Method and apparatus for adapting the operation of a remote viewing device to correct optical misalignment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for adapting the operation of an imaging system of a remote viewing device to correct optical misalignment, comprising the steps of:
- providing an imaging system, said imaging system comprising;
an imager including a pixel matrix having a plurality of pixels, wherein a subset of said plurality of pixels corresponds to an active display area of said pixel matrix, said active display area having a center location; and
at least one lens through which a field of light passes to form at least one illumination area that overlaps at least a portion of said plurality of pixels;
identifying the presence of at least one optical defect suggestive of optical misalignment; and
repositioning said active display area within said plurality of pixels in response to the presence of said at least one optical defect.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for adapting the operation of a remote viewing device to compensate for at least one potentially misaligned optical lens by identifying, within a pixel matrix, one or more optical defects that are suggestive of one or more misaligned optical lenses and, in response, adjusting the position of an active display area in order to seek to correct the optical misalignment.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for adapting the operation of an imaging system of a remote viewing device to correct optical misalignment, comprising the steps of:
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providing an imaging system, said imaging system comprising;
an imager including a pixel matrix having a plurality of pixels, wherein a subset of said plurality of pixels corresponds to an active display area of said pixel matrix, said active display area having a center location; and
at least one lens through which a field of light passes to form at least one illumination area that overlaps at least a portion of said plurality of pixels;
identifying the presence of at least one optical defect suggestive of optical misalignment; and
repositioning said active display area within said plurality of pixels in response to the presence of said at least one optical defect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for adapting the operation of an imaging system of a remote viewing device to compensate for optical misalignment, comprising the steps of:
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providing an imaging system, said imaging system comprising;
an imager including a pixel matrix having a plurality of pixels, wherein a subset of said plurality of pixels corresponds to an active display area of said pixel matrix, said active display area having a center location; and
at least one lens through which a field of light passes to form at least one illumination area that overlaps at least a portion of said plurality of pixels;
confirming that at least a portion of said active display area lies outside of said perimeter of said at least one illumination area; and
repositioning said active display area such that said repositioned active display area lies at least substantially entirely within said at least one illumination area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for adapting the operation of an imaging system of a remote viewing device to compensate for optical misalignment, comprising the steps of:
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providing an imaging system having an optical axis, said imaging system comprising;
an imager including a pixel matrix having a plurality of pixels, wherein a subset of said plurality of pixels corresponds to an active display area of said pixel matrix; and
at least one lens;
providing a target having a predetermined position with respect to said optical axis;
passing light through said at least one lens to produce an image of said target on said imager;
identifying at least one reference location on said target image;
determining that said at least one reference location is offset from a predetermined location within the active display area; and
repositioning said active display area such that said predetermined location is substantially proximate said at least one reference location. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An imaging system adapted to a correct optical misalignment between at least one optical lens and an imager of a remote viewing device, comprising:
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a pixel matrix on said imaging device, wherein said pixel matrix includes a plurality of pixels, a first subset of which correspond to an active display area having a center location, and wherein said pixel matrix further includes at least one illumination area having a perimeter and being formed by a field of light passing through said at least one optical lens, said at least one illumination area overlapping at least a portion of said plurality of pixels; and
an aligner adapted to reposition the location of said active display area in response to the presence of at least one optical characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A remote viewing device that is configured to be electronically adapted to correct optical misalignment, said remote viewing device comprising:
an insertion tube having a distal end that includes a viewing head assembly, wherein the viewing head assembly includes an imaging system comprising;
an imager including a pixel matrix having a plurality of pixels, wherein a subset of said plurality of pixels corresponds to an active display area of said pixel matrix, said active display area having a center location; and
at least one lens through which a field of light passes to form at least one illumination area that overlaps at least a portion of said plurality of pixels;
a digital signal processor adapted to process a communicated image represented by said pixel matrix, said communicated image including at least one optical defect suggestive of optical misalignment; and
an aligner adapted to communicate with and direct said digital signal processor so as to reposition said active display area in response to the presence of said at least one optical defect.
Specification