IP Library Granted Patent US 11,815,465
Granted Patent B2
US 11,815,465 · App. 16/393,032 · Granted Nov 14, 2023

Portable high-resolution gem imaging system

Inventors: Venkat K. Balagurusamy (Suffern, NY); Brian Pear (Newtown, CT); Edward J. Maggiacomo (Pleasant Valley, NY); Thomas Picunko (Scarsdale, NY); Joseph Ligman (Wilton, CT); Donna N. Eng Dillenberger (Yorktown Heights, NY)
Assignee: Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA)
G01N21/87G06T7/0004H04N23/55H04N23/56G01N2201/0221
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,815,465
App. No.
16/393,032
Granted
Nov 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A gem imaging system includes a stage having a platform configured to hold an object. The system further includes a light source configured to illuminate the object. The system further includes a housing configured to at least partially enclose the object. The housing is configured to position a mobile device such that a camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object.

Claims (29)

1. A gem imaging system comprising:

a stage having a platform configured to hold an object above a first surface of the stage at an object height;

a housing configured to at least partially enclose the object, wherein the housing is configured to position a mobile device such that a camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object; and

a light source configured on a side surface of the housing, at a height above the first surface of the stage and below the object height, the light source configured to illuminate the object.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a microlens adapter configured to removably couple to the mobile device, wherein the microlens adapter includes a microlens, the microlens positioned in an aperture of the housing.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the microlens is one of a bell lens, a hemispherical lens, a hyperbolic lens, or an aspheric lens.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second platform configured to support the mobile device.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second platform is movable relative to the stage.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an arm coupled to the housing.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the arm is configured to move the housing relative to the stage.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the stage is movable in increments of 10 to 100 microns.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a light reflector oriented relative to the platform such that light from the light source is reflected from the light reflector onto the object.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a lighting panel.

11. The system of claim 1 ,

a motorized mechanism to move the platform in at least one direction to change a position of the object relative to the mobile device.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to hold the object at a focal plane of a microlens.

13. A method comprising:

instructing a manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a stage having a platform such that the platform is configured to hold an object above a first surface of the stage at an object height, a housing configured to at least partially enclose the object, wherein the housing is configured to position a mobile device such that a camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object, and a light source configured on a side surface of the housing, at a height above the first surface of the stage and below the object height, the light source configured to illuminate the object.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

instructing the manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a microlens adapter configured to removably couple to the mobile device, wherein the microlens adapter includes a microlens, the microlens positioned in an aperture of the housing.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the microlens is one of a bell lens, a hemispherical lens, a hyperbolic lens, or an aspheric lens.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

instructing the manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a second platform configured to support the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second platform is movable relative to the stage.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

instructing the manufacturing apparatus to fabricate an arm coupled to the housing.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the arm is configured to move the housing relative to the stage.

20. A computer usable program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage media, the stored program instructions comprising:

program instructions to cause a manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a stage having a platform such that the platform is configured to hold an object above a first surface of the stage at an object height, a housing configured to at least partially enclose the object, wherein the housing is configured to position a mobile device such that a camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with the object, and a light source configured on a side surface of the housing, at a height above the first surface of the stage and below the object height, the light source configured to illuminate the object.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2023
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. (GIA)
Reel/Frame 063308/0179 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2019
From: BALAGURUSAMY, VENKAT K.; PEAR, BRIAN; MAGGIACOMO, EDWARD J; PICUNKO, THOMAS; LIGMAN, JOSEPH; DILLENBERGER, DONNA N. ENG
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048982/0072 →
Continuity (2)
Related Publication 20200340927A1 · Oct 29, 2020
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Cited By (1)
US 12,360,049