Abstract: A keratoscope image processing system having a compact keratoscope usable with a variety of light ring cones employs an improved cone and lightbox combination in which the light transmitting rings of the cone are more sharply defined by being positioned between incised opaque rings, and in which the lightbox has facets for mounting and heat-sinking a pair of laser diodes, a semi-toroidal cavity for mounting a ring-shaped fluorescent lamp for illuminating the cone and tunnels that direct the laser beams into the cone to intersect on the visual axis of the cone. The light box provides a surface for fixedly mounting a pair of mirrors that redirect the laser beams. The different cones are identified by patterns of light pervious spots illuminated from the lightbox and sensed by detectors mounted in the lightbox. Signals from the detectors modify the image processing in accordance with stored optical characteristics corresponding to the detected patterns.

Abstract: An improved conical keratometer wherein the parent image of the pattern to be reflected upon a target positioned adjacent to the illuminated bore is recorded on a film slide retained within the keratometer bore. Opposite edges of the slide are chamfered at equal but opposite angles so that, when the spindeled slide is released, the chamfered edges will meet along a line of contact rather than butting squarely together. The film slide is rolled so that the emulsion side is toward the periphery of the cone bore and the chamfering allows that side to lie smoothly against the cone bore without any gaps so that an undistorted image may reliably be reflected upon a standard target.

Abstract: A cylindrical keratoscope is provided with an improved structure for illuminating the rings disposed along the length of its bore by having the light-transmitting rings defined as the lands between a series of opaquely coated, incised circular grooves in the bore. A circular, fluorescent, light tube is disposed in an aluminum light box having a semi-toroidal concavity provided with a light-reflecting surface to direct or collimate the light from the tube toward the light-receiving base of the device.

Abstract: A keratoscopic instrument capable of automatically compensating for the different optical characteristics exhibited by any of a set of mechanically interchangeable illuminated ring devices without manual recalibration includes on the base portion of each light ring device a plurality of distinctive, light pervious, machine-readable indicator spots illuminated from the keratoscope light source and arranged in a code indicative of the optical characteristics of the ring device in place. Marking information is detected and communicated to a computer controlled image processing system wherein the detected information is automatically utilized, in conjunction with other input data, to process the image.