US5291334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Micro-lens panoramic imager
Assignee: Adaptive Optics Associates Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-30
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2012-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A panoramic imaging system is formed from select configurations of micro-optic multiplets (MOM) comprised of two microlens modules (MLM). The MLMs themselves are formed from arrays of microlenses. The present panoramic imaging system is characterized by the two MLMs configured on concentric approximately spherical surfaces. The optic axis of each of the microlenses is tilted slightly with respect to its neighbor to allow for proper alignment of images to form a single primary image on a substantially spherical global image surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Wirth
- 👤 Andrew J. Jankevics
- 👤 Franklin M. Landers
- 👤 Theresa L. Bruno
- 👤 Dante P. D'Amato
- 👤 Lawrence E. Schmutz
- 👤 Lawrence H. Gilligan
- 👤 John L. Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/08; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; G02B3/0062; G02B3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An imaging system for processing incident optical radiation emitted from a source comprising: a first lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a first focal length (f 1 ), a first pitch, and a first lens diameter (d 1 ), positioned about a portion of a first spherical surface having a first radius of curvature (r 1 ) at a first longitudinal distance along an axis to intercept said incident optical radiation; and a second lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a second focal length (f 2 ), second pitch, and a second lens diameter (d 2 ) positioned about a portion of a second spherical surface having a second radius of curvature (r 2 ) adjustably positioned at a second longitudinal distance along said axis to intercept radiation emerging from said first lenslet array, said second lenslet array configured to be concentric with said first lenslet array and being separated along said optic axis from said first lenslet array by a predetermined amount such that said incident radiation is focused by the combined action of a plurality of pairs of corresponding lenslets from said first and second lenslet arrays to an erect overlap image in a substantially spherical focal surface transverse to said optic axis located at distance C from said second spherical surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An imaging system for processing incident optical radiation emitted from a source comprising: a first lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a first focal length (f 1 ), a first pitch, and a first lens diameter (d 1 ), positioned about a portion of a first spherical surface having a first radius of curvature (r 1 ) at a first longitudinal distance along an axis to intercept said incident optical radiation; and a second lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a second focal length (f 2 ), second pitch, and a second lens diameter (d 2 ) positioned about a portion of a second spherical surface having a second radius of curvature (r 2 ) adjustably positioned at a second longitudinal distance along said axis to intercept radiation emerging from said first lenslet array, said second lenslet array configured to be concentric with said first lenslet array and being separated along said optic axis from said first lenslet array by a predetermined amount such that said incident radiation is focused by the combined action of a plurality of pairs of corresponding lenslets from said first and second lenslet arrays to an erect overlap image in a substantially spherical focal surface transverse to said optic axis located at distance C from said second spherical surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first and second lenslet arrays respectively comprise first and second micro-lens modules (MLMs).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first pitch does not equal said second pitch in magnitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The imaging system of claim 2 wherein lenslets in said first MLM have a corresponding lenslet in said second MLM forming lenslet pairs such that each of said pairs of lenslets relay an erect image to a point on said substantially spherical focal surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
8 words
The imaging system of claim 4 wherein: ##EQU8##
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The imaging system of claim 4 wherein the distance from said focal surface to said second spherical surface for an object at infinity is: ##EQU9##
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The imaging system of claim 4 wherein lenslets in said first MLM and said second MLM exhibit a relationship between respective radii of curvature and respective lens diameters as: ##EQU10##
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first and second spherical surfaces have compound curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first and second lenslet arrays are configured to produce a virtual image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first and second lenslet arrays are configured to have an effective aperture ratio of approximately f/1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
205 words
A projection device for use in projecting an image formed from optical radiation at an image surface on an approximately spherical projection surface, said device comprising: a first lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a first focal length (f 1 ), a first pitch, and a first lens diameter (d 1 ), positioned about a portion of a first spherical surface having a first radius of curvature (r 1 ) at a first distance from said image surface to intercept said incident optical radiation; and a second lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a second focal length (f 2 ), second pitch, and a second lens diameter (d 2 ) positioned about a portion of a second spherical surface having a second radius of curvature (r 2 ) at a second distance from said image surface to intercept radiation emerging from said first lenslet array, said second lenslet array configured to be concentric with said first lenslet array and being separated from said first lenslet array by a predetermined amount such that said incident radiation is focused by the combined action of a plurality of pairs of corresponding lenslets from said first and second lenslet arrays to an erect overlap image in said projection surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
205 words
A projection device for use in projecting an image formed from optical radiation at an image surface on an approximately spherical projection surface, said device comprising: a first lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a first focal length (f 1 ), a first pitch, and a first lens diameter (d 1 ), positioned about a portion of a first spherical surface having a first radius of curvature (r 1 ) at a first distance from said image surface to intercept said incident optical radiation; and a second lenslet array of micro-lenses each having a second focal length (f 2 ), second pitch, and a second lens diameter (d 2 ) positioned about a portion of a second spherical surface having a second radius of curvature (r 2 ) at a second distance from said image surface to intercept radiation emerging from said first lenslet array, said second lenslet array configured to be concentric with said first lenslet array and being separated from said first lenslet array by a predetermined amount such that said incident radiation is focused by the combined action of a plurality of pairs of corresponding lenslets from said first and second lenslet arrays to an erect overlap image in said projection surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The projection device of claim 11 wherein said first and second lenslet arrays respectively comprise first and second micro-lens modules (MLMs).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The projection device of claim 11 wherein said first pitch does not equal said second pitch in magnitude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The projection device of claim 12 wherein lenslets in said first MLM have a corresponding lenslet in said second MLM forming lenslet pairs such that each of said pairs of lenslets relay an erect image to a point on a projection surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
8 words
The projection device of claim 14 wherein: ##EQU11##
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The projection device of claim 14 wherein the distance from said focal surface to said second spherical surface for an object at infinity is: ##EQU12##
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projection device of claim 14 wherein lenslets in said first MLM and said second MLM exhibit a relationship between respective radii of curvature and respective lens diameters as: ##EQU13##
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The projection device of claim 11 wherein said first and second spherical surfaces have compound curvature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging system of claim 2 wherein said MLMs are configured on coaxial cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imaging system of claim 2 wherein said MLMs are comprised of lenslets having different pitches in the azimuthal and axial direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging system of claim 2 wherein the pitch of the lenslets of said MLMs are equal in the axial direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |