Patent ID: 7576925
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: (a) a terrestrial imaging device including an objective lens which accepts light within an intrinsic angular field of view onto a focal plane, wherein the center of said focal plane and the center of said objective lens form an optical axis; (b) a first pair of plane mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror; wherein said first mirror reflects a first light ray emanating from a terrestrial scene, thereby producing a first reflected light ray, wherein said first reflected light ray is second reflected by said second mirror, thereby producing a second reflected light ray which is focused by the objective on the focal plane, wherein said first reflected light ray and said second reflected light ray form a first plane of reflection, wherein said first plane of reflection is substantially horizontal and wherein the angle between said first light ray and said optical axis is substantially greater than half of said intrinsic angular field of view; and (c) a second pair of plane mirrors including a third mirror and a fourth mirror, wherein said third mirror reflects a second light ray emanating from a terrestrial scene, thereby producing a third reflected light ray, wherein said third reflected light ray is reflected by said fourth mirror, thereby forming a fourth reflected light ray which is focused by the objective on the focal plane, wherein said third reflected light ray and said fourth reflected light ray form a second plane of reflection, wherein said second plane of reflection is substantially vertical and wherein the angle between said second light ray and said optical axis is less than or equal to half of said intrinsic angular field of view; wherein said first pair and said second pair of plane mirrors are substantially disposed vertically on opposite sides of said optical axis.