US6097423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image orientation for endoscopic video displays
Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-06
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2017-06-06
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope and camera are described with which a display observed through the optics in the endoscope is rotated to a desired orientation using an accelerometer. The accelerometer generates a signal indicative of the local vertical and is used in the particular embodiment to rotate a CCD image sensor aligned with the optical axis of the endoscope so as to maintain a desired orientation of a display of the image on a monitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Mattsson-Boze
- 👤 David Chatenever
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00043; A61B1/00045; A61B1/04; A61B1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In an endoscope having a frame, an optical forwarding system, and a camera, said optical system having a central optical axis and forming relative to said frame an image with an upright axis and a lateral axis, said camera having a sensitive area centered on said central optical axis, and having relative to itself an upright axis and a lateral axis, the improvement comprising: an accelerometer responsive to the force of gravity; means mounting said accelerometer and camera to said frame for simultaneous rotation around said optical axis; bi-directional motor means adapted to rotate said camera and said accelerometer around said central optical axis; and servo control means responsive to a signal from said accelerometer to cause said motor to rotate said camera and accelerometer to seek to position said camera so its upright axis will be in a vertical plane that includes said central optical axis; whereby, when an image derived from said camera is displayed on a video display, the lateral axis of the image will coincide with the horizontally disposed lateral axis of the video display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In an endoscope having a frame, an optical forwarding system, and a camera, said optical system having a central optical axis and forming relative to said frame an image with an upright axis and a lateral axis, said camera having a sensitive area centered on said central optical axis, and having relative to itself an upright axis and a lateral axis, the improvement comprising: an accelerometer responsive to the force of gravity; means mounting said accelerometer and camera to said frame for simultaneous rotation around said optical axis; bi-directional motor means adapted to rotate said camera and said accelerometer around said central optical axis; and servo control means responsive to a signal from said accelerometer to cause said motor to rotate said camera and accelerometer to seek to position said camera so its upright axis will be in a vertical plane that includes said central optical axis; whereby, when an image derived from said camera is displayed on a video display, the lateral axis of the image will coincide with the horizontally disposed lateral axis of the video display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said camera is a CCD chip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said accelerometer is bonded to said chip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said camera is a video camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said accelerometer includes a silicon cantilever positioned between a pair of electrodes, its location relative to said electrodes providing said signal to said servo control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an endoscope having a frame, an optical forwarding system and a camera to record images passed through said optical forwarding system, said optical system having a central optical axis and forming, relative to said frame, an optical image, said camera having a light sensitive area operatively aligned with respect to said optical axis to produce an output image representative of the optical image, and a display for said output image, the improvement comprising: an accelerometer producing an accelerometer signal indicative of a local vertical, an image rotator responsive to said accelerometer signal to effectively rotate the displayed output image to a desired orientation relative to the local vertical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an endoscope having a frame, an optical forwarding system and a camera to record images passed through said optical forwarding system, said optical system having a central optical axis and forming, relative to said frame, an optical image, said camera having a light sensitive area operatively aligned with respect to said optical axis to produce an output image representative of the optical image, and a display for said output image, the improvement comprising: an accelerometer producing an accelerometer signal indicative of a local vertical, an image rotator responsive to said accelerometer signal to effectively rotate the displayed output image to a desired orientation relative to the local vertical.
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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) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |