Abstract: Endoscopes, multicore endoscope fibers and configuration and operation methods are provided. The fibers may have hundreds or thousands of cores and possibly incorporate working channel(s) and additional fibers. The fiber may be used at different optical configurations to capture images of tissue and objects at the distal tip and to enhance a wide range of optical characteristics of the images such as resolution, field of view, depth of field, wavelength ranges etc. Near-field imaging as well as far-field imaging may be implemented in the endoscopes and the respective optical features may be utilized to optimize imaging. Optical elements may be used at the distal fiber tip, or the distal fiber tip may be lens-less. Diagnostics and optical treatment feedback loops may be implemented and illumination may be adapted to yield full color images, depth estimation, enhanced field of views and/or depths of field, and additional diagnostic data.

Abstract: Synchronized capture of image and non-image sensor data is disclosed. In one embodiment, a device for synchronized capture comprises a synchronization signal generator to generate a synchronization (sync) signal for each of a plurality of heterogeneous capture devices and timestamping logic coupled to the synchronization signal generator to assign timestamp information to each set of data captured by individual capture devices of the plurality of capture devices to indicate when the data was captured, wherein the timestamp information is assigned based on when the sync signal is generated for its corresponding capture device and based on a first delay between when the sync signal is generated for a corresponding capture device and when processing of captured data, by a processing device, has been completed.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes: a fiber that guides illuminating light emitted from a light source; a first actuator provided on a side of the fiber, the first actuator expanding/contracting according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; a second actuator disposed at a position facing the first actuator across the fiber, the second actuator expanding/contracting according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; and a drive signal output section that applies a first drive signal that varies with reference to a first voltage that brings the first actuator into a contracted state to the first actuator and applies a second drive signal that varies with reference to a second voltage that brings the second actuator into a contracted state to the second actuator.

Abstract: A relay optic adapter system for imaging stereoscopic images with a single lens optic device and methods of producing stereoscopic images using such a relay optic adapter are provided herein. The relay optic adapter system utilizes an active stereoscopic shutter mounted along the optical path of the single lens optic device, such as, for example, a still or video camera, to provide a stereoscopic image to imaging plane of the device.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to identifying an object in a field of view of a camera. In particular, it relates to identifying a display in the field of view of the camera. This is achieved by monitoring a space including acquiring a series of image frames of the space using the camera and detecting one or more light sources in the series of image frames. Further, one or more frequencies of periodic intensity or brightness variations, also referred to as ‘refresh rate’, of light emitted from the light sources is measured. Based on the one or more frequencies of periodic intensity variations of light emitted from the light sources, at least one display that includes the light sources is identified.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system includes: first and second image pickup sections including first and second image pickup devices, respectively, arranged on an endoscope distal end portion and configured to acquire a common subject; a reference member integrally provided on the endoscope distal end portion and serving as a reference in adjusting the first and second image pickup sections such that images are picked up in first and second image pickup ranges that can be picked up by the first and second image pickup devices, respectively; and an adjustment section configured to adjust the image picked up by at least one of the image pickup sections to generate substantially horizontally symmetrical images when the first image and the second image obtained by picking up the images of the reference member by the first and second image pickup devices, respectively, are displayed as left and right images on a display apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering of image data for a multi-view display, such as image data for a lenticular auto-stereoscopic display, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving an image signal representing a first image, the first image comprising 3D image data, and spatially filtering the first image signal to provide a second image signal. The second image signal represents a second image, the spatial filtering being, e.g., a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter or a combination of a low-pass and a high-pass filter. A strength of the spatial filter is determined by a reference depth of the first image and a depth of an image element of the first image. The second image is sampled to a plurality of sub-images, each sub-image being associated with a view direction of the image.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, a head-mounted display is provided. The head-mounted display includes a casing having an opening portion; and a movable member movable between a first position in which the movable member covers the opening portion, and a second position in which the movable member does not cover the opening portion.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope connector for connecting any given one of a plurality of working assemblies to an imaging assembly.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus may include converter device(s), a matrix switch, processor(s), and memory(s), where one or more of the converter devices provide video input signals to the matrix switch. A processor may determine if one of a plurality of video signals input to the matrix switch includes data representative of identification information overlain on a video image derived from one of the plurality of video signals. The determination may be based on a flag value stored in the converter device(s). The flag value may be retrieved by a server coupled to the matrix switch. If the information is included in the video signal, the video signal may be passed through a path in a matrix switch configured by the processor. If the information is not included in the video signal, the data representative of identification information may be retrieved from the converter device and then overlain on the video image.

Abstract: A polyp detection apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. The method of operating a polyp detection apparatus includes: generating an image of an object; detecting a polyp candidate region based on the generated image; detecting a reflected light region within the detected polyp candidate region; and displaying a final polyp region by excluding the detected reflected light region from the polyp candidate region.

Abstract: An appropriate stereoscopic image of a subject is readily acquired. Provided is a stereoscopic endoscope device including two image capture elements spaced apart from each other and disposed at a distal end of an insertion section to be inserted into a subject; an angle changing mechanism that changes a relative angle between optical axes of the image capture elements; a distance sensor that detects the distance from the image capture elements to the subject; and a controller that controls the angle changing mechanism on the basis of the distance detected by the distance sensor.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, a head-mounted display is provided. The head-mounted display includes a casing; and a reference portion provided on the casing for observing an eye of a wearer of the head-mounted display such that a relative position between the casing and the eye of the wearer is adjustable.

Abstract: Provided is a stereoscopic endoscope device enabling precise observation based on a 3D-image and observation of a wide field of view range based on a 2D-image and enabling the change of the field of view range according to the situation with a simple structure without increasing the size of an imaging unit or complicating the configuration. An imaging unit 50 disposed in a distal portion of a stereoscopic endoscope includes a pair of left and right imaging units 50L, 50R that capture a parallax image of a subject of a part of interest. The left and the right imaging unit 50L, 50R include a left and a right imaging optical system 60L, 60R, which form a subject image, and reflecting mirrors 302L and 302R located on the rear end sides of the left and the right imaging optical system 60L, 60R, respectively.

Abstract: An optical unit includes a condensing lens which condenses light from an object; a pupil splitting polarization separation element which separately outputs two linearly polarized light beams of which polarizing directions are different from the condensed light using a left eye polarization separation region and a right eye polarization separation region which are formed by having a pupil splitting line which is orthogonal to an optical axis as a border; a polarizing direction conversion element which converts polarizing directions of the two linearly polarized light beams which are output from the pupil splitting polarization separation element; and a rotation driving unit which rotates the pupil splitting polarization separation element and the polarizing direction conversion element in an optical axis rotational direction.

Abstract: A projection apparatus for projecting an image of a display unit by emitting light from a light source includes a detection unit configured to detect flicker information indicating how easily flicker occurs based on input image information, and a control unit configured to control the number of light emissions of the light source in a time period during which an image in one frame is displayed by the display unit based on the flicker information detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting an interpolation coefficient for stereo matching includes: an interpolation coefficient generator configured to generate an interpolation coefficient ?; a correction value calculator configured to calculate a parameter and a weight value based on a position of an object in an image; and an interpolation coefficient corrector configured to correct the generated interpolation coefficient by multiplying the calculated parameter and the calculated weight value by the generated interpolation coefficient.

Abstract: An electric endoscope includes a motor that generates a rotational driving force, a torque shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion, a connecting section for bending a bending portion by the rotational driving force transmitted by the torque shaft, an input section that instructs a target rotation amount of the motor, a detecting section that detects rotation information of the motor in a rotating state thereof, an estimating section that estimates a rotation state of the motor based on the rotation information, a motor physical model, a torque shaft physical model and a connecting section physical model, and a control section that performs control so that the rotation state of the distal end portion matches with a rotation state of the target rotation amount based on the estimated rotation state of the motor.

Abstract: A blade inspection apparatus inspects a plurality of blades periodically disposed on a periphery of a rotating shaft of a rotor of an engine and rotated on the rotating shaft. The blade inspection apparatus has a borescope having an insertion portion in which an observation optical system is provided, fixtures attached to one of a plurality of external access ports provided on the engine and fixing the borescope, and dedicated for each of the external access ports, and an identification information output portion for outputting identification information for identifying the external access port to which the fixtures are attached.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system includes: a corresponding point detection section that detects a position of an object in each of an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye based on right and left video signals; a horizontal position moving section that moves, based on a parallax between the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye and depth information of a stereoscopic video which are obtained from the detected positions, horizontal positions of the right and left video signals, by an amount of the parallax, respectively in directions determined according to the depth information; a vertical/horizontal inversion section that vertically and horizontally inverts the right and left video signals whose horizontal positions have been moved; and a stereoscopic signal combining section that combines the right and left video signals subjected to the vertical/horizontal inversion, and generates a stereoscopic video signal.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an illumination subassembly, which is configured to project onto an object a pattern of monochromatic optical radiation in a given wavelength band. An imaging subassembly includes an image sensor, which is configured both to capture a first, monochromatic image of the pattern on the object by receiving the monochromatic optical radiation reflected from the object and to capture a second, color image of the object by receiving polychromatic optical radiation, and to output first and second image signals responsively to the first and second images, respectively. A processor is configured to process the first and second signals so as to generate and output a depth map of the object in registration with the color image.

Abstract: A device is configured to receive an image including a calibration pattern and apply a filter to the image based on a first coordinate plane. The device is configured to determine a first set of response peaks associated with the calibration pattern based on applying the filter, the first set of response peaks being associated with a set of control points and a set of boundary points. The device is configured to determine a second set of response peaks associated with the calibration pattern based on a second coordinate plane and a third coordinate plane, the second set of response peaks being associated with the boundary points. The device is configured to determine the control points based on determining the first set of response peaks and the second set of response peaks, and provide information that identifies the control points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-view system containing a means for retaining multi-view system on a user's head. A frame support is pivotally connected to the means for retaining multi-view system. At least one display device, such as an LCD, is hingedly connected to the frame support. The display device is positioned away from the direct view of the user's eyes. In a preferred embodiment, the display device is positioned at least 3 degrees away from the direct view of the user's eyes. In operation, the user can see objects in direct view and the display device by moving the eyes to provide direct view and display device view capability.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of digitally converting 2D motion pictures or any other 2D image sequences to stereoscopic 3D image data for 3D exhibition. In one embodiment, various types of Image data cues can be collected from 2D source images by various methods and then used for producing two distinct stereoscopic 3D views. Embodiments of the disclosed methods can be implemented within a highly efficient system comprising both software and computing hardware.

Abstract: A medical three-dimensional observation apparatus includes at least a pair of imaging units, a three-dimensional image processing unit, a calculating unit, and an index superimposing unit. The imaging units image a .specimen from different viewpoints. The three-dimensional image processing unit displays a three-dimensional image of the specimen on a display in accordance with images of the specimen. The calculating unit calculates a region of a three-dimensional reproduction space of the display in which the three-dimensional image of the specimen is to be reproduced. The index superimposing unit superimposes an annotation image on a depth position corresponding to the region in which the three-dimensional image is reproduced.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting an autostereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) display device is provided. The method includes steps of: displaying an autostereoscopic 3D frame by the autostereoscopic 3D display device; capturing a left-eye frame and a right-eye frame of the autostereoscopic 3D frame by two image capturing devices located at a left-eye position and a right-eye position, respectively; selecting multiple sampling points from the left-eye and right-eye frames; and analyzing the number of the sampling points satisfying a predetermined condition to determine a display angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system and a method for three-dimensional imaging of the interior of an object. The imaging system comprises illumination means (10), detection means (11) and reconstruction means. The illumination means is adapted to illuminate the interior of the object with light, wherein the illumination means (10) is capable of generating different spatial light intensity distributions on the interior of the object. The detection means (11) is adapted to detect the different spatial light intensity distributions, and the reconstruction means is adapted to reconstruct a three-dimensional image from the detected different spatial light intensity distributions. The invention relates further to an optical fiber system comprising a transfer mechanism to transfer the optical fiber system from a first condition, in which optical fibers diverge from each other, to a second condition, in which optical fibers are parallel to each other, and vice versa.

Abstract: An image completion system includes a first endoscope for obtaining an operating field image, a second endoscope for imaging the object space in a line-of-sight direction different from that of the first endoscope to obtain a completing image, a first device for measuring separating distances between a reference point and a large number of set points that are set in the object space, a second device for measuring three-dimensional positions of the endoscopes, and an image processing device for obtaining, image information on cutoff regions in the object space that are hidden on the depth sides of surgical instruments by imaging the surgical instruments in the operating field image together with the object space, and for replacing image information on the surgical instruments S in the operating field image with the obtained image information or superimposing the obtained image information onto the image information on the surgical instruments.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) video data processing method in a broadcast transmitter includes encoding, by an encoder, 3D video data which carries a first image and a second image in separate video streams; generating, by a system information processor, system information comprising 3D video composition information about the 3D video data; multiplexing, by a multiplexer, the system information and the 3D video data; and transmitting, by a transmitting unit, a broadcast signal carrying the 3D video data and the system information. The 3D video composition information includes first information on resolution of the 3D video data.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a video signal acquisition portion that images an object to acquire a video signal by a stereo optical system; a video signal processing portion that processes the video signal to generate a display video signal; a measurement processing portion that performs measurement on the basis of the video signal; and a display portion that displays the display video signal. The video signal processing portion generates the display video signal by extracting one image from the video signal including a plurality of images from the stereo optical system, and the display portion displays the display video signal including the one image extracted by the video signal processing portion during a period regarding measurement. The measurement processing portion calculates a matching degree between the plurality of images at a position corresponding to the measuring position. The display portion displays the matching degree together with the display video signal.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system includes a scene anti-bloom process that allows switching between imaging modes on a stereoscopic display without causing a surgeon to look-away or being momentarily distracted by sudden changes in overall scene luminance. The process receives a switch from a first imaging mode to a second imaging mode. An overall scene luminance of a scene in the first imaging mode is less than an overall scene luminance of a scene in the second imaging mode. The process delays the switch to the second imaging mode until after an illumination output level of a visible illumination source has changed to a higher output level, and then switches to the second imaging mode.

Abstract: An image data receiving apparatus includes: a first receiving section that receives a first signal including serial data according to image data; a second receiving section that receives a second signal including serial data that is different from the serial data included in the first signal; a first conversion section that converts the serial data included in the first signal into parallel data and outputs the parallel data; a second conversion section that converts the serial data included in the second signal into parallel data and outputs the parallel data; a bit drift amount detecting section that obtains information indicating a degree of drift of the parallel data outputted from the second conversion section from a predetermined bit pattern; and a bit shifting section that shifts the parallel data outputted from the first conversion section according to the information obtained by the bit drift amount detecting section.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an objective optical system at a distal end of an inserted portion to acquire a subject image; a part that splits the subject image into two optical images focused differently; an imaging device that acquires two images by simultaneously capturing the optical images arranged on an imaging surface; and a part for cutting out at least abutting portions of the optical images on the imaging device, wherein A+B>C+D, where A is half the maximum length of light-receiving regions for the optical images at the imaging surface; where TW is an entry angle at the imaging surface when A is at the maximum image height and d is an optical-path-length difference between the optical images, B=d×tan TW; C is half the length of the light-receiving regions in a direction of the optical images arranged on the imaging surface; and D is a distance between the two light-receiving regions.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system includes: a corresponding point detection section that detects a position of an object in each of an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye based on right and left video signals; a horizontal position moving section that moves, based on a parallax between the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye and depth information of a stereoscopic video which are obtained from the detected positions, horizontal positions of the right and left video signals, by an amount of the parallax, respectively in directions determined according to the depth information; a vertical/horizontal inversion section that vertically and horizontally inverts the right and left video signals whose horizontal positions have been moved; and a stereoscopic signal combining section that combines the right and left video signals subjected to the vertical/horizontal inversion, and generates a stereoscopic video signal.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an integrated stereo imager that includes first and second imager arrays on a single integrated circuit. Image readout circuitry may be located between the first and second imager arrays and a horizontal electronic rolling shutter may be used to read image data out of the arrays. The layout of the arrays and image readout circuitry on the integrated circuit may help to reduce the size of the integrated circuit while maximizing the baseline separation between the arrays. Memory buffer circuitry may be used to convert image data from the arrays into raster-scan compliant image data. The raster-scan compliant image data may be provided to a host system.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring and transmitting video image data with parameter data superimposed thereon is provided. The design includes an input device configured to receive said video image data and separately receiving said parameter data, the input device configured to transmit the video image data and parameter data as separate data streams. The design further includes a computing device comprising a computer based utility configured to receive the separate data streams, store the separate data streams, edit at least one data stream, and generate combined video data. Combined video data represents combined video image data and parameter data. The design also includes a display device configured to present the combined video data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices such as endoscopes that may be used to visualize biological material during a medical procedure, such as surgery. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an endoscope comprising one or more electronic-cameras arranged to create one or more stereo picture pairs to permit quantitative 3-dimensional (3D) imaging and analysis. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of imaging comprising using a 3D endoscope with one or more electronic cameras to create one or more stereo picture pairs.

Abstract: Provided is a photographic device including a camera array in which plural photographic units are arrayed on a leading end of an arm formed to be capable of passing through a tubular body which is inserted into a body from outside the body. The camera array is displaceably disposed between an alignment location whereat the plural photographic units are arrayed along an extension of the arm and a deployment location whereat the plural photographic units are arrayed laterally to the arm.

Abstract: Margins are prevented from being produced when the amount of parallax of a stereoscopic image has been enlarged. A parallax adjustment command is applied if a stereoscopic image is displayed in an image compositing area that has been defined on a page constituting an electronic album. The amount of parallax is enlarged in response to application of a command to enlarge the amount of parallax. If enlarging the amount of parallax will cause margins to be produced when the stereoscopic image is displayed in the image compositing area on the page, then this page is replaced by a page on which an image compositing area that will not produce margins has been formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an LCD device which facilitates to improve picture quality of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images by automatically converting an image driving mode (2D/3D) in accordance with a viewing distance, and a method for driving the same, wherein the device comprises a distance measuring unit which measures a viewing distance between the LCD device and a viewer; an image mode controller which sets a 2D image mode or 3D image mode in accordance with a comparison result between the viewing distance and a preset reference distance; a timing controller which aligns externally-provided image signals in accordance with the 2D image mode or 3D image mode set by the image mode controller, and converts the aligned image signals into image data by frame unit; and a liquid crystal panel which displays an image based on the 2D image mode or 3D image mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an objective optical system for focusing a bundle of light rays from an object into an image; an image sensor placed in the vicinity of the image-forming position of the objective optical system; a dividing element placed between the objective optical system and the image sensor and used for dividing a bundle of light rays from the objective optical system into reflected and transmitted bundles of light rays; a first reflection member for reflecting back the bundle of light rays reflected by the dividing element; and a second reflection member for reflecting the bundle of light rays transmitted by the dividing element, wherein the bundle of light rays reflected by the first reflection member via the dividing element is focused to form an image on a first area of the image sensor, and the bundle of light rays reflected by the second reflection member is focused to form an image on a second area of the image sensor, the second area of the image sensor being different from the

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a first processing section that encodes an inputted medical image based on setting information and outputs a first encode result, a second processing section that encodes the inputted medical image based on the setting information and outputs a second encode result, a setting section that retains the setting information, and a control section that controls, based on the setting information corresponding to an operation signal generated based on an output signal of an electric knife, an operation signal obtained by an endoscope that generates a medical image, or an operation signal for designating a medical case scene, the first and second processing sections to output at least one of the first and second encode results and determines a recording destination of the first and second encode results based on the setting information corresponding to the operation signal.

Abstract: An imaging module includes: a hollow lens holder open at both ends; a lens assembled in the lens holder and collecting light input from one end of the lens holder; a hollow imaging holder having an opening into which the light output from the lens is input; an optical member assembled in the imaging holder and transmitting or deflecting the light input from one end of the imaging holder; and an image sensor assembled in the imaging holder and having a light-receiving region configured to receive the light transmitted or deflected by the optical member and to perform photoelectric conversion of the received light, wherein an optical axis center of the lens and a center of the light received by the light-receiving region of the image sensor are aligned with each other by fitting a light-output-side end portion of the lens holder and the imaging holder to each other.

Abstract: An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a CMOS imaging element; a timing generator and an AFE unit that are provided on a board connected to a light receiving unit and reads pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from a pixel designated as a target to be read in the CMOS imaging element; a control circuit that is provided on the board and controls a pixel information output process by a light receiving unit and a pixel information reading process by the timing generator and the AFE unit; and an abnormality determining unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the pixel information read by the timing generator and the AFE unit and outputs, to the control circuit, a notification signal for causing the control circuit to execute control on an occurrence of the abnormality.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing device is connected to an observation device to observe an object optically. The image processing device includes an acquirer and a generator. The acquirer is configured to acquire a volume data including frames of section image data of the object and information indicating the focal position of the observation device. The generator is configured to perform rendering of the volume data from a plurality of viewpoints to generate a stereoscopic image in such a way that a region of attention in the stereoscopic image has an amount of parallax equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, where the region of attention corresponds to the focal position of the observation device.

Abstract: A system for managing face data includes a global face capturing unit configured to capture a global face image; and a global face data generation unit configured to obtain shape information and texture information of global face data, and generate the global face data. Further, the system includes a local face capturing unit configured to capture a plurality of local face images; and a global face posture extraction unit configured to estimate a position and a direction of the face of a captured user. Furthermore, the system includes a local capturing device posture extraction unit configured to extract posture information of the local face capturing unit; and a local face data generation unit configured to generate texture information and shape information, and generate local face data.

Abstract: A system that runs in web browsers of mobile devices that allows mobile users to take photos of building exteriors and interiors or other real world objects, upload photos, share photos with others, and use the photo images to model the 3D models with the system's image-based modeling interface.

Abstract: A stereo comparator configured for use with a stereo endoscope for adjusting and aligning an optical assembly of the stereo endoscope, for example, in connection with the repair of the endoscope. The comparator includes a housing containing a plurality of optical components, namely, a first deflecting component, a second deflecting component, a third deflecting component and a beam splitter. The optical components are arranged so that the first deflecting component deflects a first beam from a right image channel of a stereo endoscope to the beam splitter, the second deflecting component deflects a second beam from a left image channel of the stereo endoscope to the third deflecting component, the third deflecting component deflects the second beam to the beam splitter and the beam splitter combines the first beam with the second beam to form a first combined beam that extends along an optical axis of the stereo endoscope.