Abstract:
An endoscope system and method includes an endoscope tip coupled to a endoscope console for providing images of anatomical features imaged using the endoscope system. The system also includes a calibration device having known optical properties. The calibration device is imaged using the endoscope system, and data corresponding to the image is obtained. This data are compared to data corresponding to the known optical properties of the calibration device. Based on this comparison, calibration data corresponding to imaging errors of the endoscope system are obtained. The calibration data are used to calibrate the endoscope system.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for selecting and displaying an image with the best focus are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of displaying a captured image includes capturing a plurality of images of a field of view (FOV) using an image capture device, selecting one of the images having the best focus, and displaying the selected image on the image capture device. In another aspect, a method of displaying a captured image includes capturing a plurality of images of a FOV, dividing each of the images into a plurality of regions, and comparing corresponding regions from each of the images. The regions having the best focus are selected. A composite image is constructed formed from the regions with the best focus and the composite image is displayed. Image capture devices configured to effect the above methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A portable end device, such as a bar code scanner, may be equipped with auxiliary interfaces. The auxiliary interfaces may be easily added to the end device as a replaceable cover, such as a replaceable battery door. A signal path conducts signals to and from the replaceable cover. One auxiliary interface is a Bluetooth radio. Data integrity protocols may be selected to guarantee delivery and guarantee no duplicate deliveries. Host pairing algorithms may provide standard or strong pairing with a host computer. Ergonomic interface features allow a user to control and monitor the operation of the end device and the data link with minimal hardware cost and battery life impact. Host software programs provide data routing, automatic reestablishment of the data link, and other functions. The system is adaptable to a wide array of use environments through the selection of timer parameters in the end device.
Abstract:
According to embodiments, scanned beam source may include a first beam shaping optical element aligned to receive a composite beam of light carrying a plurality of wavelength components and a second beam shaping optical element aligned to receive the composite beam of light from the first beam shaping optical element and configured to modify the first plurality of wavelength components of the composite beam to a plurality of dimensions proportional to wavelength. The first beam shaping optic may be, for example, a top-hat converter. The second beam-shaping optic may be, for example, a polarization-sensitive clipping aperture, a wavelength-dependent clipping aperture, and/or an achromatic corrector.
Abstract:
A scanning beam assembly includes a beam generator to generate a beam of radiation; at least one reflector configured to deflect the beam across a field of view; and a plurality of multi-mode optical fibers for receiving radiation reflected from the field of view, wherein the optical fibers have end surfaces that face in at least two different directions, or wherein the optical fibers are configured to receive scattered radiation from an angular field of view larger than that determined by their individual numerical apertures.
Abstract:
A variable illuminator, for instance a device for scanning a beam of light, emits a selected amount of power to a plurality of spots across a field of view. The amount of power is determined as inversely proportional to the apparent brightness of each spot. In the case where the spot size is equal to pixel size, the device may operate with a non-imaging detector. In the case where pixel size substantially equals spot size, the output of the variable illuminator may be converged to produce a substantially uniform detector response and the image information is determined as the inverse of a frame buffer used to drive the variable illuminator. The illuminator and detector may be driven synchronously. In the case where an imaging detector is used, the variable illumination may be used to compress the dynamic range of the field of view to substantially within the dynamic range of the imaging detector.
Abstract:
A scanned light display system includes a light emitter array having a plurality of light sources operable to emit diverging light and an array of collimating elements positioned so that each of the collimating elements receive at least a portion of the light emitted from a corresponding one of the light sources. Each of collimating elements is configured to substantially collimate the received light from at least one corresponding light source into respective beams. The scanned beam display is operable to scan the respective beams to provide an image to a viewer. The displayed image appears substantially fixed to a viewer as the viewer's eye moves relative to the array of collimating elements. In one embodiment, each of the collimating elements is a curved mirror. In other embodiments, each of the collimating elements includes at least one lens or a curved mirror/lens pair.
Abstract:
An antenna structure including a driven antenna element is formed on a substrate that is folded to provide a closed surface, causing the substrate to be nonplanar and spacing the driven antenna element from a base of the substrate. Adhesives on an outside surface of the substrate permit fastening of the folded substrate to a container or packaging. The substrate may have one or more resilient elbows formed by folding, to bias the antenna element carrying portion of the substrate from the base of the substrate. A modulation circuit may drive the driven antenna element. The flexible substrate may be folded into any of a variety of forms such as a substantially O-shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially coil shape, a substantially spiral shape, and a substantially S-shape. Additional folds in the substrate may provide surfaces for mounting passive or parasitic antenna elements, such as reflectors and directors, to form a Yagi antenna structure. A planar substrate carries a driven antenna element coupled to a driving circuit and at least one passive antenna element to form a directional antenna structure. The antenna structure may include additional passive antenna elements to enhance directionality. A computing system and printer are configured to determine the appropriate spacing and the form the antenna elements on the substrate.
Abstract:
A noise cancellation apparatus provides an inexpensive mechanism that is readily adaptable for printers and other equipment and devices that are used in areas where external noise is undesirable. In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a transport mechanism for transporting a media through the thermal printer and a thermal print head for printing on the media. At least one sound emitter is provided for generating an inverse sound signal to cancel noise generated by at least one noise source in the thermal printer. At least one microphone is provided for receiving sound signals from the at least one noise source. Each microphone is connected to an inversion circuit which inverts the received sound signals. The inversion circuit sends the inverted sound signal to one of the sound emitters, which emits the inverted sound signal, canceling out the noise. To ensure a proper phase relationship between the inverted sound signal and the sound signals generated by the noise source, the sound emitter is placed as close as possible to the noise source. Further, a low pass filter is provided between the microphone and the inversion circuit to filter out noise having a frequency greater than c/2d, where c is the speed of sound and d is the distance between the emitter and the noise source. Sound dampening materials are disposed in the thermal printer to cancel out the remaining high frequency noise that is within the range of human hearing.
Abstract:
A clamshell printer having a base and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position, wherein the open position provides unhindered access to a media path and a print head in the printer. The printer may include a platen formed integrally therein or a platen rollingly supported in the printer. A media supply, such as a continuous sheet of linerless thermal media in the form of a roll may be quickly and efficiently drop-loaded into the printer, with no threading of the media required. Unhindered access to the print head is also provided. The printer may or may not include a drive mechanism for advancing the media through the printer. The print head is controlled by a microprocessor mounted to a circuit board in the printer. The circuit board may be spring-biased to urge the print head toward a printing position, which is located at an effective printing distance from the media and the platen. A window may be formed in the printer for observing the media supply.