Abstract: The present invention concerns an image conversion module (09) that comprises an optical interface (10) for establishing an optical path (07). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a beam splitting element (13) on the optical path (07). The beam splitting element (13) is configured for splitting a beam entering the optical interface (10, 11) on the optical path (07) into a first optical subpath (14) and a second optical subpath (16). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a microelectromechanical optical system (17) that is configured for enhancing a depth of field on the first optical subpath (14) that is directed to a first optoelectronic submodule (21). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a second optoelectronic submodule (24) having an electronic sensor (26) on the second optical subpath (16). The second optoelectronic submodule (24) is configured for acquiring additional data on the sample (02).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for capturing and displaying microscopic images of a sample to be microscopically examined using a digital microscope. In a step, a sequence of microscopic images with enhanced visual information in a third geometric dimension is captured. The sequence of the microscopic images is displayed while it is captured. A visual representation of a capturing range in the third geometric dimension is displayed at a graphical user interface. A user input that defines at least one adjustment of the capturing range is received resulting in an adjusted capturing range. At least one parameter of detecting visual information in the third geometric dimension is adjusted according to the adjusted capturing range. It is continued to capture the sequence of the microscopic images with the enhanced visual information in the third geometric dimension applying the at least one adjusted parameter. Furthermore, the invention concerns a digital microscope.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing a microscopic image with an extended depth of field by means of a microscope. The microscope comprises an images sensor that comprises pixels that are arranged as a matrix that is formed by lines. In a step of the method, a plurality of microscopic frames of a specimen is acquired while a focus position (z) is changed. The microscopic frames are acquired line by line. The focus position (z) is changed over a course of acquiring individuals of the microscopic frames. In a further step, parts of individuals of the acquired lines are identified. These parts sharply image the specimen. The identified parts of the lines are composed in order to form a microscopic image of the specimen with an extended depth of field. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a microscope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a digital microscope for capturing images of a sample with an extended depth of field. The microscope comprises a stand (01) with an opening (16) for receiving an optical unit (07). The microscope further comprises an optical unit (07) with an objective (08), an image sensor, and a microelectromechanical optical system on an optical path from the objective (08) to the image sensor. The microelectromechanical optical system is configured for extending a depth of field at the optical path. According to the invention, the imaging unit (07) comprises a mounting unit (13) comprising a first portion (14) for removable mounting the mounting unit (13) into the opening (16) of the stand (01), a second portion (18) for removable mounting an illumination unit (17) onto the mounting unit (13), and a third portion (21) for removable mounting an additional lens (19) onto the mounting unit (13) into an optical axis (22) of the objective (08). Furthermore, the invention concerns a microscopic set.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image conversion module (09) that comprises an optical interface (10) for establishing an optical path (07). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a beam splitting element (13) on the optical path (07). The beam splitting element (13) is configured for splitting a beam entering the optical interface (10) on the optical path (07) into a first optical subpath (14) and a second optical subpath (16). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a microelectromechanical optical system (17) that is configured for enhancing a depth of field on the first optical subpath (14) that is directed to a first optoelectronic submodule (21), which comprises an image sensor (22). The image conversion module (09) further comprises a second optoelectronic submodule (24) that comprises an electronic sensor (26) on the second optical subpath (16). The second optoelectronic submodule (24) is configured for acquiring additional data on the sample (02).

Abstract: The invention concerns a functional module (02) for a microscope. That functional module (02) comprises a mechanical interface (11) for removable mounting the functional module (02) to a module support of the microscope. The functional module (02) further comprises an optical interface (12) for establishing an optical path (09) from an objective (03) of the microscope to the functional module (02). Furthermore, the functional module (02) comprises at least one image sensor (21). The functional module (02) comprises a first and a second microelectromechanical optical system (17, 18). The first microelectromechanical optical system (17) is configured for enhancing a depth of field on a first optical subpath (14) that is directed to the image sensor (21). The second microelectromechanical optical system (18) is configured for enhancing a depth of field on a second optical subpath (16) that is directed to the image sensor (21). The invention further concerns a microscope.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a line scan camera and a variable focus optical element. With the line scan camera, the three dimensional imaging system of the present invention can overcome the speed problems of the area sensor and the variable focus optical element (Micromirror Array Lens) can change depth as fast as the line scan camera refreshes for the next scan so that the line scan camera and the variable focus optical element can be coupled to control optical depth and the linear scan. With help of the present invention scheme, three dimensional scan can be achieved with only one path scan of the line scan. Scheme, apparatus, and method are disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention comprises focus controlled illumination and variable focus optical element. With focus controlled illumination, contrast of the image improves. While reconstructing the three dimensional image with taken data, contrast of the image is very important. Also the contrast of the images is important for the quality of the images. By using focus controlled illumination, surfaces without texture, mirror-like surface, inclined surface can be imaged with this technique and apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes aperture array element and vari-focus optical element in confocal microscopy system. With the aperture array element lateral scanning property can be obtained and with vari-focus optical element axial scanning property can be obtained. Especially Micromirror Array Lens is used as a vari-focus optical element, fast and extended depth of focus scan range can be obtained. Thus the present invention of confocal microscopy with the vari-focus optical element increases scan speed of confocal microscopy system. The confocal microscopy system of the present invention comprises an illumination source, an aperture array element, a vari-focus optical element, an objective lens element, a photosensitive optical sensor device. With these elements, confocal microscopy is performed to get three dimensional images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system generating a high resolution image using low resolution images taken by a low resolution image sensor. Also, the imaging system generates a wide angle of view image. Enhancement of resolution and enlargement of angle of view are accomplished by optical axis change, utilizing one or more micromirror array lenses without macroscopic mechanical movements of lenses. The imaging system also provides zoom and auto focusing functions using micromirror array lenses.

Abstract: Automatic focusing system is provided which comprises a mirror or a plurality of mirrors with a translation device. Automatic focusing can be made by the translation of mirror because focal plane can be changed by the translation of mirror. The translation device makes its motion by the electrostatic, electromagnetic and/or electrothermal forces. The mirror is controlled by the electrical signal from the image processor to get an in-focus image. Also the mirror can be controlled discretely. The image shift by translation is compensated by tilt of mirror and/or image processing.

Abstract: A MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions comprises bottom layer, stepper plate, support, and motion plate. The multiple motion of the motion plate is generated by the electrostatically actuated stepper plates and geometrically predetermined supports. By introducing the MEMS actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions, simple motion control can be achieved by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for motion control of the motion plate.

Abstract: The binoculars of the present invention comprise two optical units; one optical unit for each eye. Each optical unit comprises a first reflector element and a second reflector element, wherein at least one of the reflector elements is a micromirror array reflector. The binoculars of the present invention provide focusing and/or zoom functions without or with minimal macroscopic mechanical lens movement.

Abstract: An optical system with optical image stabilization of the present invention compensates the movement of the optical system occurring during imaging process using a Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) unit having an MEMS mirror to stabilize an image of an object formed on an image plane. A micro-actuator with the in-plane translation makes the MEMS mirror have a required rotation to change optical paths of light from the object to the image plane for optical image stabilization. The optical system with optical image stabilization or the present invention provides fast speed, light weight, simple operation, and high image quality image stabilization for the optical system.

Abstract: A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors. Each self-tilted micromirror comprises a substrate, at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force, a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate, and at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate. The designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the structure of the micro-mechanical elements of the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.

Abstract: Television broadcasting systems of this invention comprise an imaging system, and transmission system, and a displaying system. The imaging system captures two-dimensional images of an object at different focal plane, and generates an all-in-focused image and depth profile. A data signal carrying the image data is generated and transmitted over a broadcasting system compatible with commercial two-dimensional television broadcasting, cable, and/or alternative systems. The depth profile is transmitted by using vacant space in video/audio signal within the allocated channel bandwidth. The data signal is received by the displaying system and the extracts the all-in-focused image and depth information from the data signal. The object is restored from all-in-focused image and depth profile and displayed on the displaying system as a three-dimensional spatial image. Viewers having conventional two-dimensional display device can watch enhanced two-dimensional images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic focus imaging system comprising a lens unit, an image sensor, and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit fabricated by microfabrication technology to improve the portability and focusing speed of the automatic focus imaging system. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises a substrate having a control circuitry, at least one reflective surface movably connected to the substrate, and at least one actuation unit comprising a micro-actuator having a large in-plane translation and at least one micro-converter configured to convert the large in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to the large out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface. The MEMS unit changes a distance between lens unit and the image sensor by controlling the out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface in order to form an in-focus image on the image sensor.

Abstract: An uneven area inspection system of the present invention comprises a patterned panel comprising a panel, wherein the panel have a surface on which a pattern is formed, an object with at least one surface reflecting light from the patterned panel, an imaging unit optically coupled to the patterned panel and the object and configured to capture the image of the patterned panel reflected by the surface of the object, and an image processing unit configured to process the captured image to compare the pattern in the patterned panel and the pattern in the captured image. The object can have uneven area and the uneven area of the object is inspected by comparing the pattern in the patterned panel and the pattern in the captured image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional camcorder comprising a three-dimensional imaging system acquiring the three-dimensional image information of an object and a three-dimensional viewfinder displaying three-dimensional image using at least one variable focal length micromirror array lens.

Abstract: An optical system with optical image stabilization of the present invention comprises at least one movement determination unit determining a movement of the optical system, a control circuitry generating a movement compensation signal using the movement information of the optical system from the movement determination unit, and a Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) unit made by microfabrication technology and controlled by the control circuitry with the movement compensation signal 32C to stabilize an image of an object formed on the image plane. The MEMS unit comprises a substrate, an MEMS mirror movably connected to the substrate and configured to have a motion comprising a rotation, and at least one actuation unit configured to actuating the MEMS mirror.