The sinaSCOPE digital microscopy platform is based on the experience gained from the development of a digital camera in the professional film sector.
The Fürth-based electronics developers Solectrix contributed the digital core of the 'ARRI ALEXA', which was released in 2010, and shortly afterwards used the expertise gained to develop their own 3D camera: sinaCAM. With its two miniature camera heads separated from the processing electronics and its synchronous processing of the two image signals, the system was based on the 3D boom of the time and brought innovative concepts with it. The system was also used as a stunt camera by the digital recording experts at Codex under the name ActionCAM.
The sinaSCOPE 3D microscopy system is not only related to the previous 3D camera by name, but also technically. The concept uses the tiny design of the camera heads (currently only 3.0 × 4.4 × 4.4 cm with a weight of just 70 g) to create a fully digital replacement for the eyepieces of conventional stereomicroscopes. This saves the user a strenuous posture when looking through the eyepieces and places the image on a 3D screen that can be positioned as required. Photos and videos of the currently captured images can also be easily created while viewing. Thanks to the proven miniature camera head concept, connecting the system is very simple - the image signal and power are transmitted via a single coax cable per camera head, each of which delivers a razor-sharp 4K image at 60 frames per second.
Solectrix now also offers complete systems including a microscope
Simply 'holding it' is not enough
Whereas in professional 3D film shoots, a stereographer monitors the recording with a view to future utilization and a whole team then spends weeks or even months ensuring optimum implementation of the 3D effect in the final film, a live 3D system has to manage all of this in real time - simply 'holding it' is by no means enough. In order to save users the hassle of laborious calibration, especially with the upgrade concept, software running in the background provides live analysis and correction of the 3D image, which is essential for display on 3D screens.
The system offers great advantages for the optical analysis of the finest electronicsWhichscreens are used can vary depending on the application. For individual users, autostereoscopic displays (which can be used without 3D glasses) offer convenience advantages, with the user having the choice between an external 15-inch screen or an integrated laptop 3D display. However, regular 3D monitors with glasses can also be used - the advantage here is that several users can view the 3D image at the same time, while the autostereoscopic solution is limited to one user in practice due to the eye tracking required for the glasses-free display. Both variants can also be combined - the simultaneous use of two displays of different types is possible.
Whether on a 3D-capable laptop or a normal PC, the sinaSCOPE software uses GPU acceleration for 3D analysis and correction. The interface between the processing electronics and the camera heads is a Thunderbolt-connected housing with PCIe slots, in which a 'proFRAME' frame grabber developed by Solectrix is installed. Originally used primarily for the validation of driver assistance systems in the automotive sector, the modular proFRAME system is now used in a wide range of image processing applications due to the wide range of usable camera interfaces and the proven driver and software package.
While the original system concept focused on the 'upgrade for analog microscopes' variant, Solectrix now also offers complete systems including microscope. Whether as an upgrade kit or as a complete solution, whether as a stationary version with PC and external 3D monitor or as a portable model 'sinaSCOPE Mobile' with a 3D laptop (type Acer Aspire 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition) - the underlying concept always remains the same. If a customer prefers to develop his own digital microscope or have it developed, he can also purchase the core components of the system individually with 'sinaSCOPE OEM'.
