Abstract: To reduce a display time of an image for which an observation is less required, and to effectively perform an observation of a series of images, the image display apparatus (1) includes an image processing controller (2a) that acquires an image from a storage unit (5), controls various image processes for the acquired image, and stores an image of a processing result in the storage unit (5), an image classification unit (2b) that calculates a correlation value between temporally continuous images and classifies each of the images into an image group based on the calculated correlation value, an image-of-interest detecting unit (2c) that detects a feature-image area including a predetermined feature from each of the images, and detects the feature image including the detected feature-image area as an image-of-interest, a representative-image extracting unit (2d) that extracts the image-of-interest and a first image in each of the image groups as a representative image and sets a display rate for each of the ex

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a storage that stores operation information including information on an operation on a display screen of a medical image and reference feature data that are feature data of the medical image subjected to the operation; an acquiring unit that acquires image data corresponding to a series of medical images; a processor that calculates feature data of each medical image; a setter that compares the feature data calculated by the image processor with the stored reference feature data, and, when reference feature data having a correspondence to the feature data exist, sets, as information related to a display operation executed when the series of medical images are displayed on a screen, the information related to the operation associated with the reference feature data having the correspondence; and a controller that executes the set display operation when image data included in the series of medical images are played back.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an objective optical system fixed in an observation window provided in a distal end portion main body of the endoscope, an imaging optical system configured to form an image of light incident via the objective optical system and to cause the light to be incident on an imaging element, a ring-shaped member whose outer periphery is circular and in which at least a part of the imaging optical system is arranged on an inner periphery of the ring-shaped member, with an optical axis of the imaging optical system being eccentric with respect to a central axis of the outer periphery, and a frame body in which a through hole that has a long hole shape having a diameter in a minor axis direction thereof equal to an outer diameter of the ring-shaped member is provided and the ring-shaped member is fitted into the through hole.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an image sensor may include detecting a response from a pixel of the image sensor as a result of light having an intensity impinging on the pixel, and measuring the actual standard deviation of the response of the pixel at the intensity of light. The method may also include determining an averaging number for the pixel at the intensity. The averaging number may be a number of responses of the pixel at the intensity to be averaged to attain an average response having a standard deviation less than or equal to a target value. The method may further include determining the average response of the pixel using the determined averaging number.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first and second optical systems that focus and emit incident light, a transparent wavelength, and a focal length of them being different from each other; an imaging unit that includes a first region on which the light emitted from the first optical system is incident and a second region on which the light emitted from the second optical system is incident, can output, as pixel information, an electric signal after photoelectric conversion from pixels arbitrarily set as read targets; a setting unit that can arbitrarily set the read targets in at least one of the first region and the second region; a reading unit that reads the pixel information from the read targets; a control unit that changes the read targets according to an acquisition target image; and an image processing unit that generates the acquisition target image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes first and second imaging units, a reading unit that reads pixel information from pixels set as a reading target in each of the first and second imaging units, a control unit that sets the pixels as the reading target in each of the first and second imaging units in a manner such that the pixel information is alternately read from the first and second imaging units by the reading unit, and controls timing of exposure processes in the first and second imaging units and timing of reading processes of the pixel information for the first and second imaging units by the reading unit, to be correlated with one another, a transmission unit that transmits the pixel information read from each of the first and second imaging units in a same transmission path, and an image processing unit that generates an image based on the pixel information.

Abstract: A second lens frame has a shape including: a contact portion having a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a space portion of a first lens frame, a distal end portion thereof being brought into contact with an end face of the first lens frame; and a fitting portion having a diameter larger than that of the contact portion in a cylindrical shape fitting on an inner wall surface of the first lens frame, and when the second lens frame is inserted into the space portion of the first lens frame, a gap is formed therebetween. Accordingly, a distal end portion of the second lens frame is reliably brought into contact with an end face of a flange portion of the first lens frame, whereby variations in position in an optical axis direction are eliminated, enabling provision of a stable optical precision.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an optical unit includes: a step of bonding plural lens wafers, on which optical components are formed, and forming a lens unit wafer including plural lens units; a step of bonding a bending optical element wafer including plural bending optical elements to a first surface of the lens unit wafer such that the plural bending optical elements are respectively opposed to the plural lens units and forming an optical unit wafer; and a step of separating and individualizing the optical unit wafer for each of the lens units and the bending optical elements and manufacturing plural optical units.

Abstract: A method for testing system with a light source and an imaging device for the optic investigation of an object in remitted light and fluorescent light, the imaging device positioned with respect to a reference surface within a hollow space of a test apparatus, the reference surface having an indicator area with a wavelength-dependent optical property, where the optical property essentially varies between a first focal point of a first product of a first predetermined illumination spectrum and a first predetermined transmission spectrum and a second focal point of a second product of a second predetermined illumination spectrum and a second predetermined transmission spectrum. The method includes illuminating the reference surface with illuminating light from the light source and determining which illumination spectrum and which transmission spectrum are present in an observation beam path on recording the image.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes: a columnar optical member including an incident surface on which light is incident, a reflecting surface for reflecting the light incident from the incident surface in a direction different from the incident surface, and an emission surface for causing the light incident from a direction orthogonal to the incident surface and reflected from the reflecting surface to travel in a straight line and emitting the light to the outside; an imaging device including a light receiving unit, formed on a surface of the imaging device, for receiving the light emitted from the emission surface and performing photoelectric conversion on the light; and a cylindrical imaging holder, protruding from at least part of an outer edge of one end in line with a side surface shape of the optical member, for defining the position of the incident surface and holding the optical member.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a scope and an image sensor housing is disclosed generally comprising an image orientation unit having first and second coupling sections for coupling the unit to a scope and an image sensor housing, such as a camera head, an optical assembly with a rotatable optical element for rotating the images, a rotation sensor for monitoring rotation of the optical element, an accelerometer for monitoring rotation of the unit, and a processor for receiving signals from the rotation sensor and the accelerometer and calculating the orientation of the images relative to the direction of gravity. In certain embodiments, the processor causes an actuator to rotate the optical element to level the images. In some embodiments, the processor activates a visual indicator, such as a diode, to indicate the direction of vertical.

Abstract: Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.

Abstract: A radiographic video processing device includes: an acquisition section that acquires gradation signals expressing charges; and a control section that, if capture of a video image formed from plural frames is being performed with a radiation detector, and a number of the pixels, from which charges are combined and read by switching elements included in adjacent pixels of the radiation detector, has been increased, effects control such that, from a frame at a time of the increase up until a predetermined frame, the gradation signals distributed in a higher density range than that for frames subsequent to the predetermined frame are used as image data.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: An operator telerobotically controls tools to perform a procedure on an object at a work site while viewing real-time images of the object, tools and work site on a display. Tool information is provided by filtering a part of the real-time images for enhancement or degradation to indicate a state of a tool and displaying the filtered images on the display.

Abstract: A control signal for selectively outputting a frame of image data can be initiated using an inspection apparatus, and an inspection apparatus can process one or more frames of image data for determining a motion parameter. Responsively to the processing, the inspection apparatus can selectively output a frame of image data, improving the quality of a frame of image data output subsequently to an initiation of a control signal to selectively output a frame of image data.

Abstract: An endoscopic video measurement system having a proximal operating part, an insertion part, and a replaceable head that can be inserted thereon, and where the operating part contains a connection for supplying electrical and optical power, optical transmission means for the lens illumination are provided in the insertion part for an electronic image sensor positioned in the distal end portion, and the replaceable head contains optical transmission means for the lens illumination and lens imaging, is characterized in that, in the insertion part, for transmitting a measurement beam a single-mode optical fiber is provided, with which an optical system positioned in the distal end part of the insertion part for producing a collimated sample beam bundle is associated.

Abstract: A body-insertable imaging device includes a first camera that comprises a first image sensor and a first lens to pass incident light onto the first image sensor, a control interface to receive a remotely generated control signal, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the control interface and configured to support the camera and manipulate the camera about a pan axis, a tilt axis, and along a zoom direction in response to the control signal while the camera and actuator are within a body cavity, wherein the zoom direction extends out from a distal end of the body-insertable camera.

Abstract: An endoscopic video system that provides for multiple differing inputs from a plurality of different attached devices types including, for example, High-Definition and Standard-Definition signals, the camera control automatically sensing and configuring itself based upon the connected devices (e.g. camera and display). The system further provides for scaling of input and output signals depending as necessary.

Abstract: A multiple image sensor image acquisition system includes a clock control unit to generate a synchronization clock signal. The synchronization clock signal has a prolonged constant cycle during which the synchronization clock signal is held at a constant level for a period of time corresponding to multiple clock cycles. A first image sensor is coupled with the clock control unit to receive the synchronization clock signal and has a first synchronization unit that is operable to synchronize operation for the first image sensor based on detection of an end of the prolonged constant cycle. A second image sensor is coupled with the clock control unit to receive the synchronization clock signal and has a second synchronization unit that is operable to synchronize operation for the second image sensor based on detection of the end of the prolonged constant cycle. The image sensors are synchronized operationally.

Abstract: A dedicated base vector based on a known spectral characteristic of a subject as an identification target having the known spectral characteristic and a spectral characteristic of an imaging system, which includes a spectral characteristic concerning a color imaging system used for image acquisition of subjects including the subject as the identification target and a spectral characteristic concerning illumination light used when image acquisition of the subjects by the color imaging system, are acquired. A weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector is calculated based on an image signal obtained by image acquisition of the subject by the color imaging system, the dedicated has vector, and the spectral characteristic of the imaging system. An identification result of the subject which is the identification target having the known spectral characteristic is calculated based on the weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector to output as an output signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an imager configured to generate a plurality of frames at a frame frequency greater than an electromagnetic energy emission pulse frequency of a medical device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames may include a first plurality of rows. The apparatus may also include an electronic shutter module configured to offset a start time of each row of the first plurality of rows in each frame from the plurality of frames from a start time of an adjacent row in that same frame. The apparatus may further include an image processing module configured to generate a plurality of valid frames based on at least a portion of the plurality of frames, wherein the plurality of valid frames may include a frame frequency lower than the frame frequency of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image pickup unit including an objective lens including a plurality of optical system members via which an object image is formed, the image pickup unit including: a fixed barrel that holds a fixed lens in the objective lens; a moving lens holding barrel that holds a moving lens and is disposed so as to be slidable along an optical axis inside the fixed barrel; and a voice coil motor section that generates a drive force for moving the moving lens holding barrel relative to the fixed barrel along the optical axis, and the voice coil motor section is disposed so that a center axis of action of a generated thrust force passes through a gravity center of a driven member to be driven by the voice coil motor section.

Abstract: In a first aspect the invention is a video camera head comprising an objective lens assembly and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal. The video camera head has a maximum outer diameter of 1.1 mm or less and the length of the objective lens assembly is 2.5 mm or less. In a second aspect the invention is a visualization probe comprising illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal. The visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 2.8 mm or less. In a third aspect the invention is a medical device comprising a visualization probe comprised of illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a host processor, which is configured to receive video data encapsulated in a standard definition transmission format, and to store the encapsulated video data in a memory. The apparatus further includes a data converter, which is configured to receive high definition video data as a sequence of packets and to encapsulate the sequence of packets in the standard definition transmission format. The data converter is also configured to convey the encapsulated packets to the host processor so that the host processor stores the packets in the memory.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an imaging device, a first polarizing filter disposed in front of the imaging device, a light source, and a second polarizing filter disposed in front of the light source.

Abstract: Method for advancing a colonoscope within a colon of the body of a patient, the method including the procedures of acquiring a stereoscopic image pair of a region of the interior of the colon, identifying topographical features in the stereoscopic image pair, determining the depth of each of the topographical features in the stereoscopic image pair, and indicating the appropriate direction to advance the colonoscope, the direction being toward at least a selected one of the topographical features with greater depth than others of the topographical features.

Abstract: Image capture is performed while broadband and narrow band light are simultaneously emitted to tissue site. B pixel sensing the narrow band light outputs a summed image signal having a brightness value of a B component of the broadband light and a brightness value of the narrow band light. G and R pixels, not sensing the narrow band light, output broadband image signals having brightness values of G and R components of the broadband light, respectively. Based on correlation information and the G component of the broadband light, the brightness value of the B component of the broadband light is obtained. The obtained brightness value is subtracted from the summed image signal to separate the brightness value of the narrow band light therefrom. A broadband image and a narrow band image are generated from the broadband image signals and the narrow band image signal, respectively.

Abstract: The imaging device includes an imaging optical system that includes a movable lens that simultaneously adjusts the angle of view and the in-focus object distance, an image sensor, a plurality of phase sensors, an acquisition section (A/D conversion section) that acquires phase information from the plurality of phase sensors, a lens control section that controls the position of the movable lens, and a moving amount calculation section that calculates the moving amount of the movable lens necessary for implementing an in-focus state of an image formed on the image sensor due to light beams that have passed through the imaging optical system, based on a phase difference that is based on the phase information, the lens control section controlling the position of the movable lens based on the moving amount calculated by the moving amount calculation section.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an evaluation value calculation section that calculates an evaluation value that is used to determine whether or not an inter-frame state of an object within a captured image is a stationary state, an estimated noise amount acquisition section that acquires an estimated noise amount of the captured image, a determination section that determines whether or not the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state based on the evaluation value and the estimated noise amount, and a noise reduction processing section that performs a first noise reduction process (time-direction noise reduction process) when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state, and performs a second noise reduction process that includes at least a spatial-direction noise reduction process when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is not the stationary state.

Abstract: A method for imaging, including capturing an initial image of a surface under investigation using a first endoscope, and delineating within the initial image a target region of interest surrounded by an initial image peripheral region, the target region of interest having a location defined with respect to the initial image peripheral region. The method includes capturing a subsequent image of the surface under investigation using a second endoscope and identifying in the subsequent image, by comparison with characteristics of the initial image peripheral region, a subsequent image peripheral region corresponding to the initial image peripheral region. The further includes computing the location of the target region of interest in the subsequent image in response to the identified subsequent image peripheral region.

Abstract: The focus control device includes a focus control section that controls an imaging optical system that is configured so that an in-focus object plane position is changed when an imaging magnification is changed, an image acquisition section that acquires a plurality of images captured through the imaging optical system at a different imaging magnification, and a change-in-magnification detection section that detects a change in magnification that is at least one of a change in the imaging magnification and a change in size of an object within an image among the plurality of images, the focus control section driving the imaging optical system based on an AF evaluation value that indicates the focus state of the imaging optical system and calculated based on the image and the change in magnification to control focus of the imaging optical system.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of the physical object and displaying the captured image is provided for combining and displaying in real time the shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, the apparatus comprising a graded scale generating part for generating the graded scale to be used for indicating the dimension of the physical object in the captured image; a data storing part for storing the data for correction to be used in order to correct the graded scale shape by adding the distortion to the generated graded scale in the similar degree to the distortion caused by the distortion aberration; a graded scale shape correcting part for generating the shape-distorted graded scale by correcting the graded scale shape according to the data for correction; and an image combining part for combining the generated shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, and displays the captured image combined with the shape-distorted graded scale.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a display section that displays a first image, which forms a streaming video obtained by capturing blades periodically arrayed in a jet engine, and also displays information indicating the position of a blade corresponding to the first image.

Abstract: An eyewear is described comprising two segmented look-through elements each comprising an upper and a lower segment, wherein the upper segments are provided with means to selectively direct an image to the left and/or to the right eye. Preferably, said means are configured as LCD shutter glasses, optically polarized glasses, red and green glasses or as display units. The two lower segments of the two look-through elements are preferably configured as normal glasses including a pair of magnifying glasses. The eyewear can be used in a variety of environments including, in particular, the medical field and industrial processes. Furthermore, a system is described comprising such an eyewear as well as a display device to be looked at by means of said eyewear.

Abstract: An endoscope image processing device includes an image acquisition section and a boundary region correction section. The image acquisition section acquires image signals that form a front image corresponding to a front field of view and a side image corresponding to a side field of view as a single acquired image. A region within the acquired image that corresponds to the front field of view is referred to as a front region, and a region within the acquired image that corresponds to the side field of view is referred to as a side region. The boundary area correction section performs a process that causes at least one of an image of the front region and an image of the side region to overlap a boundary region that is a region that defines a boundary between the front region and the side region.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a CDS circuit that samples an image pickup signal from a CCD via a feedthrough sampling pulse SHP and a clamp pulse SHD to output a post-sampling image pickup signal; a CPU that controls a sampling timing of each of SHP and SHD and evaluates the post-sampling image pickup signal from the CDS circuit, and a flash memory that stores timing information on the respective timings and timing determination procedure information. The CPU, upon receipt of an adjustment instruction for adjustment of the respective timings of SHP and SHD, rewrites the timing information in the flash memory according to a result of evaluation of a plurality of post-sampling image pickup signals obtained by shifting the respective timings based on the timing determination procedure information.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section that images an object, an observation mode setting section that sets an observation mode when the imaging section images the object, and a control section that controls an image read mode in which an image is read from the imaging section and a in-focus object plane of the imaging section based on the observation mode set by the observation mode setting 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×tanTW; 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: The distal end of an inserted portion, having a simple structure, is reduced in diameter, loss of light incident from a body cavity is reduced, and light from two different directions is observed simultaneously and in a separated fashion.

Abstract: A band-limiting filter of the invention exhibits a trimodal filter characteristic, and includes, for example, band-limiting transmittance filter characteristic portions Rb, Gb, and Bb for wavelength regions of red, green, and blue, respectively. More specifically, the band-limiting transmittance filter characteristic portions Rb, Gb, and Bb, for example, have bandpass characteristics in which the respective center wavelengths are 630 nm (full width at half maximum ?1=30 to 90 nm), 540 nm (full width at half maximum ?2=20 to 60 nm), and 440 nm (full width at half maximum ?3=50 to 80 nm). This makes it possible to obtain an image of a predetermined color tone by restraining an influence of spectral sensitivity characteristic of an image pickup device when the band-limiting filter is applied to a synchronous type endoscope for performing color image pickup to perform observation under normal illumination light.

Abstract: A system for capturing image data including a control module having a control switch and a processor, the processor being adapted for white balance control and the control switch being adapted to initiate white balance control, at least one input module connected to the control module, the input module providing white balance calibration, and at least one camera coupled to the input module. One or more of the at least one input module are configured as active input modules, each active input module having an active camera generating an image signal. The control module detects the one or more active input modules and controls one of the one or more active input modules, selected based on user feedback, to calibrate white balance of the image signal of the active camera coupled to the selected input module and to transmit the calibrated image signal to the control module for display.

Abstract: A modular video imaging system, and more particularly, a modular video imaging system having a control module connectable to multiple input modules. The input modules each capable of receiving differing types of image data from different types of cameras and processing the image data into a format recognizable by the control module. The control unit providing general functions such as user interface and general image processing that is not camera specific.

Abstract: A reprogrammable modular imaging device with a control module and at least one input module connected to the control module. Image data is received by the input module for processing and transmission to the control module. A program is received by the control module to reprogram the processor.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquisition section that acquires an image that has been acquired by imaging a tissue using an endoscope apparatus, an in vivo position identification information acquisition section that acquires in vivo position identification information that specifies an in vivo position of the endoscope apparatus when the image has been acquired, a in vivo model acquisition section that acquires a in vivo model that is a model of the tissue, an on-model position determination section that specifies an on-model position that corresponds to the position specified by the in vivo position identification information on the acquired in vivo model, and a linking section that links information about the acquired image to the specified on-model position.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motion vector calculator and an alignment processing unit. The motion vector calculator calculates motion vector information between a fluorescence image of an observed region based on fluorescence generated from the observed region irradiated with excitation light, and a reflected-light image of the observed region based on reflected light from the observed region. The alignment processing unit corrects misalignment of an object between the fluorescence image and the reflected-light image of the observed region based on the motion vector information.

Abstract: An image with an expanded depth of field is more effectively acquired while reducing the manufacturing cost, without enlarging the apparatus. Provided is an endoscope system including: an objective optical system that is provided at an insertion portion tip and that acquires a subject image; an optical path division means for dividing the subject image into two optical images with different focuses; an imaging element that forms the two optical images with different focuses at the same time to acquire two images; an image correction means that corrects the two images acquired by the imaging element so that differences other than the focuses become substantially the same; and an image combination processing unit that selects an image with a relatively high contrast in predetermined corresponding areas between the two images corrected by the image correction means to generate a combined image.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided having an imager, an analog-digital converter, and a data converter. The imager comprises multiple pixels which output pixel signals, and that outputs an image signal comprising the pixel signals. The analog-digital converter converts the image signal to digital image data in parallel data format. The data converter converts the digital image data to transmission data. The data converter converts the pixel-generated digital image data based on a first rule, converts the converted digital image data to converted pixel data in serial data format, and adds a start bit and an end bit to the converted pixel data to convert the digital image data to the transmission data.

Abstract: A light dispersal unit or light pipe for a video imaging device includes a transparent body. The body includes a tubular ring having an outer diameter and a through bore defining an inner diameter. Four equidistantly spaced raised portions are homogenously joined to the tubular ring. The ring has a semi-circular shape corresponding to the outer and inner diameters of the tubular ring. The raised portions each include a slot created between opposed first and second extending portions, the slot having an end wall and opposed first and second slot walls. A rounded end face defines a free end of each of the first and second extending portions facing away from the tubular ring. The rounded end face includes at least two curved portions each having a different radius of curvature. The light pipe can be a tapered light pipe having a flange portion for mounting the tapered light pipe.

Abstract: An image sensor for a capsule type endoscope in which an image data is processed in frame units, the image sensor having analog and digital circuits, the image sensor includes a frame-puncturing unit for interrupting a power supply to the analog circuit at a predetermined frame among a plurality of frames. The image sensor may include a start delay unit for delaying a power supply to the analog circuit for a desired time.