Monocular Watchmaker Loupe with Integrated Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watchmaker's loupes and binocular magnifiers lack the ability to share the user's vision axis effectively, restricting operational freedom and making it difficult to demonstrate or record precise details, especially when working on small components.
Innovation Solution
A portable optical device with a monocular loupe design, incorporating a high-definition micro camera and semi-transparent mirror to capture and transmit the user's field of vision without hindering the user's direct view, allowing for real-time image sharing and recording while maintaining the user's operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a binocular magnifier with camera is used to share the watchmaker's view, then the ability to share vision axis with third persons is improved, but the device size increases and working space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated within the optical device body, with the capture device nested inside the cylindrical body. The sensor is positioned to capture images through the optical system without requiring external mounting, thus minimizing device volume while maintaining vision sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor captures images in a dimension perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing the camera to record the magnified view without blocking the user's direct line of sight. This dimensional separation enables both direct viewing and image capture to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other.
2Loss of information
If a binocular magnifier is used to share the watchmaker's view, then the ability to broadcast magnified view is improved, but the operational freedom is reduced and the device becomes static
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is designed to be mobile and adjustable, allowing the user to move the device freely around the object being examined. The device includes adjustment means to modify the position of the optical system relative to the sensor, enabling dynamic positioning during operations without requiring the object to be stationary or reoriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple functions in a single portable unit: direct magnified viewing through the optical system, image capture by the sensor, and wireless transmission of captured images. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate broadcasting equipment while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Loss of information
If a camera is arranged beside the vision axis to capture magnified view, then the vision sharing is enabled, but parallax error increases and viewing accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A semi-transparent mirror is positioned at a 45-degree angle to redirect light from the optical system to the sensor. This intermediary optical element allows the sensor to capture the magnified image without being positioned in the direct path of the user's vision, thereby eliminating parallax error while enabling image capture.
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
Enables the watchmaker to share their vision axis with minimal parallax, allowing for precise documentation and demonstration while maintaining the freedom to work on small components as with a conventional loupe, enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-transparent mirror arranged such as to reflect a first portion of light rays coming from the observed object towards the sensor
Implementation Method 2
an optical system including at least one lens
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device including a first optical axis; an optical device body, notably a substantially cylindrical body; and a capture device for capturing at least a portion of the images seen by the user through the optical device; the optical device being a monocular watchmaker's loupe that can be positioned or worn in front of or close to a user's eye.