Patent ID: 6118474
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: G02B,G06T,G08B,H04N

Abstract:
An imaging apparatus for sensing an image of a scene from a substantially single viewpoint, comprising:(a) a truncated, substantially paraboloid-shaped reflector positioned to orthographically reflect principal rays of electromagnetic radiation radiating from said scene that would otherwise pass through said substantially single viewpoint, said paraboloid-shaped reflector having a focus coincident with said single viewpoint of said imaging apparatus, including said paraboloid-shaped reflector;(b) substantially telecentric means, optically coupled to said paraboloid-shaped reflector, for substantially filtering out principal rays of electromagnetic radiation which are not orthographically reflected by said paraboloid-shaped reflector; and(c) one or more image sensors positioned to receive said orthographically reflected principal rays of electromagnetic radiation from said paraboloid-shaped reflector, thereby sensing said image of said scene.