Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – With image recorder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-03
2001-12-04
Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
With image recorder
C359S368000, C359S384000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327078
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system for use with a microscope employing a digital camera; and, more particularly, to an image processing system for use with a microscope wherein an enlarged image of a specimen seen through the microscope is taken by a digital camera to be processed in various different manners that, e.g., the image data of the sample is edited by using a computer system or is recorded in a cassette tape for a video cassette recorder (VCR) or is sent to a monitor or a projector to be seen by a plurality of persons at the same time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In general, a microscope through which a minute object is enlarged by means of a lens or lens system is widely used to study natural science, especially, biophysics, medical science and material engineering, etc., or to examine a semiconductor device or the like. Further, the microscope is used by a plurality of students during an education program, e.g., biological practice.
There is shown in
FIG. 1
a conventional image processing system for use with a microscope using an analog camera
70
. In the microscope
5
, a specimen is observed in such a manner that it is first positioned on a slide glass
20
on a stage
10
and then eyepieces
40
and objectives
30
are translated to focus onto the specimen depending upon a selected magnification. In order to record the image of the specimen, an adapter
60
is first installed onto a connector
50
on an upper portion of the microscope
5
and then the analog camera
70
is combined into the adapter
60
with its lenses being removed therefrom and, finally, the image of the sample is taken by the analog camera
70
.
While the prior art image processing system mentioned above is capable of performing its assigned task, it has several shortcomings. First of all, a moving picture of a live creature sample cannot be obtained from the conventional image processing system, since the system uses the analog camera.
Further, in order to allow the picture of the sample taken by the analog camera to be processed by a computer system, the picture has to be additionally processed by a scanner or a CCD camera and A/D converter. Especially, a picture information digitalized by using the CCD camera and the A/D converter, has a degraded quality into a half level of the original picture.
Even if a digital camera is employed in the image processing system, there exists a problem. That is, if a digital camera constructed not to permit a removal of its lenses is used in the image processing system, the digital camera cannot obtain a distinct and clear picture due to a spherical aberration and a chromatic aberration by the lenses of the digital camera.
In addition, the conventional image processing system does not have a full compatibility with respect to various kinds of microscopes and cameras, since the adapter is designed to accommodate only a particular type of microscope and camera. Accordingly, if the particular type of microscope and camera are selected, an adapter capable of accommodating the selected microscope and camera has to be used in the conventional image processing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide an image processing system for use with a microscope using a digital camera in which an enlarged image of a specimen seen through the microscope is taken by the digital camera to be processed in various different manners that, e.g., the image data of the sample is edited by using a computer system or is recorded in a cassette tape for a video cassette recorder(VCR) or is sent to a monitor or a projector to be seen by a plurality of persons at the same time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system for use with a microscope using a digital camera including an adapter capable of accommodating a digital camera designed not to permit a removal of its lenses and provided with a magnification lens, a spherical aberration correcting lens and a chromatic aberration correcting lens in order to prevent the spherical and the chromatic aberrations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system for use with a microscope using a digital camera wherein the digital camera equipped with a connector on a lower portion thereof is combined with the microscope through the use of an adapter, a movable ring, a first cylinder and a second cylinder which enable different types of digital cameras in size and shape to be easily combined/detached with/from the microscope.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system for use with a microscope using a digital camera wherein the digital camera can be combined with the microscope through the use of a movable fixing device for depressing a connecting portion of the microscope, the movable fixing device moving linearly in a radial direction in response to a rotational movement of a movable ring, allowing different types of microscopes in size and shape to be easily combined with the digital camera.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an image processing system is provided with a frame on which the digital camera is seated, a fixing device for connecting said frame to a connector of the microscope, a magnifying lens arranged within the fixing device for magnifying an image enlarged by objectives within a tube of the microscope, a spherical aberration correcting lens arranged within the fixing device for correcting a spherical aberration caused by a lens contained in the digital camera, and a chromatic aberration correcting lens arranged within the fixing device for correcting a chromatic aberration.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided with an image processing system for use with a microscope employing a digital camera, the system comprising: an adapter having a magnifying lens fixed inside an upper portion of the adapter, being aligned with lens of the digital camera and a female thread formed on a lower portion of the adapter, and a first handle provided with a plurality of grooves each of which has a second contact surface, the adapter provided with a first protuberance protruding from an external surface of a middle portion of the adapter; a connecting body connected to the female thread of the adapter and having a disk provided with a plurality of guiding cuts which are radially arranged, a plurality of guiding rails formed on lateral walls of the guiding cuts, and a hollow contact area with a second male thread; a lower movable ring of a ring shape coming into contact with an upper surface of the disk and having a first adjust thread formed on its lower surface; and a plurality of sliders sliding in a radial direction of the disk along the guiding rail formed on the connecting body in response to a rotation of the lower movable ring and having a second adjust thread on its upper surface which is engaged with the first adjust thread and a guiding groove, on its lateral surface, into which the guiding rail is engaged.
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KI Technology Co., Ltd.
Nguyen Thong
Rabin & Berdo P.C.
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