Daisy Chain Endoscope Sensors with Dynamic LED Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple-camera endoscope systems face challenges in efficiently managing high data rates and illuminating different orientations within limited space, leading to sub-optimal illumination and power wastage due to fixed intensity settings and serial LED configurations.
Innovation Solution
A daisy chain multiple sensor system with parallel illuminating systems that allow independent regulation of each illuminator's intensity and a video processing method using a central control unit to manage data transmission over a single serial line, enabling efficient data transfer and dynamic illumination adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple illuminators are used to illuminate different orientations, then illumination coverage is improved, but power consumption increases and heat production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the emission intensity of each illuminator based on real-time imaging conditions. The central control unit receives images from multiple camera sensors, analyzes illumination requirements for different orientations, and adjusts each illuminator's intensity independently to provide optimal illumination coverage while minimizing power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each illuminator is controlled independently with different emission intensities according to the specific illumination needs of its associated camera sensor and orientation. This allows localized optimization where each illuminator provides appropriate intensity for its specific function rather than uniform illumination across all orientations.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple illuminators are used to illuminate different orientations, then illumination coverage is improved, but heat production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts each illuminator's emission intensity in real-time based on imaging conditions, reducing the number of illuminators operating at high intensity simultaneously. This dynamic control minimizes overall heat generation while maintaining adequate illumination coverage by activating only the necessary illuminators at appropriate intensity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Each illuminator's intensity is independently optimized for its specific orientation and camera sensor requirements, preventing unnecessary heat generation from illuminators that are not currently needed for the active imaging orientation.
3Device complexity
If fixed intensity settings are used for illuminators, then system complexity is reduced, but illumination optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The central control unit serves multiple functions: it receives images from multiple camera sensors, processes imaging conditions, determines illumination requirements, and controls multiple illuminators with different intensity settings. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate control circuits for each illuminator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple camera sensors to continuously monitor imaging conditions and adjust illuminator intensities accordingly. The central control unit receives real-time image data, analyzes the illumination quality for different orientations, and dynamically adjusts each illuminator's emission to optimize illumination while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized control.
4Measurement precision
If high data rates are transmitted from multiple cameras, then image quality is improved, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple high-data-rate video streams from multiple camera sensors into a unified data transmission system. The central control unit consolidates the data from all camera sensors and processes them centrally, reducing the need for multiple separate high-bandwidth transmission channels and simplifying the overall data transmission architecture while maintaining high image quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution minimizes power consumption, reduces heat production, and optimizes illumination by allowing independent control of each illuminator, enhancing image capture quality and system performance while reducing complexity and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
each FOV of the plurality of camera sensors is illuminated by a plurality of light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple sensor endoscope system and a video processing method, wherein the system includes an endoscope having a plurality of daisy chained image sensors and a central control unit, is described. At least one daisy-chained image sensor includes a sensor array for capturing images and generating video packets from the captured images, a video compression unit configured to compress the video packets, a self-packet buffer configured to store the video packets, a serial-to-parallel de-serializer input unit configured to convert serialized input video packets to parallel data, a chain packet buffer configured to store the video packets received from previous-in-chain image sensors, an arbitration unit configured to interleave the stored video packets, and a serial output unit configured to output serially the interleaved video packets. The central control unit is configured to de-interleave the video packets and regenerate separated images as captured by the plurality of daisy chain image sensors.