Alignment system

Inventors

Muller, Holger

Assignees

Xion GmbH

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Publication Number

US-11115643-B2

Patent

Publication Date

2021-09-07

Expiration Date


Abstract

A method for adjusting an optical system, and to an adjustment system for use in an optical system where the adjustment system comprises a predetermined reference object having known visible reference object features, a sensor system, a data evaluation module and an image processor. The data evaluation module receives captured image data and determines at least two visible reference object features of the predetermined reference object arranged in a field of view, and determines position data containing a position deviation of an image of the object to be examined or, in the case of a stereoscopic optical system, of a first and second half-image of the object to be examined. The image processor ascertains an optical distortion of the visible reference object features and sets a corresponding geometric rectification of received image data.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a method for adjusting a medical stereoscopic optical system by arranging a predetermined reference object having known visible reference object features in a field of view captured by the optical system. A sensor system captures a first and a second stereoscopic half-image of the predetermined reference object, and position information of at least two visible reference object features is determined from the two half-images to ascertain optical distortion.

An image processor, which is at least indirectly connected to the sensor system, is adjusted by setting a geometric rectification corresponding to the ascertained optical distortion. During operation, the method repeatedly captures position data containing a position deviation of the first and second stereoscopic half-images relative to each other, the position deviation being a deviation of an image position of the object with respect to an ideal position of the object in a completely centered optical system.

The image processor is then adjusted corresponding to the captured position deviation by setting a corresponding displacement of the first and second stereoscopic half-images to correct the mutual position of the half-images. The document further describes a data evaluation module connected to the sensor system, storage of adjustment parameters for geometric rectification settings and/or displacement settings, use in a control loop, and use in a medical apparatus including a stereo endoscope.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes two independent claims, a method and an adjustment system, with six inventive features centered on predetermined reference object feature measurement, distortion-driven geometric rectification, and repeated dynamic correction by displacement based on position deviation relative to an ideal completely centered optical system.

Predetermined reference object features in the field of view

Arranging a predetermined reference object having known visible reference object features in a field of view captured by the optical system, where the sensor system captures a first and a second stereoscopic half-image of the predetermined reference object.

Feature-based position information and optical distortion ascertainment

Determining position information of at least two visible reference object features of the predetermined reference object imaged in the first and the second stereoscopic half-images, and ascertaining an optical distortion of the first and the second stereoscopic half-images from the position information.

Optical distortion to geometric rectification in the image processor

Adjusting an image processor, which is at least indirectly connected to the sensor system, by setting a geometric rectification corresponding to the optical distortion ascertained.

Repeated dynamic position deviation measurement relative to an ideal completely centered system

Repeatedly capturing position data during operation for capturing an object to be examined, where the position data contains a position deviation of the first and the second stereoscopic half-images relative to each other, the position deviation being a deviation of an image position of the object with respect to an ideal position of the object in a completely centered optical system.

Position deviation to displacement correction of mutual half-image positioning

Adjusting the image processor corresponding to the captured position deviation by setting a corresponding displacement of the first and the second stereoscopic half-images to correct the mutual position of the half-images among one another.

Connected data evaluation module and sensor-to-processor configuration

Providing a data evaluation module configured to receive image data captured by the sensor system and to determine from the image data position information of at least two visible reference object features and position data containing a position deviation of the first and second stereoscopic half-images relative to each other, with the image processor connected to the data evaluation module and configured to repeatedly ascertain optical distortion and set corresponding rectification and displacement.

Across the two independent claims, the core coverage lies in determining optical distortion from feature-based position information of known visible reference object features in predetermined reference object images, applying geometric rectification in an image processor, and repeatedly measuring a position deviation relative to an ideal completely centered optical system and correcting mutual relative positioning of the stereoscopic half-images by setting a corresponding displacement.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found

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