Patent ID: 6028719
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61B,G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
A panoramic imaging element comprising:a conic mirror reflective on an outer surface thereof, and substantially symmetric about a central axis of symmetry passing therethrough, comprising an apex and a wide region thereof along said central axis of symmetry; anda focusing element secured proximate a bored-out center at said apex of said conic mirror, also substantially symmetric about said central axis of symmetry; whereinlight from a panoramic view field is reflected off of the reflective outer surface of said conic mirror and onto an imaging plane substantially perpendicular to said central axis of symmetry, thereby forming a substantially donut-shaped image with a substantially round center hole on said imaging plane; andlight from a forward view field passes through the wide region and an interior of said conic mirror, through said focusing element, and onto said imaging plane, thereby forming a substantially round-shaped image on said imaging plane, substantially within said center hole of said donut-shaped image.