| abstract |
A nearly spherical view is provided using five cameras. Four cameras (52,54,56,58) provide a 360 degree view of an area using a four sided pyramid shaped element (40). The four sides (42,44,46,48) of the pyramid shaped element are reflective and reflect images from four different directions (60,62,64,66). Each camera is positioned to receive a reflected image from one of the reflective sides of the pyramid. The four cameras are arranged so that they share a common virtual optical center (90). A fifth camera (400) with a wide angle lens is positioned with the camera's optical center positioned at the common virtual optical center. The fifth camera has a view in the direction (410) of the pyramid's base to provide a nearly spherical view when combined with the 360 degree view of the other cameras. |