# US 12,222,483 B2 · Reading codes via a surgical microscope camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,483 B2 - Document ID: US12222483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/212,967 - Filed: 2021-03-25 - Published: 2021-09-30 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-26 - Assignees: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG - Applicants: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG - Inventors: Florian Bart; Axel Lorenz; Frank Koenig; Frank Keib - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222483B2 ## CPC - G02B 21/0012: {Surgical microscopes (counterbalanced structures for surgical microscopes G02B7/001)} - A61B 90/20: Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects - A61B 90/361: {Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras} - A61B 90/94: coded with symbols, e.g. text - A61B 90/96: using barcodes - G02B 21/361: {Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor (G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method for operating a surgical microscope having a camera is described. The method includes the following steps: a code that is able to be captured in a set frequency range is introduced into the field of view of the camera, at least one image which includes the code is captured via the camera, an evaluation device is used to identify the code and compare the latter to set features of a code required to activate at least one function, and if the identified code has the set features, the activation of the function is authorized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a surgical microscope having a camera and an evaluation device as integral components of the surgical microscope, the camera being connected to the evaluation device to facilitate data transmission therebetween, the method comprising: introducing a code that is able to be captured in a set frequency range of 400 to 1000 nanometers directly into a field of view of the camera; capturing at least one image which includes the code via the camera by scanning the image which includes the code; identifying the code via the evaluation device; comparing the identified code via the evaluation device to set features of an activation code required to activate an operating function of the surgical microscope; thereafter, one of the following applies: i) if the comparison shows that the identified code has the set features of the activation code, an activation of the operating function of the surgical microscope is authorized via the evaluation device; or, ii) if the comparison shows that the identified code does not have the set features of the activation code, the activation of the operating function of the surgical microscope is disabled; activating the operating function associated with the activation code in response to authorization thereof; and, wherein the camera for facilitating said data transmission includes a device for text recognition and pattern recognition to facilitate reading out and identifying codes of different configuration including QR codes and/or data matrix codes and/or barcodes and/or serial numbers and passwords. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising logging a performance of the activated function. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the camera is a video camera or an industrial photographic camera with a regular or irregular repetition rate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera and the evaluation device are configured to recognize and identify the code in a captured image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of the camera and the evaluation device are configured to recognize and identify the code in the captured image via a device for at least one of text recognition and pattern recognition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the code is displayed in at least one of a static and time-varying manner on at least one of an accessory component, a mobile device, and a display. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the code is at least one of attached to a component, visible on a chip, and visible on a card. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the code is at least one of attached to a component, visible on a chip, and visible on a card. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the code is configured as at least one of a QR code, data matrix code, barcode, serial number, and password. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the camera includes a user interface via which at least one of the code included in the captured image and the identified code is indicated. ### Claim 11 A surgical microscope comprising: a camera defining a field of view and being configured to capture an image including a code which is in said field of view, wherein the code is detectable in a set frequency range; an evaluation device connected to said camera to permit data transmission therebetween; said evaluation device being configured to identify the code and compare the identified code to set features of an activation code required to activate a function of the surgical microscope; and, said evaluation device being further configured to authorize an activation of the function of the surgical microscope if the identified code has the set features; and, wherein the camera facilitates said data transmission and includes a device for text recognition and pattern recognition to permit reading out and identifying codes of different configuration including QR codes and/or data matrix codes and/or barcodes and/or serial numbers and passwords.