capturing a panoramic scene is provided.
- Light, received from a 360° panoramic scene surrounding a convex spherical reflective surface is reflected from the convex spherical reflective surface.
- the light reflected from the convex spherical reflective surface may then be corrected for at least one characteristic of the light, the characteristic being selected from the group consisting of: astigmatism; color; f-theta and image flatness.
- the convex spherical reflective surface preferably receives light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, whereafter the light from the entire included angle is corrected.
- the included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- another method of capturing a panoramic scene is provided.
- Light is received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene for an unbroken included angle of at least 60° extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- the direction of the light received from the panoramic scene is then altered.
- at least one characteristic of the light is corrected, the characteristic being selected from the group consisting of: astigmatism; color; f-theta; and image flatness.
- FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention, for viewing in a panoramic scene
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of first and second lens blocks forming part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates apparatus 10 , according to an embodiment of the invention, for capturing a panoramic scene.
- the apparatus 10 includes a vertically extending support structure 12 , and a panoramic imaging arrangement 14 which is secured to an upper end 16 of the support structure 12 .
- the support structure 12 may be any device having an upper end 16 which is high enough for purposes of providing a viewpoint of a panoramic scene.
- the support structure 12 may, for example, be a vertically extending post, a tripod stand, or may form part of building structure.
- the panoramic imaging arrangement 14 includes a first, upper lens block 18 , a second, lower lens block 20 , and apparatus 22 , positioned below the second lens block 20 , for manipulating light so as to correct certain aberrations of the light and to focus the light (hereinafter generally referred to as the “light manipulation apparatus 22 ”).
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the first and second lens blocks 18 and 20 .
- the first lens block 18 includes a transparent component or refractive lens 24 which has a substantially spherical convex outer and lower surface 26 , and a substantially spherical concave inner and upper surface 28 . Center points of the convex outer surface 26 and the concave inner surface 28 of the transparent lens 24 substantially coincide with one another.
- the concave inner surface 28 is covered with a thin layer of reflective material 30 .
- a substantially spherical convex reflective surface 32 (sometimes generally referred to herein as a “convex reflective lens”) is provided against the transparent lens 24 .
- the transparent lens 24 so covers the convex reflective surface 32 , thereby providing a shield protecting the convex reflective surface 32 against environmental conditions which may otherwise cause damage to the convex reflective surface 32 .
- the convex outer surface 26 of the transparent lens 24 and the convex reflective surface 32 have a common, substantially vertical axis of revolution 34 .
- the second lens block 20 is made out of cylindrical transparent material.
- An upper end 36 of the second lens block 20 has a substantially spherical concave surface which conforms with the convex outer surface 26 of the transparent lens 24 .
- the transparent lens 24 and the second lens block 20 are secured to one another be means of a transparent optical cement (not shown) which is located between the upper end 36 of the second lens block 20 and the convex outer surface 26 of the transparent lens 24 .
- Transparent optical cements of the above kind are known in the art.
- the light manipulation apparatus 22 includes a system of lenses 38 , image capturing apparatus 40 , and digital image corrector 42 .
- the system of lenses 38 includes a first set of lenses 44 , a second set of lenses 46 , and a third set of lenses 48 .
- the lenses work together to correct aberrations of light.
- the first set of lenses 44 is designed and configured to reduce astigmatism
- the second set of lenses 46 for doing color correction
- the third set lenses 48 for creating an image of suitable scale and for fine-tuning certain other system aberration as will further be discussed herein.
- One skilled in the art of optics will appreciate that the respective sets of lenses 44 , 46 , and 48 are of conventional kind although their collective effect may be unique in completing the present embodiment. Further details of such lenses may be found in a handbook on modern optics such as in “Modern Optical Engineering” by Warren J. Smith (McGraw Hill, Inc.; 1990).
- the panoramic imaging arrangement 14 is secured to the upper end 16 of the support structure 12 by mounting the second lens block 20 directly to the upper end 16 of the support structure 12 . No metal or other components are therefore secured to the first lens block 18 .
- the lens blocks 18 and 20 are mounted to the support structure 12 so that light from the panoramic scene is capable of passing over the upper end 16 of the support structure 12 , i.e., without the support structure obscuring light from the panoramic scene.
- the light then passes through the transparent optical cement located between the first and second lens blocks 18 and 20 , whereafter the light enters the second lens block 20 through the upper end 36 thereof.
- the second lens block 20 has a diameter which is sufficiently wide so that light from the entire included angle 52 , after being reflected by the convex reflective surface 32 , enters the second lens block 20 thorough its upper end 36 .
- the light then travels through the second lens block 20 and exits the second lens block through a lower end 60 thereof.
- the cylindrical outer surface of the second lens block 20 is typically covered to prevent light from entering into the second lens block 20 in a sideways direction. This may be accomplished with the upper end 16 of the support structure shown in FIG. 2.
- f-theta is indicative of how much compression of view occurs in a vertical direction of an image view, resulting in more vertical compression in one area of the image view than in another area of the image view.
- Values of f-theta are expressed as fractions of 1 so that a value of f-theta approaching 1 would be indicative of more uniform compression, and a value of f-theta which is a smaller fraction of 1 would be indicative of more non-uniform compression.
- These aberrations occur even though a reflective surface 32 is used which causes less aberrations in color than a refractive surface would and even though the transparent lens 24 has a convex outer surface 26 which assists greatly in reducing aberrations.
- the light manipulation apparatus 22 functions to correct or at least to reduce these aberrations.
- the first set of lenses 44 is positioned so that light from the second lens block 20 passes through the first set of lenses 44 .
- the first set of lenses 44 then generally corrects or at least reduces astigmatism of the light to an acceptable level.
- the second set of lenses 46 is positioned to receive the light, after passing through the first set of lenses 44 , and generally functions so as to do color correction of the light.
- the third set of lenses 48 is positioned to receive light, after passing through the second set of lenses 46 , and generally functions to reduce the effect of compression so that the value f-theta is adjusted closer to 1, typically to a value above 0.5.
- the third set of lenses 48 also functions to flatten the image plane and focus the image on the image capturing apparatus 40 .
- the image capturing apparatus 40 may, for example, be a digital detection array capable of capturing the image projected by the panoramic imaging arrangement 14 . Certain aberrations may still exist, even after the light passes through the system of lenses 38 . For example, the value of f-theta, although adjusted to be closer to 1, may still be somewhat below 1.
- the digital image corrector 42 is coupled to the image capturing apparatus so as to receive the image captured by the image capturing apparatus 40 .
- the digital image corrector 42 is capable of adjusting the image so as to correct for certain, still existing aberrations.
- the digital image corrector 42 may adjust f-theta so as to be closer or substantially equal to 1.
- the digital image corrector 42 typically has a processor and memory with an executable program which corrects the aberrations in the light referred to.
- one unique feature is that a substantially spherical convex reflective surface 32 is used which is protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the reflective surface 32 .
- Reflective lenses generally have the advantage that they reflect light with little or no aberrations in color of the reflected light and convex reflective lenses have the added advantage that they require less power than, for example, concave reflective lenses.
- the panoramic imaging arrangement 14 can be mounted to the support structure 12 in a manner wherein the support structure 12 does not obscure light from a panoramic view from reaching the first lens block 18 .
- a further advantage of the invention is that lenses having substantially spherical surfaces are used. Spherical surfaces are easier to manufacture than paraboloidal, hyperboloidal, ellipsoidal or other aspheric surfaces and are therefore less expensive to manufacture.
- a relatively large included angle 52 can be received which extends from a relatively large angle 54 below the horizon to a relatively large angle 56 above the horizon.
- spherical surfaces are used, at least one of which having a reflective surface, and regardless of the choice of angles 52 , 54 , and 56 , a final image is created which is corrected for astigmatism and color, which is flattened, and in which the value of f-theta is controlled.
Abstract
Description
- This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/137,660 filed Aug. 20, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. ______ that is a is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/872,525 filed Jun. 11, 1997 (pending) which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/020,292 filed Jun. 24, 1996.
- 1). Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a panoramic imaging arrangement of the kind capable of capturing, focusing, correcting aberrations and otherwise manipulating light received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and to a method of capturing a 360° surrounding panoramic scene.
- 2). Discussion of Related Art
- Panoramic imaging arrangements have become popular in recent years for purposes of viewing 360° surrounding panoramic scenes. Older generations of panoramic imaging arrangements generally consisted of revolving periscope-like constructions having relatively complex mechanisms for revolving them. More recently, stationary panoramic imaging arrangements have been developed. A stationary panoramic imaging arrangement generally has one or more lenses, each having a vertically extending axis of revolution, which are used to refract or reflect light received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene. The lenses alter the direction of the light, whereafter the light passes through a series of lenses which are located vertically one above the other and which further manipulate the light by, for example, focusing the light or altering the intensity of the light.
- The task of receiving light in a sideways direction and altering the direction of the light so that the light then proceeds in a vertical direction is a difficult one. Altering the direction of light to such a degree, especially when coming from a 360° surrounding scene, oftentimes leads to aberrations in the resulting light. These aberrations may include astigmatism of the light, defects in color of the light, a loss of image plane flatness, and other defects, some of which are discussed in more detail herein below.
- Relatively complex lenses and lens arrangements have been developed in order to overcome these aberrations. Some of these lenses have surfaces which are aspherical (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,474 issued to Powell). Aspherical lenses are difficult to manufacture and therefore less practical to manufacture than for example spherical lenses.
- One reason why aberrations in light occur is due to the use of refractive lenses instead of reflective lenses. The use of refractive lenses results in aberrations in color of the resulting light, whereas the use of reflective, or mirror lenses does not result in, or cause minimal aberrations in color of the light reflected from them. One reason for the lack of the use of reflective lenses, on the other hand, is that reflective lenses, when exposed to the environment, degrade through time, resulting in loss of image.
- These and other aberrations in light are more prominent when light is received from a panoramic view at a relatively large lateral included angle, particularly if the included angle, in a vertical plane, is larger than 90° and especially if the included angle extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon, i.e. covering substantially more than a hemisphere.
- According to one aspect of the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided comprising at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent lens. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertical axis of revolution and is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene, and reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent lens has a convex outer surface and covers the convex reflective surface. The convex reflective surface is thereby protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to the convex reflective surface. An additional advantage is that a convex cover introduces fewer aberrations and internal reflections.
- The convex reflective surface may, for ease of fabrication, be substantially spherical.
- The transparent component may, for ease of fabrication, have a spherical outer surface thorough which light from the panoramic scene passes before reaching the convex reflective surface.
- The panoramic imaging arrangement may include a second lens block secured to the first lens block. Light, reflected by the convex reflective surface, may pass through the transparent component, whereafter the light may pass through the second lens block. The second lens block provides a way for the first lens block to be held without obscuring its field of view.
- The convex reflective surface is preferably capable of receiving light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60° in a vertical plane, from the panoramic scene, and reflecting the light so as to pass through the second lens block.
- The included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon. The panoramic imaging arrangement is therefore capable of capturing more than just a hemispherical scene. The angle below the horizon is preferably at least 30° below the horizon and the angle above the horizon is preferably at least 30° above the horizon.
- A transparent optical cement may be located between the first and second lens blocks and secure the first and second lens blocks to one another.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided which includes at least a first lens block including a convex reflective surface and a transparent component. The convex reflective surface has a substantially vertical axis of revolution. The convex reflective surface is capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene for an unbroken included angle, in a vertical plane extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon. The convex reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light for further manipulation. The transparent component covers the reflective surface.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided comprising at least one lens having a substantially vertical axis of revolution and a convex spherical reflective surface capable of receiving light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene and reflecting the light received from the panoramic scene. Reflective surfaces cause less aberrations in color, convex reflective lenses require less power, and spherical lenses are easier to manufacture.
- Apparatus is preferably provided which is positioned to receive light reflected by the convex spherical reflective surface and is capable of correcting at least one aberration of the light.
- The apparatus preferably manipulates the light so as to correct astigmatism, so as to do color correction, to focus the light, to adjust f-theta closer to a desired level, or so as to create a flat image plane when the light is focused.
- The convex spherical reflective surface is preferably capable of receiving light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, whereafter the light from the entire included angle is received by the manipulation apparatus.
- The included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, a panoramic imaging arrangement is provided comprising at least one lens, and light manipulation apparatus. The lens has a substantially vertical axis of revolution. The lens is also capable of receiving light from a 360° panoramic scene surrounding the lens for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon. The lens is further capable of altering the direction of the light received from the panoramic scene. The light manipulation apparatus is positioned and capable of receiving light from the lens for the entire included angle. One advantage of such a lens is that a relatively large included angle, extending from below to above the horizon, can be viewed.
- The lens preferably has a spherical surface altering the direction of the light.
- The lens may have a reflective surface which reflects the light. The reflective surface may be convex and is preferably spherical.
- According to yet a further aspect of the invention, apparatus is provided for capturing a panoramic scene. The apparatus comprises a vertical support structure, lower and upper lens blocks, and a convex reflective surface. The lower lens block is secured to an upper end of the support structure. The upper lens block is secured to the lower lens block in a position above the lower lens block and has a convex outer surface having a substantially vertical axis of revolution. The convex reflective surface is located on the upper lens block. Light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene is capable of passing through the convex outer surface of the upper lens block into the upper lens block, the light is then reflected off the convex reflective surface, and the light then passes through the upper lens block and then through the lower lens block. In such an apparatus there is little obscuring of the panoramic view by the support structure.
- The apparatus for capturing the panoramic scene preferably includes a system of lenses positioned below the lower lens block to receive light after passing through the lower lens block.
- According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided of mounting a panoramic lens arrangement including a first lens block which includes a convex reflective surface having a substantially vertical axis of revolution, and a transparent component covering the reflective surface, and a second lens block located on the first lens block. The method includes the step of securing the second lens block to a support structure in a position so that light from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene passes through the transparent component, whereafter the light is reflected by the convex reflective surface, whereafter the light passes through the second block.
- According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a method of capturing a panoramic scene is provided. Light, received from a 360° panoramic scene surrounding a convex spherical reflective surface, is reflected from the convex spherical reflective surface. The light reflected from the convex spherical reflective surface may then be corrected for at least one characteristic of the light, the characteristic being selected from the group consisting of: astigmatism; color; f-theta and image flatness.
- The convex spherical reflective surface preferably receives light for an unbroken included angle of at least 60°, in a vertical plane, whereafter the light from the entire included angle is corrected.
- The included angle preferably extends from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon.
- According to yet a further aspect of the invention another method of capturing a panoramic scene is provided. Light is received from a 360° surrounding panoramic scene for an unbroken included angle of at least 60° extending from an angle below the horizon to an angle above the horizon. The direction of the light received from the panoramic scene is then altered. After the direction of the light is altered, at least one characteristic of the light is corrected, the characteristic being selected from the group consisting of: astigmatism; color; f-theta; and image flatness.
- The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention, for viewing in a panoramic scene; and
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of first and second lens blocks forming part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates
apparatus 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, for capturing a panoramic scene. Theapparatus 10 includes a vertically extendingsupport structure 12, and apanoramic imaging arrangement 14 which is secured to anupper end 16 of thesupport structure 12. - The
support structure 12 may be any device having anupper end 16 which is high enough for purposes of providing a viewpoint of a panoramic scene. Thesupport structure 12 may, for example, be a vertically extending post, a tripod stand, or may form part of building structure. - The
panoramic imaging arrangement 14 includes a first,upper lens block 18, a second,lower lens block 20, andapparatus 22, positioned below thesecond lens block 20, for manipulating light so as to correct certain aberrations of the light and to focus the light (hereinafter generally referred to as the “light manipulation apparatus 22”). - FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the first and second lens blocks18 and 20.
- The
first lens block 18 includes a transparent component orrefractive lens 24 which has a substantially spherical convex outer andlower surface 26, and a substantially spherical concave inner andupper surface 28. Center points of the convexouter surface 26 and the concaveinner surface 28 of thetransparent lens 24 substantially coincide with one another. - The concave
inner surface 28 is covered with a thin layer ofreflective material 30. After thereflective material 30 is deposited, a substantially spherical convex reflective surface 32 (sometimes generally referred to herein as a “convex reflective lens”) is provided against thetransparent lens 24. Thetransparent lens 24 so covers the convexreflective surface 32, thereby providing a shield protecting the convexreflective surface 32 against environmental conditions which may otherwise cause damage to the convexreflective surface 32. - The convex
outer surface 26 of thetransparent lens 24 and the convexreflective surface 32 have a common, substantially vertical axis ofrevolution 34. Thesecond lens block 20 is made out of cylindrical transparent material. Anupper end 36 of thesecond lens block 20 has a substantially spherical concave surface which conforms with the convexouter surface 26 of thetransparent lens 24. - The
transparent lens 24 and thesecond lens block 20 are secured to one another be means of a transparent optical cement (not shown) which is located between theupper end 36 of thesecond lens block 20 and the convexouter surface 26 of thetransparent lens 24. Transparent optical cements of the above kind are known in the art. - Referring again to FIG. 1, the
light manipulation apparatus 22 includes a system oflenses 38,image capturing apparatus 40, anddigital image corrector 42. - The system of
lenses 38 includes a first set oflenses 44, a second set oflenses 46, and a third set oflenses 48. The lenses work together to correct aberrations of light. Generally speaking the first set oflenses 44 is designed and configured to reduce astigmatism, the second set oflenses 46 for doing color correction, and thethird set lenses 48 for creating an image of suitable scale and for fine-tuning certain other system aberration as will further be discussed herein. One skilled in the art of optics will appreciate that the respective sets oflenses - The
panoramic imaging arrangement 14 is secured to theupper end 16 of thesupport structure 12 by mounting thesecond lens block 20 directly to theupper end 16 of thesupport structure 12. No metal or other components are therefore secured to thefirst lens block 18. - In use, light is received laterally from a 360° panoramic scene surrounding the first lens block18 (see FIG. 2). Light from the panoramic scene enters the convex
outer surface 26 of thetransparent lens 24 of thefirst lens block 18 for an unbroken and continuous includedangle 52 located in a vertical plane. The included angle is about 105° covering more than a hemisphere and extends from anangle 54 which is about 55° below the horizon to anangle 56 which about 40° above the horizon. (The includedangle 52 is therefore at least 60° and preferably at least 90°, and theangles - It should be noted that the lens blocks18 and 20 are mounted to the
support structure 12 so that light from the panoramic scene is capable of passing over theupper end 16 of thesupport structure 12, i.e., without the support structure obscuring light from the panoramic scene. - Light from the panoramic scene is refracted slightly upwardly when entering the
transparent lens 24. The light then travels through thetransparent lens 24 and is reflected downwardly from the convexreflective surface 32. The light then passes downwardly through thetransparent lens 24 and exits thetransparent lens 24 downwardly through the convexouter surface 26. - The light then passes through the transparent optical cement located between the first and second lens blocks18 and 20, whereafter the light enters the
second lens block 20 through theupper end 36 thereof. Thesecond lens block 20 has a diameter which is sufficiently wide so that light from the entire includedangle 52, after being reflected by the convexreflective surface 32, enters thesecond lens block 20 thorough itsupper end 36. The light then travels through thesecond lens block 20 and exits the second lens block through alower end 60 thereof. Although not shown in particular detail in the figures, the cylindrical outer surface of thesecond lens block 20 is typically covered to prevent light from entering into thesecond lens block 20 in a sideways direction. This may be accomplished with theupper end 16 of the support structure shown in FIG. 2. - Should an attempt be made to focus the light after leaving the
second lens block 20, certain aberrations would be noticed. These aberrations include astigmatism, abnormality in color, lack of image plane flatness, and a value of f-theta which is less than 1. The value f-theta is indicative of how much compression of view occurs in a vertical direction of an image view, resulting in more vertical compression in one area of the image view than in another area of the image view. Values of f-theta are expressed as fractions of 1 so that a value of f-theta approaching 1 would be indicative of more uniform compression, and a value of f-theta which is a smaller fraction of 1 would be indicative of more non-uniform compression. - A number of factors, alone and in combination, contribute to these aberrations, including the relatively large width of the included
angle 52, the relatively large inclination of theangle 54 below the horizon, the relatively high inclination of theangle 56 above the horizon, and the particular choice of lenses, including the choice of a substantially spherical convexouter surface 26 of thetransparent lens 24, and the substantially spherical convexreflective surface 32. These aberrations occur even though areflective surface 32 is used which causes less aberrations in color than a refractive surface would and even though thetransparent lens 24 has a convexouter surface 26 which assists greatly in reducing aberrations. - The light manipulation apparatus22 (see FIG. 1), however, functions to correct or at least to reduce these aberrations.
- In particular, the first set of
lenses 44 is positioned so that light from thesecond lens block 20 passes through the first set oflenses 44. The first set oflenses 44 then generally corrects or at least reduces astigmatism of the light to an acceptable level. - The second set of
lenses 46 is positioned to receive the light, after passing through the first set oflenses 44, and generally functions so as to do color correction of the light. - The third set of
lenses 48 is positioned to receive light, after passing through the second set oflenses 46, and generally functions to reduce the effect of compression so that the value f-theta is adjusted closer to 1, typically to a value above 0.5. The third set oflenses 48 also functions to flatten the image plane and focus the image on theimage capturing apparatus 40. - The
image capturing apparatus 40 may, for example, be a digital detection array capable of capturing the image projected by thepanoramic imaging arrangement 14. Certain aberrations may still exist, even after the light passes through the system oflenses 38. For example, the value of f-theta, although adjusted to be closer to 1, may still be somewhat below 1. - The
digital image corrector 42 is coupled to the image capturing apparatus so as to receive the image captured by theimage capturing apparatus 40. Thedigital image corrector 42 is capable of adjusting the image so as to correct for certain, still existing aberrations. For example, thedigital image corrector 42 may adjust f-theta so as to be closer or substantially equal to 1. One skilled in the art would appreciate that thedigital image corrector 42 typically has a processor and memory with an executable program which corrects the aberrations in the light referred to. - As mentioned previously, one unique feature is that a substantially spherical convex
reflective surface 32 is used which is protected from environmental conditions which may otherwise result in damage to thereflective surface 32. Reflective lenses generally have the advantage that they reflect light with little or no aberrations in color of the reflected light and convex reflective lenses have the added advantage that they require less power than, for example, concave reflective lenses. - It should also be evident from the aforegoing description that another advantage is that the
panoramic imaging arrangement 14 can be mounted to thesupport structure 12 in a manner wherein thesupport structure 12 does not obscure light from a panoramic view from reaching thefirst lens block 18. - A further advantage of the invention is that lenses having substantially spherical surfaces are used. Spherical surfaces are easier to manufacture than paraboloidal, hyperboloidal, ellipsoidal or other aspheric surfaces and are therefore less expensive to manufacture.
- Yet a further advantage is that a relatively large included
angle 52 can be received which extends from a relativelylarge angle 54 below the horizon to a relativelylarge angle 56 above the horizon. - Although spherical surfaces are used, at least one of which having a reflective surface, and regardless of the choice of
angles - While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/999,282 US6388820B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 2001-11-26 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US2029296P | 1996-06-24 | 1996-06-24 | |
US08/872,525 US6459451B2 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 1997-06-11 | Method and apparatus for a panoramic camera to capture a 360 degree image |
US09/137,660 US6373642B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 1998-08-20 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
US09/999,282 US6388820B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 2001-11-26 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/137,660 Division US6373642B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 1998-08-20 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020034020A1 true US20020034020A1 (en) | 2002-03-21 |
US6388820B1 US6388820B1 (en) | 2002-05-14 |
Family
ID=22478492
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/137,660 Expired - Lifetime US6373642B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 1998-08-20 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
US09/999,282 Expired - Lifetime US6388820B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 2001-11-26 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/137,660 Expired - Lifetime US6373642B1 (en) | 1996-06-24 | 1998-08-20 | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6373642B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1118035A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4342106B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU9666198A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000011512A1 (en) |
Cited By (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020196327A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2002-12-26 | Yong Rui | Automated video production system and method using expert video production rules for online publishing of lectures |
US20030234866A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2003-12-25 | Ross Cutler | System and method for camera color calibration and image stitching |
US20040001137A1 (en) * | 2002-06-27 | 2004-01-01 | Ross Cutler | Integrated design for omni-directional camera and microphone array |
US20040267521A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Ross Cutler | System and method for audio/video speaker detection |
US20040263646A1 (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2004-12-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Whiteboard view camera |
US20040263611A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Ross Cutler | Omni-directional camera design for video conferencing |
US20040263636A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for distributed meetings |
US20050046703A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-03-03 | Cutler Ross G. | Color calibration in photographic devices |
US20050117015A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2005-06-02 | Microsoft Corp. | Foveated panoramic camera system |
US20050117034A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-06-02 | Microsoft Corp. | Temperature compensation in multi-camera photographic devices |
US20050151837A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-07-14 | Microsoft Corp. | Minimizing dead zones in panoramic images |
US20050206659A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2005-09-22 | Microsoft Corporation | User interface for a system and method for head size equalization in 360 degree panoramic images |
US20050243168A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video using audio watermarking techniques |
US20050243166A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video |
US20050280700A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2005-12-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated online broadcasting system and method using an omni-directional camera system for viewing meetings over a computer network |
US20050285943A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-12-29 | Cutler Ross G | Automatic face extraction for use in recorded meetings timelines |
US20060023106A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Multi-view integrated camera system |
US20060023074A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Omni-directional camera with calibration and up look angle improvements |
US20060146177A1 (en) * | 2004-12-30 | 2006-07-06 | Microsoft Corp. | Camera lens shuttering mechanism |
US7184609B2 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2007-02-27 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for head size equalization in 360 degree panoramic images |
US20070058879A1 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2007-03-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Automatic detection of panoramic camera position and orientation table parameters |
US7260257B2 (en) | 2002-06-19 | 2007-08-21 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for whiteboard and audio capture |
US20070300165A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation, Corporation In The State Of Washington | User interface for sub-conferencing |
US20070299912A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation, Corporation In The State Of Washington | Panoramic video in a live meeting client |
US20070299710A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Full collaboration breakout rooms for conferencing |
US20080008458A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2008-01-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Interactive Recording and Playback for Network Conferencing |
US7355622B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2008-04-08 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video using delta frames |
US7525928B2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2009-04-28 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for discovery of network-connected devices at remote sites using audio-based discovery techniques |
US20100020202A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2010-01-28 | Opt Corporation | Camera apparatus, and image processing apparatus and image processing method |
CN104160317A (en) * | 2012-01-09 | 2014-11-19 | 眼见360股份有限公司 | Panoramic optical systems |
WO2016165644A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2016-10-20 | 博立码杰通讯(深圳)有限公司 | Panoramic image acquisition device |
CN106170082A (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2016-11-30 | 深圳市虚拟现实科技有限公司 | The remotely real-time comprehensive transmission of panoramic picture and display packing |
CN107817592A (en) * | 2017-11-09 | 2018-03-20 | 刘超 | A kind of external lens |
US10951859B2 (en) | 2018-05-30 | 2021-03-16 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Videoconferencing device and method |
CN112822359A (en) * | 2020-12-30 | 2021-05-18 | 山东大学 | Panoramic imaging system and method based on vehicle-mounted drilling and blasting tunnel |
Families Citing this family (56)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6373642B1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 2002-04-16 | Be Here Corporation | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
US6754614B1 (en) | 1999-02-25 | 2004-06-22 | Interscience, Inc. | Linearized static panoramic optical mirror |
JP3841621B2 (en) * | 2000-07-13 | 2006-11-01 | シャープ株式会社 | Omnidirectional visual sensor |
US20050030643A1 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2005-02-10 | Ehud Gal | Spherical view imaging apparatus and method |
JP3651844B2 (en) * | 2001-02-09 | 2005-05-25 | シャープ株式会社 | Imaging device and manufacturing method thereof |
US6856472B2 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2005-02-15 | Eyesee360, Inc. | Panoramic mirror and system for producing enhanced panoramic images |
KR100452754B1 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2004-10-12 | 주식회사세운메디칼상사 | Apparatus for inserting guide wire for use in catheter |
US20060201351A1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2006-09-14 | Gi View Ltd. | Self-propelled imaging system |
EP1440562A4 (en) * | 2001-09-18 | 2009-05-06 | Wave Group Ltd | Panoramic imaging system with optical zoom capability |
US7123777B2 (en) | 2001-09-27 | 2006-10-17 | Eyesee360, Inc. | System and method for panoramic imaging |
FR2835925A1 (en) * | 2002-02-11 | 2003-08-15 | Egg Solution Optronics | Correction device for panoramic image acquisition system comprises set of lenses so that rays coming from reflector and/or refractive device diverge towards whole of camera image capture element |
US7253969B2 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2007-08-07 | O.D.F. Medical Ltd. | Spherical and nearly spherical view imaging assembly |
FR2841000A1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-12-19 | Egg Solution Optronics | Wide angle photography/panoramic video lens connection system having object model same ray curvature reflector/refractor with trials finding lens correction parameters and lens model central axis revolved. |
IL150746A0 (en) | 2002-07-15 | 2003-02-12 | Odf Optronics Ltd | Optical lens providing omni-directional coverage and illumination |
IL152628A0 (en) * | 2002-11-04 | 2004-02-08 | Odf Optronics Ltd | Omni-directional imaging assembly |
US20040254424A1 (en) * | 2003-04-15 | 2004-12-16 | Interscience, Inc. | Integrated panoramic and forward view endoscope |
US7443807B2 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2008-10-28 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for discovery of network-connected devices |
US20050038318A1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2005-02-17 | Benad Goldwasser | Gastrointestinal tool over guidewire |
US20050036059A1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2005-02-17 | Benad Goldwasser | Ingestible imaging system |
US7833176B2 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2010-11-16 | G. I. View Ltd. | Pressure-propelled system for body lumen |
US7087011B2 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2006-08-08 | Gi View Ltd. | Gastrointestinal system with traction member |
US8419678B2 (en) | 2004-01-09 | 2013-04-16 | G.I. View Ltd. | Pressure-propelled system for body lumen |
US7635345B2 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2009-12-22 | G. I. View Ltd. | Pressure-propelled system for body lumen |
US7947013B2 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2011-05-24 | G.I. View Ltd. | Pressure-propelled system for body lumen |
US7635346B2 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2009-12-22 | G. I. View Ltd. | Pressure-propelled system for body lumen |
IL159977A0 (en) * | 2004-01-21 | 2004-09-27 | Odf Optronics Ltd | Ommi directional lens |
EP1765142A4 (en) | 2004-05-14 | 2007-10-10 | G I View Ltd | Omnidirectional and forward-looking imaging device |
JP4493466B2 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2010-06-30 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical system |
EP1835847B1 (en) * | 2005-01-06 | 2011-05-11 | G.I. View Ltd. | Gastrointestinal tool over guiding element |
CN101541227B (en) * | 2005-02-10 | 2013-06-05 | G.I.视频有限公司 | Advancement techniques for gastrointestinal tool with guiding element |
US7982777B2 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2011-07-19 | Axis Engineering Technologies, Inc. | Stereoscopic wide field of view imaging system |
JP4728034B2 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2011-07-20 | オリンパス株式会社 | Rotationally asymmetric optical system |
WO2006120690A2 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2006-11-16 | G.I. View Ltd. | Endoscopic measurement techniques |
US8430809B2 (en) * | 2005-08-01 | 2013-04-30 | G. I View Ltd. | Capsule for use in small intestine |
WO2007015240A2 (en) * | 2005-08-01 | 2007-02-08 | G.I. View Ltd. | Tools for use in small intestine |
WO2007015241A2 (en) * | 2005-08-01 | 2007-02-08 | G.I. View Ltd. | Tools for use in esophagus |
WO2008087646A2 (en) | 2007-01-17 | 2008-07-24 | G.I. View Ltd. | Diagnostic or treatment tool for colonoscopy |
JP5084331B2 (en) | 2007-04-09 | 2012-11-28 | オリンパス株式会社 | Observation optical system |
CN100456075C (en) * | 2007-04-24 | 2009-01-28 | 浙江大学 | Multi-sheet type panoramic looking-around imaging lens |
JP5030676B2 (en) * | 2007-06-12 | 2012-09-19 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical element, optical system including the same, and endoscope using the same |
CN101681013B (en) | 2007-06-12 | 2012-09-26 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Optical element, optical system, and endoscope using same |
JP5030675B2 (en) * | 2007-06-12 | 2012-09-19 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical system and endoscope using the same |
CN101688970B (en) * | 2007-07-09 | 2013-07-03 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Optical system and endoscope equipped with same |
JP5025354B2 (en) * | 2007-07-09 | 2012-09-12 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical element, optical system including the same, and endoscope using the same |
JP5201957B2 (en) * | 2007-11-21 | 2013-06-05 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device |
JP2011529369A (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2011-12-08 | ジー・アイ・ヴュー・リミテッド | System and method for improving operability |
AU2009321185B2 (en) | 2008-11-03 | 2014-05-01 | G.I. View Ltd | Remote pressure sensing system and method thereof |
JP4653834B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2011-03-16 | オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社 | Optical system |
JP4948612B2 (en) * | 2010-02-09 | 2012-06-06 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical system |
ITPD20110320A1 (en) | 2011-10-10 | 2013-04-11 | Visus S R L I | DEVICE FOR RECOVERY OF 360 ° PANORAMIC IMAGES |
CN104024911A (en) | 2012-01-03 | 2014-09-03 | 潘-维森有限责任公司 | Objective lens with hyper-hemispheric field of view |
ITVI20120004A1 (en) | 2012-01-03 | 2013-07-04 | Pan Vision S R L | OPTICAL DEVICE FOR OBTAINING A MAGNIFICATION OF A CERTAIN AREA OF A 360 ° PANORAMIC VIEWING FIELD AND RELATED OPTICAL SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR RECOVERY / PROJECTION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES |
WO2015081932A2 (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2015-06-11 | De Fries Reinhold | Multi-channel optical arrangement |
US20160077315A1 (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-17 | Remotereality Corporation | Compact panoramic camera: optical system, apparatus, image forming method |
DE102021133248B4 (en) | 2021-12-15 | 2023-06-29 | Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg | Endoscopy device and endoscopy system |
DE102021133252A1 (en) | 2021-12-15 | 2023-06-15 | Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg | Endoscopic Capsule |
Family Cites Families (155)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2304434A (en) | 1928-09-03 | 1942-12-08 | Ibm | Projecting device |
US2146662A (en) | 1936-09-05 | 1939-02-07 | Lieuwe E W Van Albada | Sighting instrument |
US2244235A (en) | 1938-09-03 | 1941-06-03 | Ibm | Cycloramic optical system |
US2628529A (en) | 1948-09-25 | 1953-02-17 | Lawrence E Braymer | Reflecting telescope with auxiliary optical system |
US2654286A (en) | 1950-07-14 | 1953-10-06 | Jorge M Cesar | Optical viewing device for night driving |
FR1234341A (en) | 1958-07-02 | 1960-10-17 | Additional lens for taking and projecting photographic views of moving and still subjects | |
US3170025A (en) * | 1961-06-07 | 1965-02-16 | Ino Yoshiyuki | Optical system for panoramic photographing |
US3205777A (en) | 1961-11-08 | 1965-09-14 | Brenner Arthur | Telescopic mounting for convex mirrors |
US3229576A (en) | 1962-11-21 | 1966-01-18 | Donald W Rees | Hyperbolic ellipsoidal real time display panoramic viewing installation for vehicles |
US3203328A (en) | 1963-02-21 | 1965-08-31 | Marquardt Corp | Full circumferential viewing system |
US3692934A (en) | 1971-02-11 | 1972-09-19 | Us Navy | Roll and pitch simulator utilizing 360{20 {0 display |
US3723805A (en) | 1971-05-12 | 1973-03-27 | Us Navy | Distortion correction system |
US3785715A (en) | 1972-05-17 | 1974-01-15 | Singer Co | Panoramic infinity image display |
US3832046A (en) | 1972-11-13 | 1974-08-27 | Singer Co | Panoramic projector and camera |
US3846809A (en) | 1973-10-18 | 1974-11-05 | G Troje | Reflectors and mounts for panoramic optical systems |
US3872238A (en) | 1974-03-11 | 1975-03-18 | Us Navy | 360 Degree panoramic television system |
CH589309A5 (en) | 1974-03-11 | 1977-06-30 | Infra Vision Ag | |
US4012126A (en) | 1974-04-08 | 1977-03-15 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Optical system for 360° annular image transfer |
US3998532A (en) | 1974-04-08 | 1976-12-21 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Wide angle single channel projection apparatus |
NL7406227A (en) | 1974-05-09 | 1975-11-11 | Stichting Internationaal Insti | DEVICE IN A VESSEL FOR RECORDING DATA OF AN OBJECT LOCATED OUTSIDE. |
US3934259A (en) | 1974-12-09 | 1976-01-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | All-sky camera apparatus for time-resolved lightning photography |
US4058831A (en) | 1976-09-08 | 1977-11-15 | Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc. | Panoramic camera scanning system |
US4078860A (en) | 1976-10-27 | 1978-03-14 | Globus Ronald P | Cycloramic image projection system |
GB1553525A (en) | 1976-10-30 | 1979-09-26 | Luknar A | Security system |
US4157218A (en) | 1977-04-14 | 1979-06-05 | The Perkin-Elmer Corporation | Wide angle scan camera |
US4241985A (en) | 1978-11-27 | 1980-12-30 | Globus Richard D | Panoramic camera |
USD263716S (en) | 1979-02-06 | 1982-04-06 | Globuscope, Inc. | Panoramic camera |
US4326775A (en) | 1979-02-07 | 1982-04-27 | King Don G | Method for operating a panoramic optical system |
GB2315944B (en) | 1979-05-16 | 1998-06-24 | British Aerospace | Improvements relating to surveillance apparatus |
EP0200282B1 (en) | 1980-04-11 | 1992-02-05 | Ampex Corporation | Transposing memory for an image transformation system |
US4395093A (en) | 1981-05-21 | 1983-07-26 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Lens system for panoramic imagery |
US4429957A (en) | 1981-07-30 | 1984-02-07 | King-Bell Optics, Inc. | Panoramic zoom lens assembly |
US4463380A (en) | 1981-09-25 | 1984-07-31 | Vought Corporation | Image processing system |
US4835532A (en) | 1982-07-30 | 1989-05-30 | Honeywell Inc. | Nonaliasing real-time spatial transform image processing system |
US4484801A (en) | 1982-09-20 | 1984-11-27 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Panoramic lens |
JPS59115677A (en) | 1982-12-22 | 1984-07-04 | Hitachi Ltd | Picture processor |
US4602857A (en) | 1982-12-23 | 1986-07-29 | James H. Carmel | Panoramic motion picture camera and method |
US4761641A (en) | 1983-01-21 | 1988-08-02 | Vidcom Rentservice B.V. | Information display system |
HU192125B (en) | 1983-02-08 | 1987-05-28 | Budapesti Mueszaki Egyetem | Block of forming image for centre theory projection adn reproduction of spaces |
US4518898A (en) | 1983-02-22 | 1985-05-21 | Image Graphics, Incorporated | Method and apparatus for correcting image distortions |
US4656506A (en) | 1983-02-25 | 1987-04-07 | Ritchey Kurtis J | Spherical projection system |
IT1195600B (en) | 1983-10-26 | 1988-10-19 | Ivo Rosset | DEVICE FOR MAKING PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHS WITH NORMAL USE CAMERA |
JPS60186967A (en) | 1984-03-05 | 1985-09-24 | Fanuc Ltd | Image display method |
US4578682A (en) | 1984-03-20 | 1986-03-25 | Raydx Satellite Systems, Ltd. | Antenna dish |
US4736436A (en) | 1984-04-13 | 1988-04-05 | Fujitsu Limited | Information extraction by mapping |
US4561733A (en) | 1984-04-17 | 1985-12-31 | Recon/Optical, Inc. | Panoramic unity vision system |
DE3422752A1 (en) | 1984-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | Krauss-Maffei AG, 8000 München | ELEVATIBLE OBSERVATION AND TARGET SYSTEM FOR COMBAT VEHICLES |
US4670648A (en) | 1985-03-06 | 1987-06-02 | University Of Cincinnati | Omnidirectional vision system for controllng mobile machines |
JPH0681275B2 (en) | 1985-04-03 | 1994-10-12 | ソニー株式会社 | Image converter |
GB2177278A (en) | 1985-07-05 | 1987-01-14 | Hunger Ibak H Gmbh & Co Kg | Variable sight line television camera |
GB2177871B (en) | 1985-07-09 | 1989-02-08 | Sony Corp | Methods of and circuits for video signal processing |
GB2185360B (en) | 1986-01-11 | 1989-10-25 | Pilkington Perkin Elmer Ltd | Display system |
GB2188205B (en) | 1986-03-20 | 1990-01-04 | Rank Xerox Ltd | Imaging apparatus |
US5038225A (en) | 1986-04-04 | 1991-08-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image reading apparatus with black-level and/or white level correction |
JP2515101B2 (en) | 1986-06-27 | 1996-07-10 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Video and audio space recording / playback method |
GB2194656B (en) | 1986-09-03 | 1991-10-09 | Ibm | Method and system for solid modelling |
US4807158A (en) | 1986-09-30 | 1989-02-21 | Daleco/Ivex Partners, Ltd. | Method and apparatus for sampling images to simulate movement within a multidimensional space |
US4728839A (en) | 1987-02-24 | 1988-03-01 | Remote Technology Corporation | Motorized pan/tilt head for remote control |
US4797942A (en) | 1987-03-02 | 1989-01-10 | General Electric | Pyramid processor for building large-area, high-resolution image by parts |
DE3712453A1 (en) | 1987-04-11 | 1988-10-20 | Wolf Gmbh Richard | WIDE-ANGLE LENS FOR ENDOSCOPES |
USD312263S (en) | 1987-08-03 | 1990-11-20 | Charles Jeffrey R | Wide angle reflector attachment for a camera or similar article |
JPS6446875A (en) | 1987-08-17 | 1989-02-21 | Toshiba Corp | Object discriminating device |
JPS6437174U (en) | 1987-08-28 | 1989-03-06 | ||
FR2620544B1 (en) | 1987-09-16 | 1994-02-11 | Commissariat A Energie Atomique | INTERPOLATION PROCESS |
JPH01101061A (en) | 1987-10-14 | 1989-04-19 | Canon Inc | Picture reader |
US4918473A (en) | 1988-03-02 | 1990-04-17 | Diamond Electronics, Inc. | Surveillance camera system |
US4945367A (en) | 1988-03-02 | 1990-07-31 | Blackshear David M | Surveillance camera system |
EP0342419B1 (en) | 1988-05-19 | 1992-10-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for the observation of a scene and apparatus therefor |
JP3138264B2 (en) | 1988-06-21 | 2001-02-26 | ソニー株式会社 | Image processing method and apparatus |
US5083389A (en) | 1988-07-15 | 1992-01-28 | Arthur Alperin | Panoramic display device and method of making the same |
US4864335A (en) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-09-05 | Corrales Richard C | Panoramic camera |
JPH0286266A (en) | 1988-09-21 | 1990-03-27 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Picture reader |
US5157491A (en) | 1988-10-17 | 1992-10-20 | Kassatly L Samuel A | Method and apparatus for video broadcasting and teleconferencing |
US4899293A (en) | 1988-10-24 | 1990-02-06 | Honeywell Inc. | Method of storage and retrieval of digital map data based upon a tessellated geoid system |
US5040055A (en) | 1988-12-14 | 1991-08-13 | Horizonscan Inc. | Panoramic interactive system |
GB8829135D0 (en) | 1988-12-14 | 1989-01-25 | Smith Graham T | Panoramic interactive system |
US5153716A (en) | 1988-12-14 | 1992-10-06 | Horizonscan Inc. | Panoramic interactive system |
US4943821A (en) | 1989-01-23 | 1990-07-24 | Janet Louise Gelphman | Topological panorama camera |
US4991020A (en) | 1989-02-17 | 1991-02-05 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Imaging system for providing separate simultaneous real time images from a singel image sensor |
US4943851A (en) | 1989-03-07 | 1990-07-24 | Gold Stake | 360 degree viewing system having a liquid crystal display screen encircling a rotatable projection screen |
US4901140A (en) | 1989-03-07 | 1990-02-13 | Gold Stake | Solid state 360 degree viewing system having a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that encircles the rotating real image in space and functions as a multi-color filter system |
US5067019A (en) | 1989-03-31 | 1991-11-19 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Programmable remapper for image processing |
NL8900867A (en) | 1989-04-07 | 1990-11-01 | Theo Jogchum Poelstra | A SYSTEM OF "IMAGETRY" FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF DIGITAL, 3D TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION. |
JPH0378373A (en) | 1989-08-22 | 1991-04-03 | Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd | Television camera operating device |
US5175808A (en) | 1989-09-12 | 1992-12-29 | Pixar | Method and apparatus for non-affine image warping |
US5023725A (en) | 1989-10-23 | 1991-06-11 | Mccutchen David | Method and apparatus for dodecahedral imaging system |
US5115266A (en) | 1989-11-08 | 1992-05-19 | Troje Gerald J | Optical system for recording or projecting a panoramic image |
FR2655503B1 (en) | 1989-12-01 | 1992-02-21 | Thomson Csf | OPTOELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR AIDING ATTACK AND NAVIGATION MISSIONS. |
JPH0771290B2 (en) | 1989-12-27 | 1995-07-31 | 富士写真光機株式会社 | Signal processing circuit |
US5130794A (en) | 1990-03-29 | 1992-07-14 | Ritchey Kurtis J | Panoramic display system |
NL9000766A (en) | 1990-04-02 | 1991-11-01 | Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv | DEVICE FOR GEOMETRIC CORRECTION OF A DISTRIBUTED IMAGE. |
FR2662831B1 (en) | 1990-05-29 | 1992-08-07 | Cit Alcatel | METHOD FOR MANAGING A DATABASE NETWORK. |
JP3021556B2 (en) | 1990-06-20 | 2000-03-15 | ソニー株式会社 | Video information processing apparatus and method |
US5259584A (en) | 1990-07-05 | 1993-11-09 | Wainwright Andrew G | Camera mount for taking panoramic pictures having an electronic protractor |
FR2665600A1 (en) | 1990-08-03 | 1992-02-07 | Thomson Csf | METHOD OF DETECTION FOR PANORAMIC CAMERA, CAMERA FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND SLEEPING SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A CAMERA |
US5021813A (en) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-06-04 | Corrales Richard C | Manually operated handle for panoramic camera |
US5315331A (en) | 1990-11-09 | 1994-05-24 | Nikon Corporation | Optical apparatus capable of performing a panoramic photographing |
US5097325A (en) | 1990-12-17 | 1992-03-17 | Eol3 Company, Inc. | Circular scanning system for an integrated camera and panoramic catadioptric display |
US5187571A (en) | 1991-02-01 | 1993-02-16 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Television system for displaying multiple views of a remote location |
US5200818A (en) | 1991-03-22 | 1993-04-06 | Inbal Neta | Video imaging system with interactive windowing capability |
US5173948A (en) | 1991-03-29 | 1992-12-22 | The Grass Valley Group, Inc. | Video image mapping system |
JP3047927B2 (en) | 1991-04-09 | 2000-06-05 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Video signal clamp circuit |
US5903319A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1999-05-11 | Interactive Pictures Corporation | Method for eliminating temporal and spacial distortion from interlaced video signals |
US5990941A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1999-11-23 | Interactive Pictures Corporation | Method and apparatus for the interactive display of any portion of a spherical image |
US6002430A (en) | 1994-01-31 | 1999-12-14 | Interactive Pictures Corporation | Method and apparatus for simultaneous capture of a spherical image |
US5313306A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1994-05-17 | Telerobotics International, Inc. | Omniview motionless camera endoscopy system |
US5764276A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1998-06-09 | Interactive Pictures Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing perceived video viewing experiences using still images |
US5359363A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1994-10-25 | Telerobotics International, Inc. | Omniview motionless camera surveillance system |
US5185667A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1993-02-09 | Telerobotics International, Inc. | Omniview motionless camera orientation system |
US5384588A (en) | 1991-05-13 | 1995-01-24 | Telerobotics International, Inc. | System for omindirectional image viewing at a remote location without the transmission of control signals to select viewing parameters |
JP2719056B2 (en) | 1991-08-20 | 1998-02-25 | 富士通株式会社 | 3D object drawing device |
JP3085481B2 (en) | 1991-09-28 | 2000-09-11 | 株式会社ニコン | Catadioptric reduction projection optical system, and exposure apparatus having the optical system |
US5311572A (en) | 1991-10-03 | 1994-05-10 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Cooperative databases call processing system |
US5280540A (en) | 1991-10-09 | 1994-01-18 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Video teleconferencing system employing aspect ratio transformation |
JP3302715B2 (en) | 1992-04-20 | 2002-07-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | Video camera equipment |
WO1993023835A1 (en) | 1992-05-08 | 1993-11-25 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Textured sphere and spherical environment map rendering using texture map double indirection |
DE4226286A1 (en) | 1992-08-08 | 1994-02-10 | Kamerawerke Noble Gmbh | Panorama camera with a lens drum |
US5490239A (en) | 1992-10-01 | 1996-02-06 | University Corporation For Atmospheric Research | Virtual reality imaging system |
US5396583A (en) | 1992-10-13 | 1995-03-07 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Cylindrical to planar image mapping using scanline coherence |
US5530650A (en) | 1992-10-28 | 1996-06-25 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corp. | Computer imaging system and method for remote in-flight aircraft refueling |
JPH07504285A (en) | 1992-11-24 | 1995-05-11 | フランク・データ・インターナショナル・ナムローゼ・フェンノートシャップ | Panoramic image formation method and device, and panoramic image search method and device |
US5854713A (en) | 1992-11-30 | 1998-12-29 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Reflection type angle of view transforming optical apparatus |
US5444476A (en) | 1992-12-11 | 1995-08-22 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | System and method for teleinteraction |
US5495576A (en) | 1993-01-11 | 1996-02-27 | Ritchey; Kurtis J. | Panoramic image based virtual reality/telepresence audio-visual system and method |
US5473474A (en) | 1993-07-16 | 1995-12-05 | National Research Council Of Canada | Panoramic lens |
US5432871A (en) | 1993-08-04 | 1995-07-11 | Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for interactive image data acquisition and compression |
US5550646A (en) | 1993-09-13 | 1996-08-27 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Image communication system and method |
CA2129942C (en) | 1993-09-30 | 1998-08-25 | Steven Todd Kaish | Telecommunication network with integrated network-wide automatic call distribution |
US5796426A (en) | 1994-05-27 | 1998-08-18 | Warp, Ltd. | Wide-angle image dewarping method and apparatus |
US5508734A (en) | 1994-07-27 | 1996-04-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for hemispheric imaging which emphasizes peripheral content |
US5610391A (en) | 1994-08-25 | 1997-03-11 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Optical inspection of container finish dimensional parameters |
US5649032A (en) | 1994-11-14 | 1997-07-15 | David Sarnoff Research Center, Inc. | System for automatically aligning images to form a mosaic image |
US5612533A (en) | 1994-12-27 | 1997-03-18 | Siemens Corporate Research, Inc. | Low-profile horizon-sampling light sensor |
US5920337A (en) | 1994-12-27 | 1999-07-06 | Siemens Corporate Research, Inc. | Omnidirectional visual image detector and processor |
US5714997A (en) | 1995-01-06 | 1998-02-03 | Anderson; David P. | Virtual reality television system |
US5606365A (en) | 1995-03-28 | 1997-02-25 | Eastman Kodak Company | Interactive camera for network processing of captured images |
US5729471A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1998-03-17 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Machine dynamic selection of one video camera/image of a scene from multiple video cameras/images of the scene in accordance with a particular perspective on the scene, an object in the scene, or an event in the scene |
US5850352A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1998-12-15 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Immersive video, including video hypermosaicing to generate from multiple video views of a scene a three-dimensional video mosaic from which diverse virtual video scene images are synthesized, including panoramic, scene interactive and stereoscopic images |
CA2146406A1 (en) | 1995-04-05 | 1996-10-06 | Ian Powell | Panoramic fish-eye imaging system |
US5682511A (en) | 1995-05-05 | 1997-10-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Graphical viewer interface for an interactive network system |
US5627675A (en) | 1995-05-13 | 1997-05-06 | Boeing North American Inc. | Optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene |
US5539483A (en) | 1995-06-30 | 1996-07-23 | At&T Corp. | Panoramic projection apparatus |
US5841589A (en) | 1995-09-26 | 1998-11-24 | Boeing North American, Inc. | Panoramic optics assembly having an initial flat reflective element |
US5633810A (en) | 1995-12-14 | 1997-05-27 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for distributing network bandwidth on a media server |
US5601353A (en) | 1995-12-20 | 1997-02-11 | Interval Research Corporation | Panoramic display with stationary display device and rotating support structure |
US5748194A (en) | 1996-05-08 | 1998-05-05 | Live Picture, Inc. | Rendering perspective views of a scene using a scanline-coherent look-up table |
US5760826A (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1998-06-02 | The Trustees Of Columbia University | Omnidirectional imaging apparatus |
US6341044B1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 2002-01-22 | Be Here Corporation | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
US6493032B1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 2002-12-10 | Be Here Corporation | Imaging arrangement which allows for capturing an image of a view at different resolutions |
US6373642B1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 2002-04-16 | Be Here Corporation | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
US6459451B2 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 2002-10-01 | Be Here Corporation | Method and apparatus for a panoramic camera to capture a 360 degree image |
US6043837A (en) | 1997-05-08 | 2000-03-28 | Be Here Corporation | Method and apparatus for electronically distributing images from a panoptic camera system |
US6356296B1 (en) * | 1997-05-08 | 2002-03-12 | Behere Corporation | Method and apparatus for implementing a panoptic camera system |
US6034716A (en) | 1997-12-18 | 2000-03-07 | Whiting; Joshua B. | Panoramic digital camera system |
US6175454B1 (en) * | 1999-01-13 | 2001-01-16 | Behere Corporation | Panoramic imaging arrangement |
-
1998
- 1998-08-20 US US09/137,660 patent/US6373642B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-25 WO PCT/US1998/020088 patent/WO2000011512A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-09-25 JP JP2000566713A patent/JP4342106B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-25 AU AU96661/98A patent/AU9666198A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-09-25 EP EP98950678A patent/EP1118035A4/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2001
- 2001-11-26 US US09/999,282 patent/US6388820B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (60)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7580054B2 (en) | 2001-06-14 | 2009-08-25 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated online broadcasting system and method using an omni-directional camera system for viewing meetings over a computer network |
US20020196327A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2002-12-26 | Yong Rui | Automated video production system and method using expert video production rules for online publishing of lectures |
US7349005B2 (en) | 2001-06-14 | 2008-03-25 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated video production system and method using expert video production rules for online publishing of lectures |
US7515172B2 (en) | 2001-06-14 | 2009-04-07 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated online broadcasting system and method using an omni-directional camera system for viewing meetings over a computer network |
US20050285933A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2005-12-29 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated online broadcasting system and method using an omni-directional camera system for viewing meetings over a computer network |
US20050280700A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2005-12-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Automated online broadcasting system and method using an omni-directional camera system for viewing meetings over a computer network |
US7260257B2 (en) | 2002-06-19 | 2007-08-21 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for whiteboard and audio capture |
US7782357B2 (en) | 2002-06-21 | 2010-08-24 | Microsoft Corporation | Minimizing dead zones in panoramic images |
US7936374B2 (en) | 2002-06-21 | 2011-05-03 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for camera calibration and images stitching |
US20050117034A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-06-02 | Microsoft Corp. | Temperature compensation in multi-camera photographic devices |
US20050151837A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-07-14 | Microsoft Corp. | Minimizing dead zones in panoramic images |
US7259784B2 (en) | 2002-06-21 | 2007-08-21 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for camera color calibration and image stitching |
US7598975B2 (en) | 2002-06-21 | 2009-10-06 | Microsoft Corporation | Automatic face extraction for use in recorded meetings timelines |
US20050046703A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-03-03 | Cutler Ross G. | Color calibration in photographic devices |
US20030234866A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2003-12-25 | Ross Cutler | System and method for camera color calibration and image stitching |
US20050285943A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-12-29 | Cutler Ross G | Automatic face extraction for use in recorded meetings timelines |
US7602412B2 (en) | 2002-06-21 | 2009-10-13 | Microsoft Corporation | Temperature compensation in multi-camera photographic devices |
US20040001137A1 (en) * | 2002-06-27 | 2004-01-01 | Ross Cutler | Integrated design for omni-directional camera and microphone array |
US7852369B2 (en) | 2002-06-27 | 2010-12-14 | Microsoft Corp. | Integrated design for omni-directional camera and microphone array |
US7149367B2 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2006-12-12 | Microsoft Corp. | User interface for a system and method for head size equalization in 360 degree panoramic images |
US7184609B2 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2007-02-27 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for head size equalization in 360 degree panoramic images |
US20050206659A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2005-09-22 | Microsoft Corporation | User interface for a system and method for head size equalization in 360 degree panoramic images |
US7525928B2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2009-04-28 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for discovery of network-connected devices at remote sites using audio-based discovery techniques |
US7397504B2 (en) | 2003-06-24 | 2008-07-08 | Microsoft Corp. | Whiteboard view camera |
US20040263646A1 (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2004-12-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Whiteboard view camera |
US7343289B2 (en) | 2003-06-25 | 2008-03-11 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for audio/video speaker detection |
US20040267521A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Ross Cutler | System and method for audio/video speaker detection |
US7428000B2 (en) | 2003-06-26 | 2008-09-23 | Microsoft Corp. | System and method for distributed meetings |
US20040263611A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Ross Cutler | Omni-directional camera design for video conferencing |
US20040263636A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2004-12-30 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for distributed meetings |
US20050117015A1 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2005-06-02 | Microsoft Corp. | Foveated panoramic camera system |
US7362350B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2008-04-22 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video |
US20050243166A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video |
US7355623B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2008-04-08 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video using audio watermarking techniques |
US7355622B2 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2008-04-08 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video using delta frames |
US20050243168A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-03 | Microsoft Corporation | System and process for adding high frame-rate current speaker data to a low frame-rate video using audio watermarking techniques |
US20060023074A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Omni-directional camera with calibration and up look angle improvements |
US7495694B2 (en) | 2004-07-28 | 2009-02-24 | Microsoft Corp. | Omni-directional camera with calibration and up look angle improvements |
US20060023106A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Multi-view integrated camera system |
US7593042B2 (en) | 2004-07-28 | 2009-09-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Maintenance of panoramic camera orientation |
US7593057B2 (en) | 2004-07-28 | 2009-09-22 | Microsoft Corp. | Multi-view integrated camera system with housing |
US20060023075A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Microsoft Corp. | Maintenance of panoramic camera orientation |
US20060146177A1 (en) * | 2004-12-30 | 2006-07-06 | Microsoft Corp. | Camera lens shuttering mechanism |
US7812882B2 (en) | 2004-12-30 | 2010-10-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Camera lens shuttering mechanism |
US20070058879A1 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2007-03-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Automatic detection of panoramic camera position and orientation table parameters |
US7630571B2 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2009-12-08 | Microsoft Corporation | Automatic detection of panoramic camera position and orientation table parameters |
US20100020202A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2010-01-28 | Opt Corporation | Camera apparatus, and image processing apparatus and image processing method |
US7653705B2 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2010-01-26 | Microsoft Corp. | Interactive recording and playback for network conferencing |
US20080008458A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2008-01-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Interactive Recording and Playback for Network Conferencing |
US20070300165A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation, Corporation In The State Of Washington | User interface for sub-conferencing |
US20070299710A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Full collaboration breakout rooms for conferencing |
US20070299912A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Microsoft Corporation, Corporation In The State Of Washington | Panoramic video in a live meeting client |
US8572183B2 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2013-10-29 | Microsoft Corp. | Panoramic video in a live meeting client |
CN104160317A (en) * | 2012-01-09 | 2014-11-19 | 眼见360股份有限公司 | Panoramic optical systems |
WO2016165644A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2016-10-20 | 博立码杰通讯(深圳)有限公司 | Panoramic image acquisition device |
CN106154732A (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2016-11-23 | 博立码杰通讯(深圳)有限公司 | Full-view image harvester |
CN106170082A (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2016-11-30 | 深圳市虚拟现实科技有限公司 | The remotely real-time comprehensive transmission of panoramic picture and display packing |
CN107817592A (en) * | 2017-11-09 | 2018-03-20 | 刘超 | A kind of external lens |
US10951859B2 (en) | 2018-05-30 | 2021-03-16 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Videoconferencing device and method |
CN112822359A (en) * | 2020-12-30 | 2021-05-18 | 山东大学 | Panoramic imaging system and method based on vehicle-mounted drilling and blasting tunnel |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6388820B1 (en) | 2002-05-14 |
EP1118035A4 (en) | 2003-09-10 |
JP2002523801A (en) | 2002-07-30 |
WO2000011512A1 (en) | 2000-03-02 |
JP4342106B2 (en) | 2009-10-14 |
AU9666198A (en) | 2000-03-14 |
EP1118035A1 (en) | 2001-07-25 |
US6373642B1 (en) | 2002-04-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6373642B1 (en) | Panoramic imaging arrangement | |
US6341044B1 (en) | Panoramic imaging arrangement | |
US6885509B2 (en) | Imaging arrangement which allows for capturing an image of a view at different resolutions | |
US6222683B1 (en) | Panoramic imaging arrangement | |
US6313865B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for implementing a panoptic camera system | |
US20020154417A1 (en) | Panoramic imaging arrangement | |
US5790182A (en) | System and method for panoramic imaging using concentric spherical mirrors | |
US6734911B1 (en) | Tracking camera using a lens that generates both wide-angle and narrow-angle views | |
CN1290355A (en) | Omnidirectional imaging apparatus | |
US6181470B1 (en) | Optical element having a plurality of decentered reflecting curved surfaces, and optical instrument including the same | |
US20010048816A1 (en) | Camera apparatus | |
US5803570A (en) | Calibration system and method for display optical systems | |
JP3967784B2 (en) | Optics assembly for observing panoramic scenes | |
US5379157A (en) | Compact, folded wide-angle large reflective unobscured optical system | |
US6003998A (en) | System and method for panoramic imaging using concentric spherical mirrors | |
US11221468B2 (en) | Optical imaging module having a hyper-hemispherical field and controlled distortion and compatible with an outside environment | |
US6351338B2 (en) | Image pickup optical system | |
EP1286208A1 (en) | Image sensor | |
JP2003521734A (en) | Focusing system for video projector | |
JPS6396616A (en) | Image pickup device | |
JP2000036917A (en) | Image pickup device | |
Hsu | Reflective wide-angle pinhole camera | |
US20040017606A1 (en) | Compound eyed optical system | |
JP3346227B2 (en) | Optical system | |
JPH1020182A (en) | Focus detector and image pickup device provided with focus detecting function |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WASSERSTEIN ADELSON VENTURES, L>P>, CALIFORN Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BE HERE CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:013169/0933 Effective date: 20020701 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAT HOLDER CLAIMS SMALL ENTITY STATUS, ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: LTOS); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
REFU | Refund |
Free format text: REFUND - PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: R1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BE HERE CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNORS:BIRCHMERE VENTURES II, L.P.;DIETRICK, CHARLES;DRISCOLL, DAVID;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:020125/0852;SIGNING DATES FROM 20071113 TO 20071116 Owner name: BE HERE CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WASSERSTEIN ADELSON VENTURES, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:020125/0676 Effective date: 20071116 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: B. H. IMAGE CO. LLC, DELAWARE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BE HERE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:020325/0452 Effective date: 20071117 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAT HOLDER NO LONGER CLAIMS SMALL ENTITY STATUS, ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: STOL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHARTOLEAUX KG LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, DELAWARE Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:B.H. IMAGE CO. LLC;REEL/FRAME:037096/0897 Effective date: 20150812 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STEEPHILL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 99 LLC;REEL/FRAME:048565/0616 Effective date: 20181228 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CEDAR LANE TECHNOLOGIES INC., BRITISH COLUMBIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STEEPHILL TECHNOLOGIES LLC;REEL/FRAME:049156/0390 Effective date: 20190503 |