Endoscope CMOS Sensor High Frequency Signal Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with CCD image sensors face signal transmission challenges due to long cables, which cause high frequency component deterioration, whereas CMOS image sensors output digital signals less influenced by cable characteristics, but require effective processing to maintain image quality.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a CMOS image sensor, an A/D converting portion, and a high frequency component enhancement circuit, along with an inverse characteristic filter, is connected to a processor that includes a digital filter for correcting high frequency components, ensuring appropriate signal processing regardless of the processor's compatibility with CCD or CMOS systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a long cable is used to transmit signals from the distal end image pickup device, then the insertion portion diameter can be reduced, but high frequency component deterioration occurs in the transmitted signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system. By converting electrical signals to optical signals for transmission through the cable and then converting them back, the system achieves immunity to cable-induced frequency deterioration while maintaining a compact insertion portion design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. Optical signals serve as a mediator that is not affected by the cable's electrical characteristics, thereby preventing high frequency component deterioration while allowing long cable transmission for miniaturized insertion portions.
2Measurement precision
If a CCD image sensor is used to output analog signals, then image pickup quality can be achieved, but signal transmission over long cables causes frequency deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the analog electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system. This replacement eliminates the frequency deterioration problem associated with long cable transmission of analog signals while preserving the high image pickup quality capability of CCD sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from electrical analog signals to optical signals. This parameter change fundamentally alters the transmission characteristics, making the signal immune to cable-induced frequency deterioration while maintaining signal fidelity for high-quality image pickup.
3Manufacturing precision
If digital signals are transmitted from CMOS image sensors, then cable-induced frequency deterioration is reduced, but compatibility with processors designed for analog signals requires additional processing circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal signal transmission interface that works with both CCD and CMOS image sensors. By using optical signal transmission, the system can handle both analog and digital signals through the same transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate processing paths and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical signals as an intermediary that bridges the gap between different image sensor types and processor interfaces. This intermediary approach allows seamless transmission of signals from both CCD and CMOS sensors without requiring complex conversion circuits, as the optical transmission handles both signal types effectively.
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
This configuration ensures that the endoscope maintains image quality by effectively transmitting and processing digital signals, reducing the impact of cable-induced frequency deterioration and enabling compatibility with various processor types.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup portion configured to pick up an optical image of the subject and generate an analog image pickup signal
Implementation Method 2
an A/D converting portion configured to convert the analog image pickup signal to a digital image pickup signal and output the digital image pickup signal
Implementation Method 3
a cable having one end connected to the image pickup device, the cable being for transmitting the digital image pickup signal to another end side
Implementation Method 4
an inverse characteristic filter provided at the other end of the cable and having frequency characteristics equalizing frequency characteristics of the high frequency component enhancement circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope is an endoscope connectable to a processor provided with a high frequency component enhancement circuit configured to perform, for an image pickup signal having an attenuated high frequency component, enhancement correction of the high frequency component, the endoscope including: a CMOS image sensor provided with an image pickup portion configured to pick up an optical image of a subject and generate an analog image pickup signal and an A/D converting portion configured to convert the analog image pickup signal to a digital image pickup signal and output the digital image pickup signal; a cable for transmitting the digital image pickup signal; and a filter having frequency characteristics equalizing frequency characteristics of the high frequency component enhancement circuit.