Endoscope Beam Spot Detection Using Color Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems struggle to stably detect the position of a measurement beam irradiation region due to scattered reflection in living tissues, which can alter the color or brightness of the image, making it difficult to accurately measure subject size.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope system employs a processor that recognizes the beam irradiation region using a learning model and pattern matching processing, identifying patterns with a specific shape, such as a white central region and peripheral ring, to stabilize detection even in the presence of scattered reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If color separation method using RGB/HSV is used to detect spot position, then detection method is simple, but detection stability deteriorates due to scattered reflection changing color in living body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the specific color characteristics of the spot (red color from measurement beam light) to differentiate it from scattered reflection. The processing unit detects the spot by identifying regions with red color components that exceed threshold values, leveraging color change properties to achieve stable detection despite scattered reflection in living tissues.
2Ease of operation
If conventional color-based detection is used, then detection process is straightforward, but measurement precision deteriorates due to altered color from scattered reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detection approach from using absolute color values to using color component ratios and threshold comparisons. The processing unit calculates whether red color components exceed predetermined thresholds relative to other color components, making the detection robust against color alterations from scattered reflection while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an endoscope system that can stably detect an irradiation region of measurement beam light and a method of operating the endoscope system. A reception unit (38) acquires a subject image that includes a spot (SP) appearing on a subject due to irradiation with measurement beam light. An irradiation region-recognizing section (58) recognizes the position of the spot SP from the subject image. The irradiation region-recognizing section (58) recognizes the spot (SP) having a circular pattern that includes a white central region (CR1) and a peripheral region (SRI) covering the periphery of the central region (CR1) and having a feature quantity based on the measurement beam light.