WO2004028288A2

WO2004028288A2 - Three dimensional gemstone-imaging system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2004028288A2
Application number: PCT/IL2003/000762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zvi Porat
Original assignee: Dialit Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-09-27
Filing date: 2003-09-24
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: AU2003264843A8; WO2004028288A3; AU2003264843A1; IL151968A0

Abstract

The present invention is of a gemstone imaging system (10) and method of use of the system in the measurement and defining of processing parameters of gemstones including at least one imaging device (20), said at least one imaging device configured to produce continuous images of the gemstone (12); a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone ; a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing means for rotational displacement of said gemstone in relation to the said at least one imaging device.

Description

THREE DIMENSIONAL GEMSTONETMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of a gemstone imaging system and method of

use ofthe system in the measurement and defining of processing parameters of

gemstones. Preferably, the present invention is utilized in the processing of

diamonds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diamonds are employed in a wide-range of applications due to their

unique physical and chemical properties. The characteristic properties include

the following. Diamond is the hardest known substance. In addition, diamonds

have the highest atomic density and the highest thermal conductivity at room

temperature. Diamonds exhibit low friction and wear properties, are chemically

inert and are wide-band gap semiconductors. The uses of diamonds include, use

in cutting tools, use in high power electronic devices, use in low friction and

wear, surfaces, components for electronic devices and gemstones used for

jewelry purposes.

Most uses of diamonds require processing such as shaping and polishing

of the diamond surface in order to produce smooth surfaces of varying degrees

depending on the desired application. In order to execute various measurements

or processing of diamonds, such as angle setting, measuring diamond diameter

and defining polishing angle, a method commonly used uses an image of the diamond. The image of the diamond can be produced by an electronic camera

system, which is connected to a computer and relevant processing software

package. The diamond can then be viewed on the computer.

The gemstone imaging systems of the background art include systems

whereby a diamond is held by a gemstone holder, which holder rotates the

diamond up to 360 degrees. The imaging in the background art is not

continuous and only one half of the diamond is usually photographed at one

session. The gemstone is photographed approximately at 5-degree intervals,

resulting in about thirty-six images for both halves of a gemstone, taking about

15 to 30 seconds. The images are used to create a three dimensional picture of

the gemstone. The system works by use of sequential repeat commands such as

(1) take a picture; (2) rotate 5 degrees; and (3) stop; and repeating these

commands until the diamond has rotated 180 degrees. The background art

describe systems, which employ a camera with a fixed lighted background,

wherein the gemstone is fixated periodically, for the purpose of single frame

photography.

This latent deficiency is further exacerbated by the nature of rotational

displacement including at least four subcomponents of acceleration, fixed speed

rotation, deceleration and fixation.

In the prior art systems, due to varying centripetal and centrifugal forces

in acceleration and deceleration, the rate of acceleration and deceleration need

to be mitigated for the purpose of preventing inadvertent misalignment of the

diamond relative to the diamond holder. Thus, the prior art system and process is relatively slow and the imaging

and gemstone rotational displacement must be synchronized, hindering the

number of pictures capability in a given time frame for the system of the prior

art.

In addition, the lighted background suffers from various types of

reflections, which may cause distortions in the images. By way of example

only, a common optical distortion of the systems of the background art is

manifested by large white areas on images ofthe gemstone.

There is therefore a need for a device, system and method, such as is

disclosed in the present invention, to provide a solution to the aforementioned

problems and for providing more efficient gemstone imaging devices, systems

and methods for use in the processing and measurement and defining of

processing parameters of gemstones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of a gemstone imaging system. Moreover the

present invention is of a gemstone imaging system for use in the processing and

determining of processing parameters of gemstones. Furthermore, the present

invention provides methods of use of the gemstone imaging system. Preferably

the present invention is utilized in the processing of diamonds.

In a first embodiment the present invention provides a gemstone imaging

system including: (a) a camera device including at least one imaging device,

said camera device configured to producing continuous images of the gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone; (c) a

gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing

means, for rotational displacement of said gemstone in relation to said at least

one imaging device; (d) a device for producing a high level of illumination; and

(e) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

In a second embodiment the present invention provides a method of

imaging a gemstone including the steps of (a) providing a gemstone imaging

system including (i) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images of the gemstone; (ii)

a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone; (iii) a gemstone

rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing means, for

rotational displacement of said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device; (iv) a device for producing a high level of illumination; and (v)

computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone; (b) providing a gemstone

to be secured in said gemstone imaging system by said gemstone securing

means; and (c) imaging said gemstone onto said computer with said provided

system.

In a third embodiment the present invention provides a gemstone

imaging system including: (a) a camera device including at least one imaging

device, said camera device configured to producing continuous images of the

gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone; (c) a

gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing

means, for rotational displacement of said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging device; and (d) computer processing unit for viewing said

gemstone. Preferably, the gemstone imaging system further includes a device

for producing high level of illumination. Preferably, the device for producing

high level of illumination is a strobe.

In a fourth embodiment the present invention provides a gemstone

imaging system for imaging a gemstone including: (a) a camera device

including at least one imaging device, said camera device configured to

producing continuous images of the gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means

for securing said gemstone; (c) a gemstone rotational displacement element,

attached to said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing said

gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging device; (d) a device for

producing high level of illumination; (e) a gemstone; and (f) computer

processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

In a fifth embodiment the present invention provides a diamond imaging

system including: (a) a camera device including at least one imaging device,

said camera device configured to producing continuous images of the

gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone; (c) a

gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing

means, for rotationally displacing said gemstone in relation to said at least one

imaging device; (d) a device for producing high level of illumination; and (e)

computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

In a sixth embodiment the present invention provides a gemstone

imaging system for use in gemstone processing system including: (a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said camera device configured to

producing continuous images of the gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means

for securing said gemstone; (c) a gemstone rotational displacement element,

attached to said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing said

gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging device; (d) a device for

producing high level of illumination; (e) computer processing unit for viewing

said gemstone; and (f) a gemstone processing system, including computer

software conformed to perform gemstone processing.

In a seventh embodiment the present invention provides a gemstone

imaging system for contour and internal imaging including: (a) a camera device

including at least one imaging device, said camera device configured to

producing continuous images of the gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means

for securing said gemstone including an elongated aperture; (c) a gemstone

rotational displacement element, attached to said gemstone securing means, for

rotationally displacing said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device; (d) a device for producing high level of illumination; and (e) computer

processing unit for viewing said gemstone. Preferably, the elongated aperture

provides a means of internal imaging of said gemstone.

In a preferred embodiment the gemstone rotational displacement element

is manually operated.

In a preferred embodiment the gemstone rotational displacement element

is automatically operated. In a preferred embodiment the gemstone rotational displacement element

rotationally displaces said gemstone from substantially about 0 degrees to

substantially about 360 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment the gemstone rotational displacement element

rotationally displaces said gemstone substantially about 180 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment the gemstone is a diamond.

In a preferred embodiment the camera device is a video camera.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one imaging device is selected

from the group consisting of concave, convex, non-zoom and zoom lenses and

a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the gemstone securing means further includes

an elongated aperture.

In a preferred embodiment the device for producing a high level of

illumination is synchronized with the shutter of said camera.

In a preferred embodiment the device for producing a high level of

illumination is a strobe.

In a preferred embodiment the strobe flickers every about 25

milliseconds.

In a preferred embodiment the time of illumination of said strobe is from

substantially about 1 microsecond to substantially about 700 microseconds.

In a preferred embodiment the computer processing unit includes (a) a

driver connected to said camera; (b) a frame grabber connected at one end to said driver and at a second distal end to said computer; (c) a PC computational

device; and (d) an embedded micro-controller.

In a preferred embodiment the computer-processing unit includes a

means of transferring video data.

In a preferred embodiment the means of transferring video data is set by

CCIR.

In a preferred embodiment the computer processing unit further includes

software configured to convert resulting images of said gemstone into a three

dimensional image.

In a preferred embodiment of the method the step of imaging said

gemstone is continuous imaging.

The term 'gemstone' as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any

precious or semi-precious stone. The stone may be rough and unprocessed or

semi-processed or a finished refined, processed stone. Preferably the gemstone

is a diamond, however wherever the term 'diamond' is used in the

specification, it is intended that any suitable gemstone may be used.

The term 'imaging' as used herein includes, but is not limited to,

producing any suitable copy of the sample, such as an optically formed

reproduction of an object, which includes but is not limited to photographing or

any suitable projection on any suitable screen.

The term 'camera device' as used herein shall include, but will not be

limited to, any photographic device with an aperture controlled by a shutter that

opens to admit light or any suitable type of optical device comprising an imaging device, such as a lens system, which is capable of producing an image.

The camera device may be any suitable type of camera. Preferably, the camera

device is an electronic camera or a CCD camera.

The term 'imaging device' as used herein includes, but is not limited to,

5 any device which is capable of producing an image, such as, but not limited to,

a piece of glass or other transparent material, used to converge or diverge

transmitted light and form optical images, such as a lens system.

The term 'shutter speed' as used herein includes, but is not limited to,

the time it takes for a shield in a camera device, when tripped, to admit light to

l o expose the film or plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the system of the present

invention.

15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a gemstone imaging system comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device configured to

producing continuous images of the gemstone; (b) a gemstone securing means

20 for securing the gemstone; (c) a gemstone rotational displacement element,

attached to the gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing the

gemstone in relation to the at least one imaging device; (d) a device for producing high levels of illumination;- and (e) computer processing unit for

viewing the gemstone.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of imaging a

gemstone comprising the steps of (a) providing a gemstone imaging system

comprising (i) a camera device including at least one imaging device for

producing images ofthe gemstone; (ii) a gemstone securing means for securing

the gemstone; (iii) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to the

gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing the gemstone in relation to

the at least one imaging device; (iv) a means for producing high levels of

illumination; and (v) computer processing unit for viewing the gemstone; (b)

providing a gemstone to be secured in the gemstone imaging system by the

gemstone securing means; and (c) imaging the gemstone and storing the image

in a computational device with the provided system.

The gemstone imaging system and method of the present invention have

a wide use in the processing and more specifically in the measuring and

defining of physical properties of gemstones. Gemstone processing includes,

but is not limited to cutting, polishing and fine polishing. Preferably, the

present invention is utilized in the processing of diamonds. In gemstone

processing, the orientation ofthe stone, choice of cut, first point of contact and

angle of contact are several ofthe parameters to be determined.

By way of example only, the system ofthe present invention can be used

to efficiently examine a "rough" gemstone for the purpose of determining any

and all parameters of processing. Furthermore, the system of the present invention can be used to efficiently exatnine a "polished" stone for the purpose

of determining the properties and value of a gemstone. Further still, the system

ofthe present invention can be used in any stage between a "rough" stone and a

"polished stone to efficiently evaluate the preceding and proceeding processes

and polishing of the gemstone. An accurate, efficient imaging system such as

provided in the present invention greatly improves the determination of such

parameters.

The system of the present invention optionally comprises a camera

device, an instrument producing high levels of intermittent illumination, a

gemstone holder, imaging software and imaging processing unit.

Optionally, the camera device consists of substantially any suitable type

of optical device comprising an imaging device, such as, but not limited to, a

lens system, wherein the system of the present invention is capable of

producing and storing an image. The camera device may be any suitable type of

camera or photographic, or imaging device.

Preferably, the camera device is an electronic camera. More preferably,

the camera is a digital camera. Most preferably, the camera is a digital video

camera. The camera device is optionally made from any suitable material.

The gemstone is optionally secured by a securing means, such as a

holder. Preferably, the securing means is fully rotateable. As such, the securing

means is configured to rotationally displace the gemstone 360 degrees.

Preferably, the gemstone is rotated 180 degrees. The securing means

described in the background art are manually or partially manually 360 degrees

π rotateable. A latent deficiency of the background art is that the imaging is not

continuous and only one half of the diamond is usually photographed at one

time.

In a preferred embodiment the securing means of the present invention

includes a suitable opening such as but not limited to a vertical and/or

longitudinal elongated aperture, for readily imaging the entirety of the

gemstone, without imaging ofthe securing device.

Preferably, the opening is a slit. A latent deficiency of the securing

devices ofthe background art is that they are incapable of imaging ofthe whole

gemstone without imaging ofthe securing device.

Often, due to displacement increments of the prior art systems being

approximately 5 degrees, providing gemstone holders with large slits impairs

the stability ofthe gemstone in the holder. Alternatively, using standard holders

with small apertures in systems ofthe prior art will invariably fail to produce an

image of the portions obscured by the holder due to the large angular

increments between photographs. The securing means is optionally made from

any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, metal, stainless steel, titanium

and the like.

The system of the present invention optionally includes an instrument

producing a high level of illumination, such as, but not limited to, a strobe. A

strobe as used herein includes but is not limited to a device, which produces an

intense flashing light synchronized with the shutter of a camera such that a

series of photographs can be taken of a moving object. The strobe ofthe present invention optionally flickers substantially every 25 milliseconds. The time of

illumination is preferably set from substantially 1 microsecond to 700

microseconds.

The system of the present invention thus preferably produces one full

180 degrees rotation of the gemstone with the strobe flickering, in about 4

seconds. It is envisioned that the system of the present invention may be

employed to achieve any suitable shutter speed. The systems ofthe background

art employ a background light. According to the teachings of the prior art, the

background lighting requires rotational displacement ofthe gemstone to a fixed

point. Thereafter, a photo is taken by a fixed camera wherein rotational

displacement of the gemstone and the camera activation must be synchronized,

which hinders the number of pictures capability of the system which results in

systems of the background art taking about 15 seconds to complete a 360

degrees rotation.

Furthermore, image resolution suffers markedly from the reduced

number of photos taken relative to the time frame. It is not uncommon in prior

art systems that subsequently to an initial imaging rotation, the systems adds a

second imaging rotation session due to lack of clarity of images or low

resolution requiring improvement.

In addition, the system of the prior art can suffer from problems such as

reflections, which are manifested by large white areas on images of the

gemstone. Thus, the system of the present- invention has the advantage of readily

producing over three times the number of images compared to the systems of

the background art. Furthermore, the strobe does not result in white markings

on the images.

The processing unit ofthe present invention optionally includes a driver,

a frame grabber, a PC with a Windows™ operating system and an embedded

micro-controller. The system of the present invention optionally functions as

follows. The gemstone is secured by a rotateable securing means. The

gemstone is rotateably displaced optionally substantially 360 degrees or any

suitable rotation. Preferably the gemstone is rotated about 180 degrees. The

strobe optionally flickers every 25 milliseconds and the camera continually

takes a picture. The system of the present invention preferably uses a video

system and a means of transferring video data, such as, but not limited to, that

set by a CCIR.

The system films a movie of x seconds duration. The strobe flickers

every y milliseconds, for a duration of time of z microseconds. During the x

seconds, the gemstone completes at least a 180 degrees rotational displacement.

Thus, using the frame grabber the images are grabbed and stored using a

suitable command. Preferably, imaging software creates a three dimensional

image within the same time frame. The frame grabber of the present invention

optionally works by imaging the even lines substantially every 25 milliseconds

and then afterwards the uneven lines. Preferably, the system of the . present invention further includes a

positional log for providing a log of angular displacement of the gemstone

during illuminations.

As such, substantially every 25 milliseconds the system images a

different portion of the gemstone at a differing angular displacement.

Preferably, the camera device is connected to a driver. The driver is a means of

linking the camera to the computer. The driver is connected to the frame

grabber. The frame grabber takes the data from the picture frame of pixels and

stores it as a digital image. The frame grabber is preferably operated under

Windows™ operating system and an embedded micro-controller for controlling

angular displacement and strobe illumination increments and illuminations

duration.

Preferably, a positional log is electronically is created by a micro¬

controller, such that the micro-controller generates a series of positional

indexes during illumination, thereby readily providing a log of angular

displacement of said gemstone during illuminations. Thereafter, the positional

log is transferred to the computational device attached to the micro-controller.

Thus, each image receives a positional index for readily enabling creation of a

three dimensional image ofthe gemstone.

The software of the present invention optionally controls the rotational

displacement and programs filters and delays. In addition the system optionally

compensates for strobe flashing. The system of the present invention provides a system for viewing the

exterior surface of the gemstone. The system of the present invention also

provides a means of viewing inside the gemstone, preferably via the vertical

and/or longitudinal elongated aperture in the gemstone securing means.

The present invention further provides a system, which can be

incorporated into any suitable existing automatic gemstone treatment or

processing system, such as, but not limited, to a polishing machine. The image

of the diamond produced by the system, apparatus and method of the present

invention provides a means for orientation and determining of parameters used

in gemstone processing, such as polishing.

The imaging system and method of the present invention therefore

provides a system and method that overcome the outlined disadvantages of the

imaging systems available in the art.

The principles and operation of systems according to the present

invention may be better understood with reference to the figures. The figures

show one embodiment ofthe present invention and are not limiting.

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the imaging system ofthe

present invention 10. As can be seen in Figure 1, a gemstone 12, such as a

diamond 12 is held by any suitable securing means 14, which securing means

14 comprises a means for readily rotational displacement 16 of the gemstone

12.

The means for rotation of the gemstone 16 may optionally be manually

operated or automatically operated or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term 'automatically operated' ^■ includes automatically and semi-

automatically operated. Optionally, manual rotation may be achieved using any

suitable manual rotation means, such as, but not limited to, a joystick. In an

embodiment wherein the rotation ofthe gemstone 16 is automatically operated,

the automatic rotation may optionally be effected by way of an algorithm.

Preferably, the rotation ofthe gemstone 12 is automatically operated.

Securing means 14 is preferably configured to rotationally displace

gemstone 12 from substantially about zero degrees to about 360 degrees.

Preferably, gemstone 12 is rotationally displaced about 180 degrees.

Optionally, the securing device 14 of the present invention includes a

vertical and/or longitudinal elongated aperture 18, for readily enabling imaging

ofthe entirety of gemstone 12, without imaging ofthe securing means 14.

Securing means 14 is optionally made from any suitable material, such

as, but not limited to, metal, titanium, stainless steel and the like.

^• Alternatively, securing means 14 includes a vacuum securing capability

for securing a gemstone using a vacuum.

System 10 further includes a camera device 20, for imaging the

gemstone 12. Optionally, camera device 20 may be any suitable type of camera.

Preferably, camera device 20 is an electronic camera 20. More preferably,

camera device 20 is a digital video camera 20. Camera device 20 ofthe present

embodiment preferably includes a video system and a means of transferring

video data, such as, but not limited to, that set by a CCIR 22. Preferably, camera device 20 is configured to .function and continually photograph

gemstone 12.

Optionally, the imaging system of the present invention 10 includes an

illumination source 24, such as, but not limited to, a strobe 24. Preferably,

strobe 24 flickers about every 25 milliseconds. The time of illumination is

preferably from about 1 microsecond to about 700 microseconds. The imaging

system of the present invention 10 thus results in half of a full 360 degrees

rotation of the gemstone 12 with strobe 24 flickering, in about 4 seconds. It is

envisioned that the imaging system of the present invention 10 may be

employed to achieve any suitable shutter speed.

Preferably, camera device 20 is synchronized by an imaging software

25. Alternatively a synchronizing cable, for synchronizing strobe 24 and

camera 20 can be utilized.

The imaging system of the present invention further includes a

processing unit 40. Processing unit 40 of the present invention optionally

includes a driver 26, a frame grabber 28 and a PC computational device 30.

Preferably, the system of the present invention 10 further includes an

embedded micro-controller 32 for controlling illuminations increments and

duration of strobe, rotational displacement of gemstone 12 and any other

activity relating to the system, including but not limited to, activating and

deactivating securing means 14.

The imaging system of the present invention 10 optionally functions as

follows: gemstone 12 is preferably secured by a rotateable securing means 14. Gemstone 12 is rotationally displaced- optionally about 360 degrees or any

suitable rotational displacement. Preferably, gemstone 12 is rotationally

displaced about 180 degrees. Strobe 24 preferably flickers substantially about

every 25 milliseconds for a period of substantially 1 millisecond to 700

milliseconds and camera 20 preferably creates an image of gemstone 12 every

illumination. The imaging system of the present invention 10 preferably uses a

video system and a means of transferring video data such as, but not limited to,

that set by CCIR 22. Frame grabber 28 of the present invention works by

imaging even lines every 25 milliseconds and then the odd lines.

Alternatively, camera device 20 can be any suitable imaging system

capable of producing continues imagery for a duration of at least 4 seconds.

Preferably, camera device 20 is connected to a driver 26 for linking

camera 20 to the computer 40 such that driver 26 is connected to frame grabber

28.

Preferably, frame grabber 28 takes imaging data from the picture frame

of pixels and stores the data as a digital image. Optionally, frame grabber 28 is

operated by a PC computational device 30. Embedded micro-controller 32

optionally controls the rotation and programs filters and delays. In addition,

micro-controller 32 preferably compensates for strobe 24 providing intermittent

illumination.

The imaging system of the present invention 10 provides a system for

viewing the contour 34 of gemstone 12. In an alternative embodiment the

imaging system of the present invention 10 also provides a means of viewing obscured portions of gemstone 12, preferably via vertical and/or longitudinal

elongated aperture 18 in gemstone securing means 14.

The present invention further provides for an imaging system 10 for

being incorporated into any suitable existing automatic gemstone treatment or

processing system (not shown in figure 1), such as, but not limited to, a

polishing machine, a bruting machine or sawing machine. The image of

diamond 12 resulting from the apparatus and method of the present invention

provides a means of orientation and determining of parameters used in

gemstone processing, such as polishing.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to

the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in

the description. The invention includes other embodiments and can be practiced

or implemented in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the

phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description

only and should not be regarded as limiting.

The present invention may be better understood with reference to the

examples and the accompanying description.

Example 1

The imaging system of the present invention has been employed in a

diamond angle setting system. The angle setting system can serve an automatic

gemstone polishing machine and functions to enable a precise setting of the

polishing so that the final stone will comply with the following requirements of polishing angles within a defined boundary, maximizing of the yield and

leaving naturals within a defined boundary.

.. A diamond was placed and held in the securing means of the system of

the present invention. The diamond was rotated 180 degrees and a strobe

flashed every 25 milliseconds. The video camera continually took a picture

every illumination of the illumination element. A 3 dimensional image of the

diamond was obtained from the plurality of single images taken every 25

milliseconds and viewed on the screen of the computer, which contained the

software for the angle setting system. Consequently, the angle setting system

used the produced image to analyze the sample diamond and to determine the

diamond's angle size and measure diameter of the diamond. These parameters

were then used to polish the sample diamond.

Example 2

The imaging system of the present invention has been employed in a

diamond properties measuring system. The properties measuring system can

serve any evaluation process.

A diamond was placed inverted and secured by a vacuum in the securing

means of the system of the present invention. The diamond was rotated 360

degrees and a strobe flashed every 25 milliseconds. The video camera

continually took a picture every illumination of the illumination element. A 3

dimensional image of the diamond was obtained from the plurality of single

images taken every 25 milliseconds and viewed on the screen of the computer,

which contained the software for the properties measuring system. Consequently, the properties measuring system used the produced image

to analyze the sample diamond and to determine the diamond's properties and

measurements such as, angles, diameters, heights and size.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number

of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and

other applications ofthe invention may be made.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gemstone imaging system comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotational displacement

of said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device;

(d) a device for producing a high level of illumination; and

(e) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

2. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

rotational displacement element is manually operated.

3. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

rotational displacement element is automatically operated.

4. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

rotational displacement element rotationally displaces said

gemstone from substantially 0 degrees to 360 degrees.

5. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

rotational displacement element rotationally displaces said

gemstone substantially about 180 degrees.

6. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

is a diamond.

7. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said camera

device is a video camera.

8. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said at least

one imaging device is selected from the group consisting of

concave, convex, non-zoom and zoom lenses and a combination

thereof.

9. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone

securing means further comprises an elongated aperture.

10. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said device for

producing a high level of illumination is synchronized with the

shutter of said camera.

11. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said device for

producing a high level of illumination is a strobe.

12. The gemstone imaging system of claim 11, wherein said strobe

flickers every about 25 milliseconds.

13. The gemstone imaging system of claim 11, wherein said time of

illumination of said strobe is from substantially 1 microsecond to

700 microseconds.

14. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said computer

processing unit comprises

(a) a driver connected to said camera;

(b) a frame grabber connected at one end to said driver and at

a second distal end to said computer;

(c) PC computational device; and

15. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said computer

processing unit comprises a means of transferring video data.

16. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said means of

transferring video data is set by a CCIR.

17. The gemstone imaging system of claim 1, wherein said computer

processing unit further comprises software configured to convert

resulting images of said gemstone into a three dimensional image.

18. A method of imaging a gemstone comprising the steps of

(a) providing a gemstone imaging system comprising

(i) a camera device including at least one imaging

device, said camera device configured to producing

continuous images ofthe gemstone;

(ii) a gemstone securing means for securing said

gemstone;

(iii) a gemstone rotational displacement element,

attached to said gemstone securing means, for

rotational displacement of said gemstone in relation

to said at least one imaging device;

(iv) a device for producing a high level of illumination;

and

(v) computer processing unit for viewing said

gemstone;

(b) providing a gemstone to be secured in said gemstone

imaging system by said gemstone securing means; and

(c) imaging said gemstone onto said computer with said

provided system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone rotational

displacement element is manually operated.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone rotational

displacement element is automatically operated.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone rotational

displacement element rotationally displaces said gemstone from

substantially 0 degrees to 360 degrees.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone rotational

displacement element rotates said gemstone about 180 degrees.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone is a diamond.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said camera device is a video

camera.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone securing means

further comprises an elongated aperture.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said device for producing an

intense flashing light is synchronized with the shutter of said

camera.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said device for producing a high

level of illumination is a strobe.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said strobe flickers every about

25 milliseconds.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said time of illumination of said

strobe is from about 1 microsecond to about 700 microseconds.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein said computer processing unit

comprises:

(a) a driver connected to said camera;

(b) a frame grabber connected at one end to said driver and at

a second distal end to said computer;

(c) PC computational device; and

31. The method of claim 18, wherein said computer processing unit

comprises a means of transferring video data.

32. The method of claim 18-, wherein said means of transferring

video data is set by CCIR.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein said computer processing unit

further comprises software configured to convert resulting images

of said gemstone into a three dimensional image.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of imaging said

gemstone is continuous imaging.

35. A gemstone imaging system comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotational displacement

of said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device; and

(d) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

36. The gemstone imaging system of claim 35 further comprising a

device for producing high level of illumination.

37. The gemstone imaging system of claim 36, wherein said device

for producing high level of illumination is a strobe.

38. The gemstone imaging system of claim 36, wherein said gemstone

rotational displacement element is manually operated.

39. A gemstone imaging system for imaging a gemstone comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing

said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device;

(d) a device for producing high level of illumination;

(e) a gemstone; and

(f) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

40. A diamond imaging system comprising: (a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing

said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device;

(d) a device for producing high level of illumination; and

(e) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

41. A gemstone imaging system for use in gemstone processing

system comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing

said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device;

(d) a device for producing high level of illumination;

(e) computer processing unit for viewing said gemstone; and (f) a gemstone processing system, comprising computer

software conformed to perform gemstone processing.

42. A gemstone imaging system for contour and internal imaging

comprising:

(a) a camera device including at least one imaging device, said

camera device configured to producing continuous images

ofthe gemstone;

(b) a gemstone securing means for securing said gemstone

comprising an elongated aperture;

(c) a gemstone rotational displacement element, attached to

said gemstone securing means, for rotationally displacing

said gemstone in relation to said at least one imaging

device;

(d) a device for producing high level of illumination; and

(e) computer-processing unit for viewing said gemstone.

43. The gemstone imaging system of claim 42, wherein said

elongated aperture provides a means of imaging obscured portions

of said gemstone.

44. The system according to claims 1-17, 35-43 substantially as

herein described and with reference to the figures and examples.

45. The method according to any one of claims 18-34, substantially

as herein described and with reference to the figures and

examples.

46. The system of claim 1, fiirther comprising a micro-controller for

readily controlling any components of said system.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein said system further includes a

micro-controller for readily controlling any components of said

system.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein said gemstone is situated

substantially between said camera device and said device for

producing a high level of illumination.

49. The method of claim 18, wherein said gemstone is situated

substantially between said camera device and said device for

producing a high level of illumination.

0. The system of claim 1, further comprising a positional log for

providing a log of angular displacement of said gemstone during

illuminations.

51. The metiiod of claim 18, wherein said system fiirther includes a

positional log for providing a log of angular displacement of said

gemstone during illuminations.