JP7249716B2 - Microlens adapter for mobile devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and computer program products for microlens adapters for mobile devices.

Currently, there are a large number of smart phone users in the world. Many of these smart phones are equipped with high computing power, video streaming capabilities, high quality image capture capabilities, and other processing capabilities. This presents unprecedented opportunities to develop applications based on these capabilities, especially for sensing and imaging applications.

Currently available microscopes with resolutions of 1 micron or better are generally custom-made instruments costing thousands of dollars and are so large that they are moved from one observation point to another. Or difficult to rearrange.

Exemplary embodiments provide methods, systems, and computer program products. An embodiment of a microscope lens system includes a body having a surface, a microlens, and an aperture positioned between the microlens and the surface. In embodiments, the body is configured to position the mobile device on the surface such that the camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the aperture.

In embodiments, the microlens is one of a ball lens, a hemispherical lens, a hyperbolic lens, or an aspherical lens. Embodiments further include a shroud configured to facilitate keeping a camera lens of the mobile device aligned with the aperture. In embodiments, the shroud is configured to be removably coupled to the body.

Embodiments further include an insert configured to be removably positioned within the surface recess. In embodiments, the insert includes an aperture.

In embodiments, the body further includes a clip portion configured to secure the body to the mobile device to facilitate holding a camera lens of the mobile device aligned with the aperture.

Embodiments further include an object platform configured to hold an object at the focal plane of the microlens. In embodiments, the object platform further includes a light source configured to illuminate the object.

In embodiments, the mobile device is configured to capture an image of the object through the microlens.

Embodiments include computer-usable program products. A computer-usable program product includes one or more computer-readable storage devices and program instructions stored in at least one of the one or more storage devices.

Embodiments include computer systems. A computer system, through at least one of one or more processors, one or more computer readable memories, and one or more computer readable storage devices, and one or more memories It includes program instructions stored in at least one of one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of one or more processors.

Certain novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as its preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages, are best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. be understood.

1 is a block diagram of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented; FIG. FIG. 11 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 4B depicts another example configuration of a microlens adapter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a microlens adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 10 depicts an example configuration in which a microlens adapter according to embodiments is used to image microbeads. 1 depicts an example configuration in which a microlens adapter according to embodiments is used to image defects and inclusions in diamonds or other gemstones; FIG. FIG. 4A is a layout diagram and cross-sectional view of a microlens adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 4A-4D are additional layout diagrams and cross-sectional views of microlens adapters in accordance with exemplary embodiments; FIG. 11 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter in accordance with another example embodiment; FIG. 11 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter in accordance with another example embodiment; FIG. 11 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter in accordance with another example embodiment; FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a microlens adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4A is a layout diagram and cross-sectional view of a microlens adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4A is a layout diagram and cross-sectional view of a microlens adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

Various embodiments include microlens adapters for mobile devices that enable high resolution image capture. In certain embodiments, the microlens adapter enables image capture of micron-sized (millionths of a meter) objects using a mobile device, e.g., having a high magnification of 15x or greater. (For comparison, the width of a human hair is 100 microns). Various embodiments are useful for a wide range of image capture and Provide processing applications.

Currently available microscopes with resolutions of 1 micron or better are generally custom-made instruments costing thousands of dollars and are so large that they are moved from one observation point to another. Or difficult to rearrange. Exemplary embodiments recognize that currently available tools or solutions do not address these needs/problems or provide adequate solutions to these needs/problems. The exemplary embodiments used to describe the present invention generally address and solve the above and other related problems by providing a microlens adapter for mobile devices. .

Embodiments include methods that can be configured to provide many microlens configurations with micron resolution and 15x or greater magnification. Currently, achieving similar optical resolution requires microscopes costing approximately $15,000 on the market. Furthermore, the entire set of embodiments is very compact and easily portable for field applications for currently available high resolution microscopes.

In certain embodiments, the microlenses of the microlens adapter can distinguish microparticles as small as 1 micron (one millionth of a meter) in size, which other lens adapters cannot achieve. For comparison, human hair is 100 microns in size. In one or more embodiments, a microlens adapter includes a housing having a ball lens within an aperture of the housing, and the housing connects a lens of a mobile device camera to the ball lens. and configured to be coupled to a mobile device for alignment with an object to be imaged. In certain embodiments, the ball lens has a short focal length ranging from 0.5 to several millimeters (millimeters) and is constructed of glass. In embodiments, the microlens adapter is constructed, shaped, or engineered to house the ball lens in a specific location to hold the ball lens in place. In one or more embodiments, the microlens adapter includes an opening through which light from the object enters the ball lens and forms an image on the back surface of the ball lens. . The microlens adapter further includes a recess on the outer surface dimensioned to receive an insert having an aperture hole therethrough. In certain embodiments, the recess and insert are rectangular. In a particular embodiment, the aperture hole has a diameter of 0.9 mm that acts as an aperture both to achieve 1 micron optical resolution and to limit spherical and other aberrations in optical imaging. have. In one or more embodiments, the aperture hole is a mobile lens to allow one or more images of an object to be captured from the ball lens through the aperture hole with minimal image distortion.・It is in line with the camera lens of the device.

Referring to the figures, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, these figures are exemplary diagrams of data processing environments in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples only and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation as to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Particular implementations may make many modifications to the depicted environment based on the description below.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing environment 100 is a network of computers in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing environment 100 includes network 102 . Network 102 is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers that are connected together within data processing environment 100 . Network 102 may include connections such as wires, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

Clients or servers are merely exemplary roles for the particular data processing systems coupled to network 102 and are not intended to exclude other configurations or roles of these data processing systems. Server 104 and server 106 are coupled to network 102 along with storage unit 108 . Software applications may execute on any computer within data processing environment 100 . Clients 110 , 112 , and 114 are also coupled to network 102 . A data processing system, such as server 104 or 106, or client 110, 112, or 114, may contain data and may have software applications or software tools running on the system.

By way of example only, and without suggesting any limitation to such architecture, FIG. 1 depicts specific components that may be used in exemplary implementations of embodiments. For example, servers 104 and 106 and clients 110, 112, 114 are depicted as servers and clients by way of example only, and do not imply any limitation to the client-server architecture. As another example, embodiments may be distributed across several data processing systems and data networks as shown, although other embodiments may be distributed within a single data processing system within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. can be implemented on Data processing systems 104, 106, 110, 112, and 114 also represent exemplary nodes in clusters, partitions, and other configurations suitable for implementing embodiments.

Mobile device 132 is an example of a mobile device described herein. For example, mobile device 132 may take the form of a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, client 110 in fixed or portable form, a wearable computing device, or any other suitable device. . Any software applications described in FIG. 1 as executing within another data processing system may be configured to execute within mobile device 132 in a similar fashion. Any data or information stored or generated within another data processing system in FIG. 1 may be configured to be stored or generated within device 132 in a similar fashion. Mobile device 132 includes an imaging application 134 configured to capture one or more images or video sequences from a camera of mobile device 132 . Mobile device 132 is further coupled to microlens adapter 136 to facilitate capture of one or more images or video sequences of an object through a microlens positioned within microlens adapter 136 . be done. Microlens adapter 136 is an example of a microlens adapter described herein.

Application 105 implements the embodiments described herein. For example, application 105 controls or directs manufacturing equipment (not shown) to manufacture microlens adapters that can be used in the manner described herein.

Servers 104 and 106, storage unit 108, and clients 110, 112, and 114, and device 132 may couple to network 102 using wired connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable data connectivity. Clients 110, 112, and 114 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers.

In the depicted example, server 104 may provide data such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients 110 , 112 , and 114 . Clients 110, 112, and 114 may be clients to server 104 in this example. Clients 110, 112, 114, or some combination thereof, may contain their own data, boot files, operating system images, and applications. Data processing environment 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown.

In the depicted example, data processing environment 100 may be the Internet. Network 102 may represent a collection of networks and gateways that use Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with each other. At the heart of the Internet is a large node or host system containing thousands of commercial, governmental, educational, or other computer systems that route data and messages. It is the backbone of the data communication link between computers. Of course, data processing environment 100 may also be implemented as several different types of networks such as, for example, an intranet, local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended to be an example and not an architectural limitation for different exemplary embodiments.

In other applications, data processing environment 100 may be used to implement a client-server environment in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. A client-server environment allows software applications and data to be distributed over a network such that applications function by using interactivity between client and server data processing systems. do. Data processing environment 100 may also employ a service-oriented architecture in which interoperable software components distributed across a network may be packaged together as a cohesive business application. Data processing environment 100 may also take the form of a cloud and a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., network, network bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) using a cloud computing model of service delivery to enable convenient, on-demand network access to good.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which depicts a block diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing system 200 is a computer, such as servers 104 and 106 or clients 110, 112, and 114 of FIG. It is an example of another type of device that can be obtained.

Data processing system 200 also represents a data processing system or configuration therein, such as data processing system 132 in FIG. 1, in which computer-usable program code or instructions implementing the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be located. is. Data processing system 200 is described as a computer by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Implementations in the form of other devices, such as device 132 of FIG. Certain depicted components may be removed from data processing system 200 without departing from the general overview of the operation and functionality of system 200 .

In the depicted example, data processing system 200 includes North Bridge and Memory Controller Hub (NB/MCH) 202 and South Bridge and Input/Output (I/O) Controller Hub (SB/ICH) 204 . Use a hub architecture. Processing unit 206 , main memory 208 , and graphics processor 210 are coupled to north bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202 . Processing unit 206 may include one or more processors and may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems. Processing unit 206 may be a multi-core processor. Graphics processor 210 may be coupled to NB/MCH 202 through an accelerated graphics port (AGP) in certain implementations.

In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 212 is coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub (SB/ICH) 204 . Audio adapter 216 , keyboard and mouse adapter 220 , modem 222 , read-only memory (ROM) 224 , universal serial bus (USB) and other ports 232 , and PCI/PCIe devices 234 are connected through bus 238 . It is coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 . A hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) 226 and CD-ROM 230 are coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 through bus 240 . PCI/PCIe devices 234 may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, which PCIe does not. ROM 224 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive 226 and CD-ROM 230 may be, for example, Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interfaces, or external SATA (eSATA) and microSATA (mSATA). can be used. A super I/O (SIO) device 236 may be coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub (SB/ICH) 204 via bus 238 .

Memory such as main memory 208, ROM 224, or flash memory (not shown) are some examples of computer-usable storage devices. A hard disk drive or solid state drive 226, CD-ROM 230, and other similarly usable devices are some examples of computer-usable storage devices, including computer-usable storage media.

An operating system runs on processing unit 206 . The operating system coordinates and provides control of various components within data processing system 200 in FIG. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system for any kind of computing platform, including but not limited to server systems, personal computers, and mobile devices. An object oriented or other type of programming system may operate in conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the operating system from programs or applications executing on data processing system 200 .

Instructions for operating systems, object-oriented programming systems, and applications or programs, such as application 105 in FIG. It may be loaded into at least one of one or more memories, such as main memory 208 , for execution by unit 206 . The processes of the illustrative embodiments employ computer-implemented instructions, which may be located, for example, in a memory such as main memory 208, read-only memory 224, or in one or more peripheral devices, to the processing unit. 206.

Moreover, in one case, code 226A may be downloaded from remote system 201B over network 201A, where similar code 201C is stored on storage device 201D. In another case, code 226A may be downloaded to remote system 201B via network 201A, in which case downloaded code 201C is stored on storage device 201D.

The hardware in FIGS. 1-2 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, or optical disk drives, and the like, may be provided in addition to or in addition to the hardware depicted in FIGS. may be used instead. Additionally, the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be applied to microprocessor data processing systems.

In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200 is generally configured with flash memory to provide nonvolatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. , a personal digital assistant (PDA). A bus system may include one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus, and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any kind of communication fabric or architecture that provides for the transfer of data between different components or devices coupled to the fabric or architecture.

A communication unit may include one or more devices used to send and receive data, such as modems or network adapters. A memory may be, for example, main memory 208 or a cache such as found in north bridge and memory controller hub 202 . A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs.

The depicted examples in FIGS. 1-2 and above-described examples are not meant to imply structural limitations. For example, data processing system 200 may also be a tablet computer, laptop computer, or telephone device, in addition to taking the form of a mobile or wearable device.

When a computer or data processing system is described as a virtual machine, virtual device, or virtual component, the virtual machine, virtual device, or virtual component may refer to any or all configurations depicted within data processing system 200 . It operates in the manner of data processing system 200 using virtualized manifestations of elements. For example, in a virtual machine, virtual device, or virtual component, processing unit 206 is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some of hardware processing units 206 available within a host data processing system. , where main memory 208 is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some portion of main memory 208 that may be available within the host data processing system, and disk 226 is within the host data processing system. It is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some portion of disk 226 that may be available in . The host data processing system in such cases is represented by data processing system 200 .

FIG. 3 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter 302 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Microlens adapter 302 is an example of microlens adapter 136 described herein. Microlens adapter 302 includes a housing 304 having a stage 306 configured to support placement of mobile device 132 (not shown) on housing 304 . Microlens adapter 302 further includes a lens adapter holder insert 308 configured to be recessed in and removable from housing 304 . Lens adapter holder insert 308 further includes an aperture 310 aligned with a microlens (not shown). Aperture 310 makes it possible to limit the divergence of the light illuminating the sample from below in order to obtain better imaging conditions. In certain embodiments, lens adapter holder insert 308 is configured to be removable to facilitate insertion and removal of the microlens from housing 304 . Housing 304 further includes a shroud 312 positioned over aperture 310 to help keep the mobile device's camera aligned with aperture 310 . In addition, the shroud also prevents stray or ambient light from entering the sample chamber and microlens adapter, facilitating image recording of the object under observation. In certain embodiments, shroud 312 is configured to be removable to facilitate removal of lens adapter holder insert 308 . In certain embodiments, the light source for illuminating the sample for imaging uses either a conventional miniature LED bulb or a modern LED chip mounted in a printed circuit board wired to a battery or power supply. , and may be located inside the housing 304 at the bottom.

FIG. 4 depicts another example configuration of microlens adapter 314 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Microlens adapter 314 is an example of microlens adapter 136 described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, microlens adapter 314 is similar to microlens adapter 302 of FIG. 4 except that shroud 312 of microlens adapter 302 is omitted from microlens adapter 314 . Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, microlens adapter 314 further includes a lens adapter holder insert 308 configured to be recessed into housing 304 . Lens adapter holder insert 308 further includes an aperture 310 aligned with a microlens (not shown). In certain embodiments, lens adapter holder insert 308 is configured to be removable to facilitate insertion and removal of the microlens from housing 304 .

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of microlens adapter 136 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, housing 304 includes a recess 404 in its top surface and an optical path 406 extending from a portion of housing 304 . In a particular embodiment, the aperture of lens adapter holder 308 is 0.9 mm in diameter. Optical path 406 is configured to receive microlens 402 and lens adapter 308 is configured to be disposed within recess 404 of housing 304 . In one or more embodiments, microlenses 402 are glass ball lenses. In a particular embodiment, the glass ball lens has a diameter of 3.0mm. In one or more embodiments, microlens adapter 136 can achieve 1 micron optical resolution. In other embodiments, microlenses 402 are hemispherical lenses. An advantage that may be provided by certain embodiments with hemispherical lenses is that aberrations may be minimized. In still other embodiments, microlenses 402 are hyperbolic or aspheric lenses.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary low-cost illumination setup in which the microlens adapter 136 according to embodiments is portable and compact for practical applications compared to currently available microscopes that can provide similar results. to depict an example configuration 500 used to image microbeads and their motion. In the example configuration of FIG. 6, the mobile device 132 couples to the microlens adapter 136 with the camera lens 502 of the mobile device 132 aligned with the aperture of the lens adapter holder insert 308 and the microlens 402 . be done. The example configuration 500 further includes a subject object 504 aligned with the microlens 402 . In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, subject object 504 is a glass slide sample chamber with a microbead solution. Microbeads are manufactured solid plastic particles that are typically less than 5 micrometers in size.

Example configuration 500 further includes light source 506 positioned below subject object 504 on object platform 508 . The light source 506 is configured to direct light toward the subject object 504 and/or illuminate the subject object 504 upward toward the microlens 402 and the camera lens 502 . In certain embodiments, light source 506 is a light emitting diode (LED) chip light source. In this embodiment, mobile device 132 is configured to capture still and/or moving images of subject object 504 through microlens 402 such that the image of subject object 504 is magnified when captured. be.

By locating microbeads within video frames of images recorded using mobile device 132 according to an exemplary embodiment, microbead positions can be tracked in subsequent frames. By calculating the microbead positional variance, it can be determined whether the microbeads undergo Brownian motion. This analysis can also reveal whether the microbeads are immobile, e.g., stuck to or sedimented to the bottom of a sample chamber coated with a bead binding coating. In certain embodiments, the microlens adapter 136 is designed and optimized for imaging microbead samples confined to within 100 microns from above a glass slide using ray tracing.

FIG. 7 depicts an example configuration 600 in which the microlens adapter 136 according to an embodiment is used to image defects and inclusions in diamonds or other gemstones with exemplary 1 micron resolution. In the example configuration of FIG. 7, the mobile device 132 couples to the microlens adapter 136 with the camera lens 502 of the mobile device 132 aligned with the aperture of the lens adapter holder insert 308 and the microlens 402 . be done. The example configuration 500 further includes a subject object 602 aligned with the microlens 402 . In the illustrated example of FIG. 7, the subject object 602 is a diamond or other gem within a holder. A light source 506 positioned below subject object 602 on subject platform 508 is configured to direct light toward subject object 602 upward toward microlens 402 and camera lens 502 . In this embodiment, the mobile device 132 is microlensed so that the image of the subject object 504 is magnified when captured to allow viewing of an occlusion or other defect within the subject object 602 . It is configured to capture still and/or moving images of the subject object 504 through 402 .

FIG. 8 depicts a layout diagram and cross-sectional view of microlens adapter 302 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is an additional layout and cross-sectional view of microlens adapter 302 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts an example configuration of a microlens adapter 902 according to another example embodiment. Microlens adapter 902 is an example of microlens adapter 136 described herein. Microlens adapter 902 includes a lens holder portion 904 having an aperture 906 aligned with a microlens (not shown). Microlens adapter 902 is configured to allow microlens adapter 902 to be secured to the surface of mobile device 132 to help keep the mobile device's camera aligned with aperture 906 . Further includes a clip portion 908 configured to: In one or more embodiments, the microlens adapter 902 further includes a light source configured to direct light toward the subject object and/or illuminate the subject object. In certain embodiments, the light source is integrated with the bottom of lens holder portion 904 .

11-12 depict example configurations of the microlens adapter 902 secured to the mobile device 132. FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, clip portion 908 is shown in contact with the rear display screen side of mobile device 132 . In FIG. 12, lens holder portion 904 is shown aligned with the camera lens on the front camera side of mobile device 132 .

FIG. 13 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of microlens adapter 902 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the microlens 402 is positioned within the aperture 906 of the lens holder portion 904 at a focal length f from the imaging plane 910 and has a center of focus on the imaging plane 910. . In one or more embodiments, an object to be imaged by mobile device 132 is placed in focus on imaging plane 910 . In one or more embodiments, microlenses 402 are glass ball lenses.

14-15 depict layout and cross-sectional views of microlens adapter 902 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 depicts a layout and cross-sectional view of a microlens adapter 902 including a clip portion 908 and a lens holder portion 904. FIG. FIG. 15 depicts a layout diagram and cross-sectional view of the lens holder portion 904 of the microlens adapter 902 .

Various embodiments of the microlens adapter 136 described herein may be used in some applications where magnified imaging of an object is desired. Exemplary applications include, but are not limited to, defect imaging and mapping of diamonds and other gemstones, identification and anti-counterfeiting of drugs or other parcels, microscopic characterization of works of art and/or manufactured parts. identification, live cell imaging and counting, skin tissue imaging, detection of water contaminants, toxins, or large masses of molecules, or combinations thereof, detection of plant leaf shape and type. In another example, embodiments of the microlens adapter 136 can be used to create periodic dot or lithopatterns in halftone printing processes, or black and white and/or color images that are visible when viewed under high magnification. It can be used to detect fine patterns, such as the periodic dot patterns found in .

Embodiments are as a software application for controlling, directing, or instructing a fabrication machine or apparatus to produce microlens adapters for ubiquitous mobile devices such as camera phones. can be implemented. An application implementing the embodiments, or one or more components thereof, may be a modification of an existing manufacturing system—that is, as a native application within the manufacturing system, via a local area network (LAN). applications running within data processing systems that communicate with existing manufacturing systems over a wide area network (WAN), i.e., applications running within data processing systems that communicate with existing manufacturing systems over wide area networks (WANs) as local applications on a LAN; , as a remote application over a WAN, as a separate application that otherwise operates in conjunction with an existing manufacturing system, as a standalone application, or some combination thereof.

Another embodiment is the microlens adapter itself. Yet another embodiment includes a viewing configuration using a microlens adapter according to embodiments. Another embodiment includes a viewing configuration using a microlens adapter manufactured using a software application according to embodiments.

The manner of constructing or using the microlens adapter for mobile devices described herein is not provided by currently available methods. The methods of the embodiments described herein, when implemented to run on a device or data processing system, produce low cost and portable microlens adapters for various mobile devices. , and/or use, or any substantial advancement in the functionality of that device or data processing system.

Exemplary embodiments are illustrative only of particular types of materials, shapes, orientations, experiments, uses, configurations, mobile devices, lens structures, illumination sources, specimens, devices, data processing systems, environments, components, , and applications. Any specific designation of these and other similar artifacts is not intended to limit the invention. Any suitable manifestation of these and other similar artifacts may be selected within the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Further, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented with respect to any kind of data, data sources, or access to data sources over data networks. Any type of data storage device may provide data to embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the present invention, either locally in a data processing system or over a data network. Where embodiments are described using a mobile device, any type of data storage device suitable for use with a mobile device is within the scope of exemplary embodiments. Data may be provided to such embodiments either locally or via a data network.

Example embodiments are described using specific code, designs, architectures, protocols, layouts, diagrams, and tools as examples only and not as limitations of example embodiments. Moreover, in some cases, the illustrative embodiments are described using specific software, tools, and data processing environments merely as examples for clarity of explanation. The exemplary embodiments may be used in conjunction with other equivalent or similar purpose structures, systems, applications, or architectures. For example, those other equivalent mobile devices, structures, systems, applications or architectures may be used in conjunction with such embodiments of the invention within the scope of the invention. Example embodiments may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

The examples within this disclosure are used merely for clarity of explanation and are not limiting to the exemplary embodiments. Additional data, acts, actions, tasks, activities, and manipulations may be envisioned from this disclosure and are contemplated within the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Any advantages listed herein are examples only and are not intended to be limiting to the example embodiments. Additional or different advantages may be realized through certain exemplary embodiments. Moreover, certain exemplary embodiments may have some, all, or none of the advantages listed above.

Accordingly, a computer-implemented method, system, or apparatus, and computer program product are provided in exemplary embodiments for a microlens adapter for mobile devices and other related features, functions, or operations. be. Where embodiments, or portions thereof, are described in terms of devices of a certain type, computer-implemented methods, systems, or apparatuses, computer program products, or combinations thereof, may be used with any suitable and equivalent indications of devices of that type. adapted or configured for

Where embodiments are described as being implemented within an application, offering the application within a Software as a Service (SaaS) model is contemplated within the scope of exemplary embodiments. In the SaaS model, the functionality of applications implementing embodiments is provided to users by running the applications within a cloud infrastructure. Users can access applications using a variety of client devices via thin client interfaces such as web browsers (e.g., web-based email) or other lightweight client applications. . Users do not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including the networks, servers, operating systems, or storage of the cloud infrastructure. In some cases, the user may not even manage or control the functionality of the SaaS application. In some other cases, a SaaS implementation of an application may allow potential exceptions to limited user-specific application configuration settings.

The present invention may be a system, method, or computer program product, or combination thereof, in any potential level of technical detail of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program instructions for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device capable of holding and storing instructions for use by an instruction-executing device. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, without limitation, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. There may be. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read・Memory Only (EPROM or Flash Memory), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Portable Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), Memory ・Including mechanically encoded devices such as sticks, floppy disks, punch cards or raised structures in grooves in which instructions are recorded, and any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable storage media, as used herein, refers to radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light passing through fiber optic cables). pulse), or an electrical signal transmitted through a wire, per se should not be construed as a transient signal.

The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be transferred from a computer-readable storage medium to a respective computing/processing device or over a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or a wireless network, or It can be downloaded to an external computer or external storage device via the combination. A network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmissions, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, or edge servers, or combinations thereof. A network adapter card or network interface within each computing/processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and stores the computer-readable program instructions in a computer-readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. Transfer for storage to.

Computer readable program instructions for performing the operations of the present invention include assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, configuration for integrated circuits. data or any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages can be either source code or object code written in The computer-readable program instructions reside entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the user's computer. can run on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any kind of network, including a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be to an external computer ( for example, over the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electrical circuits including, for example, programmable logic circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs) are computer readable to implement aspects of the invention. Computer readable program instructions may be executed by personalizing an electrical circuit using the state information of the program instructions.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It is understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions represent the functions/acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams that are executed via a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus. may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to create a machine to create means for implementing the These computer readable program instructions contain instructions for implementing aspects of the functions/operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams. and can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium to instruct a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, or combination thereof, to function in a particular manner.

Computer readable program instructions refer to the functions/acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams that are executed on a computer or other programmable apparatus or device. is loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, to perform a sequence of operable steps on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or computer-implemented It may be executed on other devices that generate processes.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions containing one or more executable instructions for performing a particular logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. good. Each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks within the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, perform a particular function or action, or execute a combination of specialized hardware and computer instructions; Note also that it may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system.

Claims (12)

A microscope lens system comprising:
a body having a surface and an optical path extending from within a recess in said surface to a surface behind said surface;
a microlens housed within the optical path;
an aperture positioned between the microlens and the surface for limiting the divergence of light illuminating an object positioned below the microlens from below ;
Mobile device with camera lens and
with
the body is configured to position the mobile device on the surface such that the camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object, the microlens, and the aperture;
A microscope lens system, further comprising an insert configured to be removably positioned within the surface recess, the insert including the aperture having a smaller diameter than the optical path. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microlens is one of a ball lens, a hemispherical lens, a hyperbolic lens, or an aspherical lens. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a shroud configured to facilitate keeping the camera lens of the mobile device aligned with the aperture. 4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the shroud is configured to be removably coupled to the body. further comprising a clip portion configured to secure the body to the mobile device to facilitate the body to hold the camera lens of the mobile device aligned with the aperture; 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2. The system of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising an object platform configured to hold the object at the focal plane of the microlens. 7. The system of Claim 6, wherein the object platform further comprises a light source configured to illuminate the object. 8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the mobile device is configured to capture an image of the object through the microlens. A microscope lens system comprising a body, a microlens, an aperture, and a mobile device having a camera lens, wherein the body includes a surface and an optical path extending from within a recess in the surface to a surface behind the surface and containing the microlens in the optical path and positioned between the microlens and the surface to limit the divergence of light illuminating from below an object positioned below the microlens. directing a manufacturing apparatus to fabricate the body to include an aperture for
the surface is configured to hold the mobile device in a position such that the camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object, the microlens, and the aperture;
The method further comprising instructing the manufacturing apparatus to fabricate an insert removably positioned within a recess in the surface and configured to include the aperture having a diameter smaller than the optical path. to the processor,
A microscope lens system comprising a body, a microlens, an aperture, and a mobile device having a camera lens, wherein the body includes a surface and an optical path extending from within a recess in the surface to a surface behind the surface and containing the microlens in the optical path and positioned between the microlens and the surface to limit the divergence of light illuminating from below an object positioned below the microlens. A program for causing a manufacturing apparatus to fabricate the body so as to include an aperture for
the surface is configured to hold the mobile device in a position such that the camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object, the microlens, and the aperture;
A program further causing the manufacturing apparatus to fabricate an insert removably positioned within a recess in the surface and configured to include the aperture having a diameter smaller than the optical path. 11. The program according to claim 10, wherein said program is stored in a storage device and transferred over a network. 11. The program of claim 10, wherein the program is stored in a storage device within a data processing system and downloaded over a network for use within the storage device of a remote data processing system.

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