Endoscope Calibration Data Integration and Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measuring endoscope apparatuses require complex calibration processes and lack efficient methods for ensuring traceability of measurement results, which can lead to unreliable data and increased operational time.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an imaging section, display, measuring section, input section, and recording section to input and record calibration data, generate calibration certificates, and produce examination reports, ensuring traceability by associating measurement data with calibrator and object images, and alerting users to calibration expiry dates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If calibration data is manually input and managed separately from measurement data, then calibration can be performed, but the workflow becomes complex and traceability management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges calibration data and measurement data into a single integrated data structure stored together in the recording medium. The generating section creates unified data that includes both calibration information (first calibration data) and measurement information (second calibration data), eliminating the need for separate management systems and simplifying the overall workflow while maintaining complete traceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording medium serves multiple functions: it stores both calibration data and measurement data, generates calibration certificates, produces examination reports, and maintains traceability records all in one system. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate systems with a single integrated solution that handles the entire measurement and calibration workflow.
2Reliability
If comprehensive calibration records are maintained for traceability, then measurement reliability is ensured, but operational time increases due to manual data management
Solution Approach 1:
The generating section automatically creates calibration certificates and examination reports by extracting and organizing data from the integrated calibration and measurement data stored in the recording medium. The system serves itself by automatically generating all necessary documentation without requiring manual data management, thus maintaining complete traceability records while eliminating time-consuming manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary organization and association of calibration data with measurement data during the calibration process itself. By pre-structuring the data with proper associations and metadata, the system prepares everything needed for future traceability verification and report generation, eliminating the need for manual data gathering and organization during subsequent operations.
3Ease of operation
If calibration data is stored separately from measurement data, then data management is simpler, but traceability cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines calibration data and measurement data into a single integrated data structure that is stored together in the recording medium. The data association includes identifiers and metadata that link calibration information with corresponding measurement results, enabling complete traceability while maintaining a unified, easy-to-manage data storage system rather than requiring separate complex systems.
4Reliability
If manual calibration certification is performed, then calibration can be documented, but time and effort are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The generating section automatically generates calibration certificates by extracting relevant information from the integrated calibration and measurement data stored in the recording medium. The system autonomously creates properly formatted certification documents with all necessary traceability information, eliminating the need for manual certificate preparation and significantly reducing the time and effort required for calibration documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of certificate creation with an automated data processing system. The generating section uses computational methods to automatically extract, organize, and format calibration data into certification documents, substituting manual administrative work with automated information processing that is both faster and more reliable.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging section images a subject to generate an image. A display displays an image. A measuring section measures the size of the subject on the basis of the image. A recording section associates calibration data of a measuring endoscope apparatus including a value obtained when the measuring section measures the size of the calibrator on the basis of an image obtained when the imaging section has imaged the calibrator, and calibration data of the calibrator including a value obtained when the calibrator is measured by a higher-rank measuring instrument of a traceability system, and a value obtained when the measuring section measures the size of a measurement object different from the calibrator on the basis of an image of the measurement object, with the image of the measurement object image and records the associated data on a recording medium.