2208 results about "Focal position" patented technology

The invention is an optical reader having a plurality of image sensors. Each image sensor of a plural image sensor optical reader can be disposed on an imaging module that can include a light source. In one embodiment, a frame of image data captured via actuation of an image sensor of a first imaging module and actuation of illumination of a second imaging module is subjected to decoding. The various modules of a multiple imaging module reader can be adapted to have different best focus positions so that a field depth of the reader is improved.

A partial section of an aerial image measuring unit is arranged at a wafer stage and part of the remaining section is arranged at a measurement stage, and the aerial image measuring unit measures an aerial image of a mark formed by a projection optical system. Therefore, for example, when the aerial image measuring unit measures a best focus position of the projection optical system, the measurement can be performed using the position of the wafer stage, at which a partial section of the aerial image measuring unit is arranged, in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system as a datum for the best focus position. Accordingly, when exposing an object with illumination light, the position of the wafer stage in the direction parallel to the optical axis is adjusted with high accuracy based on the measurement result of the best focus position.

An image processing apparatus comprises: an image acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of original images acquired by imaging a specimen including a structure in various focal positions using a microscope apparatus; an image generation unit for generating, on the basis of the plurality of original images, a first image on which blurring of an image of the structure has been reduced in comparison with the original images; and an analysis unit for obtaining information relating to the structure included in the first image by applying image analysis processing to the first image. The image generation unit selects a part of the original images having focal positions included within a smaller depth range than a thickness of the specimen from the plurality of original images obtained from the specimen, and generates the first image using the selected original images.

An automatic focusing system for an imaging-based bar code reader. The automatic focusing system employs a two step process for moving a lens of an imaging system along its path of travel such that a sharp image of a target bar code is projected or focused onto an imaging system pixel array. The first step is laser ranging which utilizes a laser beam for range finding. Laser ranging determines a distance between the imaging system pixel array and the target bar code. Given the determined distance, the automatic focusing system moves the lens to a suitable position for imaging the target bar code. If ambient conditions prevent laser ranging from properly working, the second step is focus analysis. Focus analysis involves moving the lens in accordance with a search routine and analyzing image frames of the target object to find a suitable focus position.

In a biological specimen imaging method, a biological specimen which is stored in a storing section of a substrate having plural storing sections and emitting a feeble light is imaged through an objective lens. The biological specimen imaging method includes moving any one of the substrate and the objective lens or both until the desired storing section falls within the field of view of the objective lens, measuring any one of a focal position at a near point and the focal position at a far point of the objective lens or both, determining the focal position of the objective lens focused on an observed target region in the biological specimen stored in the desired storing section based on the measured focal position, and adjusting the focal position of the objective lens to the determined focal position so as to image the biological specimen through the objective lens.

An imaging system (FIG. 3) is disclosed that has a wavelength dependent focal shift caused by longitudinal chromatic aberration in a lens assembly (203) that provides extended depth of field imaging due to focal shift (213,214) and increased resolution due to reduced lens system magnification. In use, multiple wavelengths of quasi-monochromatic illumination, from different wavelength LEDs (206,207) or the like, illuminate the target, either sequentially, or in parallel in conjunction with an imager (200) with wavelength selective (colored) filters. Images are captured with different wavelengths of illumination that have different focus positions (208,209), either sequentially or by processing the color planes of a color imager separately. Extended depth of field, plus high resolution are achieved. Additionally, information about the range to the target can be determined by analyzing the degree of focus of the various colored images.

An improved system and method for macroscopic and microscopic surgical navigation and visualization are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention an integrated system can include a computer which has stored three dimensional representations of a patient's internal anatomy, a display, a probe and an operation microscope. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention reference markers can be attached to the probe and the microscope, and the system can also include a tracking system which can track the 3D position and orientation of each of the probe and microscope. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a system can include means for detecting changes in the imaging parameters of the microscope, such as, for example, magnification and focus, which occur as a result of user adjustment and operation of the microscope. The microscope can have, for example, a focal point position relative to the markers attached to the microscope and can, for example, be calibrated in the full range of microscope focus. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the position of the microscope can be obtained from the tracking data regarding the microscope and the focus can be obtained from, for example, a sensor integrated with the microscope. Additionally, a tip position of the probe can also be obtained from the tracking data of the reference markers on the probe, and means can be provided for registration of virtual representations of patient anatomical data with real images from one or more cameras on each of the probe and the microscope. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention visualization and navigation can be provided by each of the microscope and the probe, and when both are active the system can intelligently display a microscopic or a macroscopic (probe based) augmented image according to defined rules.

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a focus position in an iris recognition system, the method including the steps of: projecting a designated light for measuring a distance between the user and a camera; acquiring user images including the image projected by the light; and measuring a distance between the user and the camera by extracting the projected image by the light out of the user images and analyzing characteristics of the image. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a focus position in an iris recognition system, which enables to adjust the focal angle of an iris, the apparatus includes an illumination device; an iris recognition camera for acquiring user images having an iris image when the illumination device irradiates a light; an illuminator for helping the user with the focal angle according to sharpness of the visible ray that depends on the focal angle by transmitting a visible ray from the illuminator and by reflecting the user images.

A scanning electron microscope equipped with a laser defect detection function has an automatic focusing function that performs the steps of: obtaining a deviation (offset) amount between focal positions of an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope; detecting a defect by a laser dark-field image of the optical microscope; analyzing the dark-field image to readjust a focus of the optical microscope to adjust a height of the optical microscope; and automatically adjusting a focus of the scanning electron microscope by adding a readjusted amount of the focus of the optical microscope to the offset amount before an observation is conducted by the scanning electron microscope.

The invention is an optical reader having a plurality of imaging modules. In one method for operating a multiple imaging module reader of the invention, a second frame of image data captured via actuation of a second imaging module is automatically captured and subjected to decoding in the case an attempt to decode using a frame of image data captured via actuation of a first imaging module fails. In another embodiment, a frame of image data captured via actuation of an image sensor of a first module and actuation of illumination of a second imaging module is subjected to decoding. In another embodiment, frames of image data captured via actuation of image sensors of spaced apart modules are combined. The various modules of a multiple imaging module reader can be adapted to have different best focus positions so that a field depth of the reader is improved.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter relative curvature of field by providing ocular apparatuses, systems and methods comprising a predetermined corrective factor to produce at least one substantially corrective stimulus for repositioning peripheral, off-axis, focal points relative to the central, on-axis or axial focal point while maintaining the positioning of the central, on-axis or axial focal point on the retina. The invention will be used to provide continuous, useful clear visual images while simultaneously retarding or abating the progression of myopia or hypermetropia.

An image recording and reproducing apparatus, an image pickup apparatus, and a chromatic aberration correcting method capable of performing excellent correction processing of an aperture amount of an iris and a lens image height of an object in an image pickup lens are provided. An output signal from a camera signal processing circuit 4 is selected by a switch 5 to be supplied to a chromatic aberration correction unit 6. An aperture amount of an iris 31 provided in an image pickup lens 1 and coordinates of a pixel, to which correction processing is performed, from the chromatic aberration correction unit 6 are supplied to a conversion ratio calculation unit 10. A driving state such as a zoom focal length and focal position of the image pickup lens 1 and a camera shake correction vector are supplied to the conversion ratio calculation unit 10. Then, a conversion ratio for each color is obtained to be supplied to the chromatic aberration correction unit 6. Further, a signal corrected in the chromatic aberration correction unit 6 is compressed in a data compression circuit 15 to be supplied to a recording medium in a recording and reproducing apparatus 17. A signal reproduced from the recording and reproducing apparatus 17 is decompressed in a data decompression circuit 18 to be supplied to the switch 5. Accordingly, picture-quality degradation occurring in a miniaturized image pickup lens can be corrected by processing a picked-up image signal, and excellent correction processing can be performed on an aperture amount of an iris and a lens image height of an object in the image pickup lens.

A projection apparatus comprising a projection section for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal, a distance measuring section for measuring each distance of several positions on an image projection plane made by the projection section, a focus control section for making keystone correction on an image projected by the projection section so that a projection image is formed into a rectangular shape having a proper aspect ratio based on each distance obtained by the distance measuring section while controlling a focus position of the image projected by the projection section, and a control section for instructing to carry out processing by the focus control section.

Systems and methods of generating depth data using edge detection are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, first image data is received corresponding to a scene recorded by an image capture device at a first focus position at a first distance. Second image data is received corresponding to a second focus position at a second distance that is greater than the first distance. Edge detection generates first edge data corresponding to at least a first portion of the first image data and to generate second edge data corresponding to at least a second portion of the second image data. The edge detection detects presence or absence of an edge at each location of the first portion and the second portion to identify each detected edge as a hard or soft edge. Depth data is generated based on the edge data generated for the first and second focus positions.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter relative curvature of field by providing ocular apparatuses, systems and methods comprising a predetermined corrective factor to produce at least one substantially corrective stimulus for repositioning peripheral, off-axis, focal points relative to the central, on-axis or axial focal point while maintaining the positioning of the central, on-axis or axial focal point on the retina. The invention will be used to provide continuous, useful clear visual images while simultaneously retarding or abating the progression of myopia or hypermetropia.

The present invention aims to provide an intra-oral measurement device and an intra-oral measurement system capable of measuring an inside of an oral cavity at high accuracy without increasing a size of the device, and includes a light projecting unit for irradiating a measuring object including at least a tooth within an oral cavity with light, a lens system unit for collecting light reflected by the measuring object, a focal position varying mechanism for changing a focal position of the light collected by the lens system unit, and an imaging unit for imaging light passed through the lens system unit.

A novel micro camera module that is manually adjustable between a close-up mode and an infinite mode includes a lens assembly adjustably mounted within a sleeve that is adjustably mounted into a housing. In a particular embodiment the sleeve includes a channel (cam groove) that is engaged by a plurality of pins fixed to the housing. Further, a biasing member is disposed between the sleeve and the housing such that an upward force will enable the pins to firmly engage the lower portion of the channel. In a more particular embodiment, the channel defines two detents that secure the sleeve into predetermined positions with respect to the housing. In an even more particular embodiment, the channel is sloped such that upon rotation of the sleeve, the distance between the lens assembly and an image capture device is changed. In another particular embodiment, the camera module includes an electrical mode detecting switch that is indicative of the position of the camera module.

A microscope system has a VS image generation means for generating a virtual slide image of a specimen which is constructed by mutually connecting a plurality of microscope images with a first photomagnification photographed and acquired whenever an objective lens and the specimen are relatively moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and which represents the entire image of the specimen, an object-of-interest set means setting an object of interest with respect to the entire image of the specimen represented by the VS image, and a three-dimensional VS image generation means for generating a three-dimensional VS image which is constructed by connecting the microscope images at different focal positions in accordance with the same focal position and which is constructed from the microscope images with a second photomagnification higher than the first photomagnification and represents the image of the object of interest.

A detector for optical analysis of a biochip determines the focal position of a plurality of analytes on the biochip using one or more registration markers on the biochip, wherein the analytes and the registration marker are illuminated by different light sources. Therefore, contemplated configurations will significantly reduce overall focusing time and automate proper positioning of the biochip, while allowing to determine a focal position without photobleaching or other undesirable effects on optically labile compounds. Thus, automated analyses can be performed without manual user intervention.

A pair of optical gratings are used to modulate light from an object, and the modulated light from either optical is used to determine the velocity of the object. Each optical grating is offset from a reference focal point by the same distance, one grating being offset in a positive direction, the other in a negative direction. Signals produced in response to the modulated light can be processed to determine a direction in which a primary collection lens should be moved in order to improve a focus of the imaging system on the object. The lens is moved incrementally in the direction so determined, and the process is repeated until an optimal focus is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the signals are weighted, so that the optical grating disposed closest to the optimal focus position contributes the most to velocity detection.

There is provided an imaging device which detects a focused position focused on a desired subject in an imaging range in response to a detection instruction, acquires the image data obtained by imaging the subject image at the focused position as saving image data in response to a release instruction, and sequentially changing a focal position with the focused position as a reference and acquiring the image data obtained by imaging the subject image at a plurality of changed different focal positions as saving image data.

A new high resolution confocal and non-confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which achieves fine focus and control of focus position by moving a lens in the intermediate optics. This arrangement is particularly useful for imaging specimens where it is difficult to focus by changing the distance between the scan lens and the specimen, for example for in-vivo imaging, photodynamic therapy, and image-guided surgery. It is also important to keep the lens-to-specimen distance constant when a liquid-immersion scan lens is used, in order to maintain a constant thickness of liquid between the lens and the specimen. In addition to being useful for confocal slicing, motion of the intermediate lens under computer control also enables dynamic focus and the ability to move the focal spot along a general path inside the specimen. Several applications of the imaging system are described. The macroscope images macroscopic specimens in reflected light, transmitted light, fluorescence, photoluminescence and multi-photon fluorescence.

An image capturing device includes: a pre-capturing module which captures an imaging target at each of different focus positions in a predetermined focus range and outputs, as a capturing result, a plurality of pre-captured images lower in resolution than the output image; an object sharpness evaluating module which computes a sharpness level of each of the pre-captured images captured by the pre-capturing module; a focus varying range determining module which determines a focus position varying range within the predetermined focus range based on sharpness levels computed by the object sharpness evaluating module, such that a signal-to-noise ratio of the output image is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and an image capturing module which captures the imaging target while varying the focus position according to the focus position varying range determined by the focus varying range determining module, and outputs the output image as a capturing result.

A confocal scanning microscope includes a stimulating light beam scanning unit that scans at least a predetermined plane perpendicular to the depth direction of the stimulating light beam focal position, a stimulating light beam scanning control unit that controls the scanning area of the stimulating light beam to a desired area, an exciting light beam scanning control unit that controls the scanning area of the exciting light beam to a desired area, an exciting light beam focal position changing unit, provided in an excitation fluorescence optical path, which is a portion of an optical path where the exciting light beam and the fluorescence pass and located outside a common optical path where the exciting light beam, the fluorescence, and the stimulating light beam pass, that changes at least the exciting light beam focal position in the depth direction, and an exciting light beam control unit that controls the exciting light beam focal position variably to a desired position.

An exemplary camera module includes a lens mount, a lens unit, a magnet unit, a printed circuit board (PCB)-based Rogowski coil and a blade spring. The PCB-based Rogowski coil is fixed around the lens unit. The PCB-based Rogowski coil establishes an induced magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet unit to generate a magnetic force moving the lens unit telescopically. The blade spring includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a moveable end connected with the lens unit and an opposite fixed end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to distort and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.

When a shutter button of an operation unit is depressed, a controller controls a lens unit driver such that the focal position of a lens unit is continuously changed. During this operation, an image pickup unit picks up a plurality of different images of a subject successively and then stores them in an image memory. An image processor then calculates contrast values of the picked-up images stored in the image memory and specifies respective focused parts of the images. A display controller then displays the picked-up images on a display such that their specified focused parts are displayed specifically. The controller then stores on a memory card images specified by a user from among the displayed images.

The invention discloses a system and a method for preparing a micro-pore array through femtosecond laser direct writing. The system comprises a femtosecond vector light field generation system, a spatial filtering component, a computer and a three-dimensional mobile platform, wherein a 1 / 2 wave plate, a Glan-laser polarizer, a beam expander and the femtosecond vector light field generation system are arranged on an output straight light path of a femtosecond laser device in sequence; a 4f system is arranged on a light path behind a reflective pure phase spatial light modulator after a holographic phase plate is loaded; a spatial filter is arranged on a frequency spectrum surface; and positive and negative levels of diffraction light which pass through the spatial filter pass through a 1 / 4 wave plate respectively and are combined into a beam of laser through a Rochi grating. A material is adjusted to a focal position through the spatial filtering component, an electronic diaphragm, a focusing lens and the three-dimensional mobile platform; and the spatial light modulator, the electronic diaphragm and the three-dimensional mobile platform are connected with a computer through data lines. The device has the advantages of simple structure, convenience in operation and capabilities of preparing the micro-pore array with various patterns and improving the machining efficiency.