Autofocusing optical imaging device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical imager, comprising:
- an image sensor for outputting signals representative of captured images;
a lens for focusing light on the image sensor, the lens having a maximum possible motion range and focus settings that are a function of lens position;
a memory for storing lens positions; and
a controller communicatively connected to the image sensor, the lens, and the memory, the controller being configured for;
capturing a desired number of images of targets with the image sensor;
receiving signals from the image sensor representative of the captured images;
determining the lens'"'"'s proper focus setting to bring the target into focus with the image sensor for each captured image;
storing, in the memory, the lens positions corresponding to each of the determined proper focus settings;
capturing operating images while moving the lens between the minimum and maximum stored lens positions to obtain a proper focus setting for the operating image;
moving the lens to the proper focus setting for the operating image; and
capturing an image while the lens is at the proper focus setting for the operating image;
wherein the minimum and maximum stored lens positions are within a motion range which is less than the lens'"'"'s maximum possible motion range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical imager includes: an image sensor for capturing images of targets and outputting image signals; a lens for focusing the target on the image sensor as a function of lens position; a memory for storing predetermined lens positions determined from predetermined target sizes; and a controller for determining current target size based on captured images and positioning the lens at a predetermined lens position by correlating current target size with predetermined target sizes.
604 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical imager, comprising:
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an image sensor for outputting signals representative of captured images; a lens for focusing light on the image sensor, the lens having a maximum possible motion range and focus settings that are a function of lens position; a memory for storing lens positions; and a controller communicatively connected to the image sensor, the lens, and the memory, the controller being configured for; capturing a desired number of images of targets with the image sensor; receiving signals from the image sensor representative of the captured images; determining the lens'"'"'s proper focus setting to bring the target into focus with the image sensor for each captured image; storing, in the memory, the lens positions corresponding to each of the determined proper focus settings; capturing operating images while moving the lens between the minimum and maximum stored lens positions to obtain a proper focus setting for the operating image; moving the lens to the proper focus setting for the operating image; and capturing an image while the lens is at the proper focus setting for the operating image; wherein the minimum and maximum stored lens positions are within a motion range which is less than the lens'"'"'s maximum possible motion range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An optical imager, comprising:
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an image sensor for capturing images and outputting image signals; a lens for focusing light on the image sensor, the lens having a maximum possible motion range and focus points that are a function of lens position; a memory for storing predetermined lens positions, the predetermined lens positions comprising a minimum recorded lens position and a maximum recorded lens position that define a predetermined lens motion range; and a controller for positioning the lens; wherein the predetermined lens motion range is smaller than the lens'"'"'s maximum possible motion range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical imager, comprising:
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an image sensor for capturing images and outputting image signals; a sleeve; a barrel slidably disposed within the sleeve; a lens disposed within the barrel for focusing light on the image sensor, the lens having a maximum possible motion range and focus points that are a function of lens position; a memory for storing predetermined lens positions, the predetermined lens positions comprising a minimum recorded lens position and a maximum recorded lens position that define a predetermined lens motion range; and a controller for positioning the lens; wherein the predetermined lens motion range is smaller than the lens'"'"'s maximum possible motion range. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification