DIGITAL EYEPIECE WITH WI-FI AND BLUETOOTH-PHONE INTERFACE

(DIGISCOPE)

JOHN PAUL ARELLANO, JENNY CUBILLAN, JAIM-KIA TAN

Researchers

JOSHUA MAE FERNANDEZ, LPT

Research Adviser

Valenzuela City School of

Mathematics and Science

1
Table of Contents

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………...3

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………….……3

Materials and Methods ……………………………………………………………………………5

Results …………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Discussion ………………………………………………………………………………………...9

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………10

Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………….10

Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………11

References ……………………………………………………………………………………….12

Appendices

Appendix A ……………………………………………………………………………...14

Appendix B ……………………………………………………………………………...22

Research Plan ……………………………………………………………………………………23

2
 Digital Eyepiece with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-Phone Interface (DigiScope)

Proponents: Jaim-kia T. Tan, John Paul L. Arellano, Jenny DR. Cubillan

School: Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science

ABSTRACT
Microscopes are utilized to amplify small objects, the picture delivered by the primary lens
is additionally intensified by subsequent focal points. Improving Science along with technological
advancement, that is where digital microscopes come into play. However, a standard digital
microscope costs more than Php 22500.00, which is 22% more expensive than a compound
microscope. Considering the fact that digital microscopes have low accessibility due to its
unaffordable price and costly maintenance, the researchers aim is to provide easier data or image
sharing of specimens between students and other people. This research also aims to make a lower-
cost alternative to the commercialized digital microscope through wireless fidelity. the product
will provide more access with its compatibility of phones. Upon making several tests, the study
has successfully proven the capability of Raspberry Pi in transmitting microscopic images with an
acceptable resolution of 640x480 and an average file size of 21.864 kb.
Keywords: Digital Microscope, Camera, Wi-Fi. Raspberry Pi, Resolution

INTRODUCTION

For thousands of years, microscopes are used to look upon tiny objects. The optical

microscopes magnify objects with lenses that bend and focus light. Observations became better

when experts created a compound microscope that works where the image produced by the first

lens is further amplified by a second lens and that image is enlarged by a third lens (Blaettler,

2018).

Compound microscopes are the simplest and most common type of microscope a student,

doctor and scientists’ alike encounters, but using it for hours and gathering information from it is

a major hassle for the one at uses it. That is where digital microscopes come into play for it works

like any other microscope. Digital microscopes’ most obvious advantage is the efficiency of the

instrument because the image of the specimen is displayed on a monitor, users can view them

3
immediately and analyze the sample image while sitting in a comfortable and relaxed upright

position. Additionally, a standard digital microscope costs more than $450 (P 22500), 22% more

expensive than a compound microscope (De Rose, Schlaffer & Leica Microsystems, 2015).

Most of the public institutions in the Philippines have compound microscope in hand but

data sharing isn’t that easy for the angle needs to be right in order to take a image of the specimen.

Results can’t be considered data if not presented.

The study aims to provide easier data or image sharing of specimens between students and

other people. This research also aims to make a lower-cost alternative to the commercialized digital

microscope. With this, data presenting with a microscope will be better and easily accessible to

all. This innovation is a digital add-on to the eyepiece with a camera that is controlled through a

phone through WI-FI connectivity.

The lack of available cheap microscope eyepiece camera is one of the major issues in data

presenting. The researcher would like to figure out the resolution of the image in terms of pixels,

as well as the file size of the image in terms of kilobytes and test if the product can support Wi-Fi

connectivity.

It is hypothesized that the average pixel quantity of the images is below 1600x1200 for a

4x6 print size, the file size of the image is above 500 KB and The DigiScope does not support Wi-

Fi connectivity.

The study will be useful for students, medical practitioners with the limited of access to

digital microscopes capable of wireless image sharing that may improve the educational value and

may result to more useful information and expansion the world of research.

4
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Battery
supply

Plug

Figure 1: Circuit diagram for connections to Wireless Fidelity module of DigiScope

Gathering the needed materials

The materials that were bought was the Pi camera and the Pi camera case. Other materials

such as the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, ribbon cable, Pi power supply, SD card, Raspberry Pi 3

Case were obtained in one of the researcher’s home.

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has a built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Module which enables

wireless connectivity. The main source of energy for the Raspberry 3 is a micro-USB which can

be connected to a battery or an outlet.

5
Assembling the Camera

The Camera was connected to a special port in the Raspberry 3 which was connected by

the ribbon cable. A monitor and keyboard were needed to program the Raspberry because it is a

minicomputer. The researcher first updated and upgraded the Raspberry, “sudo apt-get update”

and “sudo apt-get upgrade” was used to update and upgrade the Raspberry respectively so that we

can download and install the program that is used in the camera (Sentdex, 2017). For installing the

camera module to the Raspberry Pi, the researcher followed a tutorial from

https://electronicsforu.com in making a surveillance system using Raspberry.

Testing of DigiScope

In testing the resolution of the image taken from the DigiScope, the researchers determined

the resolution in the said image. The table provided by Craig Hull (2019) from the website Expert

Photography was used as the basis.

Figure 2. Provided Table from the website Expert Photography

6
 In testing the file size of the image taken from the DigiScope, the researchers determined

it through expecting the properties of the image. The taken image must be at most 500KB to have

the best results (Squarespace, 2019).

The potential risks of the innovation may include short circuits caused by faulty wires, and

users may be electrocuted from those wires. The product should not be in contact of water as this

may result in damaging the product. The breaking of the lens of the eyepiece must be avoided in

order to avoid possible lacerations.

The numerical presentation and manipulation of observations show the purpose of

describing and explaining the phenomena that the observation reflect (Babbie, 2010). The main

advantage of the inferential statistics is that it helps in data collected being reduced and simplified.

These are complex analyses that show the relationship between several different variables.

There were ten trials for the resolution and file size of the images. The researchers

determined the resolution and file size by inspecting the properties of the images. After recording

the ten trials, the statistical analysis used is the mean.

To test if the innovation is compatible with WI-FI connectivity, the researcher took the IP

address of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and placed it to the app provided by the company of

Raspberry to see if the innovation is connected to the phone via WI-FI.

RESULTS

The test was conducted multiple times because according to Kimberley McGee (2018), An

experiment has to be done more than one time to see if there is any variation among the results

7
and the more numbers of tests the better, so that the scientist or researcher will have a solid

conclusion with little room for error.

Table 1: Resolution Test of the Product, dimensions in terms of pixels

Trial Resolution(px)
1 640 x 480
2 640 x 480
3 640 x 480
4 640 x 480
5 640 x 480
6 640 x 480
7 640 x 480
8 640 x 480
9 640 x 480
10 640 x 480
Average (mean) 640 x 480
The table shows 10 trials in testing the image resolution of the product. The statistical test

that was used is mean in which the formula is x̄ = (Σx) / n. The product has an average resolution

of 640 x 480 pixels.

Table 2: File size in terms of Kilobytes

Trial File Size (Kb)

1 22.8
2 28.7
3 18.9
4 42.4
5 21.7
6 23.5
7 7.44

8
 8 13.2
9 15.9
10 24.1
Average (mean) 21.864
The results varied in file size because it depends on the Colour Palette which is the variety

of colours in the picture and Compression which means how compressed the file can be to save

space (Digital Media)

The table shows 10 trials in testing the file size in terms of Kilobytes. The statistical test

that was used is mean in which the formula is x̄ = (Σx) / n. The product has an average File size of

21.864 Kilobytes.

Upon taking the IP address of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and placed it to the app

provided by the company of Raspberry, the device was able to connect to the phone via Wi-Fi,

DISCUSSIONS

The results of the test in 10 samples using the statistical method, mean score, the product

has an average of 640 x 480. According to Image Pros Photo (2019), an image with 640x480

resolution is an acceptable size of an image to be viewed on a monitor, email to a friend or to be

used on a website. Unfortunately, this resolution is too small to make a quality photographic print.

Since the study focused merely on digital imaging transfer on microscopes but not for printing.

The study shows that the average file size was 21.864 kb which is lower than the maximum

recommended size (Squarespace, 2019). Therefore, the images captured by the innovation can be

easily stored and transferred due to its file size being light weight.

9
 The Raspberry Pi was able to connect to the phone via Wi-Fi successfully and seamlessly.

Since the program provided its own application which enables several navigational features such

as zooming in to the images for observation.

Gathering all the data from the results makes the innovation improve microscope image

transfer, storage and viewing. This makes data gathering from the camera to phone easier and

hassle free.

CONCLUSION

The trials displayed that the average resolution of the product is 640 x 480 px, thus the null

hypothesis is accepted which implies that the resolution is below 1600 x 1200 px. However, the

resolution is still acceptable for viewing (Image Pros Photo, 2019). Since the results showed that

the average file size is 21.864, the study rejects the null hypothesis which indicates ease in file

transfer and storage due to its lightweight file size (Squarespace, 2019).

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended to program a folder to keep the images organized in the phone;

programming a static code so that the IP address won’t change when it uses a different router to

access the internet.

10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would also like to thank our ever-supporting research adviser Ma’am Fernandez who

has approved and supported the innovation throughout the process of making it. We would also

like to acknowledge the ValMaSci community for their unwavering support from the beginning to

the end of our research process. We would also like to thank each of our families for supporting

us in our project in any way possible. We would also like to thank Divine-kia Tan for teaching

Jaim-kia Tan the basics in coding Raspberry Pi.

THE RESEARCHERS

11
 REFERENCES

Babbie, E. (2010). The practice of social research (12th edition). Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/asmasemma/quantitative-data-analysis.

Blaettler, K. (2018). How does a microscope magnify objects? Retrieved from

http://sciencing.com/difference-glass-compound-light-microscope-8611655.html

Das, B. (2017). electronicsforu. Retrieved from Surveillance Camera Using RaspiCam And

Android App: https://electronicsforu.com/electronics-projects/surveillance-camera-using-

raspicam-android-app

De Rose, J., Schlaffer, G., & Leica Microsystems. (2015). What you always wanted to know

about digital microscopy, but never got around to asking. Retrieved from

https://www.leica-microsystems.com/science-lab/what-you-always-wanted-to-know-

about-digital microscopy-but-never-got-around-to-asking/

Digital Media. (n.d.). Digital Media. Retrieved from https://digitalmediaehs.weebly.com/factors-

affecting-file-size.html

Hull, C. (2019). What is the best photo resolution for printing, editing or exporting Retrieved

from https://expertphotography.com/megapixel-image-resolution/

Image Pros Photo. (2019). Resolution explained. Retrieved from

http://imageprosphoto.com/resolution-explained.html

McGee, K. (2018, June 25). Why Should We Make Multiple Trials of an Experiment? Retrieved

from https://sciencing.com/why-should-we-make-multiple-trials-of-an-experiment-

12757977.html

Sentdex. (2017). Installation and setup of operating System (raspbian) - raspberry pi and python

tutorials p.2. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9trGhCbfk

12
Squarespace. (2019). Squarespace. Retrieved from https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-

us/articles/206542517-Formatting-your-images-for-display-on-the-web

13
 Appendix A

Scanned copy of Logbook

Proposed Research Titles

14
Daily Log page 1

15
Daily Log page 2

16
Daily Log page 3

17
Daily Log page 4

18
Daily Log page 5

19
Daily Log page 6

20
Daily Log page 7

21
 Appendix B

Picture of Coding

Raspberry Pi being programmed with the use of a separate monitor along with a keyboard that

are both connected to the Raspberry itself

22
Digital Eyepiece with WI-FI-Phone Interface (DigiScope)
Arellano, John Paul L., Cubillan, Jenny DR., Tan, Jaim-Kia T. (leader)
Proposed Start and End date:
Start date: July 8, 2019
End date: August 5, 2019

Rationale

For thousands of years, microscopes are used to look upon tiny objects. The optical

microscopes magnify objects with lenses that bend and focus light. The light is bent towards the

center and when it reaches the eye, the object appears larger than its actual size. The phenomena

are observed during ancient times with objects viewed through water and pieces of crystals.

Observations became better when experts created a compound microscope that works where the

image produced by the first lens is further amplified by a second lens and that image is enlarged

by a third lens (Blaettler, 2018).

Compound microscopes are the simplest and most common type of microscope an average

person encounters, for it works like any other microscope. Additionally, it is cheaper compared to

digital microscopes. Digital microscopes’ most obvious advantage is the efficiency of the

instrument because since the image of the specimen is displayed on a monitor, users are able to

view them immediately and analyze the sample image while sitting in a comfortable and relaxed

upright position. Digital microscopes are especially advantageous if a high sample output has to

be dealt with, or if people work with microscopes for a long period of time every day. In addition,

many digital microscopes offer software that allow storage of multiple user profiles. This feature

is especially beneficial if many different users work with the same microscope – each user can

23
simply select his or her microscope profile and immediately start working with little to no

adjustments to the microscope working station. However, a standard digital microscope costs more

than $450 (P 22500), 22% more expensive than a compound microscope (De Rose, Schlaffer &

Leica Microsystems, 2015).

Most of the public institutions in the Philippines have compound microscope in hand but

data sharing isn’t that easy for the angle needs to be right in order to take an image of the specimen.

Results can’t be considered data if not presented.

With this, data presenting with a microscope will be better and easily accessible to all since

it is very common to have a cellphone with Wireless Fidelity nowadays. Wi-Fi has improved

significantly over the last 20 years and can now be found in almost all of our devices. For some, it

has a major role in their everyday life (Jaycon Systems, 2017). The eyepiece will be constructed

through a method known as 3D printing. Teachers and students have been using 3D printers in

their classes, and makes it possible for students to form their concepts in a fast, cheap and

accessible way (3DPrinting, 2019). The materials to be bought were the Pi camera and the Pi

camera case. Other materials such as the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, ribbon cable, Pi power supply,

SD card, Raspberry Pi 3 Case will be obtained at one of the researcher’s home.

The Camera will be connected to a special port in the Raspberry 3 which will be connected

by the ribbon cable. A monitor and keyboard will be needed to program the Raspberry because it

is a minicomputer. For installing the camera module to the Raspberry Pi, the researchers will

follow a tutorial from https://electronicsforu.com in making a surveillance system using

Raspberry.

24
 The significance of the study is to provide an easier data or image sharing of specimens

between students and other people. This research also aims to make a cheaper alternative to the

commercialized digital microscope. This will allow the introduction of digital microscopes as

commonplace in schools and other environments.

The researchers aim to provide easier data or image sharing of specimens between students

and other people. This research also aims to make a lower-cost alternative to the commercialized

digital microscope. The microscope can still be used without innovation, but the product will

provide more access with its compatibility of phones.

Research Question

The problem being addressed is the lack of available cheap microscope eyepiece camera

for it is only applicable to digital microscopes which is much more expensive than the Compound

microscope. Specifically, the researchers would like to answer the following questions:

1. What is the resolution of the image in terms of megapixels in each

processor?

2. What is the resolution of the images produced by the product in terms of

pixels?

Hypothesis

1. Ho: The average megapixel quantity of the pictures is below 2 megapixels for a 4”x6” print

size (Hull, 2019).

2. The resolution of the images produced by the product in terms of pixels.

25
Risk and Safety

The potential risks of the innovation may include short circuits caused by faulty wires, and

users may be electrocuted from those wires. The product should not be in contact of water as this

may result in damaging the product. The breaking of the lens of the eyepiece must be avoided in

order to avoid possible lacerations.

Expected Outcomes

The device is more accessible especially with the compatibility of phones, computers and

the microscope itself.

This is a revolutionary innovation in which people will have an easier way of examining

specimen for an affordable price. Since it has Wi-Fi connection it has the capability to send the

image wirelessly. The product’s lenses can be changed, implying a greater variety of specimens to

examine. The product will provide easier data or image sharing of the specimen between students

and other people. This product will be a lower-cost alternative to the commercialized digital

microscope.

Procedures and Engineering Goals

Making the product

The materials to be bought was the Pi camera and the Pi camera case. Other materials

such as the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, ribbon cable, Pi power supply, SD card, Raspberry Pi 3

Case will be obtained in one of the researcher’s home.

26
 The Camera was connected to a special port in the Raspberry 3 which will be connected to

the ribbon cable. A monitor and keyboard will be needed to program the Raspberry because it is a

minicomputer. The researchers first updated and upgraded the Raspberry, “sudo apt-get update”

and “sudo apt-get upgrade” will be used to update and upgrade the Raspberry respectively so that

we can download and install the program that is used in the camera (Sentdex, 2017). For installing

the camera module to the Raspberry Pi, the researchers will follow a tutorial from

https://electronicsforu.com in making a surveillance system using Raspberry.

Testing of DigiScope

In testing the resolution of the image taken from the DigiScope, the researchers will

determine the resolution in the said image. The table provided by Craig Hull (2019) from the

website Expert Photography will be used as the basis.

Figure 2. Provided Table from the website Expert Photography

In testing the file size of the image taken from the DigiScope, the researchers will determine

through expecting the properties of the image. The taken image must be at most 500KB to have

the best results (Squarespace, 2019).

27
 The potential risks of the innovation may include short circuits caused by faulty wires, and

users may be electrocuted from those wires. The product should not be in contact of water as this

may result in damaging the product. The breaking of the lens of the eyepiece must be avoided in

order to avoid possible lacerations.

The numerical presentation and manipulation of observations show the purpose of

describing and explaining the phenomena that the observation reflect (Babbie, 2010). The main

advantage of the inferential statistics is that it helps in data collected being reduced and simplified.

These are complex analyses that show the relationship between several different variables.

There will be ten trials for the resolution and file size of the images. The researchers

determined the resolution and file size by inspecting the properties of the images. After recording

the ten trials. The statistical analysis will be used is mean score.

To test if the innovation is compatible with WI-FI connectivity, the researchers will take

the IP address of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and will be placed to the app provided by the

company of Raspberry to see if the innovation is connected to the phone via WI-FI.

Data Analysis

The data collected are from the tests that will be conducted to measure the devices’

compatibility to phones, laptops and microscopes itself. Also, to test the resolution of the pictures

made by the camera inside the eyepiece. Comparison of the time will also be tested when taking

pictures with the DigiScope and without the product. The numerical presentation and

manipulation of observations show the purpose of describing and explaining the phenomena that

the observation reflect (Babbie, 2010). The main advantage of the inferential statistics is that it

28
helps in data collected being reduced and simplified. These are complex analyses that show the

relationship between several different variables.

There will be ten trials for the testing of the product’s file size and resolution. In these trials

the product will take ten different pictures and the researchers will determine the megapixels and

file size of the said pictures through looking in the properties. The statistical analysis to be used

will be obtaining the mean.

29
G. REFERENCES

3Dprinting. (2019). What is 3d printing? Retrieved from https://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-

printing/

Babbie, E. (2010). The practice of social research (12th edition). Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/asmasemma/quantitative-data-analysis.

Blaettler, K. (2018). How does a microscope magnify objects? Retrieved from

http://sciencing.com/difference-glass-compound-light-microscope-8611655.html

De Rose,J. ,Schlaffer,G., & Leica Microsystems. (2015). What you always wanted to know about

digital microscopy, but never got around to asking. Retrieved from https://www.leica-

microsystems.com/science-lab/what-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-digital

microscopy-but-never-got-around-to-asking/

Hull, C. (2019). What is the best photo resolution for printing, editing or exporting Retrieved

from https://expertphotography.com/megapixel-image-resolution/

Jaycon Systems. (2017). Bluetooth technology: What has changed over the years. Retrieved

from https://medium.com/jaycon-systems/bluetooth-technology-what-has-changed-over-

the-years-385da7ec7154

30