Television – Stereoscopic – Endoscope
Patent
1995-05-30
1999-01-26
Tung, Bryan
Television
Stereoscopic
Endoscope
348 46, 600111, 600166, H04N 1302, A61B 104
Patent
active
058643591
ABSTRACT:
A stereoscopic image of an object is focused on an image pickup device based on the degree to which left and right images of the object are coincident on the image pickup device. Signals produced by the image pickup device that represent the left and right images are compared with each other to develop a control signal that indicates the coincidence of the left and right images on the image pickup device, and the spacing between the image pickup device and an optical element that directs the images onto the device is changed in response to the control signal to increase the coincidence. Two alternative types of comparison are performed, each of which indicates the degree of coincidence (and hence the quality of focus) of the left and right images on the image detector. In one approach, the left and right images are compared to determine their cross correlation on the image pickup device, and the spacing is changed to maximize the correlation. Alternatively, the comparison determines the difference between the left and right images on the image pickup device, and the spacing is changed to minimize the difference. The focusing technique is useful in, e.g., the optical system of an endoscope. Rangefinding and videometry are also performed to determine the distance to the object being viewed, as well as its position and size.
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Tung Bryan
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