GB2496745A

GB2496745A - Magnifying lens with camera and support

Info

Publication number: GB2496745A
Application number: GB201220437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Alan Johnston
Original assignee: ASH TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Current assignee: ASH TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-15
Filing date: 2012-11-14
Publication date: 2013-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-14
Also published as: GB201220437D0; IE86354B1; GB2496745B; IE20120495A1

Abstract

A viewing device 1 comprises a magnifying lens 15 mounted on a support 3 for movement between different viewing positions and non-viewing positions. A camera 10 is mounted on the support so that its field of view can include the lens and is arranged to capture images viewed through the lens. The lens may be convex and in a framed assembly 2 of circular shape mounted on an articulated support 3 by a joint 4. A round frame 16 may incorporates a LED light source 17 and a joint 11 can connect the camera to the lens assembly in a manner to allow multiple degrees of freedom of movement. The camera may be turned to face down on-axis with the lens or rotated so that it is not obtrusive for normal user viewing through the lens.

Description

"A Viewing Device"

Introduction

The invention relates to a device for aiding viewing with magnification.

KR20110037350 (LG Innotek Co. Ltd) describes a microscope camera of overall tubular shape and having magnifying lens, an illumination unit, and a camera module. US2006152479 (Carison M. et al) describes a mobile phone incorporating a camera with a magnification facility.

JP2001075025 (San Aato Matsudo KK) describes a desktop magnifying lens device with a planar transparent top plate which covers the matter being read. JP2003348416 (Mikami Co. Ltd.) describes a magnification display apparatus with a digital camera. This has a slide plate which is slidable on a book, and a support extends upwardly from the slide plate and supports an optical system and a camera. JP2008096505 ( Sugiura Kenkyusho KK) describes a close-up photography unit supported on a mount.

The invention is directed towards achieving more flexibility for viewing small objects or print and capturing images of such subjects.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a viewing device comprising: a movable support, a magnifying lens mounted on the support for movement between different viewing positions and non-viewing positions, and a camera mounted on the support so that its field of view can include the lens and being arranged to capture images viewed through the lens.

In one embodiment, the support comprises arms on articulated joints.

In one embodiment, the lens has a frame and the camera is mounted on said frame.

In one embodiment, the camera is mounted for movement between an operative position having a field of view through the lens and an inoperative position allowing manual viewing through the lens.

I

In one embodiment, the camera is mounted on a joint allowing rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the lens plane and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lens plane.

lii one embodiment, the operative position allows on-axis viewing through the lens.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a display screen coupled to the camera.

In one embodiment, the display screen is attached to the support.

In one embodiment, the lens is a convex lens with a power in the range of 2 to 4 diopters.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an illuminator.

ffi one embodiment, the device comprises a frame for the lens and the ifluminator is incorporated in the lens frame.

In one embodiment, the camera is adapted to auto-focus for optimum image capture in a field of view through the lens.

Detailed Description of the hvention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figs. I and 2 are perspective views of a viewing device of the invention, with a camera in an operative position and a standby position respectively; Figs. 3 to 5 are plan views of the device with the camera in the operative position, the camera in the standby position, and with the camera removed; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view' of a viewing device of another embodiment, having a display screen.

Referring to Figs 1 to 5 a viewing device 1 comprises a framed lens assembly 2 of circular shape mounted on an articulated support 3 by a joint 4. In addition, the device 1 comprises a camera 10 mounted on the lens assemNy 2 by a joint ii. The lens assembly 2 comprises a lens 15, which is a convex lens (for magnification) with a power of 3 diopters, and more generally preferaNy in the range of 2 to 4 diopters. The lens assembly 2 also comprises a round frame 16. which incorporates a light source 17 generally comprising of a circle of light emitting diodes.

The camera 10 in this embodiment is arranged to focus automatically on the object through the lens 15. The camera's ability to auto-focus is typically in the range of 1 metre to infinity but when looking through the convex lens 15 the distance focus ability becomes the focal length of the convex lens 15. Near-focus distance depends on the type of lens system used in the camera but is typically one quarter of the focal length of the convex lens 2. This range of auto-focus will cover the healthy human eye's ability to accommodate focus through the same convex lens.

The joint II which connects the camera 10 to the lens assembly 2 is of a type which allows multiple degrees of freedom of movement. As shown in Fig. I the camera 10 is turned to face down on-axis with the lens 2. In Fig. 2 it is shown after being turned upward through 90° and then rotated through 90° about an axis perpendicular to the lens 2, so that it is not obtrusive for normal user viewing through the lens 2. These positions are shown also in Figs. 3 and 4 in plan, and Fig. 5 shows that the camera cam be removed by decoupling at the joint 11, if desired.

Fig. 6 shows a viewing device 50 of another embodiment in which an LCD display 51 is mounted at the foot of the support 3, so that there can be convenient local viewing of a video stream from the camera.

The devices I and 50 may be refelTed to as stand magnifiers, which may be connected at the base of the support 3 to a desk or bench. They may be used for viewing minute parts such as engine parts or models. They could alternatively be used for reading documents where the print is very small, or for reading of normal print by the visually impaired.

The device may used for visual inspection of an object placed under the lens. Because of the power of the magnifier, the lens will generally be located a little closer than its focal length (1 m/diopter power of the lens) from the object to be magnified.

The video camera 10 with a live feed is placed directly over the lens and concentric with it.

Hence, the image from the video camera can be used to capwre and record what the operator/inspector is viewing without moving the magnifying lens, as many stand magnifiers are fixed or the articulated joints can be locked. The image taken will be from the same point of view as the operator's eyes and with the same lighting conditions, and so guarantees the accuracy of the intended recorded image.

A further feature of this arrangement is that, with the use of an external monitor displaying the image from the camera, the inspector can share the image with others viewing the monitor (or remotely over a network such as the internet) and discuss what is being viewed. This has advantages for use in training for example.

The iiivention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example there may be a light source mounted on the camera and configured for particular advantage for image capture. Also, the lens may be mounted other than on an articulated support, such as on a fixed set of legs. The hght source may not be present, and where it is it may be provided by compact fluorescent or halogen lamps rather than LEDs.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A viewing device comprising: a movable support, a magnifying lens mounted on the support for movement between different viewing positions and non-viewing positions, and a camera mounted on the support so that its field of view can include the lens and being arranged to capture images viewed through the lens.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A viewing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support comprises arms on articulated joints.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lens has a frame and the camera is mounted on said frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the camera is mounted for movement between an operative position having a field of view through the lens and an inoperative position allowing manual viewing through the lens.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A viewing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera is mounted on a joint allowing rotation about an axis substantia'ly parallel to the lens plane and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lens plane.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A viewing device as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein the operative position allows on-axis viewing through the lens.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a display screen coupled to the camera.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A viewing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display screen is attached to the support.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lens is a convex lens with a power in the range of 2 to 4 diopters.</claim-text> <claim-text>O. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises an illuminator.</claim-text> <claim-text>II. A viewing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the device comprises a frame for the lens and the illuminator is incorporated in the lens frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the camera is adapted to auto-focus for optimum image capture in a field of view through the lens.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A viewing device substantially as described with reference to Figs. Ito 5.</claim-text>