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Mirror Technologies
Synopsis
Possible applications of this family of patents include surveillance
of all kinds, virtual reality, teleoperation, and autonomous vehicle
navigation systems. These devices grew out of our work on
biologically
inspired autonomous
vehicle navigation and image processing. The intellectual
property can be placed into three groups.
1. We have developed a range of reflective surface shapes
that allow extremely wide angle imaging with minimal geometrical
distortion. The device is patented in the US and Australia, with
patents imminent in the EU and Japan:
- Chahl, J. S., Nagle, M., Srinivasan, M. V., & Sobey, P.
J. 1997(December). Panoramic video surveillance system. US patent
No. 08/601,053.
- Chahl, J. S., Nagle, M., Srinivasan, M. V., & Sobey, P.
J. 1994. Panoramic surveillance system. Australian Patent No.
673951.
Other panoramic imaging techniques have required great expense
and a smaller field of view in the case of refractive optics,
or a highly distorted image in the case of existing reflective
optics.
2. We have extended the concept to exclude self-imaging
of the camera in the reflected image and/or to exclude occlusion
of the visual field by the camera. This functionality is
entirely novel and widely believed to be impossible, giving this
patent an exclusive and significant niche in the growing area
of panoramic imaging. The technique is in the international patent
application stage:
- Chahl, J. S., & Srinivasan, M. V. 1997. Imaging system.
International patent application No. PCT/AU97/00815.
3. We have developed algorithms for rapid computation
of range from a single, moving, panoramic camera, and from stereo
pairs of panoramic cameras. These algorithms are unique in their
speed, simplicity and accuracy. The technique is well suited to
outdoor environments, where established visual range-finding techniques
fail. The technique is in the international patent application
stage:
- Chahl, J. S., & Srinivasan, M. V. 1998. Range finding.
International patent application No. PCT/AU98/00658.
Value
The work described here has wide application and is relatively
easy to commercialize.
Contacts
M.Srinivasan@anu.edu.au
BioTech RSBS
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