Microscope Overlay Viewing for In-Ocular Assembly Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual assembly of precision devices under a stereomicroscope is inefficient due to the need to frequently switch between viewing the ocular lens and a display for procedure manuals, disrupting the workflow.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system that superimposes auxiliary images on the optical image plane based on a slide set, allowing information to be displayed in a predetermined order without requiring users to look away from the ocular lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stereomicroscope is used for assembly work, then stereoscopic viewing capability is improved, but workflow efficiency deteriorates due to frequent eye movement between ocular lens and display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the procedure manual display with the microscope's optical path by projecting the manual image onto the intermediate image plane. This merging allows the operator to view both the magnified sample and the procedure manual simultaneously through the same ocular lens, eliminating the need to move eyes between separate devices and thus resolving the contradiction between stereoscopic viewing capability and workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the optical path by introducing a projection system that overlays information in the intermediate image space. This dimensional addition allows procedure manual content to be superimposed on the magnified view without interfering with the stereoscopic capability, enabling simultaneous access to both visual information types through the same viewing path.
2Loss of information
If procedure manual is displayed on separate display, then information accessibility is improved, but continuous viewing is worsened due to line of sight switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the procedure manual display with the microscope's optical path by projecting the manual image onto the intermediate image plane. This merging allows the operator to view both the magnified sample and the procedure manual simultaneously through the same ocular lens, eliminating the need to move eyes between separate devices and thus resolving the contradiction between stereoscopic viewing capability and workflow efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slides are prepared in order, then information organization is improved, but manual switching operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic slide switching functionality where the system autonomously cycles through the prepared slides in order without requiring manual intervention. The control unit automatically advances to the next slide in the sequence, allowing the procedure manual content to update automatically while the operator continues viewing through the ocular lens, thus resolving the contradiction between information organization and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes: a microscope optical system that includes an ocular lens and forms an optical image of a sample on an object side of the ocular lens; a processor that generates auxiliary image data based on information regarding a target slide selected from among a plurality of ordered slides included in a slide set; and a superimposing device that superimposes, based on the auxiliary image data, an auxiliary image including the target slide on an image plane on which the optical image is formed. The processor selects, in response to an instruction to switch the target slide, a slide determined according to a first order in which the plurality of slides are ordered as a new target slide.