SOLID CATADIOPTRIC OMNIDIRECTIONAL OPTICAL SYSTEM HAVING CENTRAL COVERAGE MEANS WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH A CAMERA, PROJECTOR, MEDICAL INSTRUMENT, OR SIMILAR ARTICLE

摘要

The present invention relates to an omnidirectional wide angle optical system, which is associated with a camera, projector, medical instrument, surveillance system, flight control system, or similar article. The optical system consists of a strongly curved external refracting surface, a strongly curved internal primary reflector surface, a secondary reflector surface (in most embodiments), central wide angle refracting optics (in some embodiments), a modular or integral imaging and correcting lens system having aperture adjustement means, and mounting components. Optical surfaces associated with the formation of an omnidirectional virtual image are typically integrated into a single solid catadioptric optic in some embodiments, but the central wide angle refracting optics are separate optical elements in other embodiments.