Autofocusing endoscopic system
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining a focused image viewed by an autofocusing endoscopic apparatus having an optical system, the method comprising:
- determining an transition between an imaging area and a non-imaging area;
focusing the optical system on the transition; and
storing in a memory a position of the optical system focused on the edge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic apparatus and method allow for robust autofocusing operation regardless of contrast characteristics of the environment. The endoscopic apparatus and method can focus on a field stop edge and store default information of the apparatus focused on the edge. Later, if the endoscope fails to focus on an internal target object during the course of normal operation, the endoscope recalls the default information from memory to focus the lens on the edge of the field stop. Thus, internal structural objects in front of the endoscopic apparatus are brought into reasonable focus for visualization.
33 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining a focused image viewed by an autofocusing endoscopic apparatus having an optical system, the method comprising:
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determining an transition between an imaging area and a non-imaging area;
focusing the optical system on the transition; and
storing in a memory a position of the optical system focused on the edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An method maintaining a focused image viewed by an autofocusing endoscopic apparatus having an optical system, the method comprising:
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determining an transition between an imaging area and a non-imaging area;
focusing the optical system on the transition; and
storing in a memory a position of the optical system focused on the edge;
selecting at least a portion of the imaging area for focusing;
determining a contrast value of at least the portion of the imaging area;
comparing the contrast value of at least the portion of the imaging area with a preset value;
moving the optical system to the position of the optical system stored in the memory to focus on the edge if the contrast value is below the preset value; and
focusing the optical system on at least the portion of the imaging area if the contrast value is above the preset value.
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7. An article comprising a machine-readable medium that stores machine-executable instructions for causing an endoscopic apparatus to:
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determine an transition between an imaging area and a non-imaging area;
focus the optical system on the transition; and
store in a memory a position of the optical system focused on the edge. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endoscopic apparatus comprising:
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an optical system;
an autofocusing module for focusing the optical system on a selected focusing zone;
the selected focusing zone including a zone around an edge between an imaging area and a non-imaging area and;
a memory for storing a position of the optical system focused on the edge. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification