1495017 Optical image dissection and reconstruction REDIFON Ltd 30 Oct 1975 [30 Oct 1974] 46942/74 Heading G2J An image of wide angle format is optically dissected and the parts rearranged and recombined into a second format which is transmitted electrooptically, the received second format image being optically redissected and re-arranged to reform the first wide angle format. In an example, Fig. 3(a), a wide angle image of 9:1 width to height ratio is dissected into equal parts E, F, G, and the outer parts E, G rearranged as shown by arrows 24, 24', 25 to give a square format bounded by 30. The square format is suited for optimum use of an electro-optic transmission system (e.g. television) having circular target and reproduction screens. The reproduced square format image is reconstructed to the wide angle format by reversing the original operation. The areas of maximum distortion of the electrooptic system are shown shaded, and will leave the reconstructed image with the upper edge (horizon) substantially distortion free. Fig. 5 shows an optical system for imaging a wide angle scene as a square format image on the electro-optic target in accordance with the Fig. 3(a) dissection and rearrangement, and Fig. 7 shows an optical system for reconstructing the wide angle image from the square image of the electro-optic receiver. Wide angle objective 40 produces a real wide angle image at 41 which is dissected into three light parcels by prism 43. Lens 49 brings the parcels to a common focus and lens 406 collimates light emanating from said focus, each collimated parcel passing through a respective notional pupil 400-402. Each parcel is deflected by a corresponding prism 500-502 such that all three parcels approach lens 407 with their axes parallel to that of the lens 407. The outer parcels are then deflected, one above the plane of Fig. 5 and the other below, by prisms 503, 504, so as to achieve the "stacking" of the image parts shown in the rearrangement of Fig. 3(a). Inversion of part E is achieved by making prism 500 a roof prism. As shown in Fig. 7 the square format image on receiver 60 is projected via prism 64 on to an array of three spherical mirrors 71-73 of equal power but of different orientation such that each produces a separate parcel of rays for that part of the image falling on to it. The separate parcels are recombined to a wide angle image 605 by optics 66-69, 700-704, 604. Three alternative methods of dissection and reconstruction are described, and optical systems specific to one of them are described in detail. A method of dissection and reconstruction known in the prior art and taught in U.K. Specification 1366147 is also described. The system is particularly suited for use with projecting displays for flight, nautical or land vehicle simulators.
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