Smartphone Microscope Adapter with Dynamic Measurement Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital microscopes require specialized digital lenses and only use the screen of a computing device as a display, failing to capture, measure, and share microscopic images directly from a conventional light microscope using the camera and components of the device.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, to receive live microscopic images from a microscope, project measurement tools with accurate units based on entered optic powers, and share these images live or record them, using the device's camera and graphical user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional light microscope is used with a personal electronic device camera, then the device can capture and measure microscopic images directly, but the device lacks specialized digital lenses and display functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a personal electronic device (smartphone) to function as a digital microscope by utilizing its existing camera and processing capabilities. The device captures microscopic images through the microscope's optical system and displays them on its screen, eliminating the need for specialized digital lenses. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to perform both conventional photography and microscopy without requiring additional specialized hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the digital imaging and display functions from a separate digital microscope system and relocates them to the personal electronic device. By removing the requirement for specialized digital lenses and dedicated display hardware, the system leverages the camera and processing capabilities already present in the smartphone, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining functionality.
2Ease of operation
If digital microscopes transmit images to a computing device screen, then images can be viewed during use, but the screen cannot capture or measure images directly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the personal electronic device to perform multiple functions: viewing microscopic images during use through its camera, capturing images for measurement and analysis, and sharing images with others. The device's camera captures the microscopic view, its processing capabilities enable measurement and image analysis, and its communication capabilities allow sharing, all within a single integrated system without requiring separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the viewing, capturing, measuring, and sharing functionalities into a single integrated system on the personal electronic device. The camera captures the microscopic image, the device's processing capabilities enable measurement and analysis, and the communication capabilities allow sharing, all within one device rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
3Measurement precision
If measurement tools are projected on the screen with units based on optic powers, then accurate measurements can be made, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements measurement tools on the device screen with units of measurement that automatically adjust based on the optical powers of the microscope being used. The system receives optic power parameters (objective power, ocular power, calibration factor) and uses these to calculate and display appropriate measurement units (micrometers, millimeters, centimeters). This parameter-based adaptation enables accurate measurements while keeping the interface simple, as the system automatically adjusts measurement scales based on the microscope configuration without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of viewing a live image from a microscope through a camera lens of a first personal electronic device is described. The method includes receiving one or more optic powers of a microscope taking the live image entered into a first graphical user interface displayed on a screen of the first personal electronic device, and projecting a measurement tool on a second graphical user interface displayed on the screen of the first personal electronic device with units of measurement based on the entered optic powers. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media and a computer or computer system are also described. Hardware designed to connect a personal electronic device such as a smartphone to a microscope for viewing of a live microscope image through the camera lens of the personal electronic device is also described.