Having Means To Detect Proper Distance Or Alignment (i.e., Eye To Instrument) Patents (Class 351/208)
  • Patent number: 9687144
    Abstract: A method for photographing a fundus image includes: acquiring photographing condition data on a first captured image being a cell image of a fundus as reference data for follow-up image capture related to the cell image, and storing the photographing condition data; and selecting, based on an operation input from an examiner, reference data for the follow-up image capture from one or more pieces of the reference data stored in advance, and reproducing a photographing condition in accordance with the selected reference data to newly acquire the cell image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohisa Shibata, Yuji Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanebuchi, Yuki Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 9632585
    Abstract: Even when a user is gazing at one point intentionally but the eyeball of the user is actually moving slightly, the slight movement is not reproduced as it is as the position of a cursor but a determination is made that the user is gazing at one point intentionally, that is, the eyeball is stopping. Thus, when a determination is made that the eyeball is stopping, the cursor is displayed still even when the gazing point is moving slightly depending on the slight movement. Furthermore, when a determination is made that the cursor is stopped, selection of an object such as other icon displayed at a position where the cursor is displayed is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OSAKA ELECTRO-COMMUNICATION UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Takuya Niikawa
  • Patent number: 9566003
    Abstract: In order to detect a position alignment state between an apparatus and an eye to be inspected in a working distance direction with high precision at a high speed in the apparatus side, an ophthalmologic apparatus is disclosed. The position alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the apparatus in the working distance direction is detected by evaluating a contrast of an index image that is obtained as a reflection image of an index projected onto an anterior ocular segment, and a contrast of the index image is evaluated using a ratio or a difference between pixel numbers of the index image in at least two or more gray scale values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Wada
  • Patent number: 9526416
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus which is capable of preferably executing position matching between an eye and optical system is provided. An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination optical system, supporting part, driver, two or more imaging parts, analyzer and controller. The examination optical system is used for an examination of the eye. The supporting part supports a face of a subject. The driver moves the examination optical system and the supporting part relatively and three-dimensionally. The two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously photograph an anterior eye part of the eye from different directions. The analyzer obtains a three-dimensional position of the eye by analyzing two or more photograph images acquired by the two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously. The controller controls the driver based on the three-dimensional position to relatively move the examination optical system and the supporting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Takashi Fujimura, Taisaku Kogawa, Ryuichi Morishima, Hiroaki Okada, Takefumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9492079
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography-based ophthalmic testing center system includes an optical coherence tomography instrument comprising an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user or subject; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's or subject's eye, an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's/subject's eye, an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and a processing unit coupled to the detector. The ophthalmic testing center system can be configured to perform a multitude of self-administered functional and/or structural ophthalmic tests and output the test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
    Inventors: Alexander C. Walsh, Paul G. Updike, Srinivas R. Sadda
  • Patent number: 9480398
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The physiological parameter is determined from a signal sensed from the eye of a subject when the eye of the subject is properly aligned with regard to an interrogation signal source and/or response signal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 9462937
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a transillumination image of a pupil of a subject eye, and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the subject eye includes an intraocular lens, based on the acquired transillumination image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Ohta
  • Patent number: 9462945
    Abstract: Systems and methods of obtaining and recording fundus images by minimally trained persons, which includes a camera for obtaining images of a fundus of a subject's eye, in combination with mathematical methods to assign real time image quality classification to the images obtained based upon a set of criteria. The classified images will be further processed if the classified images are of sufficient image quality for clinical interpretation by machine-coded and/or human-based methods. Such systems and methods can thus automatically determine whether the quality of a retinal image is sufficient for computer-based eye disease screening. The system integrates global histogram features, textural features, and vessel density, as well as a local non-reference perceptual sharpness metric. A partial least square (PLS) classifier is trained to distinguish low quality images from normal quality images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: VISIONQUEST BIOMEDICAL LLC
    Inventors: Simon Barriga, Carla Agurto, Honggang Yu, Peter Soliz, Gilberto Zamora, Vinayak Joshi
  • Patent number: 9427147
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system that includes an optical device having an adjustable optical element configured to displace a pupil entry point of light is provided. Optical coherence tomography methods using the optical coherence tomography system are also provided. The subject optical coherence tomography systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Lujan, Austin Roorda, Joseph Carroll, Carlos Rivera-Carpio, Vikram Makhijani
  • Patent number: 9427150
    Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a first lens having a first focal length, a second lens having a second focal length longer that the first focal length, a scanning unit disposed at a focal position of the second lens, and an optical path branching unit disposed between the first and second lenses. An observation optical path located on a transmission optical path of the optical path branching unit, and an optical path of measurement light located on a reflection optical path of the optical path branching unit. The second lens is disposed on the optical path of the measurement light between the first lens and the scanning unit, such that an angle at which the measurement light scanned by the scanning unit is incident on the optical path branching unit is maintained substantially unchanged during scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Muto, Hirofumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9339181
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The physiological parameter is determined from a signal sensed from the eye of a subject according to a schedule, under the control of a scheduling controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 9332905
    Abstract: A retinoscopic device, technique and scale for estimating the reflectance of the macula pigment optical density (MPOD) in normal and abnormal eyes in order to detect early pathology of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors thus screening for macular pathology the most prevalent of which is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and retinal edema and cystoid macular edema post cataract surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Clinton Norton Sims
  • Patent number: 9320424
    Abstract: An image display apparatus obtains a plurality of moving images obtained by capturing a plurality of imaging areas of a fundus, and a wide field of view image obtained by capturing an area including the plurality of imaging areas of the fundus. Each of the plurality of moving images is associated with pulse data based on a biomedical signal obtained in capturing the moving image. The image display apparatus superimposes and displays at least one frame of each of the plurality of moving images at a position on the wide field of view image, which is determined based on information about the positions of the plurality of imaging areas. In the superimposing/display operation, the image display apparatus displays the plurality of moving images at a display timing synchronized based on the pulse data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9289121
    Abstract: Methods and system for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The gaze direction of the eye of the subject is determined and an interrogation signal source and/or response signal sensor are moved into alignment with the eye using an actuator to facilitate detection of the signal from the eye of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 9247868
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes: a position control unit configured to control a position changing unit which changes a position of an examination unit, such that fine movement driving of the examination unit is performed in a case where a tilt angle of the operating member is smaller than a first angle, and coarse movement driving of the examination unit is performed in a case where the tilt angle of the operating member is equal to or greater than the first angle; and an angle control unit configured to control an angle changing unit which changes the angle of the operating member such that the tilt angle of the operating member is automatically changed to a second angle which is smaller than the first angle, in accordance with a change from the coarse movement to the fine movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiraku Ogura
  • Patent number: 9232891
    Abstract: The invention relates, according to one aspect, to a retinal imaging device including at least one source (LSa, LSr) for emitting a light beam in order to illuminate the retina of an eye (10) of a subject, a retinal imaging path including a detection device (12) having a detection plane (121) and an optical imaging system (L1, L5, L6), an analysis path including a device (15) for measuring optical defects having an analysis plane (151) for receiving a set of light rays backscattered by the retina and optical means for adjoining said analysis plane and a predetermined plane in the input space of said imaging system of the imaging path, a correction device (14) shared by said analysis and imaging paths, which includes a correction plane (141) and which is intended to correct, in said correction plane, the light rays from said emission source and backscattered by the retina according to the optical defects measured by the device for measuring optical defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Imagine Eyes
    Inventor: Xavier Levecq
  • Patent number: 9232890
    Abstract: In order to prevent inaccurate position detection caused by overlapping between a position alignment index and an optic papilla of a fundus in position alignment between an eye to be inspected and an apparatus when a fundus image is photographically captured, an ophthalmologic apparatus includes: a projection unit configured to project a plurality of alignment indices onto an eye to be inspected; an optic papilla position detection unit configured to detect an optic papilla position of the eye to be inspected; and an alignment detection unit configured to detect a positional relation between the eye to be inspected and an apparatus main body from a reflection image of the alignment index, wherein the alignment detection unit performs alignment detection by selecting a reflection image of at least one of the reflection images of the plurality of alignment indices depending on the optic papilla position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Ono
  • Patent number: 9226656
    Abstract: A real-time ophthalmoscope system for imaging an eye includes a wide field scanning light ophthalmoscope (SLO) configured for wide field imaging of the eye. The system also includes a small field SLO configured for high resolution imaging of the eye. A 2D tracking minor electrically coupled to a computer, and a 2D steering minor electrically coupled to the computer, are both disposed in an optical path between the small field SLO and the eye. The system is configured to acquire a plurality of small field images at a plurality of locations on the eye as defined by the 2D steering minor, each of the small field images is stabilized for a motion of the eye by the 2D tracking minor. A method for imaging of the eye is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: University of Rochester, Montana State University
    Inventor: Qiang Yang
  • Patent number: 9226659
    Abstract: A fundus camera according to the present invention includes a light metering unit configured to change a light metering area within an image captured by an imaging unit based on one of a position and a size of a light blocking member, and a controlling unit configured to control an amount of light emission from a light source based on a light metering value corresponding to the light metering area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 9191562
    Abstract: An optical adapter for secure and adjustable mounting of a mobile media device having a camera lens to an optical eyepiece of an optical device. The adapter having the ability to quickly and reliably attach a mobile media device such as smart phone, iPhone, Droid, etc. to a wide range of various diameter optical devices such as binoculars, birding scopes, excavation scopes, microscopes and telescopes. The optical adapter comprises a flat base plate having a central aperture for passing light and a plurality of aligned openings, an adjustable strap which is woven within the plurality of aligned openings in order to secure the mobile media device, and an adjustable optical eyepiece attachment assembly which provides secure attachment to an optical eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Robert W. Schorr, II
  • Patent number: 9173561
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method is disclosed, for ensuring correct alignment of a patient's eye with respect to an ophthalmic or optometric instrument. Graphical objects are provided which represent an ideal and an actual position of the eye, and provide for easy and intuitive feedback to an eye care professional operating the instrument on the alignment position of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Optos plc (Murgitroyd)
    Inventors: Jennifer Margaret Rice-Jones, Michael James Bartelme
  • Patent number: 9164621
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus comprising a judging part judging the dominant eye of the user inputting the position coordinates via the coordinate input part based on the reference coordinates of the dominant eye judgment image formed of the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image and the obtained position coordinates, depending on whether the obtained position coordinates are near the reference coordinates of the left viewpoint image or the reference coordinates of the right viewpoint image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanagita, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 9144379
    Abstract: A retinoscopic device, technique and scale for estimating the reflectance of the macula pigment optical density (MPOD) in normal and abnormal eyes in order to detect early pathology of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors thus screening for macular pathology the most prevalent of which is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and retinal edema and cystoid macular edema post cataract surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Clinton Norton Sims
  • Patent number: 9141864
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for directing the gaze of a subject whose image is captured by a camera, including the direction in which the subject looks, or the distance between the subject and the camera, in such a way that a visually appealing image can be captured by the camera, where a media professional (e.g., an interviewer or a director) or other person knowledgeable in media best practices is non co-located with the subject. The techniques enable the media professional to provide visual hints both manually and automatically to the remotely located subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Vidyo, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Levy, Tal Shalom, Meir Sela, Stephan Wenger
  • Patent number: 9078601
    Abstract: An anterior segment measuring apparatus includes: a light projecting optical system for forming a light section on an anterior segment; a light receiving optical system for obtaining a cross-sectional image of the anterior segment by scattering of the light section at the anterior segment; a displacement detection unit for detecting displacement in a direction orthogonal to the light section between the position where the actual cross-sectional image is acquired and the position of the expected cross-sectional image; and a controller for forming the cross-sectional image of the anterior segment, processing the cross-sectional image to measure the anterior segment, and correcting a measurement result for the anterior segment based on a detection result by the displacement detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Suzuki, Noriji Kawai, Masakazu Endo
  • Patent number: 9070017
    Abstract: Methods for determining a point-of-gaze (POG) of a user in three dimensions are disclosed. In particular embodiments, the methods involve: presenting a three-dimensional scene to both eyes of the user; capturing image data including both eyes of the user; estimating first and second line-of-sight (LOS) vectors in a three-dimensional coordinate system for the user's first and second eyes based on the image data; and determining the POG in the three-dimensional coordinate system using the first and second LOS vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Mirametrix Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Hennessey, Peter D. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 9039176
    Abstract: A corneal endothelial cell photographing apparatus comprises: a main unit including: an illumination optical system for illuminating illumination light from an illumination light source toward a cornea of an examinee's eye from an oblique direction; an imaging optical system for obtaining a corneal endothelial cell image by receiving, through an imaging element, reflection light from the cornea including corneal endothelial cells; and a fixation optical system including a plurality of fixation targets and for guiding a fixation direction of the examinee's eye; a drive unit to relatively move the main unit with respect to the examinee's eye; a serial photographing unit to obtain endothelial images in series at different photographing positions in previously set up-and-down and right-and-left directions; and a monitor to display the obtained endothelial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Honda, Michihiro Takii
  • Patent number: 9039180
    Abstract: Methods and system for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The gaze direction of the eye of the subject is determined and an interrogation signal source and/or response signal sensor are moved into alignment with the eye using an actuator to facilitate detection of the signal from the eye of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Elwah LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 9039179
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The physiological parameter is determined from a signal sensed from the eye of a subject when the eye of the subject is properly aligned with regard to an interrogation signal source and/or response signal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 9033503
    Abstract: A fundus photographing apparatus for photographing a fundus of an examinee's eye includes: a photographing part including a photographing optical system for photographing the fundus; a mechanism for moving the photographing part; a presenting part for presenting a fixation target to the eye; an alignment detecting optical system including a light receiving element to detect an alignment state of the photographing part; and a setting part for setting an alignment completion position in a back and forth direction of the photographing part relative to the eye based on the detected alignment state. The alignment completion position includes a first alignment completion position information to be set when an optical axis of the photographing part is in a predetermined range relative to a corneal vertex of the eye and a second alignment completion position information to be set when the optical axis is apart from the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yoshino, Yusuke Ando
  • Patent number: 9028066
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus includes a control unit configured to, when a manipulated value detected by a manipulated value detection unit is a first manipulated value within a predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a fine motion operation of moving the moving unit at a low speed, and when the manipulated value is a second manipulated value outside the predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a coarse motion operation of moving the moving unit at a speed higher than that in the fine motion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Akiba
  • Publication number: 20150124219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for expanding the field-of-view of ophthalmic scanning devices are presented. An ophthalmic scanning device is designed such that the pivot point of the scanning optics is maintained at a fixed location in the pupil while the scanning optics are rotated about the eye to obtain imaging data over an increased field-of-view than can be achieved by the scanning optics alone. The rotation can be achieved using a singular rotational motion of the scanning optics about a rotational axes coincident with the scanning pivot point or can be achieved using a combination of rotational motion with a second motion either rotational or translational to maintain the scanning pivot point at the fixed location. Embodiments related to optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen M.M. HORN, Andre MALZ, Christopher J.R.V. BAKER, Oliver WIRTH
  • Patent number: 9022569
    Abstract: When an anterior segment photographing mode is selected, ease of operation by an inspector is improved. An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an area changing unit for changing a movement area of an optical unit including an optical path of measuring light, when an anterior segment photographing mode for photographing an anterior segment of an eye to be inspected is selected, to be different from a movement area when a mode other than the anterior segment photographing mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakahara, Shigeaki Ono, Hiroki Uchida, Yukio Sakagawa
  • Patent number: 9010934
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a generation unit configured, based on interfering light produced by interfering a return beam and a reference beam of light emitted toward the object to be measured, to generate tomographic images of an object to be measured, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing for increasing image quality to at least one of the tomographic images generated by the generation unit, and a display control unit configured to display one of the tomographic images generated by the generation unit and then display the image on which the image processing is performed by the image processing unit on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Uchida
  • Patent number: 8992017
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes a first light source configured to emit a first measuring beam, a second light source configured to emit a second measuring beam having a center wavelength longer than that of the first measuring beam, a third light source configured to emit a third measuring beam having a center wavelength shorter than that of the first measuring beam, a first acquisition unit configured to obtain a first image of the subject's eye by using the return beam of the second measuring beam from the subject's eye, aberration of which has been corrected by a correction unit, and a second acquisition unit configured to obtain an anterior eye portion image of the subject's eye to be used for alignment, by using a return beam of the third measuring beam from the subject's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20150085253
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography-based ophthalmic testing center system includes an optical coherence tomography instrument comprising an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user or subject; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's or subject's eye, an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's/subject's eye, an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and a processing unit coupled to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander C. Walsh, Paul G. Updike, Srinivas R. Sadda
  • Publication number: 20150085252
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus which is capable of preferably executing position matching between an eye and optical system is provided. An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination optical system, supporting part, driver, two or more imaging parts, analyzer and controller. The examination optical system is used for an examination of the eye. The supporting part supports a face of a subject. The driver moves the examination optical system and the supporting part relatively and three-dimensionally. The two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously photograph an anterior eye part of the eye from different directions. The analyzer obtains a three-dimensional position of the eye by analyzing two or more photograph images acquired by the two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously. The controller controls the driver based on the three-dimensional position to relatively move the examination optical system and the supporting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Takashi Fujimura, Taisaku Kogawa, Ryuichi Morishima, Hiroaki Okada, Takefumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8985773
    Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus that can perform the alignment of an acquiring unit with respect to an eye to be inspected without a rotation operation so that operability can be improved. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes: an acquiring unit which acquires specific information of an eye to be inspected; a joystick which can perform a rotation motion for moving the acquiring unit in an up-down direction, a left-right tilting motion for moving the acquiring unit in a left-right direction with respect to the eye to be inspected, and a front-back tilting motion for moving the acquiring unit in a front-back direction with respect to the eye to be inspected; and a control unit which changes a motion for moving the acquiring unit in the up-down direction from the rotation motion to the front-back tilting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Umekawa
  • Patent number: 8967802
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus which is configured to inspect a plurality of eye characteristics of an eye to be examined which is fixed by a face support unit, the apparatus comprises: an optometric unit configured to include a first optometric portion including a first optical system for inspecting a first eye characteristic of the eye, and a second optometric portion including a second optical system for inspecting a second eye characteristic different from the first eye characteristic; and a changing unit configured to change a direction of the optometric unit relative to the eye to switch to inspection by one of the first optometric portion and the second optometric portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Akiba
  • Patent number: 8967807
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus includes: an illuminating optical system for irradiating an examinee's eye with illuminating light; an imaging optical system including an imaging device for receiving a reflected light flux from the eye, the imaging optical system having an imaging optical axis inclined with respect to an optical axis of the illuminating optical system; and a first optical member for reducing an imaging incidence angle, the imaging incidence angle being defined as an angle between a normal direction of an imaging surface of the imaging device and a principal ray of the reflected light flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyasu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8965064
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods and systems for capturing artifact-free biometric images of an eye. The eye may be in motion and in the presence of partially-reflective eyewear. The method may include acquiring, by a first sensor, a first image of an eye while the eye is illuminated by a first illuminator. The first image may include a region of interest. The first sensor may be disposed at a fixed displacement from the first illuminator and a second sensor. The second sensor may acquire, within a predetermined period of time from the acquisition of the first image, a second image of the eye. The second image may include the region of interest. An image processor may determine if at least one of the first and second images include artifacts arising from one or both of the first illuminator and eyewear, within the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: EyeLock, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Hanna
  • Patent number: 8944599
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus, when an output result of an imaging unit provided in an optical path of an imaging optical system satisfies a predetermined condition, stops controlling a driving unit in at least one direction based on a positional relationship of an image of the light flux, which has been reflected by a cornea of the subject's eye and regulated by a light flux regulation unit provided in the optical path of the imaging optical system, and maintains the control of the driving unit in the other directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Ohta, Toshiaki Okumura
  • Patent number: 8939583
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first fundus image of an eye and a second fundus image of the eye; a first generation unit configured to generate, by performing processing of enhancing contrast of a first characteristic region of a part of the first fundus image, an image which corresponds to the first characteristic region; a second generation unit configured to generate, by performing processing of enhancing contrast of a second characteristic region of a part of the second fundus image which corresponds to the first characteristic region, an image which corresponds to the second characteristic region; and a correction unit configured to correct an acquisition position of a tomographic image of the eye based on a positional displacement between the images which respectively correspond to the first and second characteristic regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Dawid Borycki, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 8926095
    Abstract: A device and method for connecting a camera to a scoping apparatus for viewing and taking photos of an eye-ball or other object imaged by the scoping apparatus. A case receives a compact high-resolution camera, and an attachment is connected to the case. The attachment is detachably connected to an eye-piece of the scoping apparatus in a manner to allow passage of an image from the scoping apparatus through the device to the camera for viewing and taking of photos thereof. A sleeve portion of the attachment and the eye-piece have generally the same diameter to allow the attachment sleeve to be fitted over the eye-piece. When the attachment sleeve and eye-piece have different diameters, an adapter having a generally cylindrical shape and a thickness equal generally to the difference in thicknesses is received on the eye-piece and the attachment sleeve received on the adapter to couple the attachment to the eye-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: David P. Bartels
  • Publication number: 20150002817
    Abstract: Light from an exit pupil of an illumination unit is directed to a beam splitter which directs the light to an objective. The retina is illuminated, if a real image of the exit pupil of the illumination unit and a real image of an entrance pupil of a camera unit are formable in a position ranging from the cornea to the backside of the crystalline lens with the light. The objective forms a real intermediate image of the retina between the objective and the camera unit. The beam splitter directs the light from the retina to the camera unit, while causing the path of the illumination and the path of the imaging to deviate for non-overlapping images of the exit pupil and the entrance pupil in the crystalline lens. A relay lens system forms a real image of the intermediate image on a detecting component with the light reflected from the retina for transforming the image into an electric form to be shown on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Ilkka Alasaarela, Jussi Soukkamaki, Ilkka Jolma, Markku Virta
  • Patent number: 8915593
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises an optical measurement system that radiates measurement light to an eye to be examined, an imaging unit that takes a cross sectional image of the eye by using reflected light of the measurement light from the eye, and a controller that controls the optical measurement system and the imaging unit. When the optical measurement system is positioned at a measurement position, the controller obtains a two-dimensional cross sectional image by the imaging device. One axis of the two-dimensional cross sectional image extends in a vertical direction of the eye, and another axis of the two-dimensional cross sectional image extends in a depth direction of the eye. The controller determines whether the eye is in an examinable state or not based on the two-dimensional cross sectional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8913007
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method capable of preventing its user from viewing an image in an improper viewing position. The display apparatus includes: an imaging unit that captures a moving image in a predetermined range with respect to an image display direction; an image analyzer that analyzes the moving image captured by the imaging unit, and calculates a position of a target that should be guided to a proper viewing position; and a display controller that causes a display unit to perform display to guide the target to the proper viewing position when the target position calculated by the image analyzer is at an improper viewing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Oba, Yusuke Sakai, Eijiro Mori, Kenichi Okada, Katsunori Tanaka, Shinichi Hayashi, Tomohiko Gotoh, Shingo Tsurumi, Asako Tadenuma
  • Patent number: 8913790
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use point of gaze information to determine what portions of 3D media content are actually being viewed to enable a 3D media content viewing experience to be improved. Tracking eye movements of viewers to obtain such point of gaze information are used to control characteristics of the 3D media content during consumption of that media, and/or to improve or otherwise adjust or refine the 3D media content during creation thereof by a media content provider. Outputs may be generated to illustrate what in the 3D media content was viewed at incorrect depths. Such outputs may then be used in subsequent or offline analysis, e.g., by editors for media content providers when generating the 3D media itself, in order to gauge the 3D effects. A quality metric can be computed based on the point of gaze information, which can be used to analyze the interactions between viewers and the 3D media content being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mirametrix Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Adam Hennessy
  • Patent number: 8903145
    Abstract: Image processing for computer-aided eye-surgery includes acquiring a reference image of the eye and enriching said reference image by inserting additional context information which are helpful for a surgeon when performing the eye surgery. The reference image is registered with a real time image of the eye. The context information is overlayed over the real time image of the eye based on a tracking of the eye movement such that the context information is displayed at the same position despite a movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Kersting
  • Patent number: RE45344
    Abstract: A retinal function measurement apparatus capable of measuring a retinal function accurately and precisely. The apparatus has a first image obtaining optical system for obtaining a tomographic image of a fundus by optical coherence tomography using low coherent light, the optical system including a light source emitting the low coherent light, a scanning unit scanning measurement light being a part of the emitted low coherent light on the fundus, an interference optical system for synthesizing the measurement light reflected from the fundus and reference light being a part of the emitted low coherent light to interfere, and a first photodetector photo-receiving the interfered light, a stimulating light irradiation optical system for performing irradiation of stimulating light onto the fundus, and an image processing unit obtaining information on a retinal function by performing processing on a first tomographic image and a second tomographic image before/after the irradiation of the stimulating light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuguo Nanjo