Digital Image Navigation via Physical Unit Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mouse navigation systems are limited by pixel resolution and lack correlation with physical units of measurement, leading to distorted navigation when digital images are magnified, as they rely on (x,y) pixel coordinates without any specific unit of measurement, restricting the navigable area and requiring extensive panning to view entire images.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that simulate physical movement of digital images by correlating physical units of measurement on a specimen with image positioning coordinates, using an input receiving module, calculation module, and output module to replicate the movement of a physical slide under a microscope, allowing continuous viewing without re-centering and extending navigable area beyond monitor limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional mouse navigation using (x,y) pixel coordinates is used, then navigation on computer display is simple and direct, but the navigable area is limited by monitor resolution and requires extensive panning to view entire high-resolution images
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the coordinate system from pixel-based (x,y) coordinates to physical unit-based coordinates (mm, µm, nm). This parameter transformation allows the navigation system to reference positions based on physical measurements rather than display resolution, enabling navigation across the entire high-resolution image regardless of monitor size. The calculation module converts between physical coordinates and pixel coordinates dynamically, allowing seamless viewing of the complete image area without extensive panning.
2Measurement precision
If traditional mouse navigation with pixel coordinates is used, then implementation is simple, but navigation becomes distorted when digital images are magnified due to lack of correlation with physical units
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a calculation module as an intermediary between the input receiving module and output module. This intermediary component performs coordinate transformation by converting physical unit coordinates to pixel coordinates using stored correlation data. This mediator ensures that navigation remains accurate at any magnification level while keeping the user interface simple, as users interact with intuitive physical units rather than raw pixel values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary correlation between physical units and pixel coordinates during image loading or setup. The calculation module pre-calculates and stores the relationship between physical measurements and pixel positions for the specific digital image. This preliminary action enables accurate navigation at any magnification without requiring complex real-time calculations during user interaction.
3Measurement precision
If pixel coordinate system is used without physical unit correlation, then system design is straightforward, but linear correlation between physical movement and image positioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the coordinate parameter from dimensionless pixel values to physically meaningful units (mm, µm, nm). By storing and using physical unit correlations, the system maintains linear correlation between physical movement distance and image positioning distance regardless of magnification. The calculation module applies linear transformation based on the stored physical-to-pixel correlation, preserving the proportional relationship between movement and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for simulating physical movement of a digital image. The apparatus includes an input receiving module, a calculation module, and a output module. The input receiving module is configured to receive a position input identifying a physical unit of measure. The calculation module is configured to correlate the physical unit of measurement to a position of a image positioning coordinate. The output module is configured to output the position of the image positioning coordinate.