US4160263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual or multiple objective video microscope for superimposing spaced images
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-05-15
•
Granted: 1979-07-03
•
Expires: 1998-05-15
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a video microscope with wide potential range of magnification powers, including but not limited to from 10× to 1000× whose separate images originating from multiple objective lenses are combined on a half-silvered mirror and focused into a vidicon camera tube to produce a two dimensional composite image. Separation of the multiple objective lenses can be adjusted with a preloaded right-hand/left-hand lead screw arrangement without defocusing the image from either lens system. A third image such as a cross hair, grid pattern or graticule can be introduced via a light source which is projected on a silicon semiconductor wafer or other subjects through the objective lenses and in turn reflects as a composite image onto the face plate of the vidicon camera tube. The third projected image permits measurement of areas and linear dimensions of the subjects viewed. Digital null reference electronic techniques in the video output also is disclosed for auto correlation of images using servo controls. Selective deletion of scanning lines on a CRT viewing screen also provides a convenient means of measuring the vertical dimensions of subject matter being viewed, where the magnification in use in the system is accurately known. The viewed subjects are displayed on the cathode-ray tube (CRT) screen in a true relationship without image inversion, reversal or left-right ambiguity. Means are also disclosed for projecting an electronically generated image or laser beam onto the subject matter being viewed for optical printing or altering (i.e. trimming) the subject.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Christy
- 👤 Robert R. Bernham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An optical vidicon apparatus comprising, in combination, multiple objective lenses, a vidicon optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses, display means coupled to said vidicon to display images received by said vidicon, means for moving at least one of said multiple objective lenses toward and away from at least another of said multiple objective lenses, and means for maintaining the length of the optical path between said one of said multiple objective lenses and said vidicon substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other multiple objective lenses and said vidicon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical vidicon apparatus comprising, in combination, multiple objective lenses, a vidicon optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses, display means coupled to said vidicon to display images received by said vidicon, means for moving at least one of said multiple objective lenses toward and away from at least another of said multiple objective lenses, and means for maintaining the length of the optical path between said one of said multiple objective lenses and said vidicon substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other multiple objective lenses and said vidicon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said multiple objective lenses comprising two objective lenses, said display means comprising a CRT.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for moving at least one of said multiple objective lenses toward and away from at least another of said multiple objective lenses comprising means for moving both said one and said other of said multiple objective lenses toward and away from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said multiple objective lenses comprising two objective lenses, said display means comprising a CRT.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining the length of the optical path between said one of said multiple objective lenses and said vidicon substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other multiple objective lenses and said vidicon comprising reflecting means located in the optical paths for transmitting the images of objects to said vidicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for maintaining the length of the optical path between said one of said multiple objective lenses and said vidicon substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other multiple objective lenses and said vidicon further comprising at least one image-splitting means for splitting images received from said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one image-splitting means comprising a half-silvered mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including light source means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting a source of light through said multiple objective lenses onto objects viewed by said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said light source means comprising a source of light and a condensing lens coupled to said source of light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including CRT means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting an image back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including laser means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting a laser beam back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including light source means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting a source of light through said multiple objective lenses onto objects viewed by said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said light source means comprising a source of light and a condensing lens coupled to said source of light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 12 including CRT means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting an image back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 12 including laser means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting a laser beam back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including CRT means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting an image back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including laser means optically coupled to said multiple objective lenses for projecting a laser beam back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including fixed image means coupled to said light source means for projecting a fixed image back through said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vidicon having means for permitting images viewed by said vidicon received from said multiple objective lenses to be viewed in color.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical vidicon apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means coupled to said moving means for the autocorrelation of images viewed by said multiple objective lenses.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for superimposing and comparing spaced images comprising the steps of: moving at least one of a multiple of objective lenses toward and away from at least another of the multiple objective lenses; viewing the multiple images received from the multiple objective lenses with a vidicon; visually displaying the images received by the vidicon; and maintaining the length of the optical path between the said one of the multiple objective lenses and the vidicon to be substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other of the multiple objective lenses and the vidicon.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for superimposing and comparing spaced images comprising the steps of: moving at least one of a multiple of objective lenses toward and away from at least another of the multiple objective lenses; viewing the multiple images received from the multiple objective lenses with a vidicon; visually displaying the images received by the vidicon; and maintaining the length of the optical path between the said one of the multiple objective lenses and the vidicon to be substantially equal to the length of the optical path between said other of the multiple objective lenses and the vidicon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein said multiple objective lenses being two.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 including the steps of illuminating using a light source objects viewed by multiple objective lenses.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 including the steps of projecting a static image between the light source and the multiple objective lenses to provide a measurement or comparison image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 including the step of visually displaying in color the images received from the vidicon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 including the step of autocorrelating images viewed by the multiple objective lenses to control the positioning of the multiple objective lenses.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of projecting an electronically generated image back through the multiple objective images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of projecting a laser beam back through the multiple objective lenses.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of visually displaying in color the images received from the vidicon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of autocorrelating images viewed by the multiple objective lenses to control the positioning of the multiple objective lenses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-02 | 1983-01-01 | 1983-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-02 | 1987-01-01 | 1987-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-02 | 1991-01-01 | 1991-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |