Patent ID: 6344930
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
A total-focus imaging apparatus comprising:a variable-focus lens with a variable focal position for an object of observation; an actuator for changing the focal position of the variable-focus lens; driving means for driving the actuator; an image-pickup device for outputting real image formed by the variable-focus lens as an image signal of each pixel; an image memory for storing image signals for a plurality of images with focal positions different from each other; an image processing circuit for determining an image signal most brought to a focus among the images for each pixel and extracting each determined image signal, and then generating at least one of an image with all portions of the observation object brought to a focus and a stereo numerical model showing a stereo shape of the observation object; and a control circuit for synchronously controlling at least the driving means, the image-pickup device and the image memory, wherein a pixel brought to a focus is determined by the image processing circuit by detecting a polarity inversion of differences in pixel luminance of each pixel between focal positions.