Stereo Viewer with Offset Exit Pupil for Depth Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnifying apparatus do not provide sufficient depth perception, as they fail to effectively utilize focus, parallax, and superimposition effects to enhance observer interpretation of depth.
Innovation Solution
The viewer employs a high displacement ratio of the beam path angle to the maximum viewing angle, combined with a partially-transmissive reflector and offset light sources, to create pronounced depth perception by providing different stereo parallax views to each eye, while maintaining focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing magnifying apparatus are used, then magnification is achieved, but depth perception is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional components: objective lens for image formation, beam splitter for light path separation, and multiple mirror arrangements for independent optical path control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall depth perception enhancement through controlled parallax effects
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter acts as an intermediary element that divides the light path from the objective lens into separate paths for left and right eyes. This intermediary enables the creation of stereoscopic views with different parallax angles without requiring separate objective lenses, thus improving depth perception while managing system complexity
2Measurement precision
If beam path angle is increased to enhance depth perception, then depth perception improves, but viewing angle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs specific parameter relationships where the beam path angle (α) is maintained at least 4 times greater than the maximum viewing angle (β). This parameter change strategy creates sufficient parallax for depth perception while constraining the viewing angle to maintain image quality and focus across the field of view
3Measurement precision
If head displacement is increased to perceive depth through parallax, then depth perception improves, but image focus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical action of head displacement is replaced by an optical system that mechanically generates parallax through mirror arrangements positioned at different angles. The mirror arrangement for the left eye and right eye create stereoscopic views without requiring physical head movement, thus maintaining image focus while providing depth perception through controlled optical parallax
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for enhanced depth perception with minimal head displacement, maintaining image focus and accentuating edge features, thereby providing a marked perception of depth.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror arrangement which receives a light component from the semi-transparent mirror and is located such that a focussed first image of the object is produced at the first mirror arrangement and light received by the first mirror arrangement is reflected back to the semi-transparent mirror and relayed, in this embodiment as reflected by the semi-transparent mirror, to produce an image of the aperture stop 5 of the objective lens 3
Implementation Method 2
the mirror arrangements are oriented such that pupil centres of the exit pupils as relayed by the respective mirror arrangements are offset, corresponding to an interpupillary spacing of the observer, and the viewing lens arrangement relays both of the exit pupils, thereby providing that the exit pupils from the respective mirror arrangements are relayed to respective ones of the eyes of the observer and providing different stereo parallax views of the object to each eye of the observer
Implementation Method 3
an objective lens for producing an image of an object located at an object plane, in this embodiment as defined by an aperture stop
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A viewer for viewing an object under magnification, the viewer comprising : an objective lens for producing an image of an object located at an object plane and having a radial extent defined by an aperture stop; a partially- transmissive reflector for allowing transmission of light therethrough from the objective lens to a mirror arrangement and providing for reflection of light which is returned thereto from the mirror arrangement; a mirror arrangement which receives a light component from the partially- transmissive reflector, and is located such that a focussed image of the object is produced at the mirror arrangement and light received by the mirror arrangement is reflected back to the partially-transmissive reflector and relayed to produce an image of the object; a viewing lens arrangement for producing an optical image of the object which is viewable by an observer at an exit pupil at a viewing plane; wherein the objective lens has a beam path angle (a) as defined by a distance from the object plane to the objective lens and a radial extent of the aperture stop; wherein the viewer has a viewing angle (β) as defined by a distance along an optical axis from the mirror arrangement to the viewing plane and a radial extent of the exit pupil at the viewing plane; wherein the viewer is configured such that a displacement ratio of the beam path angle (a) to the viewing angle (β) is at least 3 : 1, whereby the observer is provided with a greater change in depth perception of the object being observed relative to an extent of displacement of a head of the observer.