Head-Mounted Electronic Loupe for High Magnification and Remote Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical loupes face limitations in achieving higher magnification due to their large size and weight, which makes 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 zoom, allowing for high magnification, lightweight design, and features like recording, remote viewing, and adjustable working distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical lens system is used to achieve higher magnification, then magnification power is improved, but device weight and size increase making it inconvenient for use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional optical lens system with a digital imaging system consisting of a camera sensor, processor, and display. This substitution eliminates the need for large, heavy optical lenses while achieving equivalent or superior magnification through digital processing, directly resolving the contradiction between magnification power and device weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the observed object through camera imaging and processes this copy through digital zoom and image processing algorithms. This allows high magnification to be achieved by manipulating the digital replica rather than requiring physical optical magnification, thereby maintaining low device weight while achieving high magnification power
2Measurement precision
If optical lens system is used to achieve higher magnification, then magnification power is improved, but device size increases making it inconvenient for use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical lens system with a compact digital imaging system. The camera module, processor, and display can be arranged in a compact configuration that fits within small form factors, eliminating the need for large optical path lengths required by traditional lenses to achieve high magnification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from optical magnification in physical space to digital magnification in data space. By capturing the image and processing it digitally, the system achieves magnification without being constrained by the physical dimensions of optical components, allowing for compact device design
3Ease of operation
If optical lens system is customized to fit human eye pupil distance and eye vision, then comfort and ease of use are improved, but device complexity and customization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable components including focus adjustment mechanisms, diopter adjustment for each eye, and interpupillary distance adjustment. These dynamic adjustment capabilities allow the device to adapt to different users' visual requirements without requiring custom manufacturing for each individual, resolving the contradiction between comfort and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal device that can accommodate various users through standardized adjustment mechanisms. The same base unit can be adjusted to fit different eye prescriptions, pupil distances, and comfort preferences, eliminating the need for customized devices for each user while maintaining ease of use
4Device complexity
If traditional optical loupe design is used, then simple structure is maintained, but additional functionalities like recording and remote viewing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions including imaging, digital zoom, recording, wireless communication, and remote viewing into a single device. The camera captures images, the processor handles digital processing and recording, and wireless modules enable remote access, all within a compact form factor that maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving high versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of optical magnification, image capture, digital processing, recording, and wireless communication into an integrated system. By merging these previously separate functions into a single unified device, the patent achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing structural complexity
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 high magnification, ease of use, and additional functionalities like recording and remote viewing, addressing the limitations of traditional optical loupes.
Implementation Method 1
LED light source
Implementation Method 2
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.