Abstract: Fluorescence videostroboscopy imaging is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments with luminance and chrominance emitted from a controlled light source.

Abstract: A subject observation system includes a light source, a light sensor, an image pickup device, a light source controller configured to cause the light source to alternately perform low-luminance illumination and high-luminance illumination at a predetermined luminance ratio, and a video processor configured to generate an HDR image, and sets a target sensor value S(n) in a temporarily succeeding n frame based on a sensor value S(n?1) in a temporarily preceding (n?1) frame and the luminance ratio.

Abstract: A snake cam is provided with a camera mounted to a housing via a shaft. The shaft may be flexible or rigid. The housing includes components needed for operation of the camera but that need not be in close physical proximity to the camera, thus allowing the camera itself to have a relatively small size, which facilitates placement thereof in small places. The housing may include a wireless communication module, through which a mobile device may be connected to the snake cam. The mobile device may then be used to access or control one or more features of the snake cam.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device is provided. The LIDAR device includes: a light source configured to emit first light, a first reflector configured to omnidirectionally receive second light that is light reflected or scattered by an object that is irradiated by the first light, and reflect the second light, a light detector including a pixel array, the light detector being configured to detect the second light reflected from the first reflector, and a processor configured to acquire location information of the object based on detection of the second light by the light detector.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media relate to a handheld wireless endoscope image streaming apparatus. The apparatus may establish a wireless connection to a computer system. The apparatus may obtain, via a digital camera, video imagery via an endoscope, the video imagery including multiple frames. The apparatus may stream to a computer system video data.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

Abstract: An optical device, generally a camera head connected to an endoscope, provides multiple modes of operation, producing images with varying depth of field and/or resolution characteristics. Light from the endoscope passes through a variable aperture and a beam splitter and is directed to two or more independent image sensors. The image sensors may be moved, relative to each other, along their optical paths. An image processor combines the collected images into a resultant image. Adjustment of the relative positions of the image sensor and/or the diameter of the variable aperture permits the selection of optical properties desired, with a larger depth of field, and/or higher resolution than possible with a conventional system. Images may be collected through multiple acquisition periods, and a further enhanced image may be generated therefrom. The camera head may automatically make adjustments based on identifiers of the optical configuration of the attached endoscope.

Abstract: An electrical device including a first battery pack receptacle, a second battery pack receptacle, and circuitry including an electronic processor. The first battery pack receptacle is configured to receive a first battery pack. The second battery pack receptacle is configured to receive a second battery pack. The second battery pack is electrically connected in a series-type configuration with the first battery pack. The circuitry is configured to alter a first signal output from the electronic processor to at least one selected from a group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, and alter a second signal received by the electronic processor from at least one selected from the group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing device and a method for operating the same, and an endoscope processor device and a method for operating the same that accurately measure the blood vessel depth of blood vessels in an observation target. A data set including a plurality of items of measurement data in which blood vessel index values, such as blood vessel contrast and a plurality of blood vessel index value variation factors including the blood vessel depth are associated with each other is stored in a data set storage unit 97. A specific blood vessel index value variation factor other than the blood vessel depth is measured. The data set is narrowed to a sub-data set having the specific blood vessel index value variation factor. A blood vessel depth corresponding to a blood vessel index value calculated by the blood vessel index value calculation unit is found from the sub-data set.

Abstract: A camera controller platform for use with a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The platform is configured for the rapid mounting and connection of an electronic computing device such as a laptop computer for providing display and/or virtual control interface functions in conjunction with an electronics module. An additional user interface, which may include a manual user interface device, may be coupled to the electronics module. Alternatively, a plurality of virtual controls may be supported by a software application on the electronic computing device, which may be connected to the camera controller platform by a USB or other interface bus.

Abstract: Scenes captured with an endoscope (201) of a teleoperated surgical system (200) and displayed on a display unit (251) maintain a consistent brightness even though optical output power of an illuminator (210) changes, and working distance (204) between tissue (203) and the distal tip of the endoscope changes. Teleoperated surgical system (200) also automatically detects when endoscope (201) contacts tissue (203) and adjusts the output optical power of illuminator (210) so that tissue damage does not occur.

Abstract: A method of monitoring customer service interactions includes the acquisition of video data. The video data is analyzed to track a location of a customer and to track a location of an agent. An interaction between the customer and the agent is identified based upon an intersection of the respective tracked locations of the customer and the agent and a dwell time of the customer and agent at the intersection.

Abstract: Methods and systems to predict user behavior based on analysis of a video communication by one or more processors, which methods include receiving a user video communication, extracting video analysis data optionally including facial analysis data for the user from the video communication, extracting, by the one or more processors, voice analysis data from the user video communication, generating an outcome prediction score based on the video analysis data and voice analysis data that predicts a likelihood that a user will take an action leading to an outcome.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an endoscope system in which resolution and an S/N ratio are adjusted to be well-balanced depending on an imaging condition, and further capable of changing a processing load depending on the imaging condition, a method for operating the endoscope system, and a program. From an image signal in a body cavity imaged by an endoscope apparatus, a low frequency image including a low frequency component and a high frequency image including a high frequency component are extracted. The low frequency image is reduced by a predetermined reduction ratio, and, after image quality improvement processing is performed, is enlarged by an enlargement ratio corresponding to the reduction ratio. At that time, based on condition information indicating an imaging state, when brightness at the time of imaging is sufficient and the high frequency component does not include noise components a lot, the low frequency image and the high frequency image are added to be output as an output image.

Abstract: A screw based coupler mechanism can include a head, a shank, and/or a helical ridge wrapped around the shank. The shank can include an electronic connector with one or more electronic pin outs. The shank can be configured to be physically and electronically mated to an electronic device. The electronic device can include a base and a hollow region surrounded by a matching helical ridge which securely mate the component to the shank. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a panoramic camera which can be secured to a screw based coupler of a mounting platform.

Abstract: A surgical camera assembly includes a camera member and a receptacle member. The camera member includes a camera head and a shaft. The shaft includes at least one electrical contact positioned towards a free end thereof. The at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the camera head. The receptacle member is configured to releasably receive the free end of the shaft and includes at least one electrical contact that is configured to electrically couple to the at least one electrical contact of the shaft to establish electrical communication between the camera head and the receptacle member when the free end of the shaft is received within the receptacle member.

Abstract: A camera system that can be utilized in robotic surgery is presented. In particular, a method of setting a light level in a camera in a robotic system includes determining a location of at least one instrument end effectors within a field-of-view of the camera; determining a region-of-interest in the field-of-view based on the location of the at least one instrument tip; gathering luminance statistics in the region-of-interest; computing a luminance value from the luminance statistics; and adjusting an exposure in response to a comparison of the luminance value with a target luminance value.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a body cavity may include an elongate tube, at least one lens element, and at least one deployable element. The elongate tube may include an internal lumen extending between a distal opening at a distal end and a proximal opening at a proximal end opposite the distal end. The at least one lens element may extend substantially across a diameter of the internal lumen of the elongate tube. The at least one deployable element may include a light source. The at least one deployable element may be operably coupled to a region of the elongate tube proximate the distal end and may be configured to be moved between an insertion position and a deployed position.

Abstract: To provide an endoscope apparatus in which the observation image can be varied continuously as the observation magnification is varied by a zoom magnification varying manipulation so that an observation image suitable for an endoscope diagnosis is obtained at each observation magnification, and to thereby prevent the operator from feeling uncomfortable and increase the accuracy of a diagnosis. An endoscope apparatus is equipped with illuminating unit having plural light sources which generate light beams having different spectra, for illuminating an observation subject; imaging unit for imaging the observation subject; observation magnification varying unit for varying observation magnification of the imaging of the imaging unit; and light quantity ratio varying unit for continuously varying an emission light quantity ratio between the plural light sources according to the observation magnification that is set by the observation magnification varying unit.

Abstract: A device and method for operating an in vivo imaging device (10A) wherein the illumination produced by the device may be varied in intensity and/or duration, and/or the gain level or other parameters may be varied, according to, for example, the amount of illumination produced by the device which is reflected back to the device. In addition, a method is provided for detecting problematic pixels in an imaging device. This method may define and exclude non-functional pixels, based on for example an initial short exposure that enables a threshold saturation level to be reached only for problematic pixels. Moreover, a method is described for determining when an in vivo device enters the body, for example by calculating the progress of a dark frame, based on the light saturation threshold of the dark frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arthroscopy apparatus, comprising at least three elements selected from: a conventional arthroscopic lens (12), to which there is coupled a power supply device or capsule, in the inside of which is the power source (1), and a miniature camera (8), characterized by not comprising connecting cables.

Abstract: A method of using a scanning microscope to rapidly form a digital image of an area. The method includes performing an initial set of scans to form a guide pixel set for the area and using the guide pixel set to identify regions representing structures of interest in the area. Then, performing additional scans of the regions representing structures of interest, to gather further data to further evaluate pixels in the regions, and not scanning elsewhere in the area.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a photoelectric conversion element; a contour enhancing section that detects an edge component in a picked-up image subjected to the photoelectric conversion, thereby generating a contour enhancement signal; an electronic zoom region determining section that determines an electronic zoom region in the picked-up image based on a strength of the contour enhancement signal; an instruction section that provides an instruction for enlargement/reduction of the image; a parameter setting section that sets a zoom parameter for an electronic zoom section according to the instruction provided by the instruction section; and the electronic zoom section that performs an electronic zoom of the picked-up image for the electronic zoom region determined, according to the parameter set by the parameter setting section.

Abstract: A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus is provided for which a user does not need to adjust irradiation light quantity intentionally while confirming a captured image. A captured image which is bright and has stable tint can be obtained without being limited by an imaging distance with respect to the observation of the structure or components of living bodies. The endoscope apparatus includes a first light source section, a second light source section, a light source control unit which controls the irradiation and irradiation light quantity, an imaging unit which obtains a captured image, luminance value calculating unit which calculates the luminance value, a light source light quantity changing unit which changes the irradiation light quantity according to the luminance value, a white balance adjustment value calculating unit which calculates a white balance adjustment value, and a gain adjusting unit which adjusts the gain of the imaging unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a flash light device, which includes a light source, a light diffuser and a light diffuser's driving unit. The light diffuser's driving unit provides the light diffuser with a required driving voltage according to a voltage information, in which the voltage information is determined according to an original image without light-complementing of the light source and a pre-flash image with light-complementing of the light source.

Abstract: A method for detecting motion in video fields of video data, comprises the steps of: calculating texture information for a pixel in the video fields; determining a threshold value as a function of the calculated texture information; calculating a differential value for the pixel; and detecting motion in the video fields as a function of the determined threshold value and the calculated differential value.

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: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.

Abstract: The computer vision-based valve control system and method includes a camera mounted on a pneumatic control valve in such a way that the camera periodically observes positioning of the valve stem. An image processor is applied to the output of the camera to determine percentage opening of the valve. The valve opening percentage of the image processor is fed to a PID controller that uses the valve opening percentage in its process control calculations.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for panoramic imaging are disclosed herein. Systems for capturing a panoramic image of a panoramic field of view include a fisheye lens having a first field of view, a mirror optically coupled to the fisheye lens for reflecting an image of the a second field of view through the fisheye lens, the second field of view having a portion overlapping the first field of view, and a detector, optically coupled to the fisheye lens and the mirror, for capturing a first portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the first field of view and a second portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the second field of view.

Abstract: In a 3D display system, an AMOLED display panel is used for alternatively presenting left-eye images and right-eye images associated with specific images, and an LCD polarizing panel is used for providing the left-eye images and the right-eye images with different polarization angles. When the LCD polarizing panel is in the process of rotating its LCD molecules, corresponding OLED rows of the AMOLED display panel are sequentially turned off so as to display black images, thereby preventing crosstalk and improving display quality.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit which stores data of a plurality of medical images at different imaging angles or different imaging positions with respect to the same region, a display unit which displays the data of the medical image read out from the storage unit, and a control unit which controls the storage unit and the display unit to play back the plurality of medical images as moving images and pause playback of the medical image.

Abstract: Provided are a method of determining a brightness value of a target area on an optical image, and a computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing the method on a computer. Target brightness values of a plurality of target areas in an optical image are accurately compared with each other by plotting a graph with brightness values depending on positions within a subject.

Abstract: Provided is a method which reduces the power consumption of a camera for detecting a user's gesture, in a device that detects the user's gesture and performs a command corresponding to the detected gesture. Moreover, provided is a method which turns off a camera or drives the camera in an ultra low power mode when there is no user input, and detects presence of a user to activate the camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a photoelectric converter formed on a substrate, a wiring portion formed above the photoelectric converter and constituted of multilayer wirings, and an insulating portion in which the multilayer wirings of the wiring portion are embedded, the insulating portion having a refractive index larger than a silicon oxide.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a network of switches and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to control the network of switches so as to sample an incoming signal onto at least some of the plurality of capacitors. In such an operation, each capacitor takes a sample of the incoming signal at a different time. The sample and hold circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an average of the samples.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a special light image acquisition section that acquires an image including an object image that includes information in a specific wavelength band as a special light image, an attention area detection section that detects an attention area based on a feature quantity of each pixel of the special light image, a disappearance determination section that determines whether or not the attention area has disappeared from a display target area based on a detection result for the attention area, the display target area being an area displayed on an output section, a guide information generation section that generates guide information about the attention area that has disappeared based on a determination result of the disappearance determination section, and an output control section that controls output of information including the guide information generated by the guide information generation section.

Abstract: Provided is a method which minimizes power consumption by controlling power of a camera that is used for recognizing a user's gesture, in a video processing apparatus, which recognizes the user's gesture and is controlled according to the recognized gesture, such as a TV or a monitor. In the present invention, a camera is driven in a low power mode or a high power mode, and when a user's specific gesture is detected in the lower power mode, the camera is switched to the high power mode for recognizing a detailed gesture.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an in-vivo image of a subject; a signal processing unit that writes the in-vivo image in a memory, reads the in-vivo image from the memory on a pixel basis and converts the in-vivo image to serial information to transfer the serial information; and a rate converter that converts a transfer processing rate to a rate higher than a writing processing rate. The transfer processing rate is at which the signal processing unit reads the in-vivo image from the memory and converts the in-vivo image to the serial information to transfer the serial information. The writing processing rate is at which the signal processing unit writes the in-vivo image in the memory. The apparatus also includes a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the serial information transferred from the signal processing unit at a transmission rate corresponding to the transfer processing rate.

Abstract: An endoscope image is obtained by imaging a subject with a scope. Then, an edge portion of the endoscope image is extracted and a complexity degree of the edge portion is detected. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether the endoscope image is an image obtained through near view imaging or distant view imaging according to the complexity degree and an imaging condition is changed according to the determined near view imaging or distant view imaging.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus can comprise at least one light source for illuminating a target. The at least one light source can be disposed and/or controlled in such manner as to reduce a heat generation by the at least one light source and in such manner as to reduce a power consumption of the at least one light source.

Abstract: A brightness sensing system includes an image pickup unit for taking an image of a target space and a calculation unit for calculating the brightness of an image pickup area based on the image taken by the image pickup unit. In the brightness sensing system, if the difference or the ratio between an image as a whole and a pixel block formed of one or more pixels is equal to or greater than a threshold in terms of brightness change between a previously-taken reference image and a currently-taken target image, the calculation unit excludes the pixel block from comparison candidates and compares the brightness of the target image with the brightness of the reference image based on the remaining pixels other than the pixel block.

Abstract: Under usual conditions, a first computation unit computes/outputs a first light adjustment signal in accordance with a photometric signal, and a second computation unit performs control of at least part of the endoscope system. The second computation unit computes/outputs the second light adjustment signal in accordance with the photometric signal together with the at least partial control while suppressing an increase in a processing load when an abnormality has occurred in the first computation unit.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprising an imaging device, an input block, and a signal processing block, is provided. The imaging device has first, second, third, and fourth pixels. The first, second, third, and fourth pixels are covered with first, second, third, and fourth color filters, respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth color filters can be penetrated by first, second, third, and fourth light components, respectively. The first light component reaches a depth, predetermined according to the location of an object, under an organ. The second light component belongs to an identified color of the first light component. Further, a band of the second light component is different from that of the first light component. The input block detects a user's input for selecting one of a number of predetermined display modes. The signal processing block carries out edge enhancement processing for a pixel signal generated by the first pixel.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus to be inserted into a subject includes an illumination unit that illuminates an inside of the subject; an imaging device having an effective pixel region that has a predetermined size and on which an optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit is formed, and having an optical black region at which the optical image is shielded; and a light adjustment control unit that adjusts an amount of light from the illumination unit to the effective pixel region based on pixel values of the effective pixel region of an image signal and pixel values of the optical black region of the image signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for analyzing shopping behavior by associating RFID data, such as tracking data by the RFID tag identifications, with video-based behavior and segmentation data, such as behavior analysis and demographic composition analysis of the customers, utilizing a plurality of means for sensing and using RFID tags, a plurality of means for capturing images, and a plurality of computer vision technologies. In the present invention, the association can further comprise the association of the RFID with the transaction data or any time-based measurement in the retail space. The analyzed shopping behavior in the present invention helps people to better understand business elements in a retail space.

Abstract: A device for optical characterization of a sample is provided, the sample being accommodated in a receptacle container transparent to light. The device includes a camera, using which the sample may be detected, and a first light source is situated in such a way that the sample is transilluminated opposite to the viewing direction of the camera, a second light source is situated on the same side as the camera, and a laser source is situated transversely to the viewing direction of the camera.

Abstract: An endoscope adapter including a light emitting diode includes: a detachable portion to be attached to an adapter attaching portion provided on a distal end portion of an insertion portion, the insertion portion including inside thereof at least one image-forming optical system; an adapter main body including an adapter side observation optical system whose optical axis is coincident with an optical axis of the image-forming optical system; a contact pin which enables power supply to the light emitting diode to be turned on when the detachable portion is attached to the adapter attaching portion; and a resistor arranged in a space formed in the endoscope adapter to determine a type of the endoscope adapter.