Electronic Loupe With Digital Magnification and Remote Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical loupes face limitations in achieving high magnification due to their large size and weight, making them inconvenient for specialized fields like medical and dental applications, and lack features such as recording and remote viewing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electronic loupe incorporating a video camera, LED light source, and adjustable lens system with digital magnification, allowing for high-resolution imaging and recording, and enabling wireless or wired control through voice, remote, or footswitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical lens system is used to achieve high magnification, then magnification power is improved, but device weight and size increase making it inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional optical lens system with a digital camera system comprising a camera module, processor, and display device. The camera captures images of the target object, and the processor digitally magnifies and displays the images on a screen positioned near the user's eye. This substitution of mechanical/optical magnification with electronic/digital magnification achieves high magnification power without the weight and size penalties of large optical lenses.
2Measurement precision
If optical lens system is used to achieve high magnification, then magnification power is improved, but device size increases making it inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional optical lens system with a digital camera system comprising a camera module, processor, and display device. The camera captures images of the target object, and the processor digitally magnifies and displays the images on a screen positioned near the user's eye. This substitution of mechanical/optical magnification with electronic/digital magnification achieves high magnification power without the weight and size penalties of large optical lenses.
3Ease of operation
If optical loupes are customized to fit human eye pupil distance and vision, then usability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal design where the camera module captures images that are then processed and displayed on a screen. The display device can present magnified images with adjustable parameters such as magnification level, brightness, and contrast through software control. This universal electronic platform can accommodate different user needs and prescriptions through software adjustments rather than requiring custom optical designs for each user, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Device complexity
If traditional optical loupes are used, then simple structure is maintained, but recording and remote viewing functions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the camera module captures images, the processor handles image processing and magnification, the display device presents the magnified images, and the system includes recording capability to store captured images. The system can also transmit images to remote devices for viewing. This multi-functional integration achieves functional versatility while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through the use of standard electronic components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electronic loupe provides lightweight, versatile magnification with high resolution, enabling variable working distance, recording, and remote viewing, reducing strain on the user's neck and back.
Implementation Method 1
use a video camera and a lens system as an observation outlet to view targeted objects
Implementation Method 2
use a video camera and a lens system as an observation outlet to view targeted objects
Implementation Method 3
An electronic loupe incorporating a video camera, LED light source, and adjustable lens system
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic loupe (400) features a view piece (401) mounted to a headpiece (405) by a linkage (406). A camera (402) and LED light (403) are mounted (404) in front of the view piece (401) to provide an image in the view piece (401) on displays (not shown) for the user. A control box (410) may be wired to the electronic loupe, or wirelessly connected, or the controls for the electronic loupe may reside on the view piece (401) and the headpiece (405). Other controls, such as a remote control or a foot pedal, are also disclosed.