With Diverse Compound Lens System (e.g., Microscope) Patents (Class 396/432)
  • Patent number: 11733504
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described which provide a film through scope camera mount including a housing that includes a beam splitter, first and second mirrors, and a sensor. The camera mount system may receive an input optical signal from a first direction; split the input optical signal using the beam splitter such that a first portion of the input optical signal may be communicated out of the camera mount system in a second direction and a second portion of the input optical signal may be reflected lateral to the first direction; reflect the reflected signal vertically using the first mirror; reflect the vertically reflected signal in a second lateral direction using the second mirror; and receive the signal reflected by the second mirror in the sensor, which may comprise a visible light sensor and/or an infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TACTACAM LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Peel, Garrison J. Peel, Benjamin B. Stern
  • Patent number: 11209637
    Abstract: An observation device includes: a stage on which a vessel in which a subject is stored is installed; an image-forming optical system that includes an objective lens forming an image of the subject stored in the vessel; a scan control unit that moves the stage with respect to the image-forming optical system to scan each observation position in the vessel by the image-forming optical system; and an acceleration-determination-information acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of information among information about the subject, information about the vessel, information about an observation method, or information about an observation condition. The scan control unit controls an acceleration of the stage on the basis of the at least one piece of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenta Matsubara
  • Patent number: 11178315
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a housing detachably coupleable to an end of a sighting device. The housing may include a channel protruding from a side of the housing. The apparatus may include a one-way mirror disposed inside the housing. The one-way mirror may be positioned to allow an image from the sighting device to pass through the one-way mirror and reflect the image from the sighting device through the channel. The apparatus may include a mounting plate coupled to the housing. The mounting plate may include one or more adjustment bars that may be engageable with a visual recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventors: Val Simmons, David Simmons, Thayne Simmons
  • Patent number: 10928378
    Abstract: Embodiments include a device for testing biological specimen. The device can include a receiving mechanism to receive a carrier. The carrier may include a holding area. The device may include a camera arranged to capture a plurality of images, including a first image and a second image, of the holding area. The device may include a positioning mechanism operable to adjust a relative location of the carrier to the camera. A processor in the device may utilize the camera module to: identify an edge of the first image; cause the positioning mechanism to adjust the relative location of the carrier to the camera in a manner such that, when the camera takes the second image, an edge of the second image aligns with the identified edge of the first image; and perform a set of analytic processes on a combined image from the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bonraybio Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Teng Hsu, Chih-Pin Chang, Kuang-Li Huang, Yu-Chiao Chi, Chia-Wei Chang, Chiung-Han Wang
  • Patent number: 10852290
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a device for testing biological specimen. The device includes a receiving mechanism to receive a carrier. The carrier includes a holding area that carries or has been exposed to the biological specimen. The device includes a camera module arranged to capture imagery of the holding area. The camera module includes an focusing motor operable to adjust a focal point of the camera. The device also includes a processor that is configured to utilize the camera module to determine, based on operations of the focusing motor, a volumetric property of the holding area and perform a set of analytic processes on at least a portion of the captured imagery of the holding area to determine one or more properties of the biological specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Bonraybio Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Teng Hsu, Chih-Pin Chang, Kuang-Li Huang, Yu-Chiao Chi, Chia-Wei Chang, Chiung-Han Wang
  • Patent number: 10835342
    Abstract: There is provided a medical observation apparatus including: a control section configured to control, on a basis of a predetermined operation related to a movement of an imaging field of view, the movement of the imaging field of view in an imaging device supported by an arm including a plurality of links joined to each other by joint sections. The control section controls the movement of the imaging field of view by performing a cropping range control that crops an imaging range of the imaging device on the basis of the predetermined operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroki Saijo
  • Patent number: 10151911
    Abstract: Provided is a microscope system including: a microscope that includes an optical member disposed in an optical path so as to be switchable and that acquires an image of a specimen; and a processor including hardware, wherein the processor is configured to implement: a magnification-estimation unit that, on the basis of a pre-switching optical magnification of the optical member in the microscope, is configured to estimate a post-switching optical magnification, wherein while scaling one of a pre-switching image acquired before switching of the optical member and a post-switching image acquired after switching of the optical member to a plurality of search images respectively corresponding to a plurality of search magnifications, the magnification-estimation unit is configured to calculate a degree of similarity to the other image and estimates the post-switching optical magnification from the search magnification when the calculated degree of similarity becomes the maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 9624958
    Abstract: This invention comprises an adaptor device for connecting an electronic device having a camera to a range of optical devices, including but not limited to binoculars, monoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, telescopes, and microscopes. This adaptor device has a plurality of protrusion that provide a self-centering and fitted connection between the electronic and optical device, so that the optical axes are aligned so that the user may take images or video on their electronic device through the optical device. The structure of the adaptor device allows the adaptor to fit a range of differently sized optical device, denoted by the diameter of the eyepiece end of the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Carson Optical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Hyers
  • Patent number: 9383571
    Abstract: A telescope made up of mutually connectable modules, which telescope comprises at least a lens module and an eyepiece module, and the lens module and eyepiece module each have a connection interface for connecting the modules, and at least one adjusting means for focusing and at least one adjusting means for changing the image magnification are provided, and one of the adjusting means is disposed on the lens module in the region of the connection interface of the lens module and the other one of the adjusting means is disposed on the eyepiece module in the region of the connection interface (5) of the eyepiece module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventors: Siegmund Fischler, Patrick Kurz
  • Patent number: 9179054
    Abstract: In some implementations a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera includes an attachment plate affixed to the front of a camera housing of a camera and an afocal optical module. The afocal optical module is configured to convert a received optical image to a converted optical image for use by the camera. The afocal adaptor also includes a rotation mechanism with a rotation ring and a wave spring clamp, the rotation ring affixed to the attachment plate and the wave spring clamp affixed to the afocal optical module. The rotation ring and wave spring clamp are mounted relative to each other to rotate around a rotational axis aligned with an axis of an optical path formed between the afocal optical module and the attachment plate and aligned with a view axis of the camera. The rotation mechanism also permits rotation of the camera housing around the rotational axis relative to the afocal optical module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Torrey Pines Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Volfson
  • Patent number: 9154677
    Abstract: An electronic device may have front and rear surfaces. A front-facing camera may be formed on the front surface and a rear-facing camera may be formed on the rear surface. A display may be mounted on the front face of the electronic device. The cameras may nominally point along axes that run parallel to surface normals for the front and rear surfaces. A removable camera accessory with reflector structures may be mounted over a camera to deflect light and thereby point the camera in an off-axis direction. The removable camera accessory may be supported in a stand or other support structure. Magnetic structures and other structures may be used in coupling the electronic device to the support structures and may be used in coupling the camera accessory to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas G. L. Merz
  • Patent number: 9151571
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for mounting a camera onto a firearm and an associated device for capturing images and recordings of a firearm target. The apparatus allows for easy attachment of cameras of varying sizes onto the scope of a firearm and along the same longitudinal axis of the scope. The apparatus comprises a sleeve connected to a scope of a firearm, the sleeve being hallow and having a longitudinal axis longitudinal axis forming an unobstructed axial bore and generally coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the scope; a base member with a hole and adapted to receive a camera with the hole of the base member positioned adjacent to the lens of the camera and the longitudinal axis of the camera lens is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Russell
  • Patent number: 9134435
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus including a detector comprising a detecting unit and a reading circuit, the detecting unit including pixels, each of which including a conversion element, the reading circuit which includes a connecting unit that is electrically connected to a signal wire transferring an electric signal and that electrically connects the signal wire to a node, and which performs a reading operation to output the electric signal from the pixel. A control unit controls an operation of the reading circuit, and a sensing unit senses the end of radiation irradiation based on an output of the reading circuit, which is acquired during the period of an accumulation operation of the detector. The control unit starts establishing the electrical connection between the signal wire and the node through the connecting unit based on the sensed irradiation end, and retains the electrical connection until the start of the reading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sho Sato, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita
  • Patent number: 9116505
    Abstract: A holographic reconstruction of scenes includes a light modulator, an imaging system with at least two imaging means and an illumination device with sufficient coherent light for illumination of hologram coded in the light modulator. The at least two imaging means are arranged such that a first imaging means is provided for the magnified imaging of the light modulator on a second imaging means. The second imaging means is provided for imaging of a plane of a spatial frequency spectrum of the light modulator in a viewing plane at least one viewing window. The viewing window corresponds to a diffraction order of the spatial frequency spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SEEREAL TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Armin Schwerdtner
  • Patent number: 9075239
    Abstract: An optical system is used in a microscope which is provided to observe a sample or in a light emitting device which applies a beam of light such as a laser beam onto a sample. The optical system can form an oblique path of light so that without shifting the sample or the position of the eyes of the observer (or the position of a light source of the light emitting device), the observer can observe (in the case of the light emitting device, it can apply light onto) not only a vertical top side the sample but also a front, rear, left or right side of the sample, or the position of a portion of the sample to be observed (in the case of the light emitting device, a portion onto which light is applied) can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Woo Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8965196
    Abstract: A method and associated system for imaging high density biochemical arrays comprises one or more imaging channels that share a common objective lens and a corresponding one or more time delay integration-type imaging cameras with optical alignment mechanisms that permit independent inter-channel and intra-channel adjustment of each of four degrees: X, Y, rotation and scale. The imaging channels are configured to independently examine different spectra of the image of the biochemical arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Complete Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Craig E. Uhrich
  • Patent number: 8911162
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for a scope and camera phone mount is disclosed. In particular, a clamp assembly for a camera phone attachment to a scope of a weapon is provided including a spacer block having a first end coupleable to a camera phone mount and having a recess with first and second flanges that engage a portion of the camera phone mount. The second end of the spacer block has a recess which receives a portion of a weapon scope. A scope securing member is coupled to the spacer block on a first end of the scope securing member by a tongue and groove assembly and on a second end by a thumb screw. The scope securing member receives a portion of the weapon scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin C. Kuehl
  • Patent number: 8842981
    Abstract: An adapter for holding a camera lens of a smartphone, digital mobile device or other camera-bearing device in alignment with an optical instrument has an optical instrument coupler with a pair of spaced-apart clamp members, one of which is used to clamp onto an eyepiece of the optical instrument, and a camera-bearing device coupler having a device clamp member which is used to clamp the camera-bearing device so that its camera lens is in optical alignment with the clamped eyepiece of the optical instrument. A mounting plate with a camera lens slot and a linearly movable locking bracket for the optical instrument coupler enables the position of the camera lens to be adjusted in alignment with the eyepiece of the optical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: HI Resolution Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel N. Fujikake, Mac Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8690460
    Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a camera phone to a weapon scope is provided. The attachment assembly includes a camera phone mount having at least one camera phone clamp for the selective retention of a camera phone in the camera phone mount, the camera phone mount rotatably and slidably coupled to a mount bracket. A scope mount assembly is coupled to a portion of a weapon scope, the scope mount assembly being slidably received by a portion of the mount bracket, wherein the camera phone mount is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position has a camera lens of the camera phone in alignment the view through the scope, and the second position has the camera lens of the camera phone outside of alignment from the view through the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Kuehl, Cody Dulmes, James Walsh
  • Patent number: 8660421
    Abstract: A method and associated system for imaging high density biochemical arrays comprises one or more imaging channels that share a common objective lens and a corresponding one or more time delay integration-type imaging cameras with optical alignment mechanisms that permit independent inter-channel and intra-channel adjustment of each of four degrees: X, Y, rotation and scale. The imaging channels are configured to independently examine different spectra of the image of the biochemical arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Complete Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Craig E. Uhrich
  • Publication number: 20130230309
    Abstract: Camera accessories configured to couple a camera having a camera optical axis and a scope having a scope optical axis are disclosed. Additionally, camera accessories configured to couple a smart phone having a camera with a camera optical axis and a scope having a scope optical axis are disclosed. The camera accessory may include a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the portion of the scope to the scope-receiving assembly such that, when the camera is attached to the camera-receiving assembly and when the scope is received by the scope-receiving assembly, the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: DESIGNPORT, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Roy Porter, Ken Courian
  • Patent number: 8390682
    Abstract: A microscope system includes a light amount ratio changing unit for changing a ratio of the amount of light directed to a first optical path for directing an optical image of the sample to an eyepiece lens and a second optical path for directing an optical image of the sample to an image capturing unit, an image capturing controlling unit for controlling an exposure time of the image capturing unit, and a controlling unit for obtaining a first exposure time from the image capturing controlling unit, for calculating a second exposure time on the basis of the first exposure time and a second ratio of the amount of light, and for controlling the image capturing controlling unit to set the second exposure time as the exposure time if the light amount ratio changing unit changes to the second ratio of the amount of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Minamide
  • Patent number: 8305434
    Abstract: A photographing control unit comprising a drive signal generator, an analog front end, a synchronization signal generation unit, and a system control unit controls an imager under a predetermined photographing condition, so that the imager photographs an observation image of a sample observed by a microscope and formed on a light receiving surface of the imager. A computing unit obtains inputs of a plurality of photographing parameters, determines a photographing condition based on the obtained photographing parameters, and sets the photographing condition for the photographing control unit. A display unit displays the designable ranges of the photographing parameters. Here, when the computing unit obtains the input of a priority parameter, it changes the designable range of the plurality of photographing parameters other than the priority parameter based on the priority parameter and causes the display unit to display the designable range after the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakatsuka, Hiroshi Fujiki
  • Publication number: 20120099852
    Abstract: A system and associated method for imaging high density biochemical arrays comprises one or more imaging channels that share a common objective lens and a corresponding one or more time delay integration-type imaging cameras with optical alignment mechanisms that permit independent inter-channel and intra-channel adjustment of each of four degrees: X, Y, rotation and scale. The imaging channels are configured to independently examine different spectra of the image of the biochemical arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Complete Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Craig E. Uhrich
  • Patent number: 8139106
    Abstract: Provided with a time-lapse imaging unit which repeatedly captures a specimen at predetermined time intervals and generates a plurality of images, and a recording unit which records at least one of an image group including one or more of the images captured during a predetermined period among a period of a time-lapse capturing performed by the time-lapse imaging unit or an image group including one or more of the images picked at predetermined time intervals among the period of the time-lapse capturing performed by the time-lapse imaging unit. Thus, data generated in time-lapse photography are managed favorably in a microscope apparatus provided with a time-lapse imaging unit which repeatedly captures a specimen at predetermined time intervals and generates a plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Maiya
  • Patent number: 8089691
    Abstract: A projection and detector device that attaches externally to the photo-port of a widefield microscope. The device includes a light source interface for receiving of illumination from a light source, the illumination defining an illumination path. A pattern mask is located within the illumination path for projecting one or a plurality of objects, structures, or patterns onto a sample located at the object plane of the optical microscope. The pattern mask may be used with structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to project a moving striped optical grid pattern or Ronchi Ruling onto the sample at the object plane in either fluorescence or reflected brightfield imaging. A mechanical or digital diaphragm may also be used, for techniques such as Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence photoactivation, and targeted illumination. A computer linked with a charged coupled device (CCD) camera may be used to capture images for storage and further post-processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Quorum Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Arbuckle
  • Patent number: 8073323
    Abstract: An attachment connects an eyepiece lens tube of microscope and an imaging lens tube of visual presenter and includes a cylindrical part loosely fittable through an opening with the eyepiece lens tube, a circular receiving surface which is formed on the cylindrical part and which a distal end of the imaging lens abuts, the receiving surface having a through hole, an indication line indicative of a center of the hole, a positioning piece standing along an outer circumferential edge of the receiving surface and having an inner circumferential surface with a curvature radius substantially equal to a curvature radius of outer circumference surface of the imaging lens tube, the outer circumferential surface of the imaging lens tube, and at least three screw members which are threadingly thrust radially through a circumferential surface of the cylindrical part into the cylindrical part, the screw members being arranged equiangularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Doi, Hiroshi Yamakose
  • Patent number: 7929857
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging a planar specular object such as a semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, an imaging system for imaging a defect on a planar specular object includes a telecentric lens having a sufficiently aspherical surface such that the telecentric lens is substantially corrected for an optical aberration. The imaging system also includes a telecentric stop including an aperture therein to block light reflected from the planar specular object while allowing light reflected from the defect to pass through the aperture. The imaging system further includes a lens group having a system stop positioned between the telecentric stop and the lens group. The lens group is substantially corrected for the optical aberration independent of the telecentric lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Baldwin, Joseph J. Emery
  • Patent number: 7885528
    Abstract: A positioning system and method for focusing a charge coupled device (CCD) lens on a selected surface of an object to be measured is provided. The positioning system and method moves the CCD lens downwards to approximate an estimate Z-axis coordinate of the CCD lens, and moves the CCD lens upwards to find an accurate Z-axis coordinate of the CCD lens according to the selected surface of the object. The system and method further moves the CCD lens to a position corresponding to the accurate Z-axis coordinate to focus the CCD lens on the selected surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Xian-Yi Chen, Li Jiang, Zhong-Kui Yuan, Xiao-Guang Xue
  • Patent number: 7869706
    Abstract: A camera head acquires a sample image by shooting a scaled up image of a sample obtained by a microscope body. A memory device records the sample image in a record medium. A CPU detects the completion of the sighting on an observed portion of a sample in a microscope body on the basis of a R. G. B data value of each pixel configuring a microscope image detected by the R. G. B data value. Furthermore, the CPU detects the completion of the focusing on the observed portion by the microscope boundary on the basis of the height of the contrast of the microscope image detected by the focusing completion detection unit. When both completion of the sighting and completion of focusing are detected, the CPU controls a memory device to record a sample image acquired by a camera head on a record medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Minamide, Yujin Arai
  • Patent number: 7848636
    Abstract: A microscope digital camera includes a camera head unit and an operation display unit. A display portion of the operation display unit displays an observed image acquired by a microscope body. A CPU in an operated portion of the operation display unit detects a change of the observed image. By turning on an objective warning LED provided for the operated portion, notification information indicating a detection result of a change of the observed image by the CPU is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 7813632
    Abstract: System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. Attachment members on each adapter may include mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and/or to electrically connect the camera with the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nocturnal Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Laganas, Charles Ronald Musgrove
  • Patent number: 7725024
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging a planar specular object such as a semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, an imaging system for imaging a defect on a planar specular object includes a telecentric lens having a sufficiently aspherical surface such that the telecentric lens is substantially corrected for an optical aberration. The imaging system also includes a telecentric stop including an aperture therein to block light reflected from the planar specular object while allowing light reflected from the defect to pass through the aperture. The imaging system further includes a lens group having a system stop positioned between the telecentric stop and the lens group. The lens group is substantially corrected for the optical aberration independent of the telecentric lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Baldwin, Joseph J. Emery
  • Patent number: 7660523
    Abstract: Providing an intermittent photo-taking device capable of correcting a focus drift in the optical axis direction by moving a stage to focus on a plurality focus position of a sample. The intermittent recording device 9 receives setting of a photo-taking timing for the intermittent recording, sets to a driving system 2 a plurality of focus points to take photographs of the sample in each photo-taking timing as relative positions with respect to a predetermined reference position, at each photo-taking timing, obtains a focus position as a reference position by the autofocus movement, varies the relative position between the microscope 1 and the stage 51 to focus on the set photo-taking position of the sample S on the basis of the obtained reference position and the relative positions, makes the photo-taking device 8 take photograph of the sample in each focus position, and captures the taken images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7630628
    Abstract: A microscope system that shifts a plurality of observation locations that are set upon an observation subject in order onto an optical axis of an objective optical system, and for each of the observation locations, performs photography with an image-capturing device of an observation image of the observation subject a plurality of times as time elapses, includes: a drive unit that drives a stage upon which the observation subject is mounted, and the objective optical system, relative to one another two dimensionally in directions orthogonal to the optical axis; a position detection unit that detects at least one of positions of the stage and the objective optical system; and a correction unit that, based upon position information detected by the position detection unit, performs trimming correction upon a plurality of photographic images that have been photographed at each observation location as time elapses, so that the plurality of photographic images become images of a same observation region that include
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Ogihara
  • Publication number: 20090148153
    Abstract: A camera head acquires a sample image by shooting a scaled up image of a sample obtained by a microscope body. A memory device records the sample image in a record medium. A CPU detects the completion of the sighting on an observed portion of a sample in a microscope body on the basis of a R. G. B data value of each pixel configuring a microscope image detected by the R. G. B data value. Furthermore, the CPU detects the completion of the focusing on the observed portion by the microscope boundary on the basis of the height of the contrast of the microscope image detected by the focusing completion detection unit. When both completion of the sighting and completion of focusing are detected, the CPU controls a memory device to record a sample image acquired by a camera head on a record medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi MINAMIDE, Yujin Arai
  • Publication number: 20090087177
    Abstract: A microscope digital camera includes a camera head unit and an operation display unit. A display portion of the operation display unit displays an observed image acquired by a microscope body. A CPU in an operated portion of the operation display unit detects a change of the observed image. By turning on an objective warning LED provided for the operated portion, notification information indicating a detection result of a change of the observed image by the CPU is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro UCHIDA
  • Patent number: 7493039
    Abstract: A camera that is able to capture images of moving subjects as video images, that has a large depth of field and is thus able to capture images of thick objects, and that is able to capture images of living cells and tissues as well as tissues in water. One example includes an image pickup element and an objective lens disposed between the image pickup element and a subject. A photosensitive surface of the image pickup element has elements sensitive to light in the red, green, and blue spectral regions. Using chromatic aberration of the objective lens to form an image, the respective elements sensitive to light from the red, green and blue spectral region, collect light from respective surface segments XR, XG, and XB that lie at different heights in the subject. The images taken by the respective elements are imaged individually and produced on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Scalar Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7486886
    Abstract: A photo-micrographing device includes a microscope, a unit for obtaining an image of an inspection object, a unit for setting a plurality of view fields of the microscope and storing position information of a stage corresponding to each view field, a unit for storing setting information of the microscope and a camera unit in each view field, a unit for storing shooting conditions corresponding to each view field where time-lapse shooting is applied, a unit for obtaining a time-lapse shooting image for each view field where the time-lapse shooting is applied, based on the stored position information, the stored setting information and the stored shooting conditions, and a unit for collectively displaying latest taken time-lapse shooting images for each view field where the time-lapse shooting is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Endo, Akitsugu Kagayama, Katsuyoshi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090028544
    Abstract: A microscope system that shifts a plurality of observation locations that are set upon an observation subject in order onto an optical axis of an objective optical system, and for each of the observation locations, performs photography with an image-capturing device of an observation image of the observation subject a plurality of times as time elapses, includes: a drive unit that drives a stage upon which the observation subject is mounted, and the objective optical system, relative to one another two dimensionally indirections orthogonal to the optical axis; a position detection unit that detects at least one of positions of the stage and the objective optical system; and a correction unit that, based upon position information detected by the position detection unit, performs trimming correction upon a plurality of photographic images that have been photographed at each observation location as time elapses, so that the plurality of photographic images become images of a same observation region that includes
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Ogihara
  • Patent number: 7426345
    Abstract: A slide photograph data creation system includes a digital camera for making high-magnification photographs of samples, a sample transporter for holding and transporting samples, a controller for controlling the camera and the sample transporter so as to provide overlapping photographs, a pasting information generator for recognizing the margin by which the photographs overlap and for generating pasting-together information, and a photograph file generator for storing in a single file a plurality of high-magnification photographs and the pasting-together information. The system facilitates the examination and photography of large numbers of samples, and enables discrimination of the three-dimensional structure of a sample. Since the photographic data is managed with a database, virtual slide photographs and their attributes information can be browsed over a network or the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Claro Inc.
    Inventors: Terumasa Takamatsu, Tatsusuke Sato, Tomisato Miura, Hiroyuki Nozaka, Hidekatsu Yasuike, Hiromi Miura, Zheng Zhongxi
  • Patent number: 7394979
    Abstract: A camera adapter for optical devices, in particular microscopes. The present solution includes a camera adapter which enables any video cameras and photographic cameras to connect to an existing image out-coupling system, e.g., the beam splitter of a microscope. The adapter can also be used for stereo microscopes. The camera adapter is arranged between the image out-coupling element and the camera. Its housing has two connection pieces. The microscope-side connection piece has a quick-change device and the camera-side connection piece has a filter thread. The technical solution provides a camera adapter for connecting digital cameras to a microscope. By using intermediate rings, the camera adapter is suitable for different cameras and facilitates exchange of cameras. The camera can be positioned in such a way that the observer can view the object through the eyepiece as well as on the camera monitor without substantially changing his/her sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Egon Luther, Ingo Koschmieder, Jan Buchheister, Eberhard Hofmann, Mario Gerlach, Stephan Ruehling
  • Patent number: 7377704
    Abstract: A universal through sight camera system for army tactical vehicles is provided, which includes a universal through sight camera housing that mounts to the Army's M1 ABRAMS tank GUNNER's primary sight extension (GPS-e) by way of clamping onto the outer black anodized eyepiece ring of the GPS-e; a remote head CCD camera easily removable from the camera housing; and three optics adapter rings for adapting the universal through sight camera and housing to other gun's sights. These adapter rings include the M1 GUNNER's auxiliary sight adapter ring; the M2 COMMANDER's extension adapter ring and the M2 auxiliary sight adapter ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: John P Moulton
  • Patent number: 7375756
    Abstract: Binoculars have a digital camera function. The binoculars comprise observation optical-systems, an imaging-block, an indicating-device, and an imaging-block direction changing device. The objective optical-systems have objective optical-systems having first- and second-light axes, at the front-face, and have ocular optical-systems at the rear-face. The imaging-block has an imaging-lens, and an imaging-device. The imaging-lens forms an image on an imaging-surface of the imaging-device, and has a third-light axis. The imaging-device captures the image formed on the imaging surface. The indicating-device has an indicating-surface on which images are indicated, and is located on one of the top- and bottom-face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7280735
    Abstract: A machine that can pass, reflect, filter, or block light along multiple paths. The specific portions of light that can be passed, reflected, blocked, or filtered, are controlled by an optical routing subassembly. This optical routing subassembly can be manipulated to direct specific portions of light to specific paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Andre Sean Thibault
  • Patent number: 7246956
    Abstract: A camera (2) swivels on an observation telescope (1) between a shooting position in which the optical axis (6) of the camera objective (8) extends in the direction of the optical axis (7) of the telescope eyepiece (5) and an observation position in which the target is observable through the telescope eyepiece (5), by being fastened to a swivel arm (3) linked to the observation telescope (1) whereby the optical axes (6, 7) of the camera objective (8) and the telescope eyepiece (5) form an angle (?) in the observation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Swarovski Optik K.G.
    Inventors: Ludwig Pernstich, Helmut Wiedermann
  • Patent number: 7178997
    Abstract: A holding device holds a camera rearward of an ocular of a glass such as a monocular or binocular to record an image utilizing the camera. The image is made available by the glass. This holding arrangement is usable with many cameras and binoculars or monoculars. A rapid change between the camera positioned forward of the ocular and a cleared ocular is made possible for the direct viewing by the user through the glass (binocular or monocular).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hensoldt AG
    Inventors: Volker Claudi, Kurt Becker, Frank Michel, Peter Will
  • Patent number: 7088918
    Abstract: A mounting device for a camera with automatic exposure mode to an optical system is disclosed. An adapter tube has a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the camera and the second end is attached to the optical system. A mounting element, provided at the first end, provides the mechanical connection to the camera. A plurality of electric contact pins, located at the first end, cooperates with respective electric contacts provided at the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Randolph Spencer
  • Patent number: 7085491
    Abstract: An adjustable optical apparatus adapter is disclosed to include a camera platform provided with a mounting screw and a wing nut for securing a camera to the camera platform, a telescope holder for holding a telescope, a holding down frame controlled by a lock screw to hold down a telescope in the telescope holder, and a camera platform lock mounted in the a horizontal sliding slot in camera platform and a vertical sliding slot in telescope holder for locking the camera platform to the telescope holder after position adjustment of the camera platform horizontally and vertically relative to the telescope holder to have the loaded telescope at the telescope holder in axial alignment with the loaded camera at the camera platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Long Perng Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Hsi Chiang
  • Patent number: 6996341
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus is disclosed for use with a stereoscopic microscope having at least two observation light paths for obtaining at least two images having parallax, with the photographic apparatus guiding a light flux that has been split from one of the observation optical paths. The photographic apparatus includes: a connecting part that may be connected to the stereoscopic microscope; at least two image pickup elements, each having an image receiving surface; a beam splitter positioned in an optical path between the connecting part and the at least two image receiving surfaces; and an image relay optical system in each light flux following the beam splitter. Each image relay optical system relays an intermediate image that is formed in each light flux following the beam splitter to a respective one of the at least two image receiving surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Toyoharu Hanzawa