US5920376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for panoramic viewing with curved surface mirrors
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1996-08-30
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Granted: 1999-07-06
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Expires: 2016-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An omnidirectional or panoramic viewer/projector uses a single camera and a mirror with a curved surface. The curved mirror provides a single virtual optical center or viewpoint.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred M. Bruckstein
- 👤 Thomas J. Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:40
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/32; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/06; G03; G03B; G03B37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A viewing system, comprising: a first parabolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the first parabolic profile having a first focal point located within the first parabolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the first parabolic profile is symmetric; a second parabolic profile with an inner reflective surface, the second parabolic profile having a second focal point located within the second parabolic profile and on the symmetry axis, the second parabolic profile being symmetric about the symmetry axis; and a light gathering device positioned to gather light passing through the second focal point, said light gathering device being located between said first parabolic profile and said second focal point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A viewing system, comprising: a first parabolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the first parabolic profile having a first focal point located within the first parabolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the first parabolic profile is symmetric; a second parabolic profile with an inner reflective surface, the second parabolic profile having a second focal point located within the second parabolic profile and on the symmetry axis, the second parabolic profile being symmetric about the symmetry axis; and a light gathering device positioned to gather light passing through the second focal point, said light gathering device being located between said first parabolic profile and said second focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The viewing system of claim 1, wherein the light gathering device is a camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The viewing system of claim 2, wherein the camera comprises a sensor array having a plurality of sensor cells, the plurality of sensor cells arranged in respective sets, said sets being arranged in respective concentric rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
A viewing system, comprising: a hyperbolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the hyperbolic profile having a first focal point located within the hyperbolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the hyperbolic profile is symmetric; and a camera positioned to gather light passing through a second focal point located on the symmetry axis, the second focal point being a point on the symmetry axis crossed by a reflected ray produced by an incident ray being reflected by the outer reflective surface, the incident ray being collinear with a line passing through the first focal point and the point at which the incident ray contacts the outer reflective surface and the camera having a plurality of sensors arranged in respective sets, said sets being arranged in respective concentric rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
A viewing system, comprising: a hyperbolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the hyperbolic profile having a first focal point located within the hyperbolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the hyperbolic profile is symmetric; and a camera positioned to gather light passing through a second focal point located on the symmetry axis, the second focal point being a point on the symmetry axis crossed by a reflected ray produced by an incident ray being reflected by the outer reflective surface, the incident ray being collinear with a line passing through the first focal point and the point at which the incident ray contacts the outer reflective surface and the camera having a plurality of sensors arranged in respective sets, said sets being arranged in respective concentric rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
A projection system, comprising: a first parabolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the first parabolic profile having a first focal point located within the first parabolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the first parabolic profile is symmetric; a second parabolic profile with an inner reflective surface, the second parabolic profile having a second focal point located within the second parabolic profile and on the symmetry axis, the second parabolic profile being symmetric about the symmetry axis; and a projection device positioned to produce light passing through the second focal point, said projection device being located between said first parabolic profile and said second focal point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A projection system, comprising: a first parabolic profile with an outer reflective surface, the first parabolic profile having a first focal point located within the first parabolic profile and on a symmetry axis about which the first parabolic profile is symmetric; a second parabolic profile with an inner reflective surface, the second parabolic profile having a second focal point located within the second parabolic profile and on the symmetry axis, the second parabolic profile being symmetric about the symmetry axis; and a projection device positioned to produce light passing through the second focal point, said projection device being located between said first parabolic profile and said second focal point.
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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) | 2002-07-05 | 2003-01-04 | 2003-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-05 | 2007-01-04 | 2007-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-05 | 2011-01-04 | 2011-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |