An imaging system may include an image sensor. The imaging system may include a strip with apertures, where a portion of the strip is located along an optical pathway that directs light to the image sensor. The imaging system may include an aperture shifter configured to move the strip relative to the optical pathway, thus allowing light propagating along the optical pathway to pass through one of the apertures of the strip and be incident on the image sensor. The imaging system may include a controller configured to control the image sensor and the aperture shifter.
An imaging system may include a first lens module including one or more lenses. The imaging system may include a first reflector configured to direct light from a first view of an external environment toward the first lens module. The imaging system may include a first image sensor arranged to receive light from the first lens module, the first image sensor tilted relative to a first optical path of light incident on the first image sensor
H04N 23/45 - Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensorsControl thereof for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
H04N 23/55 - Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensorsMounting thereof
An imaging system may include an image sensor. The imaging system may include two sheets along an optical path of the imaging system, where the two sheets are substantially transparent. The imaging system may include a deformable layer between the two sheets. The deformable layer forms an aperture and/or filter. The imaging system may include a motor configured to adjust a distance between the two sheets, where the size of the aperture is based on the distance between the two sheets.
An imaging system may include an image sensor. The imaging system may include a strip with apertures, where a portion of the strip is located along an optical pathway that directs light to the image sensor. The imaging system may include an aperture shifter configured to move the strip relative to the optical pathway, thus allowing light propagating along the optical pathway to pass through one of the apertures of the strip and be incident on the image sensor. The imaging system may include a controller configured to control the image sensor and the aperture shifter.
An imaging system may include an image sensor. The imaging system may include two sheets along an optical path of the imaging system, where the two sheets are substantially transparent. The imaging system may include a deformable layer between the two sheets. The deformable layer forms an aperture and/or filter. The imaging system may include a motor configured to adjust a distance between the two sheets, where the size of the aperture is based on the distance between the two sheets.
An imaging system may include a first lens module including one or more lenses. The imaging system may include a first reflector configured to direct light from a first view of an external environment toward the first lens module. The imaging system may include a first image sensor arranged to receive light from the first lens module, the first image sensor tilted relative to a first optical path of light incident on the first image sensor.
H04N 23/695 - Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
H04N 23/55 - Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensorsMounting thereof
H04N 23/54 - Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
H04N 23/13 - Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensorsControl thereof for generating image signals from different wavelengths with multiple sensors
G03B 17/17 - Bodies with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera
An imaging system includes an image sensor in an xy-plane, a lens module that directs light onto the image sensor, and a controller. The lens module includes a stationary group of optical lenses and a movable group of optical lenses. The stationary group includes a first set of non-symmetrical optical lenses, and the movable group includes a symmetrical optical lens and a second set of non-symmetrical optical lenses. The controller is configured to focus the imaging system over a focus range by generating an adjustment signal to move the movable group along an optical axis. The lens module focuses light on the image sensor along both the x- and y-axes of the image sensor and over the focus range, and the first and second sets of non-symmetrical optical lenses are positioned to have an astigmatism below a threshold value over the focus range.
A system may include first lens with a first optical component and a first mounting structure having a first wall on a first side and a second wall on second side, each wall having a gap. The system may further include a second lens that interlocks with the first lens. The second lens includes a second optical component and a second mounting structure that engages with the first mounting structure. The second mounting structure has a first barrier with a. first protrusion and a second barrier with a. second protrusion. The first and second protrusions positioned complementary' to the gaps of the first mounting structure and configured to engage with the gaps, where engagement of the protrusions into the gaps provides passive rotational alignment of the optical components about the optical axis.
A system may include first lens with a first optical component and a first mounting structure having a first wall on a first side and a second wall on second side, each wall having a gap. The system may further include a second lens that interlocks with the first lens. The second lens includes a second optical component and a second mounting structure that engages with the first mounting structure. The second mounting structure has a first barrier with a first protrusion and a second barrier with a second protrusion. The first and second protrusions positioned complementary to the gaps of the first mounting structure and configured to engage with the gaps, where engagement of the protrusions into the gaps provides passive rotational alignment of the optical components about the optical axis.
An imaging system includes an image sensor in an xy -plane, a lens module that directs light onto the image sensor, and a controller. The lens module includes a stationary group of optical lenses and a movable group of optical lenses. The stationary group includes a first set of non-symmetrical optical lenses, and the movable group includes a symmetrical optical lens and a second set of non-symmetrical optical lenses. The controller is configured to focus the imaging system over a focus range by generating an adjustment signal to move the movable group along an optical axis. The lens module focuses light on the image sensor along both the x- and y-axes of the image sensor and over the focus range, and the first and second sets of non-symmetrical optical lenses are positioned to have an astigmatism below a threshold value over the focus range.
G03B 17/12 - Bodies with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets
H04N 23/54 - Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
H04N 23/55 - Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensorsMounting thereof
G02B 7/04 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
G02B 13/00 - Optical objectives specially designed for the purposes specified below
G02B 15/14 - Optical objectives with means for varying the magnification by axial movement of one or more lenses or groups of lenses relative to the image plane for continuously varying the equivalent focal length of the objective
11.
Forming combined image by imaging system with rotatable reflector
The following relates to forming a combined image by an imaging system with a rotatable reflector. A reflector is rotated about an axis to a first position relative to an image sensor. At the first position, the reflector directs light from a first portion of a view corresponding to an external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the first portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The reflector is rotated about the axis to a second position relative to the image sensor. At the second position, the reflector directs light from a second portion of the view corresponding to the external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the second portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The image of the first portion and the image of the second portion are combined to form an image corresponding to the view.
H04N 23/68 - Control of cameras or camera modules for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
G02B 7/182 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prismsMountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for mirrors for mirrors
The following describes the apparatus and associated algorithms related to a new type of imaging system that has several benefits over conventional camera architectures in terms of size, volume, shape, performance, and imaging capabilities. The imaging system includes an image sensor, a reflector, and a controller. The controller rotates the reflector relative to the image sensor to direct light from portions of a view of an external environment towards the image sensor. The controller synchronizes the image sensor with the reflector to capture images of the different portions of the view of the external environment. The controller then combines the images from the image sensor to form an image that includes the view of the external environment.
H04N 5/232 - Devices for controlling television cameras, e.g. remote control
G02B 7/182 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prismsMountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for mirrors for mirrors
13.
Forming combined image by imaging system with rotatable reflector
The following relates to forming a combined image by an imaging system with a rotatable reflector. A reflector is rotated about an axis to a first position relative to an image sensor. At the first position, the reflector directs light from a first portion of a view corresponding to an external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the first portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The reflector is rotated about the axis to a second position relative to the image sensor. At the second position, the reflector directs light from a second portion of the view corresponding to the external environment towards the image sensor. An image of the second portion of the view is captured by the image sensor. The image of the first portion and the image of the second portion are combined to form an image corresponding to the view.
H04N 5/232 - Devices for controlling television cameras, e.g. remote control
G02B 7/182 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prismsMountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for mirrors for mirrors
The following describes the apparatus and associated algorithms related to a new type of imaging system that has several benefits over conventional camera architectures in terms of size, volume, shape, performance, and imaging capabilities. The imaging system includes an image sensor, a reflector, and a controller. The controller rotates the reflector relative to the image sensor to direct light from portions of a view of an external environment towards the image sensor. The controller synchronizes the image sensor with the reflector to capture images of the different portions of the view of the external environment. The controller then combines the images from the image sensor to form an image that includes the view of the external environment.
G03B 37/04 - Panoramic or wide-screen photographyPhotographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveyingPhotographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
G03B 39/04 - High-speed photography using moving plate or film
G03B 41/06 - Special photographic techniques not covered by groups Apparatus therefor using non-intermittently-running film with optical compensator with rotating reflecting member
patents
