1241 results about "Wide-angle lens" patented technology

A camera phone includes a phone stage for generating voice signals, a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output, a first fixed focal length wide angle lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output, and a second fixed focal length telephoto lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor. A control element selects either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor. A processing section produces the output image signals from the selected sensor output, and a cellular stage processes the image and voice signals for transmission over a cellular network.

A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.

A method and system for measurement of ground based vehicle speed includes a movable platform that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) located in proximity to a roadway, the UAV operates under control and navigation of a UAV control unit, and the UAV also carries camera and monitoring equipment, the camera and monitoring equipment including an onboard computing system, and a camera with a wide angle lens and a camera with a telephoto lens, the cameras being mounted on a pan / tilt device. An algorithm operated by the on-board computing system is used to detect and track vehicles moving on a roadway. The algorithm is configured to detect and track the vehicles despite motion created by movement of the UAV. The cameras mounted on the pan / tilt device are moved under the direction of the computer vision algorithm to maintain a target vehicle of the detected moving vehicles in view, and the speed of the target vehicle is measured.

An autonomous inspector mobile platform robot that is used to inspect a pipe or network of pipes. The robot includes a locomotion device that enables the device to autonomously progress through the pipe and accurately track its pose and odometry during movement. At the same time, image data is autonomously captured to detail the interior portions of the pipe. Images are taken at periodic intervals using a wide angle lens, and additional video images may be captured at locations of interest. Either onboard or offboard the device, each captured image is unwarped (if necessary) and combined with images of adjacent pipe sections to create a complete image of the interior features of the inspected pipe. Optional features include additional sensors and measurement devices, various communications systems to communicate with an end node or the surface, and / or image compression software.

A wide-angle lens provided by the invention comprises in order from an object side to an image side along an optical axis: a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens and a seventh lens. The first lens is a concave lens with negative refractive power, has a convex surface facing the object side and has a recessed surface facing the image side. The second lens is a concave lens with negative refractive power, has a convex surface facing the object side and has a recessed surface facing the image side. The third lens has positive refractive power and has a convex surface facing the image side. The fourth lens is a biconvex lens and has positive refractive power. The fifth lens has refractive power. The sixth lens has refractive power. The seventh lens is a biconvex lens and has positive refractive power. The fifth lens and the sixth lens satisfy the conditions: -10<f56 / f<-2, wherein the f56 is the combined effective focal length of the fifth lens and the sixth lens, and the f is the effective focal distance of the wide-angle lens.

Provided are a method and apparatus for taking images using a mobile communication terminal with a plurality of camera lenses, that can visually emphasize the shape of an object by photographing a specific object and its surrounding background using a zoom lens and a wide-angle lens, respectively, and combining the photographed images. The method includes setting the mobile communication terminal to an image-taking mode, entering into an image-combining mode, operating the plurality of camera lenses, setting an object, taking images using the plurality of camera lenses, and combining together the images obtained using the plurality of lenses. The method and apparatus enables visual emphasis of a specific object in an entire image by photographing the specific object with a zoom lens and a background containing the object with a wide-angle lens, and then combining the photographed images so as to display the specific object at a higher magnification ratio than that of the background.

A wide-angle lens system comprises, sequentially from the object side to the image side: a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, an aperture and a fourth lens element. If the field of view of the wide-angle lens system is as high as 140 degrees, the extreme distortion of the image edge can be prevented with only four lens elements, and the image has a high sharpness. Therefore, it is very suitable for use in the monitor and vehicle-related lens system.

An apparatus for identifying location of a scene which is viewed via a remotely operated system includes a first TV camera operated to observe a scene through a narrow angle lens and a second TV camera to observe the scene through a wide angle lens. At least the first TV camera has a dual mode image pick up device which executes either color mode or a black and white mode. Both TV cameras are moved co-jointly. The apparatus has a processor which combines video signals generated by both TV cameras. At least one of the TV cameras has a switchover unit which switches the modes of the image pick up device from one mode to another and back. The processor activates the switching from one to another mode by comparing video signals generated by the first and second TV cameras with a reference signal.

A software suite for optimizing the de-warping of wide angle lens images includes a calibration process utilizing a calibration circle to prepare raw image data. The calibration circle is used to map the raw image data about a warped image space, which is then used to map a de-warped image space for processed image data. The processed image data is generated from the raw image data by copying color values from warped pixel coordinates of the warped image space to de-warped pixel coordinates of the de-warped image space. The processed image data is displayed as a single perspective image and a panoramic image in a click-to-position virtual mapping interface alongside the raw image data. A user can make an area of interest selection by clicking the raw image data, the single perspective image, or the panoramic image in order to change the point of focus within the single perspective image.

A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.

Composite mirror systems include a wideband thin film interference stack having a plurality of microlayers and an optically thick layer having a refractive index greater than air but less than the smallest refractive index of the stack. The mirror systems can provide high reflectivity for light propagating in the stack and in the optically thick layer at supercritical angles, while avoiding degradation in reflectivity if dirt or other disturbances such as absorbing materials are present at the mirror backside for example due to contact with a support structure.

The present invention provides mathematically accurate image processing algorithms for extracting natural looking panoramic images and distortion-free rectilinear images from images acquired using a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens which is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis and devices implementing such algorithms. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security•surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phone for apartment entrance door, rear view camera for vehicles, visual sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, camera phone, PC camera, and broadcasting camera. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic or rectilinear photographs using a digital camera.

An HMD includes left and right camera units which have wide-angle lenses, capture the image of a real space, and capture a left viewpoint image and a right viewpoint image. A main image is extracted from a central portion of each viewpoint image, and a left sub-image and a right sub-image are extracted from a peripheral portion of each viewpoint image. The distortion of the wide-angle lens in each main image is corrected, and the corrected main images are displayed in front of the left and right eyes as a stereo image. The left sub-image and the right sub-image are displayed on the left and right sides of the main image without being corrected.

A handheld device having a display and a front-facing sensor and a back-facing sensor is able to render 3D content in a realistic and spatially correct manner using position-dependent rendering and view-dependent rendering. In one scenario, the 3D content is only computer-generated content and the display on the device is a typical, non-transparent (opaque) display. The position-dependent rendering is performed using either the back-facing sensor or a front-facing sensor having a wide-angle lens. In another scenario, the 3D content is composed of computer-generated 3D content and images of physical objects and the display is either a transparent or semi-transparent display where physical objects behind the device show through the display. In this case, position-dependent rendering is performed using a back-facing sensor that is actuated (capable of physical panning and tilting) or is wide-angle, thereby enabling virtual panning.

The present invention comprises a wide angle lens optical viewing system for the non-destructive monitoring of a high temperature area of interest with a confined space access, in particular, in a gas turbine engine. A novel cooling scheme is claimed that functions to cool the wide angle lens. Further, a method of monitoring an annular combustor region in the gas turbine via the optical viewing system is presented.

The invention relates to a superwide-angle lens optical system having a long back-focus lens arrangement and comprising a relay lens group. The optical system is constructed of, in order from an object side thereof, an objective lens group Ob having positive refracting power, a primary image-formation plane formed by the objective lens group Ob and a relay lens group R1 having positive refracting power. A field stop FS is positioned at or near the primary image-formation plane, and condition (1-1) is satisfied. h / fo>1.8  (1-1) Here fo is the focal length of the objective lens group Ob, and h is the diameter of an image circle on the primary image-formation plane.

The present invention discloses a control method of an electronic device. First, a wide-angle lens is started, then, a display is controlled to display a cached wide-angle image as a preview image, next, when the preview image is zoomed in or out, a designated area is identified and the long-focus lens is started. Further, an actuator is controlled so as to enable a cached long-focus image to be in the designated area, and the wide-angle lens and the long-focus lens are controlled to image. Finally, a wide-angle image and a long-focus image are combined. The present invention further discloses a control device and an electronic device. According to the control method, the control device and the electronic device, when a user zooms in or out, the actuator is used to control the wide-angle lens and the long-focus lens to move relatively, so that the relative position of the overlapping part in the field of view of the wide-angle lens is changed, and the overlapping parts are combined so as to make a corresponding part clearer, therefore, when the user zooms in or out the designated area of cached wide-angle image, the long-focus lens can image the designated area so as to make the designated area clearer, and the user experience is improved.

An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope further includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal.

An autonomous inspector mobile platform robot that is used to inspect a pipe or network of pipes. The robot includes a locomotion device that enables the device to autonomously progress through the pipe and accurately track its pose and odometry during movement. At the same time, image data is autonomously captured to detail the interior portions of the pipe. Images are taken at periodic intervals using a wide angle lens, and additional video images may be captured at locations of interest. Either onboard or offboard the device, each captured image is unwarped (if necessary) and combined with images of adjacent pipe sections to create a complete image of the interior features of the inspected pipe. Optional features include additional sensors and measurement devices, various communications systems to communicate with an end node or the surface, and / or image compression software.

The present invention provides mathematically accurate image processing algorithms for extracting natural looking panoramic images and distortion-free rectilinear images from images acquired using a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens which is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis and devices implementing such algorithms. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security•surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phone for apartment entrance door, rear view camera for vehicles, visual sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, camera phone, PC camera, and broadcasting camera. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic or rectilinear photographs using a digital camera.

An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources by waveguide facets and rear reflector images in cooperation. Viewing windows may be provided at first and second different window planes to improve uniformity in a lateral direction. Further, stray light may be reduced by inner and outer portions of reflective facets with different inclinations for the rear reflector.

A system and method for creating an enhanced virtual top-down view of an area in front of a vehicle, using images from left-front and right-front cameras. The enhanced virtual top-down view not only provides the driver with a top-down view perspective which is not directly available from raw camera images, but also removes the distortion and exaggerated perspective effects which are inherent in wide-angle lens images. The enhanced virtual top-down view also includes corrections for three types of problems which are typically present in de-warped images—including artificial protrusion of vehicle body parts into the image, low resolution and noise around the edges of the image, and a “double vision” effect for objects above ground level.

The invention provides a wide-angle lens which comprises a front lens set with negative focal power, a diaphragm and a rear lens set with positive focal power from an object space to an image space in sequence. The front lens set comprises a first lens, a second lens and a third lens from the object space side in sequence, wherein the first lens is a negative meniscus lens protruding towards the object space, the second lens is a negative meniscus lens or a biconcave lens, and the third lens is a biconvex positive focal power lens. The rear lens set comprises a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens from the object space side in sequence, wherein the fourth lens and the fifth lens form a bonding lens, the fourth lens has positive focal power, the fifth lens has negative focal power, the sixth lens is a biconvex positive focal power lens, and at least four lens contained in the lens from the second lens to the sixth lens are aspheric lenses. The wide-angle lens is low in cost, low in weight, little in distortion, small in size, high in light pervious performance and capable of meeting the requirement of high definition.

In a camera unit, a lens system may be configured by a first lens group (wide-angle lens system) whose a field angle in a horizontal direction is 120 degrees or more, a second lens group (anamorphic lens system) whose anamorphic ratio is 1.5 or more, and a third lens group (image-forming lens system). A lens system may be configured so that the amount of change in image height with respect to a change of an image angle is made larger at the peripheral parts than at the center portion of a formed image.

The invention discloses an ultra wide angle camera lens. The ultra wide angle lens comprises a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens in sequence from an object space to an image space, wherein the first lens, the second lens and the fourth lens have negative focal power, the third lens and the fifth lens have positive focal power, the fourth lens and the fifth lens are adhered together to form a cemented lens with the positive focal power, the condition that BFL (Back Focal Length) / EFL (Effective Focal Length) is not smaller than 2.4 is also satisfied, BFL is a distance from an outermost point at the image space of a fifth lens element of the ultra wide angle camera lens to an imaging plane, and EFL is a focal length value of the ultra wide angle camera lens. In the invention, the ultra wide angle camera lens remains a longer BFL under the condition that a TTL (Total Length of Lens) is kept so as to meet requirements for larger sizes of electronic elements and devices at the periphery of an image sensor during the design of a camera; and the lens elements and optical filters are further from the image sensor due to longer BFL, so that the requirement for the surface cleanliness of the respective lens elements and optical filters can be effectively reduced, and the camera is easier to assemble and produce.

A multifocal lens system to be used for digital cameras for setting any one of a plurality of lenses in a picture taking (image capturing) position comprising a wide-angle lens (shorter focal length lens) mounted in front of an image sensor in a picture taking (image capturing) position, a telephoto lens (longer focal length lens) mounted alongside the wide-angle lens, a parallelogram prism (rhombic prism) or a pair of triangular prisms removably arranged between the two lenses at the rear of them. When the wide-angle lens is to be used, the parallelogram prism or one of the two triangular prisms is to be removed from the rear of wide-angle lens so that the wide-angle lens can be focused on the sensor enabling light to pass therethrough. The telephoto lens is so positioned that it may be focused on the image sensor through the parallelogram prism or being reflected by the triangular prisms enabling light to pass therethrough when a part of the parallelogram prism or one of the two triangular prisms is placed in front of the image sensor to cover the imaging area of the sensor and to shut the light through the wide-angle lens to the sensor. By moving the prism from the rear of each lens, one of the two lenses can be positioned for picture taking (image capturing).

A method and system for measurement of ground based vehicle speed includes a movable platform that includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) located in proximity to a roadway, the UAV operates under control and navigation of a UAV control unit, and the UAV also carries camera and monitoring equipment, the camera and monitoring equipment including an onboard computing system, and a camera with a wide angle lens and a camera with a telephoto lens, the cameras being mounted on a pan / tilt device. An algorithm operated by the on-board computing system is used to detect and track vehicles moving on a roadway. The algorithm is configured to detect and track the vehicles despite motion created by movement of the UAV. The cameras mounted on the pan / tilt device are moved under the direction of the computer vision algorithm to maintain a target vehicle of the detected moving vehicles in view, and the speed of the target vehicle is measured.

A flat wide-angle lens system of the invention has a reduced axial length and is intended for creating images with extremely wide angle of observation. The system consists of the first component which is intended for reduction of the field angle of light incidence onto the objective and comprises an assembly of at least two microlens arrays with the same pitch between the adjacent microlenses and arranged with respect to each other so as to provide afocality, and a second component that comprises an assembly of conventional spherical or aspherical microlenses that create an image on an image receiver. Each two coaxial microlenses of the microlens arrays of the first component form an inverted microtelescope of Galileo. The outlet aperture of a single microtelescope is made so that spherical aberration can be minimized almost to 0, while field aberrations can be corrected by design parameters of the microlenses.

An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the ear probe comprising a wide-angle lens optically coupled to the image sensor, laser light source, a laser optical element, and a source of non-laser video illumination; the plurality of tracking illumination sensors disposed upon the otoscanner body so as to sense reflections of tracking illumination emitted from the tracking illumination emitter and reflected from tracking targets installed at positions that are fixed relative to the scanned ear; the image sensor coupled for data communications to a data processor, with the data processor configured so that it functions by constructing a 3D image of the interior of the scanned ear.