Omni-directional imaging and illumination assembly

Details Omni-directional imaging and illumination assembly Omni-directional imaging and illumination assembly

2003-10-27

2009-08-04

Lester, Evelyn A. (Department: 2873)

Optical: systems and elements

Lens

Panoramic

C359S648000, C359S708000, C359S710000, C359S718000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07570437

ABSTRACT:
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an omni-directional imaging assembly. In the preferred embodiment the assembly of the invention comprises a solid omni-directional lens comprising a vertical axis of symmetry; an upper surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the inner side of the omni-directional lens; a transparent perimeter surface; a lower convex surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the direction of the perimeter surface; and a transparent circular surface maintained in the lower convex surface around the vertical axis of symmetry. The light rays from a first 360 degrees, panoramic, scene are refracted by the transparent perimeter surface, are then reflected by the lower convex surface towards the upper surface, and then reflected by the upper surface towards the transparent circular surface, where they are refracted and exit the omni-directional lens. In a second aspect the omni-directional imaging assembly of the invention can be combined with an illumination source to simultaneously provide both omni-directional imaging and omni-directional illumination. Also described are embodiments of the invention that comprise image capturing devices, embodiments that enable simultaneous imaging of the first scene and a second scene, and embodiments that are adapted to the requirements of endoscopic imaging.

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