US4877315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical device
Assignee: EMI Group Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1988-04-19
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An optical device for panoramic viewing comprising a housing provided with an entry window, a plurality of spaced receptive areas and a lens system for each receptive area so disposed that it lies between the entry window and the associated receptive area, the lenses within each said system being arranged so that an image of a respective sector of a panoramic scene is formed at each receptive area.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Bradford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An optical device for panoramic viewing comprising a housing provided with an entry window, a plurality of spaced receptive areas and a lens system for each receptive area, each lens system being so disposed that it lies between the entry window and the associated receptive area, the lenses within each said system being arranged so that an image of a respective sector of a panoramic scene produced by radiation from the scene passing through the window is formed at each receptive area, at least part of the respective radiation beams entering each lens system crossing at the entry window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An optical device for panoramic viewing comprising a housing provided with an entry window, a plurality of spaced receptive areas and a lens system for each receptive area, each lens system being so disposed that it lies between the entry window and the associated receptive area, the lenses within each said system being arranged so that an image of a respective sector of a panoramic scene produced by radiation from the scene passing through the window is formed at each receptive area, at least part of the respective radiation beams entering each lens system crossing at the entry window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the lens systems are so aligned that their optic axes intersect substantially at the center of the entry window of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein there is substantial overlap, at the entry window, between the beam paths associated with the lens systems.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the beam paths associated with the lens system extend substantially across a major axis of the entry window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the lens systems comprise front lens elements arranged in close proximity to the entry window and to each other so that the entry window may be made as small as possible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device is provided with three receptive areas and three respective lens systems.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical device according to claim 1 in which the lens systems are designed so as to provide substantially uniform illumination of the respective receptive areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 1 in which the lens systems are arranged such that they provide equiangular mapping of the panoramic scene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |