US5627675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-13
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Granted: 1997-05-06
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Expires: 2015-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene. The optics assembly includes a plurality of optical elements. A first element redirects light from the panoramic scene. The optical power of the first element forms an imaginary pupil. The energy from the first element is redirected about 90 degrees, forming an annular path. A second element receives the redirected light and re-images the imaginary pupil to form a real pupil. This portion of the energy continues to be in an annular form. A third element includes an optical relay system having a group of reimaging optics. The third element receives light from the second element while relaying the real pupil into the reimaging optics. It also establishes the focal length of the optics assembly, corrects pupil aberrations produced at the real pupil, corrects field aberrations and produces an annular image on a flat focal plane. The optical relay system interfaces with the second element through the use of the real pupil. The real pupil is formed at the cold stop and filter location in the third element. This pupil is relayed back through the system to be coincident with the first real pupil. The optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to the output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Davis
- 👤 Marion N. Todd
- 👤 Mitchell Ruda
- 👤 Tilman W. Stuhlinger
- 👤 Kenneth R. Castle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising: a) a sub-element having a curved reflecting surface thereon for receiving light from said second element, and b) an optical relay system for receiving light being reflected from said sub-element, said optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising: a) a sub-element having a curved reflecting surface thereon for receiving light from said second element, and b) an optical relay system for receiving light being reflected from said sub-element, said optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optics assembly of claim 1, wherein said first element comprises a convex surface and said second element comprises a concave surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optics assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second elements comprise a Mersenne optic, said first element being a convex parabolic mirror and said second element being a concave parabolic mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optics assembly of claim 1, wherein said optical relay system comprises a combination of refractive and reflective elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optics assembly of claim 1, wherein said group of reimaging optics comprises a cold stop and band pass filter for receiving said relayed real pupil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optics assembly of claim 1, wherein said optical relay system comprises only reflective elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, said optical relay system comprising a combination of refractive and reflective elements, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, said optical relay system comprising a combination of refractive and reflective elements, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optics assembly of claim 7, wherein said first element comprises a convex surface and said second element comprises a concave surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optics assembly of claim 7, wherein said first and second elements comprise a Mersenne optic, said first element being a convex parabolic mirror and said second element being a concave parabolic mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
172 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, said group of reimaging optics comprising a cold stop and band pass filter for receiving said relayed real pupil, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
172 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, said group of reimaging optics comprising a cold stop and band pass filter for receiving said relayed real pupil, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optics assembly of claim 10, wherein said first element comprises a convex surface and said second element comprises a concave surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optics assembly of claim 10, wherein said first and second elements comprise comprise a Mersenne optic, said first element being a convex parabolic mirror and said second element being a concave parabolic mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, wherein said optical relay system comprises only reflective elements, and, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene, comprising: a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a first element for re-directing light in an annular geometry from said panoramic scene, optical power of said first element forming an imaginary pupil; a second element for receiving said annularly re-directed light and for re-imaging said imaginary pupil to form a real pupil; and a third element comprising an optical relay system including a group of reimaging optics, said third element for: i) receiving light from said second element while relaying said real pupil into said reimaging optics, ii) establishing a focal length of the optics assembly, iii) correcting pupil aberrations produced at said real pupil, iv) correcting field aberrations, and v) producing an annular image on a flat focal plane, wherein said optical relay system comprises only reflective elements, and, wherein said optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to an output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optics assembly of claim 13, wherein said first element comprises a convex surface and said second element comprises a concave surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optics assembly of claim 13, wherein said first and second elements comprise a Mersenne optic, said first element being a convex parabolic mirror and said second element being a concave parabolic mirror.
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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) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-11-04 | 2001-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-05 | 2004-11-04 | 2005-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-05 | 2008-11-04 | 2009-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |