A Motionless Camera

About this technology

Overview

Omniview, a motionless, noiseless, exceptionally versatile camera was developed for NASA as a receiving device for guiding space robots. The system can see in one direction and provide as many as four views simultaneously. Developed by *Omniview, Inc. (formerly TRI) under a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, the system's image transformation electronics produce a real-time image from anywhere within a hemispherical field. Lens distortion is removed, and a corrected flat" view appears on a monitor. Key elements are a high resolution charge coupled device (CCD) image correction circuitry and a microcomputer for image processing. The system can be adapted to existing installations. Applications include security and surveillance, teleconferencing, imaging, virtual reality, broadcast video and military operations. *Omniview technology is now called IPIX. The company was founded in 1986 as TeleRobotics International became Omniview in 1995 and changed its name to Interactive Pictures Corporation in 1997.