Abstract

A device for omnidirectional image viewing providing pan-and-tilt orientation, rotation, and magnification within a selected field-of-view for use in any application including inspection, monitoring, surveillance, and target acquisition. The imaging device (using optical or infrared images) is based on the effect that the image from a wide angle lens, which produces a circular image of an entire field-of-view, can be mathematically corrected using high speed electronic circuitry. More specifically, an incoming image from any image acquisition source is captured in memory of the device, a transformation is performed for the viewing region of interest and viewing direction, and a corrected image is output as a video image signal for viewing, recording, or analysis. Multiple simultaneous images can be output from a single input image. As a result, this device can accomplish the functions of pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom throughout the selected field-of-view without the need for any mechanical mechanisms to move a camera.