Robotic Zoom Imaging With Sensorless Focus Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices face challenges in maintaining image sharpness during zoom adjustments, particularly with endoscopes and exoscopes, due to the small field depth and the need for manual focus adjustment, which is inconvenient during surgical procedures, and existing autofocus systems require numerous sensors leading to increased hardware complexity and susceptibility to errors.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a robotic holding arm that adjusts mechanical scaling and focus based solely on user input commands, without relying on sensor feedback, using a control apparatus to actuate the holding arm and focusing apparatus to maintain image sharpness through optical, electronic, and mechanical zoom functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous autofocus is used to maintain image sharpness during zoom adjustments, then focus tracking is improved, but unwanted pulsating image focus or focusing on unwanted subregions occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus tracking accuracyVSAvoidimage focus stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus calculates the required focus adjustment position in advance based on the zoom factor and stored focus-position data, then actuates the focusing apparatus to the pre-calculated position. This preliminary calculation approach allows the system to anticipate focus changes rather than reacting continuously, preventing pulsating focus effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses stored focus-position data as feedback information to determine the correct focus adjustment. By referencing pre-stored data that maps zoom factors to focus positions, the control apparatus can accurately track and maintain focus without continuous adjustment, eliminating unwanted focus pulsation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual focus adjustment is used to maintain image sharpness, then focus control precision is improved, but additional manual operation is required which is inconvenient during surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus control precisionVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The focusing apparatus automatically adjusts the focus position based on zoom factor changes without requiring manual intervention. The control apparatus monitors the zoom state and autonomously calculates and executes the necessary focus adjustments, allowing the system to serve itself during surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical focus adjustment operation is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The control apparatus uses electronic signals to actuate the focusing apparatus, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated control while maintaining precise focus adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If sensor-based autofocus control is used to track focus changes, then focus tracking accuracy is improved, but hardware complexity and susceptibility to errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus tracking accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using physical sensors to detect focus changes, the system uses a digital copy of the relationship between zoom factor and focus position that is stored in memory. This virtual model (focus-position data) replaces the need for complex sensor systems while maintaining accurate focus tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The physical sensor-based detection system is replaced with an electronic data-based system. The control apparatus uses stored digital data mapping zoom factors to focus positions, substituting mechanical/optical sensor detection with electronic information retrieval and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250392821A1Imaging device having extended zoom functionality and focus tracking

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

An imaging device for the scalable visual depiction of a region to be observed includes an optical image capture apparatus, optical and/or electronic scaling means for scaling the captured image, and an adjustable focusing apparatus. A robotic holding arm moves the image capture apparatus relative to the region to be observed and provides a mechanical scaling function through adaptation of an axial distance (d) between the image capture apparatus and the region to be observed. An input unit captures a user-side input command for scaling the captured image on a display unit. A control apparatus sets the image scaling, the mechanical scaling function and sets the focusing apparatus. The control apparatus executes the setting of the mechanical scaling function and the focusing apparatus by actuating the holding arm and the focusing apparatus, based only on the input command detected by the input unit for scaling the captured image.