Abstract: Automatic gain control is provided for a confocal imaging system to improve the quality of images produced by the system. The confocal imaging system utilizes an illumination source, such as a laser, to produce illumination which enables imaging of an object. The automatic gain control is provided by an automatic gain controller which receives a raster scan video of two-dimensional frames of images from the confocal imaging system, converts the raster scan video into pixels, where each pixel has a brightness value, and then counts, in each frame, the number of pixels which are too bright, the number of pixels which are too dim, and the total number of pixels.

Abstract: A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations, is ergonomic in use, compact, and positionable at the locations thereby providing for patient comfort during imaging. An imaging head (28) is gimble mounted on a multi-axis compound arm (34) to allow for precise placement of a confocal objective (116) extending from the head at selected locations against the skin of the patient while providing for patient comfort. The arm (34) attaches the head to an upright station (10) which may be movable along the floor on which the station is disposed. The station (10) has a platform (16) on which a keyboard (24) and a display (22) for monitoring the images is supported. The station (10) also supports a personal computer (PC) (26) for processing signals providing the images on the display and controlling the microscope. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope.

Abstract: A system especially suited for powering up and down electronic equipment operated to a power conservation mode, which conserves more power than other power conservation efforts. The system is operated by hitting any key of a keyboard which provides data entry signals via a plurality of data lines. An embodiment disclosed provides a flip-flop having power on and power off outputs and also inputs which change the flip-flop between set and reset states. A first isolation switch connects at least one of the plurality of keyboard data lines to the flip-flop for conditioning the flip-flop into the one of its set and reset states which provides power on output when serial data is provided, as when any key of the keyboard is pressed.