Body Examination Photography Patents (Class 396/14)
  • Patent number: 6643385
    Abstract: The visual fitness planner combines image morphing technology, exercise programming, supplement sales, and motivational techniques; into one product. Users begin by entering their current measurements, measurement goals and current picture into the system, preferably via a Web site. The picture is segmented into body components, and each segment is morphed based upon the goal measurement and the segment's responsiveness to weight loss using physiological tables and formulae. The resulting modified “after view”image is then returned to the user, preferably by online communications such as e-mail. In the business use for the disclosed system, the visual fitness planner helps the fitness industry overcome two of their biggest problems: obtaining new members and retaining current members. By showing members how they will look after following a specific regimen, client may accurately visualize their future appearance, resulting in increased client loyalty and satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Mario J. Bravomalo
  • Publication number: 20030086703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of photographing the skin of a person comprising the steps of: (i) illuminating the skin with at least one light source, where the light emitted from the light source is filtered using a polarizing filter; and (ii) capturing the image of the illuminated skin with a camera; wherein the angle formed by the light source, the skin, and the camera is from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Nikiforos Kollias, Kenneth Merola, Jeffrey S. Pote, Gregory Payonk
  • Patent number: 6434329
    Abstract: A controllable camera support including a pivoting arm adapted to be rotatably connected to a pivot point defining a first rotational axis. The pivoting arm also defines a radial axis. The camera support also includes a camera holder mounted on the pivoting arm. The camera holder is displaceable along the radial axis. The camera further includes motors coupled to the pivoting arm and to the camera holder. The motors are adapted to impart rotational and radial motions to the camera holder. The camera support also includes a control device for controlling the motors. The invention also covers a system further including a focal adjustable, rotational, tilting camera mounted on the camera holder. When a target that is focused by the camera becomes obstructed, the control device is adapted to move the camera to another position all the while focusing on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignees: L'Universite de Montreal, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal, Polyvalor S.E.C.
    Inventors: Luc Dube, Glen Levesque, Richard Hurteau, Pierre A. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 6430371
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ring light guide device for a camera. The ring light guide device comprises a housing having an adaptor inserting hole which is formed therethrough at a side thereof in a manner such that the adaptor inserting hole has an axis which is coaxial with a center axis of a lens of the camera, the housing being detachably coupled on a rear surface thereof with a camera fitting adaptor by the fact that the camera fitting adaptor is inserted into the adaptor inserting hole, light receiving section installed opposite to a light source of the camera, for receiving light which is emitted from the light source; light path changing section for changing a path of light received by the light receiving section in a manner such that the light is irradiated toward an object in a direction which is substantially parallel to the center axis of the lens of the camera; and irradiation adjusting section for adjusting an amount of light which is irradiated to the object, depending upon a camera-to-object distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Sung Hwan Cho
  • Patent number: 5950017
    Abstract: A sterile, disposable camera system which is always sterilized for use and avoids the need to sterilize the camera or camera mounting system for re-usage includes a sterile camera unit which is easily, removably mounted on a sterile mounting apparatus which may be constructed to be collapsible. The camera mounting system is disposable such that after the camera system has been used, the sterile camera unit is easily removed from the sterile mounting apparatus and the mounting apparatus can be discarded as waste. The mounting apparatus is arranged to support the sterile camera unit relative to a subject to be photographed such that the camera quickly obtains in-focus close-up photographs of subjects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Albert A. Reff
  • Patent number: 5663781
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for examining objects having an illumination light source, the light of which can be focussed on the part of the object to be examined, a scanning device, which generates a scanning movement of the light beam from the illumination light source over the section to be examined and which is provided with beam-deflecting and beam-imaging optical elements, a sensor device, which receives the light reflected from said section to be examined, and an evaluation and synchronization unit, which produces an image of said section to be examined from the time-sequential output signal from said sensor device. The invented apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the optical axis of the examination and/or illumination beam can be shifted in a plane of said pupils in order to generate a stereoscopic image, and that the images produced with varying positions of the optical axes can be overlapped in order to produce a stereo image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: G. Rodenstock Instrumente GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wilms, Ulrich Klingbeil, Andreas Plesch
  • Patent number: 5576781
    Abstract: A disposable and disinfected still frame camera for use in contamination sensitive areas includes an inner camera portion for securing still frame film, exposing frames of the film and for advancing the film. A camera housing is also provided for enclosing the inner camera portion. The invention also includes a fluid impervious casing which substantially encases the camera housing for protecting the camera and environment from contamination. The disposable camera may also include attachments for connecting the camera to optical medical devices, a measuring device for measuring the distance between the camera lens and the object being photographed, and sterilized or disinfected packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Paul Deleeuw