Surgical microscope system and corresponding apparatus, method and computer program

An apparatus for a surgical microscope system, the surgical microscope system comprising one or more brakes for holding at least one component of the surgical microscope system in place, and a surgical microscope, the apparatus comprising:

• an interface for communicating with one or more components of the surgical microscope system;
• and
• a processing module configured to:
• obtain sensor information about a balance of the surgical microscope system from one or more sensors of the surgical microscope system,
• process the sensor information,
• determine an information about the balance of the surgical microscope system, and
• control a release of the one or more brakes based on the information about the balance of the surgical microscope system by overriding a control of the one or more brakes based on the information on the balance of the surgical microscope system or by limiting operation of the brakes if the balance of the surgical microscope system indicates a danger of imbalance.

A method for a surgical microscope system, the surgical microscope system comprising one or more brakes for holding at least one component of the surgical microscope system in place, and a surgical microscope, the method comprising:

• obtaining sensor information about a balance of the surgical microscope system from one or more sensors of the surgical microscope system;
• processing the sensor information;
• determining an information about the balance of the surgical microscope system;
• and
• controlling a release of one or more brakes based on the information about the balance of the surgical microscope system by overriding a control of the one or more brakes based on the information on the balance of the surgical microscope system or by limiting operation of the brakes if the balance of the surgical microscope system indicates a danger of imbalance.