Rotatable imaging system

• US 10,171,734 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2016
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ovio Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ovio Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Mueller, Gregory Paul, Gagliano, Ted, Derry, Glenn D., Martinez, Gary, Jiang, Steve Hai, Loveall, Mitchell
• Primary Examiner(s): Luo, Kate H
• Application Number:
  US15/231,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20160353022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/364 Correlation of different images or relation of image positions in respect to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1079 using optical or photographic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6889 Rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/06 Special arrangements of screening, diffusing, or reflecting devices, e.g. in studio
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 : with scanning movement of lens or cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 : Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30204 : Marker
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 : for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 : Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 : for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/95 : Computational photography systems, e.g. light-field imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An imaging system that includes a rotating unit that includes an imaging camera, an alignment camera and at least a first monitor. The rotating unit is rotatable between a home position and a finish position about a rotation axis such that the imaging camera can capture a first scan. The alignment camera is directed generally downwardly and is configured to capture a first alignment image of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis. The first alignment image is displayed on the first monitor.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

a rotating unit that includes an imaging camera, wherein the rotating unit is rotatable between a home position and a finish position about a rotation axis such that the imaging camera can capture a first scan,

an alignment camera configured to capture a first alignment image of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis, and

at least a first monitor on which the first alignment image is displayed, wherein the first monitor includes at least one alignment marking thereon, wherein the at least one alignment marking includes a stationary alignment marking and a movable alignment marking, and wherein the rotating unit will not rotate from the home position to the finish position unless the stationary alignment marking is within a predetermined tolerance zone.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a motor control system that rotates the rotating unit after the first alignment image is displayed on the first monitor.

3. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the rotating unit includes a backdrop that rotates opposite of the imaging camera.

4. The imaging system of claim 3 further comprising a support assembly that includes a base and a vertically oriented support structure, and a horizontal boom extending outwardly from the vertically oriented support structure, wherein the rotating unit is positioned below the horizontal boom and is adapted to rotate with respect to the horizontal boom about the rotation axis.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein the backdrop includes a curved backdrop portion and a hood portion.

6. An imaging system comprising:

a rotating unit that includes an imaging camera, wherein the rotating unit is rotatable between a home position and a finish position about a rotation axis such that the imaging camera can capture a first scan,

an alignment camera configured to capture a first alignment image of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis, and

at least a first monitor on which the first alignment image is displayed, wherein the first monitor includes at least one alignment marking thereon, wherein the at least one alignment marking includes a stationary alignment marking, and wherein the stationary alignment marking is created using a differential map.

7. The imaging system of claim 6 wherein the at least one alignment marking also includes a movable alignment marking that is a live image taken from the alignment camera.

8. The imaging system of claim 7 wherein at least one differential map is created to determine the location of the movable alignment marking in relation to the stationary alignment marking to produce a comparison percentage, and wherein the comparison percentage is displayed on the alignment monitor on a meter.

9. An imaging system comprising:

a rotating unit that includes an imaging camera, wherein the rotating unit is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the rotating unit includes a first portion and a second portion that are rotatable about the rotation axis, wherein the first portion and the second portion each have a proximal end through which the rotation axis extends and a distal end that is positioned away from the rotation axis, wherein the imaging camera is associated with the distal end of the first portion and a backdrop is associated with the distal end of the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are rotatable from a stowed position where the first portion and the second portion are in substantial vertical alignment and a home position where the distal ends of the first portion and the second portion are approximately 180°

from one another with respect to the rotation axis, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are rotatable together between the home position and a finish position such that the imaging camera can capture a first scan of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis.

10. The imaging system of claim 9 wherein the first portion and the second portion are separately rotatable about the rotation axis.

11. The imaging system of claim 9 wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap in a vertical direction when in the stowed position.

12. The imaging system of claim 9 further comprising a horizontal boom having a first end that is adapted to be secured to a wall or other vertically oriented support structure and a second end to which the rotating unit is rotatably attached, and wherein in the stowed position the first portion and the second portion are in substantial vertical alignment with the horizontal boom.

13. The imaging system of claim 9 wherein distal ends of the first portion and the second portion remain approximately 180°

from one another when the first portion and the second portion rotate from the home position to the finish position.

14. The imaging system of claim 9 further comprising an alignment camera configured to capture a first alignment image of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis, and at least a first monitor on which the first alignment image is displayed.

15. The imaging system of claim 14 wherein the alignment camera is positioned such that it is located along the same axis as the rotation axis.

16. The imaging system of claim 9 wherein the first monitor includes at least one alignment marking thereon.

17. The imaging system of claim 16 wherein the at least one alignment marking includes a stationary alignment marking, and wherein the stationary alignment marking is created using a differential map.

18. The imaging system of claim 17 wherein the at least one alignment marking also includes a movable alignment marking that is a live image taken from the alignment camera.

19. The imaging system of claim 18 wherein at least one differential map is created to determine the location of the movable alignment marking in relation to the stationary alignment marking to produce a comparison percentage, and wherein the comparison percentage is displayed on the alignment monitor on a meter.

20. The imaging system of claim 9 further comprising a support assembly that includes a base and a vertically oriented support structure, and a horizontal boom extending outwardly from the vertically oriented support structure, wherein the rotating unit is positioned below the horizontal boom and is adapted to rotate with respect to the horizontal boom about the rotation axis.