Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging system includes an imaging device that captures images of the subject, a focus mechanism for changing a focal length of the imaging device, and a controller that processes images captured by the imaging device. The imaging device captures a plurality of images of the subject at each of a plurality of focal lengths. The controller generates a sharpness map for each of the plurality of images of the subject at each of the plurality of focal lengths and a composite image of the subject by blending together the plurality of images at each of the plurality of focal lengths into a single image based on the sharpness maps.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: An air sampling device for collecting and analyzing airborne particulate matter. The air sampling device may include a housing, an air intake aperture in the housing where air enters an interior of the housing, a collection surface, disposed within the housing, that captures airborne particulate matter contained in the air, and an imaging device that captures an image of the airborne particulate matter collected on the collection surface. The device may also include a microscope for viewing the airborne particulate matter collected on the collection surface. The imaging device captures an image of the airborne particulate matter collected on the collection surface. The imaging device views and captures an image of the airborne particulate matter collected on the collection surface through the microscope.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Abstract: The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.