Patent ID: 7253969
Filing Date: 2007-08-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A nearly spherical imaging assembly comprising an axi-symmetric lens, providing at least a reflection of a cylindrical field of view; a first image capture device, positioned coaxially with said axi-symmetric lens; and a second image capture device, set to capture an image, at least partially different from the image captured by said first image capture device; wherein, light rays from a first, cylindrical, scene are reflected by said axi-symmetric lens and captured by said first image capture device and light rays from a second scene, at least partially different from said first scene are captured by said second image capture device, said image assembly further comprising: wherein, a) the first image capture device is directed towards said reflective surface and set to capture the image that arrives from the direction of said reflective surface after penetrating said transparent area in said first axi-symmetric lens; b) the second image capture device is positioned coaxially with said second axi-symmetric lens, directed towards said second axi-symmetric lens, and set to capture the image that is reflected by said second axi-symmetric lens; c) light rays from a first, cylindrical, scene are reflected by said first axi-symmetric lens towards said reflective surface, reflected from said reflective surface towards said transparent area in the first axi-symmetric lens and towards said first image capture device, and are captured by said first image capture device; d) light rays from a second scene penetrate said transparent area in said reflective surface, travel toward said transparent area in said first axi-symmetric lens, penetrate said transparent area, and are captured by said first image capture device; and e) light rays from a third scene, at least partially different from said first scene are reflected by said second axi-symmetric lens towards said second image capture device and captured by said second image capture device.