KR101333161B1 - Apparatus of processing image based on confocal and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus using a confocal and an image processing method using the same, and more particularly, in an image processing apparatus using a confocal, a lens for receiving light from at least two light sources in the same direction, each An image acquiring unit which acquires an image of the object to be irradiated by the light irradiated from the light source unit and is refracted through the lens and has a focus plane at different positions, the light refracted through the lens, and an image of the object to be measured; A measurement object moving unit for moving the position of the measurement object; an image processing control unit for detecting whether the measurement object reaches each focal plane when the measurement object is moved by the measurement object moving unit; and a measurement object according to the detection result of the image processing control unit It comprises a measurement object movement control unit for controlling the moving speed of the moving unit, each The light irradiated from each light source unit is irradiated to the lens at different angles of incidence to form a focal plane at different positions, and when a measurement object is positioned between the focal planes, the measurement object movement control unit controls the measurement object moving unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image in a state in which the measurement object is positioned between the respective focal planes so that the moving speed is controlled.

Description

Image processing apparatus using confocal and image processing method using the same {Apparatus of processing image based on confocal and method

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus using a confocal for processing an image using light having a different incident angle and an image processing method using the same.

In general, with the expansion of digital cameras in recent years, the consumer's desire for high performance of the camera is increasing, and a representative example of the high performance is a camera module having a high resolution and autofocus function of the camera module.

For example, there is a miniature camera module of an inner zoom type having a zoom lens and a focus lens together.

One such focusing technique is confocal.

Confocal is a technique in which the focus can be adjusted by removing light out of focus from the laser and passing the light out of focus. An image processing apparatus using such a confocal technique is a confocal image processing apparatus.

The confocal image processing apparatus is a device that generates an image by using a laser as a light source, passing only light that matches the focus among light emitted from the laser, and using an optical signal corresponding to the light that matches the focus.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2004-0036079 relates to an improved method of adjusting auto focus in a video camera, and to detect a focus value by moving a predetermined step in a predetermined direction with respect to a focus lens, and to determine whether or not the detected focus value is decreased. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of adjusting focus using previous image data.

Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0023889 relates to a three-dimensional display display apparatus using a variable focus lens array, wherein a basic image is obtained when the distance between the variable focus lens array and the display element is fixed and the focus of the variable focus lens array is changed. The present invention provides a device capable of displaying a three-dimensional display in synchronization with the devices.

These techniques require the object to be measured to be moved to the focus area in order to measure using confocal.

However, since the width of most of the focusing areas is very small, there is a problem of spending a lot of time, that is, unnecessary time to move the measurement object to the focusing area.

Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, to form the respective focal plane by using light with different incidence angles, to detect whether the measurement object reaches the focal plane, and according to the detection result It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus using a confocal and an image processing method using the same that can minimize the total confocal image processing time by performing the image processing by the confocal only in the focus region by controlling the moving speed of the.

The present invention for achieving the above object, in the image processing apparatus using a confocal, a lens that receives the light from the at least two light source unit in the same direction, respectively irradiated from each of the light source unit and refracted through the lens and then different A light having a characteristic having a focal plane at a position, a measurement object to which light refracted through the lens is irradiated, an image acquisition unit obtaining an image of the measurement object through the lens, and a measurement object to move the position of the measurement object When the measurement object is moved by the moving unit and the measurement object moving unit, an image processing control unit for detecting whether the measurement object reaches the respective focal planes, and the moving of the measurement object moving unit according to the detection result of the image processing control unit. It comprises a measurement object movement control unit for controlling the speed, respectively The light irradiated from the light source unit is irradiated to the lens at different angles of incidence to form focal planes at different positions. When the measurement object is positioned between the focal planes, the measurement object moving control unit controls the measurement object moving unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image in a state in which the measurement object is positioned between the respective focal planes and the moving speed is controlled.

Preferably, when the measurement object movement control unit reaches the position where the first focal plane exists as a result of the detection of the image processing control unit while moving the measurement object, the moving speed of the measurement object is reduced, and a constant decelerated state Move the measurement object to

When the measurement object movement control unit reaches the position where the last focal plane exists as a result of the detection of the image processing control unit while moving the measurement object, the measurement object movement speed is increased, and the measurement object is increased in a constant speed. Move it.

In addition, a beam splitter is provided so that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens, wherein each light source unit is provided at a different position, and the beam splitter is provided to correspond to each light source unit.

A beam splitter is provided so that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens, and one beam splitter is provided, and each light source unit is provided to irradiate light to the one beam splitter.

In addition, in an image processing method performed by an image processing apparatus using confocal, each light source unit irradiates light from at least two light source units to the lens, and the light emitted from each light source unit is irradiated to the lens at different angles of incidence. Positioning, the lens receives light from each light source in the same direction, two or more lights refracted through the lens is irradiated to the measurement object, each light irradiated to the lens at a different angle of incidence Forming a focal plane at different positions, moving the measurement object by moving the position of the measurement object, the image processing unit controller detecting whether the moving measurement object reaches the focal plane, and the measurement object movement control unit Controlling the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit according to the detection result It includes.

In the forming of the focal plane, a beam splitter may be provided such that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens, and each light source unit may be provided at a different position, and the beam splitter may correspond to each light source unit. It is provided to irradiate light.

In the forming of the focal plane, a beam splitter may be provided such that the at least two light source units irradiate light to the lens, and the beam splitter is provided with one beam splitter. A light source unit is provided to irradiate light.

The controlling of the moving speed of the measuring object moving unit may include: moving the measuring object and reducing the moving speed of the measuring object when the first focal plane is present as a result of the detection of the image processing controller; Move the measuring object to a decelerated state.

The controlling of the moving speed of the measuring object moving unit may include: moving the measuring object and increasing the moving speed of the measuring object when the final focus plane reaches a position where a final focus plane exists as a result of the detection of the image processing controller; Move the object to be measured at a constant speed.

When the measurement object is located in the interval between the first focal plane position and the last focal plane position as a result of the detection by the image processing controller, the image is processed by confocal through the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. It further comprises the step.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus using the confocal and the image processing method using the same according to the present invention, it is possible to form and detect a focal plane at different positions by using at least two or more lights having different incident angles, According to the detection result, it is possible to control the moving speed of the object to which light is irradiated, and it is a very useful and effective invention that can minimize the total confocal image processing time by performing image processing by confocal only in the focus area.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus using a general confocal.
2 is a view for explaining an image processing apparatus using confocal according to the present invention,
3 is a view showing another embodiment of irradiating light from at least two light source units according to the present invention,
4 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method using confocals according to the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating an execution process of an image processing apparatus using confocal according to the present invention;
6 is a diagram illustrating an image acquisition unit according to the present invention.
7 are graphs illustrating a focal plane of a predetermined diode of an image acquisition unit according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the present invention but is only illustrative and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

2 is a view illustrating an image processing apparatus using a confocal according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of irradiating light from at least two light source units according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method using a confocal according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an execution process of an image processing apparatus using a confocal according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 illustrates an image acquisition unit according to the present invention. 7 is a graph illustrating a focal plane of a predetermined diode of an image acquisition unit according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 using confocal includes a light source unit 110, a beam splitter 120, a lens 130, a measurement object 140, a measurement object moving unit 150, and an image. The acquirer 160, the image processing controller 170, and the measurement object movement controller 180 are included.

The light source unit 110 provides the light irradiated to the measurement object 140. This light is a laser beam with multiple wavelengths combined. Light provided from the light source unit 110 is transmitted to the beam splitter 120.

The beam splitter 120 converts the light transmitted from the light source unit 110 into a parallel beam and transmits the light to the lens 130. The lens 130 refracts the light to form a focal plane, and the light is transferred to the measurement object 140. To pass.

In other words, while the light is refracted by the lens 130 to form a focal plane at different positions from the lens, these lights are irradiated onto the measurement object 140. The light irradiated to the measurement object 140 through this process is reflected and transmitted to the image acquisition unit 160 through the beam splitter 120.

The measurement object 140 indicates a measurement object for generating the captured image data, and the measurement object 140 may be moved by the measurement object moving unit 150.

In one embodiment, the measurement object moving unit 150 may move the measurement object 140 according to a command of the image processing controller 170. For example, the measurement object moving unit 150 may move the measurement object at a speed of 30 msec on average.

Since the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit 150 is very slow, it takes a lot of time to reach the focus area for measuring by using the confocal.

The image acquisition unit 160 is connected to the image processing control unit 170, and starts, ends, and transmits captured image data based on the command of the image processing control unit 170.

The image processing controller 170 is connected to the image acquisition unit 160 and the measurement object movement control unit 180.

The image processing controller 170 is an apparatus for controlling the image processing apparatus 100 for confocal. The image processing controller 170 receives the captured image data from the image acquisition unit 160 to display or display a moving object through a monitor (not shown). The control unit 180 transmits a command for the movement of the measurement object moving unit 150.

The measurement object movement controller 180 is connected to the image processing controller 170 and transmits a driving command to the measurement object movement unit 150 according to the command of the image processing controller 170. The measurement object movement control unit 180 may drive the measurement object moving unit 150 to control the position of the measurement object 140 to reach the measurement object 140 in the focal region. However, since the movement of the measurement object 140 is very slow, a long time is required for focusing.

That is, since unnecessary time is required, there is a need to reduce such unnecessary time.

In order to solve this problem, the image processing apparatus 200 using the confocal system, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 210, the beam splitter 220, the lens 230, the measurement target 240, and the measurement target moving unit ( 250, an image acquisition unit 260, an image processing control unit 270, and a measurement object movement control unit 280.

First, at least two light source units 210 are provided, and at least two light source units 210 provide light irradiated to the measurement object 240.

The two or more light source units 210 have a characteristic of having a focal plane at different positions after being refracted through the lens 230.

The beam splitter 220 includes at least one beam splitter 220. The at least one beam splitter 220 converts the light transmitted from the at least two light source units 210 into a parallel beam and transmits the light to the measurement object 240.

Such light is irradiated onto the measurement object 240 by forming a focal plane at different positions by the lens 230.

In other words, the light of each light source 210 irradiated at different incident angles forms a focal plane at different positions, and the light is irradiated onto the measurement object 240.

When the focal planes due to the light having different incidence angles are formed at different positions, the focal planes may be spaced apart from the measurement object by a predetermined distance when the measurement object 240 is positioned at a predetermined position.

Here, referring to the light source unit 210 and the beam splitter 220 according to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 210 is composed of two, and each light source unit is indicated by 211 and 213.

Each of the light source parts 211 and 213 are provided at different positions, and the beam splitter 220 is provided to correspond to each light source part.

In other words, any one beam splitter 220 is provided to irradiate light from one light source unit 211 to the lens 230, and irradiate light from the other light source unit 213 to the lens 230. Another beam splitter 220 is provided for.

Accordingly, the light is irradiated onto the lens 230 by the respective beam splitters 220 at the light source units 211 and 213 having different incidence angles, and the irradiated light forms the focal plane at different positions. It can be.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the light source unit 210 includes two light sources 210, denoted by 211 and 213, and includes one beam splitter 220.

The two light sources 211 and 213 are provided to irradiate light with one beam splitter 220, and each of the two light sources 211 and 213 may be provided at different positions or concentric circles to irradiate light.

Accordingly, the light is irradiated onto the lens 230 by the respective beam splitters 220 at the light source units 211 and 213 having different incidence angles, and the irradiated light forms the focal plane at different positions. It can be.

Here, the focal plane means that the light passing through the lens forms a focal point at a distance away from the lens. The focal plane includes a focal plane drawn in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lens, including the focal point.

The measurement object 240 indicates a measurement object for generating the captured image data, and the measurement object 240 is moved by the measurement object moving unit 250.

The image acquisition unit 260 is connected to the image processing control unit 270 to convert the light into an electric signal by a command of the image processing control unit 270 and transmits the light to the image processing control unit 270.

The image processing controller 270 is connected to the image acquisition unit 260 and the measurement object movement control unit 280 and controls the confocal image processing apparatus 100. The image processing control unit 270 receives captured image data from the image acquisition unit 260. Receives the display to display through a monitor (not shown) or transmits a command for the movement of the measurement object moving unit 250 to the measurement object movement control unit 280.

When the measurement object 240 is moved by the measurement object moving unit 250, the image processing controller 270 detects whether the measurement object 240 reaches each focal plane.

In this case, the image processing controller 270 detects whether the measurement target 240 reaches each focal plane by checking when the focal plane achieves the smallest point (spot) that light can form. Detect the position of.

In addition, the measurement object movement control unit 280 controls the measurement object moving unit 250 according to the command of the image processing controller 270 to control the moving speed of the measurement object 240.

In other words, the measurement object movement control unit 280 controls the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit 250 according to the detection result of the image processing control unit 270, and the measurement object 240 is controlled by the image processing control unit 270. It is detected whether each focal plane has been reached, and if detected, transmits a signal to the measurement object movement control unit 280.

The measurement object movement control unit 280 that receives the signal controls the movement speed of the measurement object movement unit 250, but at a different movement speed than when it is not located between each focal plane.

As an example, when the measurement object 240 is moved by the measurement object moving unit 250 to detect any focal plane, the measurement object moving controller 280 controls the measurement object moving unit 250 to measure the measurement object moving unit 250. The moving speed of the object 240 is reduced, and the measurement object 240 is moved in a predetermined decelerated state.

Here, one of the focal planes refers to the first focal plane, which is detected by the peak of the measurement object 240 that is moved for image processing.

When the detection target 240 reaches a position where the last focal plane exists in the measurement target 240 moved in a decelerated state, the measurement target movement control unit 280 controls the measurement target moving unit 250 to measure the measurement target 240. Increase the moving speed of, and moves the measurement object 240 in a constant speeded state.

In this case, the image acquisition unit 260 acquires an image in a state in which the measurement object 240 is positioned between the first focal plane and the last focal plane to control the moving speed.

The value of each pixel of the captured image data generated by the image acquisition unit 260 may be compared to determine whether or not the focus is matched.

For example, the image processing controller 270 may compare pixel values of neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels and determine whether they match the focus if they are similar. This is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The image processing method using the confocal image using the confocal image processing apparatus 200 using the confocal method includes positioning each light source unit, receiving light in the same direction, forming a focal plane at different positions, and measuring an object. Moving the position of, detecting whether the focal plane is reached, and controlling the moving speed of the object to be measured.

And when the measurement object is located in the interval between the first focal plane position and the last focal plane position, as a result of the detection by the image processing controller, processing the image by confocal through the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. It further includes.

First, referring to the step of positioning each light source unit, at least two or more light source unit 210 irradiates light to the lens 230, the light irradiated from each light source unit 210 at a different angle of incidence to the lens 230 Each light source unit 210 is positioned to be irradiated.

In the step of receiving light in the same direction, the lens 230 receives light from each light source unit 210 in the same direction and refracts the light.

The forming of the focal plane at different positions includes two or more lights refracted through the lens 230 irradiated to the measurement object 240, and each of the lights irradiated at different angles of incidence on the lens 230 is different from each other. It will form a focal plane at the location.

Here, the interval between the respective focal planes is located in the focal space for the confocal point.

And the step of moving the position of the measurement object is the measurement object moving unit 250 to move the position of the measurement object 240, the step of detecting whether the focus plane is reached is measured by the image processor control unit 270 It is detected whether the object 240 reaches the focal plane.

In the controlling of the moving speed of the measuring object moving unit, the measuring object moving controller 280 may operate the measuring object moving unit 250 according to a detection result of whether the measuring object 240 reaches the focal plane by the image processor controller 270. Control to control the speed of movement.

Accordingly, when the measurement object 240 is located between the first and the last focus plane, the moving speed is reduced, the measurement object 240 is moved in a reduced state, and the image acquisition unit 260 is used. The confocal image is processed through the acquired image data.

4 to 5, the light source unit 210 provides light 510, 520, and 530 irradiated to the measurement object 240 (step 510). The beam splitter 220 receives the light 510, 520, 530 from the light source and converts the light into a parallel beam (step 520). The lens 230 receives the converted light 510, 520, 530 from the beam splitter 220 (step 520). The transmitted light 510, 520, 530 has a focal plane 511, 521, 531 at different locations after being refracted according to the wavelength of the light.

The light 510, 520, 530 reflected from the measurement object 240 is transmitted to the image acquisition unit 260 through the lens 230 (step 530). The image acquisition unit 260 converts the light 510, 520, 530 arriving through the lens 230 into an electrical signal and transmits the signal to the image processing control unit 270, and the image processing control unit 270 transmits the light 510, 520. 530 detects whether at least one focal plane 511, 521, 531 exists (step 540). The measurement object movement controller 280 may reduce the speed at which the measurement object movement unit 280 moves, if so (step 550). According to an embodiment, the image processing controller 270 may move the measurement object 240 and reduce the moving speed of the measurement object 240 when the first focal plane 511 is reached. In another embodiment, the image processing controller 270 moves the measurement object 240 and decreases the moving speed of the measurement object 240 when the final focal plane 531 arrives at the position. If not, the measurement object movement controller 280 may increase the speed at which the measurement object movement unit 280 moves (step 560).

In one embodiment, the image processing controller 270 may move the measurement object moving unit 280 up and down to detect whether the focal planes 511, 521, and 531 exist. For example, if the image processing controller 270 detects the first focal plane 521 while moving the measurement object 240, the image processing controller 270 moves the measurement object moving part 280 up and down to detect the second focal plane 521. Can be moved to

6 and 7, the image acquisition unit 260 is a photoelectric change element, which converts light into an optical signal to generate captured image data.

In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit 260 may be implemented as a charge coupled device (CCD). The image acquisition unit 260 is composed of a plurality of photo diodes (N * N), the plurality of photo diodes respectively receive the light, and then determine the brightness according to the amount of electrons of the photodiode to capture the captured image data Create

The image acquisition unit 260 may transfer the captured image data to the image processing controller 270, and the image processing controller 270 may determine whether the focus is matched using the captured image data.

According to an embodiment, the image processing controller 270 may compare pixel values between neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels constituting the captured image data, and if so, determine that the focal point is matched.

If not, the image processing controller 270 may determine that the focus does not match. Each focal position 710, 720 of the plurality of pixels is as shown in the graph in FIG. 7.

110, 210: light source 120, 220: beam splitter
130, 230: lens 140, 240: measurement object
150, 250: measuring object moving unit 160, 260: image acquisition unit
170, 270: image processing control unit 180, 280: measuring object movement control unit

Claims (11)

In the image processing apparatus using confocal,
A lens that receives light from at least two light sources in the same direction;
Light having characteristics of having a focal plane at different positions after being irradiated from each light source unit and refracted through the lens;
A measurement object to which light refracted through the lens is irradiated;
An image acquisition unit which acquires an image of the measurement object through the lens;
A measurement object moving unit which moves a position of the measurement object;
An image processing controller configured to detect whether the measurement object reaches the respective focal planes when the measurement object is moved by the measurement object moving unit;
It includes a measurement object movement control unit for controlling the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit according to the detection result of the image processing control unit,
The light irradiated from each light source unit is irradiated to the lens at different incidence angles to form a focal plane at different positions,
When the measurement object is located between each of the focal planes, the measurement object movement control unit controls the measurement object moving unit to control at a different moving speed than when it is not located between the respective focal planes,
And the image acquisition unit acquires an image in a state in which a measurement object is positioned between the focal planes and the moving speed is controlled. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement object movement control unit,
As a result of the detection by the image processing controller while moving the measurement object, when the first focal plane corresponding to the focal position closest to the lens is reached, the moving speed of the measurement object is decreased, and the speed is reduced. A confocal image processing apparatus comprising moving a measurement object. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement object movement control unit,
As a result of the detection of the image processing controller while moving the measurement object, when the final focal plane corresponding to the focal position farthest from the lens is reached, the moving speed of the measurement object is increased, and the speed is increased. A confocal image processing apparatus comprising moving a measurement object. The method of claim 1,
A beam splitter is provided so that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens.
Each light source unit is provided at a different position, and the beam splitter is provided to correspond to each light source unit.
The method of claim 1,
A beam splitter is provided so that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens.
The beam splitter is provided with one, and the confocal image processing apparatus, characterized in that each light source unit for irradiating light to the one beam splitter.
In the image processing method performed in the image processing apparatus using confocal,
Irradiating light from the at least two light source units to the lens, wherein each light source unit is positioned such that light emitted from each light source unit is irradiated to the lens at different incident angles;
The lens receiving light from each light source unit in the same direction;
Irradiating two or more lights refracted through the lens to a measurement object, wherein each of the lights irradiated at different angles of incidence on the lens forms a focal plane at different positions;
Moving a measurement object moving unit to a position of the measurement object;
The image processing unit controller detects whether the moving measurement object reaches the focal plane; And
And a measurement object moving control unit controlling a moving speed of the measurement object moving unit according to the detection result.
The method of claim 6, wherein the forming of the focal plane comprises:
Beam splitters are provided such that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens, wherein each light source unit is provided at a different position, and the beam splitters are provided to correspond to each light source unit to irradiate light. Confocal Image Processing Method.
The method of claim 6, wherein the forming of the focal plane comprises:
A beam splitter is provided so that the two or more light source units irradiate light to the lens, and one beam splitter is provided, and each light source unit is provided to irradiate light with the one beam splitter. Confocal image processing method.
The method of claim 6, wherein the controlling of the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit comprises:
As a result of the detection by the image processing controller while moving the measurement object, when the first focal plane corresponding to the focal position closest to the lens is reached, the moving speed of the measurement object is decreased, and the speed is reduced. A confocal image processing method comprising moving a measurement object. The method of claim 6, wherein the controlling of the moving speed of the measurement object moving unit comprises:
As a result of the detection of the image processing controller while moving the measurement object, when the final focal plane corresponding to the focal position farthest from the lens is reached, the moving speed of the measurement object is increased, and the speed is increased. A confocal image processing method comprising moving a measurement object. The method according to claim 6,
When the measurement object is located in the interval between the first focal plane position and the last focal plane position as a result of the detection by the image processing controller, the image is processed by confocal through the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. Confocal image processing method further comprising the step.

Images