Patent US4058831A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4058831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Panoramic camera scanning system
Assignee: LECTROLARM CUSTOM SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1976-09-08
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Granted: 1977-11-15
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Expires: 1996-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Panoramic camera scanning system including a rotating mirror system which enables scanning through a full 360° revolution. The mirror system includes a planar mirror member having reflective coatings on both of its surfaces. This planar member is mounted so as to extend along an axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of a camera utilized within the scanning system. By rotating the planar member, a full 360° scanning view can be provided to the camera without requiring any movement of the camera.
Inventors
- 👤 William V. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/02; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N23/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Mirror system for use in a panoramic camera scanning system comprising: a planar member having reflective coatings on both of its planar surfaces; means for rotatably mounting said planar member so that its plane lies along an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of a camera utilized in the scanning system; and, means for rotating said planar member about said mounting axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Mirror system for use in a panoramic camera scanning system comprising: a planar member having reflective coatings on both of its planar surfaces; means for rotatably mounting said planar member so that its plane lies along an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of a camera utilized in the scanning system; and, means for rotating said planar member about said mounting axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotating means continuously rotates said planar member through a full 360° revolution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A panoramic scanning system comprising: a camera; a planar member having reflective coatings on both of its planar surfaces; means for rotatably mounting said planar member so that its plane lies along an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of a camera utilized in the scanning system; and, means for rotating said planar member about said mounting axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A panoramic scanning system comprising: a camera; a planar member having reflective coatings on both of its planar surfaces; means for rotatably mounting said planar member so that its plane lies along an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of a camera utilized in the scanning system; and, means for rotating said planar member about said mounting axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said camera has a wide-angled lens so that when the plane of said planar member extends in a direction aligned with the optical axis of said camera, said planar member presents no impediment to the optical view of said camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said camera is spaced only a short distance from said mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein when the plane of said planar member extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said camera the only image viewed by said camera is the reflection from one of said planar surfaces of said planar member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein when the plane of said planar member extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said camera, the view reflected by said planar surfaces of said planar member to said camera only covers a portion of the optical view of said camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as defined in claim 3 further comprising further means for mounting said camera, said further mounting means for said camera being coupled to said mounting means for said planar member and said camera being adjustably mounted on said further mounting means such that said camera can be moved in a direction along its optical axis relative to said planar member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said rotating means continuously rotates said planar member through a full 360° revolution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said camera is a video camera.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-14 | 1981-05-16 | 1981-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-14 | 1985-05-16 | 1985-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-14 | 1989-05-16 | 1989-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |