PANORAMIC IMAGING SYSTEMS USING EXTERNAL ROTATING DEVICES
Panoramic imaging systems and methods for manufacturing and arranging the same are disclosed. A panoramic imaging system includes a mounting frame, an image sensor coupled to the mounting frame, and an optical de-rotation device arranged in an optical path of the image sensor. The optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are oriented such that the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are in the same plane. The optical de-rotation device removes motion-related blur that would be observed by the image sensor when a rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes the panoramic imaging system to rotate.
1 . A panoramic imaging system comprising:
a mounting frame;
an image sensor coupled to the mounting frame; and
an optical de-rotation device arranged in an optical path of the image sensor,
wherein:
the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are oriented such that the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are in the same plane, and
the optical de-rotation device removes motion-related blur that would be observed by the image sensor when a rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes the panoramic imaging system to rotate.
2 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame is configured to be mounted to an external rotating device that provides the rotational movement.
3 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame is configured to be mounted to an external RADAR system that provides the rotational movement.
4 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame comprises one or more attachment devices for coupling the mounting frame to an external rotating device.
5 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is coupled to the mounting frame in a fixed position relative to the mounting frame.
6 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system detects radiation in one or more of an ultraviolet wavelength band, a visible light wavelength band, a near infrared wavelength band, a short-wave infrared wavelength band, a mid-wave infrared wavelength band, and a long-wave infrared wavelength band.
7 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the optical de-rotation device comprises one or more of a fast steering mirror, a continuous rotation multi-faceted mirror, an acousto-optic beam steering assembly, and a prism.
8 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein:
the rotational movement that is external to the panoramic imaging system is in a plane; and
the optical de-rotation device de-rotates in the plane such that the optical de-rotation device maintains a gaze of the image sensor on one or more fixed objects when the rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes a rotational movement of the panoramic imaging system.
9 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more of an accelerometer and a gyroscope to capture azimuth rotation observed by the panoramic imaging system when the rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes the panoramic imaging system to rotate.
10 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein:
the rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system causes azimuth rotation of the image sensor; and
the image sensor collects a panoramic image that is fully stitched and free from motion-related blur.
11 . The panoramic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a focal point of the image sensor is positioned at a center of the rotational movement external to the panoramic imaging system.
12 . A method of arranging a panoramic imaging system, the method comprising:
providing the panoramic imaging system comprising:
a mounting frame,
an image sensor coupled to the mounting frame, and
an optical de-rotation device arranged in an optical path of the image sensor; and
coupling the mounting frame to an external rotating device that provides rotational movement.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the external rotating device is an external RADAR system.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the mounting frame comprises attaching the mounting frame to the external rotating device with one or more attachment devices.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the image sensor is coupled to the mounting frame in a fixed position relative to the mounting frame.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the panoramic imaging system detects radiation in one or more of an ultraviolet wavelength band, a visible light wavelength band, a near infrared wavelength band, a short-wave infrared wavelength band, a mid-wave infrared wavelength band, and a long-wave infrared wavelength band.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the image sensor is coupled to the mounting frame in a location such that a focal point of the image sensor is positioned at a center of rotational movement caused by the external rotating device.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the optical de-rotation device comprises one or more of a fast steering mirror, a continuous rotation multi-faceted mirror, an acousto-optic beam steering assembly, and a prism.
19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the panoramic imaging system further comprises one or more of an accelerometer and a gyroscope to the mounting frame.
20 . A panoramic imaging system comprising:
a mounting frame removably coupled to an external RADAR system that provides rotational movement;
an image sensor coupled to the mounting frame in a fixed position relative to the mounting frame; and
an optical de-rotation device arranged in an optical path of the image sensor,
wherein:
the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are oriented such that the optical de-rotation device and the image sensor are in the same plane, and
the optical de-rotation device removes motion-related blur that would be observed by the image sensor when the rotational movement causes the panoramic imaging system to rotate.