Remote Optical Imaging Channel Alignment With Single-Button Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote optical devices require separate devices for observation and image acquisition, leading to complexity and inefficiency in operation and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A remote optical device combining a viewing channel and an image acquisition channel with a single electronic control button for intuitive function execution, allowing seamless image capture and video recording, and optional wireless connectivity to an electronic terminal for real-time image transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for observation and image acquisition, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and operation becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the observation function (viewing channel with eyepiece) and image acquisition function (camera module) into a single remote optical device. The housing contains both optical paths, allowing the user to observe distant objects through the eyepiece while the camera module simultaneously captures images of the same field of view. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices while maintaining optimized performance for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote optical device is designed to perform multiple functions: optical observation through the viewing channel, image capture via the camera module, and wireless transmission to electronic terminals. The single device serves as both an observation instrument and an imaging device, providing universal functionality that replaces multiple specialized devices.
2Ease of operation
If multiple control buttons are provided for different functions, then each function can have a dedicated control, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single control button is implemented that can trigger multiple functions depending on the actuation pattern. The button can initiate image capture, start/stop video recording, or trigger wireless transmission based on the specific pressing action or timing. This multi-functional button reduces the number of physical controls while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control button's function is dynamically determined by the actuation characteristics - such as the duration of the press, the timing between presses, or the sequence of presses. The processor unit interprets different button actuation patterns to execute different functions, making the control system adaptive rather than static.
3Reliability
If images are continuously stored in the device's storage unit, then image data is readily available, but the storage space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the primary storage function from the remote optical device and relocates it to external electronic terminals (smartphones, tablets, or cloud storage). The device's internal storage unit is reduced to only temporary buffering capacity needed for wireless transmission. Images are captured by the camera module, temporarily buffered in the minimal internal storage, then transmitted wirelessly to external devices for permanent storage and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transmission interface acts as an intermediary between the remote optical device and external storage systems. Instead of relying on large internal storage, the device uses wireless communication (WiFi, Bluetooth) to transfer images to electronic terminals that serve as the primary storage medium, with the internal storage serving only as a temporary buffer.
4Device complexity
If a single control button is used for multiple functions, then the device becomes more compact and energy-efficient, but the ease of operation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through a display element that shows the current operational state and the function that will be executed when the control button is pressed. This feedback mechanism helps users understand what action will result from pressing the button, reducing confusion despite the multi-functional nature of the single control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a remote optical device (1) comprising at least one viewing channel (2) and one image acquisition channel (3) with a camera module (32), wherein the viewing channel (2) and the image acquisition channel (3) are coupled to each other by means of an adjustment mechanism (30) such that a first image section viewed in the viewing channel (2) largely corresponds to a second image section captured by the camera module (32), at least one interface module (24) for establishing a connection (22) with an electronic terminal device (11), a processor unit (31), at least one storage unit (33), wherein the storage unit (33) is configured for storing parameters and/or functions, and wherein an electronic operating button (13) is provided for retrieving a preselected parameter and for executing a function.The invention further relates to an observation and image acquisition system (20) and a method for retrieving parameters and/or executing functions with an observation and image acquisition system (20).