Capsule Endoscope Dynamic Frame Rate Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capsule endoscope systems face challenges in efficiently adjusting frame rates based on movement speed to balance image quality and power consumption, often resulting in unnecessary imaging and increased power usage due to frequent changes in movement detection.

Innovation Solution

A capsule endoscope system that includes a sensor, analyzer, counter, and signal generator, which detects physical quantities and adjusts imaging synchronization signals based on count value comparisons with predetermined values, allowing for variable imaging intervals that adapt to movement speed, thereby optimizing frame rates and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the frame rate of imaging is increased to mitigate image omission when the capsule endoscope moves at high speed, then image quality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging frame rate is dynamically adjusted based on the detected movement speed of the capsule endoscope. When movement speed exceeds a threshold, the frame rate is increased to prevent image omission; when movement speed is low, the frame rate is decreased to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining image quality and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the imaging parameter (frame rate) in response to changes in movement speed. By monitoring the physical quantity related to movement and adjusting the imaging frequency accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between capturing adequate images during high-speed movement and conserving energy during low-speed or stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the frame rate of imaging is decreased to reduce power consumption when the capsule endoscope has stopped, then power consumption is reduced, but image omission may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging frame rate is dynamically adjusted based on the detected movement speed of the capsule endoscope. When movement speed exceeds a threshold, the frame rate is increased to prevent image omission; when movement speed is low, the frame rate is decreased to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining image quality and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the imaging parameter (frame rate) in response to changes in movement speed. By monitoring the physical quantity related to movement and adjusting the imaging frequency accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between capturing adequate images during high-speed movement and conserving energy during low-speed or stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If imaging is performed frequently to capture all movement phases, then image quality is improved, but unnecessary imaging increases power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the imaging parameter (frame rate) in response to changes in movement speed. By monitoring the physical quantity related to movement and adjusting the imaging frequency accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between capturing adequate images during high-speed movement and conserving energy during low-speed or stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule endoscope autonomously determines when to increase or decrease imaging frequency based on its own movement detection capabilities. The sensor detects physical quantities related to movement, and this information is used to self-regulate the imaging process, eliminating the need for external control and enabling energy-efficient autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10881281B2Capsule endoscope having an image sensor and a sensor for detecting a physical quantity and capsule endoscope system including the capsule endoscope

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A capsule endoscope includes a sensor, an analyzer, a counter, a signal generator, and an imager. A count value becomes a reference value when an imaging synchronization signal is generated. When the count value changes from the reference value to a first predetermined value, the signal generator generates the imaging synchronization signal. A second time that is necessary for the count value to change from the reference value to the first predetermined value is fixed or variable. The second time is longer than a first time in a case in which the second times is fixed. A maximum value of the second time is longer than the first time in a case in which the second time is variable.