US6069967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for illuminating and imaging eyes through eyeglasses
Assignee: Sensar Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-04
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2017-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A reliable method of illuminating and imaging an eye through eyeglasses uses a monochromatic light source with the smallest possible source area, a camera with an imager that exhibits minimal blooming, and a narrow-bandwidth optical bandpass filter to filter out most of the ambient illumination while passing most of the light from the system's own illuminator. In an alternative embodiment, a partially-transparent mirror is used to make the light source appear to be on the optical axis of the camera as viewed from the subject's eye.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Michael Rozmus
- 👤 Marcos Salganicoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/14; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for obtaining an image of an object that is positioned behind a light-transmissive structure which structure has reflections from a light source that could obscure a portion of the object comprising: a. an imager that exhibits minimal blooming positioned so that the object is within the imager's field of view; and b. a light source, having a source area smaller than twice a largest area obscured by a specular reflection that can be tolerated in the image of the object, positioned to direct a beam to the object along a first line that intersects a second line from the imager to the object at an acute angle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for obtaining an image of an object that is positioned behind a light-transmissive structure which structure has reflections from a light source that could obscure a portion of the object comprising: a. an imager that exhibits minimal blooming positioned so that the object is within the imager's field of view; and b. a light source, having a source area smaller than twice a largest area obscured by a specular reflection that can be tolerated in the image of the object, positioned to direct a beam to the object along a first line that intersects a second line from the imager to the object at an acute angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 also comprising a bandpass filter in front of the imager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is monochromatic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the light source emits light having a wavelength between 700 and 800 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the imager that exhibits minimal blooming is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor imaging device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 also comprising a strobing device connected to the light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the imager has an exposure control and also comprising a controller connected to the exposure control and the strobing device for sychronizing the exposure control and the strobing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light transmissive structure is eyeglasses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source only emits light within a selected narrow spectral range and also comprising a bandpass filter in front of the imager, the bandpass filter allowing passage of light that is within the selected narrow spectral range and preventing passage of light that is outside of the selected narrow spectral range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 also comprising a partially transparent mirror positioned to direct the beam from the light source along the optical axis of a camera system containing the imager.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for obtaining an image of a human eye comprising: a. positioning an imager that exhibits minimal blooming such that the eye is in the imager's field of view; b. directing a light beam from a light source, having a source area smaller than twice a largest area obscured by a specular reflection that can be tolerated in the image of the eye, to the eye along a first line that intersects a second line from the imager to the eye at an acuate angle; and c. recording an image of the eye using the imager.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for obtaining an image of a human eye comprising: a. positioning an imager that exhibits minimal blooming such that the eye is in the imager's field of view; b. directing a light beam from a light source, having a source area smaller than twice a largest area obscured by a specular reflection that can be tolerated in the image of the eye, to the eye along a first line that intersects a second line from the imager to the eye at an acuate angle; and c. recording an image of the eye using the imager.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the light beam is monochromatic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the light beam has a wavelength between 700 and 800 nanometers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the imager that exhibits minimal blooming is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor imaging device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the light beam is within a selected narrow spectral range and further comprising filtering light reflected from the eye to the imager in a manner to allow passage of only that light having wavelengths within the selected narrow spectral range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 also comprising strobing the light beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the imager has an exposure control and also comprising synchronizing the exposure control and the strobing device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 also comprising filtering ambient illumination that is reflected from the eye along the optical axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |