NL1039675C2

NL1039675C2 - A viewing system with imaging unit and display unit supported by movable arm.

Info

Publication number: NL1039675C2
Application number: NL1039675A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Artin Essaijan
Original assignee: Artin Essaijan
Priority date: 2012-06-14
Filing date: 2012-06-14
Publication date: 2013-12-17

Description

A VIEWING SYSTEM WITH IMAGING UNIT AND DISPLAY UNIT SUPPORTED BY MOVABLE ARM

TECHNICAL FIELD 5

The present invention relates to a microscopic device comprising an imaging unit and a display unit, with which enlarged images of an object can be viewed, by displaying images of the object which have been picked up by the imaging unit, and in particularly, to a 10 configuration of a support system, the imaging unit and the display unit.

BACKGROUND ART

15 In manipulating very small objects, such as jewelry, diamonds, precision mechanics and electronics, as well as in neurosurgery and otolaryngology, fine and precise operations are required to enhance performance of the manipulations. In order to facilitate, for example the work of a diamond mounter, goldsmith, a watchmaker or a dental 20 technician, a microscope is typically used for providing enlarged images of an object such as a diamond, a piece of jewelry, a watch, or a dental prosthesis. By example, the diamond mounter needs to work on the object with both hands from every direction. Therefore, a used microscope must be the one which is movable to and fixable at various 25 positions and angles, in order to keep the hands of the diamond mounter free to work, without having to hold the microscope. To satisfy such demands, microscopes in general are supported by an arm having a plurality of movable parts.

30 In many ways the same demands are applicable in surgical operations, wherein a microscope is used for magnifying small objects such as arteries.

Hereinafter a surgical operation as an example of an application for a surgical microscopic system as described in the prior art is further 35 explained. All of the surgical microscopes disclosed in the above references have an arrangement in which a body of a microscope for observing a treatment site of a subject is integrally provided. A body of such a microscope comprises an objective lens for taking flux of 1039675 2 light from a treatment site of a subject and an ocular lens for an operator to peep there through enlarged optical images of the treatment site of a subject, and these lenses are integrated or assembled into an integrated housing to constitute an integrated 5 structure. Therefore, in observing the treatment site of a subject in various conditions, the ocular lens naturally has to be moved simultaneously with the objective lens. Accordingly, every time the operator changes a portion of the site to be viewed to another portion, the operator, per se, has to move. Further, when the body of 10 the microscope is largely tilted to obliquely view the treatment site of a subject, the operator is forced to carry out observation in a terrible posture. As a matter of course, a surgery is carried out while observing a treatment site of a subject, and therefore, such a terrible posture may sometimes result in hardly allowing the operator 15 to carry out the surgery with ease, tending to cause the operator to suffer from fatigue.

In recent years, with the rapid advances in electronics, a trend of making electronic images is under way in the field of microscopes, 20 such as surgical microscopes as described above. Also, for the conventional optical microscopes, surgical microscopes of digital image system are now being attempted.

Unlike the surgical microscope described hereinbefore, the above 25 mentioned references, i.e. European patent application EP1582167A2 (claiming priority of JP20040104957) by patent application assignee Olympus (hereinafter referred to as the Olympus patent application, discloses an imaging and displaying system comprises an imaging unit for acquiring images of a treatment site of a subject, a display unit 30 for displaying the images acquired by the imaging unit, and a unit-to-unit connecting device for detachably connecting the imaging unit and the display unit. The imaging unit and the display unit are spatially and movably supported. At least one of the imaging unit and the display unit is detachably attached to an arm with a unit-to-arm 35 detachable device there between.

Japanese patent application JP2002006228A and Japanese patent application JP2001051201A, disclose an arrangement in which a part for 3 taking flux of light (imaging unit) from a treatment site of a subject is provided separately from image display means (display unit). Thus, when the imaging unit is tilted for oblique observation of the treatment site, the display unit remains unmovable, which allows an 5 operator to constantly maintain an easy posture. However, when an operator attempts to give treatment to a treatment site of a subject, the operator has to extend his arms in a direction deviated from his forward direction, i.e. in a direction that has little to do with a direction of his natural movement. Accordingly, the operator may again 10 be forced to carry out a surgery in a posture suffering from his arms' fatigue and unnatural feeling.

Such unfavorable circumstances are advanced as the tilting or movement of an imaging unit becomes larger, causing more hindrance in carrying 15 out a surgery under the microscopic observation. The problem of such hindrance may be removed if a display unit is moved to an optimum position every time an imaging unit is moved. However, it is apparent that such an operation is very troublesome.

20 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in light of the problems described above, and has as its object to provide a viewing system wherein an imaging unit, such as a camera unit, and a display unit may be 25 supported in an optimum condition for use. More particular it is an object to improve ease and ergonomics of manipulation of the viewing system. Furthermore it is an object of the invention to improve the viewing experience, as defined by e.g. intuitive use, ergonomics and natural movements, by a user using the viewing system.

30

In a first aspect of the invention a viewing system 100 is disclosed comprising an imaging unit 201 arranged for acquiring an image of an object 500 and a display unit 101 arranged for displaying an image 501 acquired by the imaging unit 201, one or more arms arranged to 35 spatially movably supporting the assembly, wherein the viewing angle of the imaging unit is determined by the viewing angle of the display unit.

4

In this way a user of the system 100 may look in the direction of the viewed object 500 through the display unit 101 and imaging unit 201 combination (hereinafter referred to as "the viewer"). The user may assume a natural posture and is enabled to intuitively move the viewer 5 300 in many positions for an optimal line of sight. Because of the support of the viewer 300 by one or more movable arms 301a,b,c, the user may keep his hands free to manipulate the viewed object 500. By adjusting the viewing angle of the display unit 101 of the viewer 300, automatically the imaging unit 201 of the viewer 300 is adjusted in 10 the same viewing angle, which leads to a natural, logical and intuitive, and therefore optimum viewing experience of the user with a more natural and therefor improved eye-hand coordination.

In a first embodiment, the imaging unit 201 and the display unit 101 15 are integrated.

By integrating both units, the viewer is easily manipulated and the construction of the arms may be less complex.

In a second embodiment, the imaging unit 201 and the display unit 101 20 are co-located.

By having both units at least at approximately the same location, the natural line of view may be maintained, which increases the viewing experience.

25 In a third embodiment, the imaging unit 201 and the display unit 101 are detachable from to each other.

By providing the option to detach both units, the user may choose either for a natural viewing experience or for more flexibility in the observation of the object. A user may for example have to view the 30 back side of the object, which may not be visible from the user's point of view. By detaching the imaging unit form the display unit, the user may view the backside of the object whilst maintaining a comfortable viewing position towards the display unit. The electronic connection between both units may be maintained by providing an 35 extendable wired connection. In this way detachment of both units is possible whilst maintaining the ability of the display unit 101 to display the image 501 as acquired by the imaging unit 201.

5

In a fourth embodiment the display unit and/or the imaging unit comprise an arrangement for a wireless connection arranged for communication to each other or to another device.

In this way several options may be provided: 5 - The display unit may communicate wirelessly to another device, such as a personal computer, a digital storage device or the Internet. This enables viewing by a second user through a different device, or store images in an external storage system etcetera.

10 - The imaging unit may communicate wirelessly to another device for the same reasons as the display unit, only the step of processing the image by the display unit may be left out.

- The display unit and the imaging may be wirelessly connected in order to facilitate the maintaining of the connection whilst 15 detaching both units from each other. A wireless connection between the units may also be used to identify the units and for example to adjust settings of viewing system accordingly.

By using wireless arrangements, no wires outside the display unit are needed for communication. Therefore manipulation of the display unit 20 is not hindered by wires, which increases easy operation and a better viewing experience.

Examples of arrangements for a wireless connection are: A Wi-Fi module according to international standard IEEE 802.11; - a Bluetooth or ZigBee module; 25 - a near field communication module or a Cellular Network communications module, such as a GSM, 3G or 4G module.

In a fifth embodiment, the viewing system 100 comprises an imaging 30 unit 201 which is arranged for magnifying or minifying the object 500. An example diagram of the imaging unit is shown in figure 3. In this way the viewer 300 may present a larger or smaller image 501 than the real size of the viewed object. For example a magnification of a small object such as a diamond, is desired in order to mount it to a piece 35 of jewelry with great precision.

In a sixth embodiment, the imaging unit 201 of the viewing system 100 comprises one or more lenses arranged for magnifying or minifying the 6 object 500. Although the quality of digital magnification (digital zoom) is getting better, still magnification by using lenses (optical zoom) is often preferred if loss of resolution, inherently to digital zoom, leads to loss of detail of the object. Especially in the case of 5 larger magnifications e.g. of 75x, optical zoom is required to maintain a clear representation of the object on the display, with a maximum graphical resolution. This leads to an optimal viewing experience.

10 In a seventh embodiment, one or more arms 301a,b,c of the viewing system 100 are arranged to be fixated in a position. In this way the user may move the viewer 300 around to the optimal viewing position and then fix the viewer 300 in this position in order to stabilize the viewer 300 and to keep his hands free. This leads to an optimal 15 viewing experience and improved eye-hand coordination.

In an eighth embodiment, display unit 101 is arranged for controlling the imaging unit 201. The display unit 101 may be equipped with a remote control which automatically adjusts the viewing angle of the 20 imaging unit 201, when the viewing angle of the display unit 101 is changed by the user. The imaging unit 201 may also be mechanically connected to the display unit 101 in such a way that movement of the display unit is translated into synchronous movement of the imaging unit 201.

25

In a ninth embodiment, the display unit 101 is arranged for controlling the image 501 on the screen 103. An example diagram of the display unit 101 is shown in figure 2. In this way the image 501 may be e.g. centered on the screen 103, or a digital zoom may be applied. 30 Other parameters may be adjusted, such as color, brightness, sharpness etc. This enables the user to adjust the image 501 to his desire, which in turn improves the viewing experience, without having to physically adjust the position of the viewer 300. This in turn makes an optimal posture of the user possible.

In a tenth embodiment the display unit 101 comprises a touch screen 103. Nowadays touch screen technology enables to apply more flexibility in the user interfaces. It is also possible to have 35 7 software adjust the optical settings based on areas on the displayed image that are touched. If the user for example spreads his fingers while touching a certain area of the image 501, the software may effectuate a digital zoom on that area. The software may also adjust 5 the optical zoom of the imaging unit 201. This enables the user to adjust the image 501 to his desire, which in turn improves the viewing experience, without having to physically adjust the position of the viewer 300. This in turn makes an optimal posture of the user possible.

10

In an eleventh embodiment, the display unit 101 comprises a touch screen 103 combined with physical means 104, 106, 107a, b, c,d,108 for controlling the imaging unit 201 or the image. By adding physical buttons to the touch screen interface, a user may for example control 15 basic functionality of the viewer 300 by manipulating physical controls such as turning knobs, buttons or thumb controls. The physical means, 106, 107a,b,c,d,108 may be located remote from the display unit 101, such as near the object 500 or near the table 400 where the object 500 is situated. The physical means 104, 106, 20 107a,b,c,d,108 may also be controlled with the feet of the user.

These arrangements all contribute to a better viewing experience, because the user's hands do not obstruct a clear view on the object 500 whenever the viewer 300 is controlled. This leads to a better viewing experience, better control by the user and an improved 25 posture.

In a twelfth embodiment one or more arms 301a,b,c,d are arranged for spatially and movably supporting the imaging unit 201 independently from the display unit 101. The movement of the arms 301a,b,c,d 30 supporting the imaging unit 201 should not hinder the movement of the arms supporting the display unit 101. The imaging unit 201 and/or display unit 101 may for example be fixated in a position by electronics that keep the units in position no matter if the arms are moved. Software may control electric motors to adjust the position of 35 the units 101,201, thereby compensating for the movements of the arms 301a,b,c,d. Three dimensional coordinates may be registered and used as input for the fixation of the position of the units 101,201. By 8 moving the arms 301a,b,c,d to an optimal position, the user is able to optimize his posture whilst maintaining an optimal viewing experience.

In a thirteenth embodiment, at least one arm of the one or more arms 5 301a,b,c,d comprises two bars 301b,d forming a parallelogram as shown in figure 5. In this way the arm or unit attached to the end hinge of the parallelogram bars 301b, d, may remain at the same or almost the same angle relatively to the viewed object 500. This enables the user to minimize the movement of the viewer 300. This in turn increases 10 ease of use and a better viewing experience.

In a fourteenth embodiment, at least one arm 301d of the one or more arms 301a,b,c,d comprises a balanced arm. By using a balanced arm 301d, moving of the viewer is experienced more or less as moving a 15 weightless object. The balancing may be realized by connecting two parallel arms 301b and 301d forming a parallelogram, with a coil spring 305, which may be attached to a fixation point 306a close to the position of one hinge joint 302d of one arm 301b and one fixation point between two hinge joints 302d and 302e of the other arm 301d of 20 the parallelogram. This makes moving and fixation of the viewer 300 in the optimal position much easier, and therefore improves posture and viewing experience.

In an fifteenth embodiment, changing of the viewing angle of the 25 display unit 101 changes the viewing angle of the imaging unit 201 in the same direction. This leads to an intuitive operation of the viewer 300.

In a sixteenth embodiment, changing of the viewing angle of the 30 display unit 101 changes the viewing angle of the imaging unit 201 in opposite direction. Some users prefer an inverse operation of the imaging unit, which leads to a better viewing experience for those users.

35 In a seventeenth embodiment, the imaging unit 201 is movable from or towards the object independently from the display unit 101, while maintaining substantially the same viewing angle. In this way the screen remains at a stable position whilst moving the imaging unit for 9 example to focus on the viewed object 500, or to magnify or minify the. viewed object by moving the lenses.

In a eighteenth embodiment, the viewing angle of the imaging unit 201 5 is substantially the same as the viewing angle of the display unit 101. In this way the natural viewing direction is maintained optimally, thus improving the viewing experience.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the imaging unit 201, from the user's 10 point of view, is positioned behind the display unit 101. This facilitates an alignment of imaging unit 201 and display unit 101, which provides for an intuitive, natural and logical view, thus improving the viewing experience.

15 The term "substantially" herein, such as in "substantially the same", will be understood by the person skilled in the art. In embodiments the adjective substantially may be removed. Where applicable, the term "substantially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Where applicable, the term "substantially" 20 may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, including 100%. The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, such as in first arm and second arm, 25 are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of being arranged in other sequences than 30 described or illustrated herein.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference 35 signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or 10 more of the associated listed items. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The article "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the device claim 5 enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 shows a view of a prior art solution as described in European patent application EP1582167 A2; FIGURE 2 shows a view of a display unitaccording to the invention; 15 FIGURE 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the display unit together with an integrated camera unit according to the invention; FIGURE 4 shows a view of a preferred embodiment of a viewing system according to the invention and 20 FIGURE 5 shows an embodiment of part of a viewing system according to the invention comprising a parallel arm arrangement supported with one or more spring coils.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 25

The invention is now explained by describing the figures and various embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a view of a prior art solution as described in European 30 patent application EP1582167 A2. The following numbers are explained as follows: 1: Imaging unit 2: Display unit 3: Device housing 35 4: Treatment site 5: Objective 6: Imaging lens 7: Imaging forming position 11 9: camera control unit 10: signal cable 11: video cable 15: attaching/detaching part 5 16: device housing 17: fitting shaft 18: attachment/detaching part 19: fitting hole 22: knob 10 31: first retention frame 33: base 34: pillar 35: support arm 36a: first arm 15 36b: second arm 37a: first spherical bearing 37b: second spherical bearing 38: attaching/detaching part 20 The viewing direction of the imaging unit 1 is substantially perpendicular to the viewing direction of the display unit 2. This leads to a suboptimal viewing experience, because of a lack of intuitive operation and an awkward position of the head of the person viewing towards the object (hereinafter referred to as "user") which 25 is viewed. Having to operating the viewing system in this way, additional training is required and the user may take a long time to get used to this way of operating the viewing system. This may lead to an increase of errors in the handling of the object, especially if the user is not sufficiently skilled.

30

The following is a list of referenced numbers in the figures representing embodiments and examples of the invention: 100: viewing system 101: display unit 35 102: display unit housing 103: display unit screen 104: on/off button or standby button for turning the system on/off or standby 12 105: on/off or standby indication 106: on/off button of light arrangement for illuminating a viewed object 107a,b,c,d: multifunctional buttons used for e.g. panning the image or 5 the imaging unit, or moving through a menu structure as displayed on the screen, or controlling the image e.g. darken or brighten the image ; 108: button for activating a menu or graphical user interface to be displayed on the screen 103 10 201: imaging unit 301a: first arm 301b: second arm 301c: third arm 301d: fourth arm, together with second arm 301b forming a 15 parallelogram 302a: first hinge joint 302b: second hinge joint 302c: third hinge joint 302d: fourth hinge joint 20 302e: fifth hinge joint 303: rotary joint 304: ball-and-socket joint 305: coil spring 306a: first fixation point of coil spring 305 25 306b: second fixation point of coil spring 305 330: attachment means 400: table 500: object to be viewed 30 Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a display unit according to the invention.

A display unit 101 is shown comprising a housing 102 and a screen 103. The display unit may comprise a touch screen 103, or a non-touch responsive screen. In either case additional physical means for 35 operating the display unit, the processing of the images, the representation of the images etc.. Thes physical means may comprise buttons. The physical means may be dedicated buttons, or programmable buttons. The operations of the physical means may be the main means of 13 operation, or only supportive. The following buttons are shown by means of an example:

An on/off button 104 or standby button 104 is provided for turning the viewing system on/off or standby. An on/off or standby indication 105 5 is provided by means of for example a LED. An on/off button 106 of light arrangement is provided for illuminating a viewed object. Multifunctional buttons 107a,b,c,d may be used for e.g. panning the image or the imaging unit, or moving through a menu structure as displayed on the screen, or controlling the image e.g. darken or 10 brighten the image. A menu button 108 is provided for activating a menu or graphical user interface to be displayed on the screen 103.

The display unit comprises electronic circuitry which may already be available according to the state of the art. Dedicated electronic circuitry is also foreseen, which is adapted specifically to the task 15 of the viewing system.

Referring now to figure 3, a top view of a preferred embodiment of the display unit together with an integrated camera unit (referred to as "viewer 300") according to the invention is shown.

20 The invention proposes a large integration of imaging unit and display unit which enables simple and intuitive manipulation of the viewer 300. The display unit 101 comprises at the back site an imaging unit 201. The top of the viewer 300 shows a ball-and-socket joint 304 for movably attaching the viewer 300 to an arm of the viewing system 100.

25 By coupling the imaging unit to the display unit, no loose wires will hinder the operation or the viewing experience.

Referring now to figure 4, a view of a preferred embodiment of a viewing system according to the invention is shown.

30 The figure shows a viewing system 100, a table 400, to which the viewing system 100 is attached with attachment means 330. The attachment means are of a regular type of fastener comparable to how a desk lamp is attached to a table.

The figure further shows an object 500 to be viewed through the viewer 35 300. The viewer 300 is shown in a tilted position, as to demonstrate an optimal position for a user (not shown) to view the object 500. The display unit of the viewer shows an image 501 of the object 500.

14

The viewing system comprises one or more arms arranged to spatially movably supporting the imaging unit and the displaying unit. In the figure 4 the movability is realized by arms being pivotably connected. The arms may be rotably mounted to the table 400 by rotary joint 303. 5 The viewer may be connected to the one or more arms with a ball-and-socket joint 304. By providing these movable means, sufficient degrees of freedom are provided to move the viewer or the separate units to a desired position.

The following explains the numbers of the movable means of figure 4: 10 301a: first arm 301b: second arm 301c: third arm 302a: first hinge joint 302b: second hinge joint 15 302c: third hinge joint 302d: fourth hinge joint 302e: fifth hinge joint 303: rotary joint 304: ball-and-socket joint 20

Referring now to figure 5 an embodiment of part of a viewing system according to the invention is shown comprising a parallel arm arrangement supported with one or more spring coils.

Two arms 301b and 301d are arranged as a parallelogram. This provides 25 for a parallel movement of the viewer 300 (shown) or parallel movement of the display unit in relation to the movement of the imaging unit, by attaching the display unit to a first arm of the parallelogram and the imaging unit to the second arm of the parallelogram (configuration not shown).

30 The following explains the numbers of the movable means of figure 5. 301a: first arm 301b: second arm 301d: fourth arm, together with second arm 301b forming a parallelogram 35 302a: first hinge joint 302b: second hinge joint 302d: fourth hinge joint 302e: fifth hinge joint 15 304: ball-and-socket joint 305: coil spring 306a: first fixation point of coil spring 305 306b: second fixation point of coil spring 305 5

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is to provide a viewing system comprising an imaging unit arranged for acquiring an image of 10 an object and a display unit arranged for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, one or more arms arranged to spatially movably supporting the assembly and to be fixated in position, wherein the viewing angle of the imaging unit is determined by the viewing angle of the display unit and wherein the imaging unit is arranged for 15 magnifying or minifying the object by means of one or more lenses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is applicable in many fields of technology where working 20 with a microscope in combination with a display, both supported by a supporting system to facilitate an operator with freedom to work with his or her hands on an object, while at the same time viewing the object through a display. The invention is more specifically appropriate for observing very small moving object and/or very small 25 three dimensional objects.

Typical applications are in the field of diamond mounters working on the mounting of diamonds, goldsmiths working with jewelry, dental technicians manufacturing dental prostheses, watchmakers repairing watches, scientist observing small organisms, people with bad eyesight 30 needing to magnify letters of a book, electrical engineers assembling very small components or repairing printed circuit boards, artists making paintings with very high precision.

1039675

Claims

1. A viewing system comprising an imaging unit arranged for acquiring an image of an object and a display unit arranged for displaying 5 an image acquired by the imaging unit, one or more arms arranged to spatially movably supporting the imaging unit and the displaying unit, characterized in that the viewing angle of the imaging unit is determined by the viewing angle of the display unit. 10

2. The viewing system of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging unit and the display unit are integrated.

3. The viewing system of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging unit and the display unit are co-located.

4. The viewing system of any one of the preceding claims, 20 characterized in that the imaging unit and the display unit are connectable to each other.

5. The viewing system of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging unit and/or display unit 25 comprise an arrangement for a wireless connection arranged for communication to each other or to another device.

6. The viewing system of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging unit is arranged for magnifying 30 or minifying the object.

7. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging unit comprises one or more lenses arranged for magnifying or minifying the object. 35

8. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more arms are arranged to be fixated in a position. 1039675

9. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display unit is arranged for controlling the image unit. 5

10. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display unit is arranged for controlling the image.

11. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display unit is a touch screen.

12. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display unit comprises a touch screen 15 combined with physical means for controlling the image unit or the image.

13. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more arms are arranged for spatially 20 movably supporting the imaging unit independently from the display unit.

14. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one arms of the one or more arms 25 comprises two bars forming a parallelogram.

15. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one arm of the one or more arms comprises a balanced arm. 30

16. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that changing of the viewing angle of the display unit changes the viewing angle of the imaging unit in the same direction. 35

17. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that changing of the viewing angle of the display unit changes the viewing angle of the imaging unit in opposite direction

18. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, 5 characterized in that the imaging unit is movable from or towards the object independently from the display unit, while maintaining substantially the same viewing angle.

19. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, 10 characterized in that the viewing angle of the imaging unit is substantially the same as the viewing angle of the display unit.

20. The viewing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera unit, from the user's point of 15 view, is positioned behind the display unit. 1039675