Endoscope Clamp Circuit Phase Adjustment for Signal Delay Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscope apparatuses for industrial use face signal delay issues due to the length of the insertion portion, leading to inaccurate image pickup and processing, especially when endoscopes of varying lengths are attached and detached, causing delays that affect image quality and processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope apparatus with a clamp circuit that clamps image pickup signals using an optical black pulse, adjusted in phase based on the endoscope type and insertion length, to ensure accurate image processing and video signal conversion, utilizing a processor apparatus connected to an image processing section and a phase changing section to address signal delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If endoscopes with various insertion portion lengths are used to adapt to different inspection targets, then the adaptability of the endoscope apparatus is improved, but signal delay increases due to the longer transmission path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various inspection targetsVSAvoidsignal delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the endoscope type and insertion portion length before image processing. The control unit stores correspondence relationships between endoscope types/lengths and their respective signal delays, and proactively determines the appropriate delay compensation value before the imaging process begins, ensuring accurate timing adjustment is already in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter of the optical black pulse based on the identified endoscope type and insertion portion length. By dynamically adjusting the pulse timing to compensate for signal delay, the system maintains accurate image processing across different insertion lengths while preserving adaptability to various inspection targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the insertion portion length is increased to reach deeper inspection targets, then the inspection capability is improved, but image pickup accuracy deteriorates due to signal delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection capabilityVSAvoidimage pickup accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the identified endoscope type and insertion portion length to automatically adjust the optical black pulse timing. The control unit receives information about the connected endoscope, determines the appropriate signal delay compensation, and applies it to maintain image pickup accuracy regardless of insertion depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the timing parameter of the optical black pulse based on the insertion portion length. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system compensates for the increased signal delay in longer insertion portions, thereby maintaining measurement precision and image pickup accuracy for deep inspection targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If signal processing is performed without considering insertion portion length, then the device complexity is reduced, but image processing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing complexityVSAvoidimage processing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the endoscope type and insertion portion length, and pre-determines the appropriate signal delay compensation value. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain high image processing accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustments during image processing, as the correct parameters are already established before processing begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it identifies the endoscope type, determines the insertion portion length, stores correspondence relationships, and adjusts the optical black pulse timing. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain image processing accuracy across different endoscope configurations without requiring separate complex processing circuits for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9247863B2Endoscope apparatus which controls clamping of optical black included in an image pickup signal

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

An endoscope apparatus has a clamp circuit that clamps an image pickup signal that is obtained by picking up of an image with a CCD at timing that is specified with an optical black pulse, an image processing section that applies various kinds of signal processing to the image pickup signal that is outputted from the clamp circuit to convert the image pickup signal into a video signal, and a timing generator and a control section that change a phase of the optical black pulse in response to a kind of an endoscope or a length of an insertion portion.