Patent ID: 6738569
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
An omnidirectional visual camera comprising:a reflecting member comprising: a rotationally symmetric surface portion comprising a convex surface of a secondary rotationally symmetric curved surface; a cylindrical portion having cylindrical walls surrounding said rotationally symmetric surface portion and a cylindrical axis of rotation substantially aligning with an axis of rotation of said rotationally symmetric surface, and having a cylindrical inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of said rotationally symmetric surface portion; and a connection section for connecting one longitudinal end of said cylindrical portion with the outer diameter portion of said rotationally symmetric surface portion; said rotationally symmetric surface portion, said cylindrical portion, and said connection section being integrally molded of a transparent material, said rotationally symmetric surface portion comprising a mirror surface; and a camera having an optical axis substantially aligning with the axis of rotation of said reflecting member and installed opposite to the convex surface of said rotationally symmetric surface portion, said camera located for picking up a reflected image reflected from the convex surface of the rotationally symmetric surface portion of said reflecting member.