Optical Tomography Reference Mirror Adjustment via Image Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical tomographic image photographing apparatuses require lengthy adjustment of optical path length and may fail to display desired images if the examinee's eye blinks during the process, especially when the optical-path-length varying optical member is positioned for a previously specified tomographic image.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control unit that analyzes the tomographic image by determining whether it is a normal or inverted image through image processing, allowing for quick adjustment of the reference mirror to achieve the desired image orientation and reduce the impact of eye movement during the optical path length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reference mirror is moved from the position at which the optical path length of the reference light is shortest or from the position at which the optical path length of the reference light is longest, then the optical path length adjustment can be completed, but the adjustment requires long time and may fail if the examinee's eye blinks during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether the tomographic image is a normal image or an inverted image by analyzing the luminance distribution, and based on this determination, controls the optical-path-length varying optical member to move to the appropriate position. This preliminary determination avoids the need to move the optical member from extreme positions, thereby reducing adjustment time while ensuring reliable image acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the tomographic image quality and luminance distribution, and based on this feedback, dynamically adjusts the position of the optical-path-length varying optical member. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system can adapt to eye movements or blinks during the adjustment process, maintaining reliability while minimizing adjustment time.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical-path-length varying optical member is positioned for a previously specified tomographic image, then the desired image can be obtained, but the adjustment process is vulnerable to eye blinking and may fail to display the desired image
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit analyzes the luminance distribution of the obtained tomographic image and uses this feedback to determine whether it is a normal image or an inverted image. Based on this determination, the control unit controls the optical-path-length varying optical member to move to the position that ensures the desired image orientation is displayed, thereby maintaining both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the image orientation and adjusts the optical member position without requiring manual intervention or predetermined positioning. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures that the desired image is reliably displayed regardless of eye movements or blinks during the adjustment process.
3Measurement precision
If the reference mirror is moved to adjust the optical path length, then the tomographic image can be obtained, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary determination of image orientation by analyzing luminance distribution before moving the reference mirror to the final position. This preliminary action allows the system to directly jump to the required position without time-consuming movements from extreme positions, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving image acquisition speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the reference mirror from fixed extreme positions (shortest or longest optical path length), the system determines the required position based on image analysis and moves directly to that position. This inverted approach—determining position based on need rather than following a fixed sequence—reduces adjustment time while maintaining precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables smooth and rapid adjustment of the optical path length, ensuring that the desired tomographic image is displayed efficiently, even if the examinee blinks, by determining the image orientation through image processing and adjusting the reference mirror accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a tomographic image of an examined object by using low coherent light to make a portion of the low coherent light into measurement light, make another portion of the low coherent light into reference light, combine the reference light and reflection light formed by the measurement light in order to make interference light
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus has an optical system detecting spectral information and having an optical scanner (23) and a driving unit (50) changing the optical path length by moving an optical member (31), a monitor (75), a control unit (70) obtaining a tomographic image by performing Fourier analysis on the information and displaying the obtained image, and a unit previously setting an image on the monitor, in which the member is moved from an initial position and presence or absence of the tomographic image is determined, when the presence is detected, whether the tomographic image is normal or inverted is determined, and when the tomographic image is not the set image, the member is moved to obtain the set image, and when the tomographic image is the set image, the member is moved so that a position of the tomographic image in the depth direction coincides with a predetermined adjustment position and the driving unit is stopped.