Capsule Endoscope Rate Converter for High Frame Rate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capsule endoscopes face limitations in increasing frame rate due to the time required for transmitting image data, as the transfer processing rate is equal to the writing processing rate, leading to a significant difference between transmission and imaging processing times, which restricts the frequency of image capture.
Innovation Solution
The capsule endoscope employs a data processing rate converter to increase the transfer processing rate to a higher rate than the writing processing rate, allowing for faster conversion and transmission of image data, thereby reducing the time needed for wireless transmission and enabling more frequent image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer processing rate is increased to reduce transmission time, then the frame rate increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional rate conversion circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rate conversion function with the existing signal processing unit, merging multiple functions (image processing, data conversion, and rate conversion) into a single integrated component. This reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to operate at higher frame rates by eliminating separate rate conversion circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing unit is designed to perform multiple functions including image processing, data conversion to serial format, and rate conversion. This multi-functional approach allows the device to achieve higher frame rates without adding dedicated rate conversion hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If image compression is used to reduce data transmission time, then the frame rate increases, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the image compression function from the system, relying instead on the natural serial conversion process and increased transfer processing rate to reduce transmission time. This removes the power-consuming compression algorithm while achieving the same goal of faster transmission through hardware-level rate conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based image compression process with a hardware-based rate conversion mechanism. By using dedicated circuitry to convert parallel image data to serial format at higher rates, the system achieves faster transmission without the computational overhead and power consumption associated with software compression algorithms.
3Loss of time
If the transfer processing rate is increased to match or exceed the writing processing rate, then the imaging wait time is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the signal processing unit, specifically increasing the transfer processing rate to exceed the writing processing rate. This parameter change reduces the imaging wait time by allowing faster data extraction and transmission, while the precision requirements are managed through careful circuit design and synchronization mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A body-insertable apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an in-vivo image of a subject; a signal processing unit that writes the in-vivo image in a memory, reads the in-vivo image from the memory on a pixel basis and converts the in-vivo image to serial information to transfer the serial information; and a rate converter that converts a transfer processing rate to a rate higher than a writing processing rate. The transfer processing rate is at which the signal processing unit reads the in-vivo image from the memory and converts the in-vivo image to the serial information to transfer the serial information. The writing processing rate is at which the signal processing unit writes the in-vivo image in the memory. The apparatus also includes a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the serial information transferred from the signal processing unit at a transmission rate corresponding to the transfer processing rate.