Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The invention also provides a method for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The invention further provides a method for dynamically displaying, with or without operator interaction, portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, all elements of the scanner are part of a single-enclosure that has a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet. In this embodiment, the preferred sample type is a microscope slide and the illumination and imaging optics are consistent with transmission mode optics optimized for diffraction-limited digital imaging.

Fully automatic rapid microscope slide scanner

The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods.

Secondary market and vending system for devices

Motion of a writing instrument is tracked from sensors located in the vicinity. The signals generated from the sensors are processed and used in a wide variety of ways.

Tracking motion of a writing instrument

Disclosed is an edge sharpening method using maximum and minimum filters. In an embodiment of the present invention, the edge region of an input image signal is detected, minimum and maximum signals are generated for the detected edge region, the input signal of the detected edge region is compared with the average signal of the minimum and maximum signals, and the average of the input signal and the maximum signal is output if the input signal is larger than the average signal, the average of the input signal and the minimum signal is output if the input signal is smaller than the average signal, and the input signal is output if the input signal is equal to the average signal. Meanwhile, median filtering, using a window perpendicular to the direction in which the edge sharpening is performed, is performed on the region on which the edge sharpening has been performed.

Image processing method and apparatus.

A method of fabricating an infrared detector, a method of controlling the stress in a polycrystalline SiGE layer and an infrared detector device is disclosed. The method of fabricating includes the steps of forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; patterning said sacrificial layer; establishing a layer consisting essentially of polycrystalline SiGe on said sacrificial layer; depositing an infrared absorber on said polycrystalline SiGe layer; and thereafter removing the sacrificial layer. The method of controlling the stress in a polycrystalline SiGe layer deposited on a substrate is based on varying the deposition pressure. The infrared detector device comprises an active area and an infrared absorber, wherein the active area comprises a polycrystalline SiGe layer, and is suspended above a substrate.

Method of fabrication of an infrared radiation detector and infrared detector device

The illumination system as a part of an optical inspection system, the total inspection system itself, and the method of illuminating and inspecting a workpiece. The illumination system is computer controlled as to a level of intensity and adjustable as to angle of incidence. The illumination system includes illumination control electronics, a quad quartz halogen lamp array light source, a fiber optic line converter and an illumination collection system, having a collimator lens array and a focusing/field coverage lens. As a result of the present invention, determinations of false defects on the PCB are minimized. Human contact with the PCB is also minimized and the rate of inspections performable is increased.

Computer controlled, multiple angle illumination system

A dual mode illumination system for optical inspection of products for surface defects and defects in holes in the product includes a first light source for providing illumination along an axis of one or more holes in the product to be inspected, the first light source being positioned on a first side of the product, a second light source providing illumination of the surface of the second side of the product to be inspected, a beam splitter for redirecting light from the second light source to a light sensor while passing light from the first light source to the light sensor. The second light source may be located adjacent to a second side of the product to be tested with the axis of illumination parallel to a major plane of the product. The light sensor may be a video camera connected to a data processing and display system.

Dual mode illumination system for optical inspection

A method and system for generating a plurality of concurrent solutions for a corresponding plurality of service requests each having one or more service types. The method comprises the steps of defining a set of said service types and a sequence of activities for each said service type; and for each said service request, configuring a workflow of said activities from said service types in each said service request. The method comprises the further steps of defining owners of said activities in each said workflow and a schedule for performing said activities whereby said owner and schedule are defined using load balancing; and performing said activities and monitoring completion of said activities and said load balancing.

Configurable application integrating service request and fulfillment process

An optical inspection system is provided in which the background video component of an analog video source which limits imaging integrity is removed enhancing the system's ability to process a wider range of image sources with increase digitizing sensitivity. The overall effects of background and background variations are nulled stabilizing the effective signal to noise ratio, thereby increasing inspection capability of the system and improving the system's process window for effective and efficient inspection.

Analog video processing apparatus and method for eliminating background levels in the analog signal

An optical imaging surface inspection system and method are provided. The system comprises an illumination source for illuminating an image pattern on a surface to be inspected, a video camera for detecting a portion of the light reflected from the surface and outputting an analog video signal, a dynamic thresholding circuit for converting the analog video signal into a digital representation of the image pattern, and means to compare a known accurate digital representation of the image pattern to the digital representation provided by the dynamic thresholding circuit. The method includes the steps of illuminating the surface, scanning the surface with the video camera, separating the video signal into a black level signal component and a white level signal component, detecting successive peak levels in the white level signal component and outputting a corresponding variable peak voltage. A variable threshold voltage is determined by selecting a percentage of the variable peak voltage. This variable threshold voltage is then compared with a delayed portion of the analog video signal to provide the digital representation of an image pattern on the surface being inspected.

Peter J. Yablonsky

Papers

Computer controlled, multiple angle illumination system

Dual mode illumination system for optical inspection

Configurable application integrating service request and fulfillment process

Analog video processing apparatus and method for eliminating background levels in the analog signal

Optical inspection system utilizing dynamic analog-to-digital thresholding