US5675141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for automatically detecting focusing point and image processing method and apparatus using the same
Assignee: V Technology Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-02-01
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2016-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A second object is disposed so that the image of the second object is formed within a picture area obtained by picking up an image of a first object, formed by a microscope, by an area sensor but at a different position from a first portion of the image of the first object. An area, that includes a second portion of the second object having the same focusing point as that of the first portion of the first object of which image is to be processed, is set as the area for detecting a focusing point. A video signal of the image within the focusing-point detecting area is extracted from a video signal from the area sensor, and a focusing point of the area sensor on the second portion of the second object is detected based on a differentiating element of the extracted video signal. Then, the detected focusing point is obtained as a focusing point of the area sensor on the first portion of the first object of which image is to be processed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michio Kukihara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B21/00; G02B21/24; G02B21/241; G02B21/244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
In an apparatus which comprises a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of the picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, a method for automatically detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object, comprising the steps of: (a) setting an area which includes a second portion of a second object that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object as an area for detecting a focusing point, an image of said second object being formed at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; (b) detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object based on a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area out of a video signal from said area sensor; and (c) obtaining said detected focusing point as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
In an apparatus which comprises a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of the picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, a method for automatically detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object, comprising the steps of: (a) setting an area which includes a second portion of a second object that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object as an area for detecting a focusing point, an image of said second object being formed at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; (b) detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object based on a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area out of a video signal from said area sensor; and (c) obtaining said detected focusing point as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 1, wherein said step (b) comprises: a sub-step (b1) for changing a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object; and a sub-step (b2) for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area becomes a peak value, as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
A method for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 2, wherein said sub-step (b2) includes, at each different position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, a sub-step for obtaining a differentiation signal of a video signal of an image within said focusing-point detecting area, a sub-step for obtaining a signal for each of said obtained differentiation signals that have been changed into absolute values, and a sub-step for obtaining an integration signal for each of said absolute-valued signals, and said sub-step (b2) further includes a sub-step for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a value of an integration signal becomes a peak among said integration signals obtained at different positions of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 1, further including a step for forming said focusing-point detecting area of said second object, with a first plane structuring said second portion that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, a second plane having a focusing point different from that of said first plane, and only one step portion which combines said first and second planes.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for carrying out an image processing of a picked-up image of a first portion of a first object, based on a video signal of said picked-up image outputted from an area sensor which has picked up said image of said first object formed by a microscope, said method comprising the steps of: (a) setting a first area which includes a second portion of a second object that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object as an area for detecting a focusing point, an image of said second object being formed at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; (b) detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object based on a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area out of a video signal from said area sensor; (c) controlling a relative position between said area sensor and said first object so that a position of said first portion of said first object with respect to said area sensor becomes said detected focusing point; and (d) executing an image processing of said picked-up image of said first portion of said first object based on said video signal obtained from said area sensor, after said step (c).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for carrying out an image processing of a picked-up image of a first portion of a first object, based on a video signal of said picked-up image outputted from an area sensor which has picked up said image of said first object formed by a microscope, said method comprising the steps of: (a) setting a first area which includes a second portion of a second object that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object as an area for detecting a focusing point, an image of said second object being formed at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; (b) detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object based on a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area out of a video signal from said area sensor; (c) controlling a relative position between said area sensor and said first object so that a position of said first portion of said first object with respect to said area sensor becomes said detected focusing point; and (d) executing an image processing of said picked-up image of said first portion of said first object based on said video signal obtained from said area sensor, after said step (c).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image processing method according to claim 5, wherein said step (b) includes: a sub-step (b1) for changing a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object; and a sub-step (b2) for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a video signal of said focusing-point detecting area becomes a peak value, as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image processing method according to claim 6, wherein said sub-step (b2) includes, at each different position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, a sub-step for obtaining a differentiation signal of a video signal of an image of said focusing-point detecting area, a sub-step for obtaining a signal for each of said obtained differentiation signals that have been changed into absolute values, and a sub-step for obtaining an integration signal for each of said absolute-valued signals, and said sub-step (b2) further includes a sub-step for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a value of an integration signal becomes a peak among said integration signals obtained at different positions of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image processing method according to claim 5, further including a step for forming said focusing-point detecting area of said second object, with a first plane structuring said second portion that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, a second plane having a focusing point different from that of said first plane, and only one step portion which combines said first and second planes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
247 words
In an apparatus which comprises a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of the picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, an apparatus for automatically detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object, comprising: a second object disposed so as to form an image of said second object at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; means for extracting a video signal of an image within a focusing-point detecting area that includes a second portion of said second object having the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, based on a video signal from said area sensor; means for detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object, based on a video signal of a picture within said focus-point detecting area; and means for outputting said detected focusing point as a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
247 words
In an apparatus which comprises a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of the picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, an apparatus for automatically detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object, comprising: a second object disposed so as to form an image of said second object at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; means for extracting a video signal of an image within a focusing-point detecting area that includes a second portion of said second object having the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, based on a video signal from said area sensor; means for detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object, based on a video signal of a picture within said focus-point detecting area; and means for outputting said detected focusing point as a focusing point of said area sensor on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 9, wherein said means for detecting a focusing point comprises: means for changing a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object; and peak value detecting means for detecting a point of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a video signal of a picture within said focusing-point detecting area becomes a peak value, and outputting said detected point as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 10, wherein said peak values detecting means includes: a differentiating circuit for obtaining, at each different position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, a differentiation signal of a video signal of an image within said focusing-point detecting area; an absolute valuing circuit for obtaining a signal for each of said obtained differentiation signals that have been changed into absolute values; an integrating circuit for obtaining an integration signal for each of said absolute-valued signals, and means for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a value of an integration signal becomes a peak among said integration signals obtained at different positions of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, as a focusing point of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a focusing point according to claim 9, wherein said focusing-point detecting area of said second object is formed by a first plane structuring said second portion that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, a second plane having a focusing point different from that of said first plane, and only one step portion which combines said first and second planes.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus comprising a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of said picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, further comprising: a second object disposed so as to form an image of said second object at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; means for extracting a video signal of a picture within a focusing-point detecting area that includes a second portion of said second object having the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, based on a video signal from said area sensor; means for detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object, based on a video signal of a picture within said focusing-point detecting area; means for controlling a relative position between said area sensor and said first object so that a position of said first portion of said first object with respect to said area sensor becomes said detected focusing point; and means for carrying out an image processing of said picked-up image of said first portion of said first object based on a video signal obtained from said area sensor, after said relative positioning control.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus comprising a microscope and an area sensor for picking up an image of a first object formed by said microscope and for outputting a video signal of said image of said first object and which carries out an image processing of said picked-up image of a first portion of said first object based on said video signal, further comprising: a second object disposed so as to form an image of said second object at a position different from said image of said first portion of said first object but within the same picture area obtained by picking up said image of said first object by said area sensor; means for extracting a video signal of a picture within a focusing-point detecting area that includes a second portion of said second object having the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, based on a video signal from said area sensor; means for detecting a focusing point of said area sensor on said second portion of said second object, based on a video signal of a picture within said focusing-point detecting area; means for controlling a relative position between said area sensor and said first object so that a position of said first portion of said first object with respect to said area sensor becomes said detected focusing point; and means for carrying out an image processing of said picked-up image of said first portion of said first object based on a video signal obtained from said area sensor, after said relative positioning control.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means for detecting a focusing point comprises: means for changing a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object; and peak detecting means for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a video signal of a picture within said focusing-point detecting area becomes a peak value, and for outputting said detected position as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
161 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said peak value detecting means includes: a differentiating circuit for obtaining, at each different position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, a differentiation signal of a video signal of a picture within said focusing-point detecting area; an absolute valuing circuit for obtaining a signal for each of said obtained differentiation signals that have been changed into absolute values; an integrating circuit for obtaining an integration signal for each of said absolute-valued signals; and means for detecting a position of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object at which a value of an integration signal becomes a peak among said integration signals obtained at different positions of said area sensor with respect to said second portion of said second object, as a focusing point on said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said focusing-point detecting area of said second object is formed by a first plane structuring said second portion that has the same focusing point as that of said first portion of said first object of which image is to be processed, a second plane having a focusing point different from that of said first plane, and only one step portion which combines said first and second planes.
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) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |