Spherical lens and imaging device using the same
US5004328A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/61
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spherical lens includes a spherical shell-shaped lens composed of a medium of a refractive index n.sub.1 and a sphere-shaped lens composed of a medium of a refractive index n.sub.2 smaller than n.sub.1, positioned inside the spherical shell-shaped lens to constitute a concentric sphere therewith. An imaging system includes a spherical lens, an imaging device having a light receiving surface curved along the curved image plane of the spherical lens and adapted to pick up the image formed by the spherical lens with the light receiving surface and a processor for processing image signals output from the imaging device. The imaging system may also include a bundle of light transmitting members, of which, light entrance ends are positioned along the curved image plane of the spherical lens and which are adapted to transmit an image, formed by the spherical lens, to the light exit ends thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.