Microscope Eyepiece Camera Alignment Using Visual Field Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the optical axis of a camera with respect to the eyepiece lens of a microscope requires fine and precise operations, especially in high-magnification setups, which can be challenging due to the need for accurate alignment and the potential for image reversal.
Innovation Solution
A guidance method using a camera held by a holder that captures the microscope's field of view through the eyepiece lens, acquiring images, specifying a visual field area, calculating the center of gravity coordinate, and creating guidance information based on a reference coordinate to align the camera to the appropriate position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fine operation is performed for position adjustment of the camera with respect to the eyepiece lens, then the alignment precision is improved, but the operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by capturing images through the eyepiece lens, detecting the position of the camera relative to the optical axis, and providing guidance information to the user. The system continuously monitors the alignment status and provides real-time feedback through displayed images and positional information, enabling users to achieve precise alignment without complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera, image processing unit, and display device that mediates between the user and the alignment task. Instead of directly manipulating the eyepiece lens, users interact with the displayed feedback information, which guides them to the correct position, simplifying the operation while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If fine operation is performed for position adjustment of the camera with respect to the eyepiece lens, then the alignment precision is improved, but the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying captured images and positional information, allowing users to quickly understand their current alignment status and make rapid adjustments. This feedback loop significantly reduces the time required to achieve precise alignment compared to traditional trial-and-error methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images and processing positional information before presenting guidance to the user. This pre-processing of alignment data enables users to make informed adjustments more efficiently, reducing overall adjustment time while maintaining precision.
3Device complexity
If the camera is manually aligned with the eyepiece lens without guidance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional system where a single camera serves multiple purposes: capturing the field of view, detecting positional information, and providing alignment feedback. This universal approach achieves high alignment accuracy without requiring separate complex alignment devices, thus maintaining relative system simplicity while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service alignment by using the camera to automatically detect its own position relative to the optical axis and provide guidance information. This self-diagnostic capability achieves high alignment accuracy without requiring external alignment tools or complex manual procedures, balancing simplicity and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A guidance method guides a camera held by a holder holding the camera that captures a field of view of a microscope through an eyepiece lens of the microscope to an appropriate holding position with respect to an optical axis of the eyepiece lens. The guidance method comprises a computer executes: acquiring, from the camera, an image of the field of view captured by the camera held by the holder; specifying a visual field area in the image corresponding to the field of view; obtaining a center of gravity coordinate of the visual field area; and creating guidance information to the holding position based on a comparison between the center of gravity coordinate and a reference coordinate corresponding to a center of gravity of the visual field area obtained from an image captured by the camera held at the holding position.