Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A multi-direction camera is provided in which a mirror (3) having a plurality of reflecting surfaces (31, 32) is disposed in front of a lens (4). The mirror (3) reflects the light from a plurality of directions and the lens (4) receives the reflected light to form an image on an image sensing device (7). In a first embodiment, a partitioning plate (81) is provided between the lens (4) and the edge line (33) of the mirror (3). The partitioning plate (81) optically isolates a plurality of reflecting surfaces (31, 32) to prevent a ghost image from appearing in the image taken. In a second embodiment, the mirror (3) is enclosed by an opaque cover (2), and the cover (2) has a transparent window (21, 22) opposing each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces (31, 32). The shields (23, 24), which are formed as a part of the window (21, 22), are arranged at locations away from the lens (4) such that an image of the shield is received by the lens (4). The present invention provides an improved multi-direction camera in which no ghost image appears in a video image taken through the camera, and in which a clear boundary line is provided between a plurality of sensed video images without using electrical means.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim