Electronic imaging apparatus with high resolution and wide field of view and method

Abstract

Electronic imaging apparatus includes a main mirror that rotates about two transverse axes to reflect light for an array of subimages through a lens to a correcting mirror that reflects the light to an image detector. The correcting mirror moves in translation and tilts to correct for loss of focus of the subimages. A method of generating high resolution images includes acquiring an array of subimages by moving the main mirror and correcting each subimage with the correcting mirror. A method of surveillance includes acquiring and storing an array of initial subimages, then acquiring new subimages, comparing the new subimages with the stored subimages, and storing changed subimages.

1 . A method of generating a panoramic image comprising the steps of: 
 providing electronic imaging apparatus including a mirror assembly rotatable about a vertical axis and having a mirror rotatable about a horizontal axis, a lens spaced along said vertical axis from said main mirror, and an image detector spaced along said vertical axis from said lens opposite said main mirror,    acquiring an array of subimages by successively acquiring a said subimage from light reflected from said main mirror through said lens to said image detector, then moving said main mirror by one of rotating said main mirror assembly about said vertical axis and rotating said main mirror about said horizontal axis, and then acquiring a next said subimage,    stitching said subimages together, and    rotating all said subimages to an upright orientation.    
   
   
       2 . A method of high resolution surveillance comprising the steps of: 
 providing electronic imaging apparatus including a main mirror assembly having a main mirror rotatable about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis, a lens spaced along said vertical axis from said main mirror, and an image detector spaced from said lens opposite said main mirror,    acquiring an array of initial subimages by successively acquiring a said subimage from light reflected from said main mirror through said lens to said image detector, then moving said main mirror by rotating said main mirror about at least one of said vertical and horizontal axes, and then acquiring a next said subimage,    storing said initial subimages as stored subimages,    after said step of acquiring an array of initial subimages, acquiring new subimages of said array,    then comparing each said new subimage with the respective said stored subimage, and    if a said new subimage is a changed subimage relative to the respective said stored subimage, storing that said changed subimage as a stored subimage.    
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  including the steps of: 
 stitching said stored subimages together to generate an image,    rotating said stored subimages to an upright orientation, and    displaying said image.    
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said stored subimages are a selected region of said array.  
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said region is selected by an operator.  
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said region is automatically selected when a said changed subimage is acquired.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said step of acquiring an array of initial subimages includes acquiring said initial subimages at high resolution, and    said step of acquiring new subimages of said array includes acquiring said new subimages at a lower resolution than said initial subimages, and    said step of storing said changed subimages includes acquiring said changed subimage in high resolution before storing said changed subimage.    
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said step of acquiring new subimages of said array includes continuously acquiring new subimages of said array.  
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said electronic imaging apparatus includes an image detector assembly having said image detector, and having processing and memory capabilities, and    said image detector assembly performs said setup of comparing each said new subimage with the respective said stored subimage.