Hybrid Optical-Digital Magnification for Depth-of-Field Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical observation apparatuses, particularly surgical microscopes, face challenges in intuitively adjusting total magnification without significant adverse effects on depth of field and resolution, especially in hybrid or purely digital systems, as they require prior knowledge of depth of field and magnification values.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device for optical observation apparatuses that utilize a combination of optical and digital zoom systems to adjust total magnification, where digital magnification primarily determines the change in the first portion of the range, maintaining depth of field and resolution, and optical magnification takes over in the second portion, allowing for a continuous and intuitive adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical magnification is increased to achieve higher total magnification, then resolution is improved, but depth of field decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnification function into two independent parts: optical magnification (handled by the optical zoom system) and digital magnification (handled by the digital zoom system). This segmentation allows each system to operate in its optimal range - the optical system provides base magnification with adequate depth of field, while the digital system provides additional magnification without further reducing depth of field, thus resolving the contradiction between resolution and depth of field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges optical zoom and digital zoom systems into a hybrid magnification system. The optical zoom system (with lenses) provides primary magnification, and the digital zoom system (with image processing) provides supplementary magnification. By combining these two systems, the patent achieves high total magnification while maintaining depth of field, as the digital portion does not optically reduce depth of field like pure optical zoom would.
2Reliability
If digital magnification is increased to achieve higher total magnification, then depth of field is maintained, but resolution is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that automatically adjusts the balance between optical and digital magnification based on the desired total magnification level. The control device dynamically determines the optimal split between optical zoom factor and digital zoom factor, ensuring that optical magnification is used as much as possible (to maintain resolution) while digital magnification supplements when needed (to maintain depth of field), thereby dynamically resolving the resolution-degradation issue of digital zoom.
3Measurement precision
If prior knowledge of depth of field and magnification values is required for adjustment, then precise control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically calculates and adjusts the optimal combination of optical and digital magnification factors based on the user's desired total magnification input. The system serves itself by autonomously determining the split between optical zoom and digital zoom, eliminating the need for the user to manually calculate or understand the complex relationships between optical parameters, digital processing, depth of field, and resolution. This self-service approach makes the system intuitive while maintaining precise control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a control device for carrying out the method, and an optical observation apparatus having the control device are provided. The optical observation apparatus comprises an imaging optical unit for generating at least one optical image of the observation object, at least one optical magnification changer for providing an optical magnification of the at least one optical image, at least one digital image sensor for recording at least one digital image of the at least one optical image, at least one digital zoom system for providing a digital magnification of the at least one digital image, and an adjustable magnification range for the total magnification.