Endoscope Color Correction via Numerical Aperture Coefficients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope apparatuses face challenges in achieving good color reproducibility when using light guides with different numerical apertures, leading to variations in color reproduction of endoscopic images, especially when these light guides are not designed to match the specifications of the light source apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates a signal processing unit that performs color correction processing by multiplying color correction coefficients based on the numerical apertures of the light guides, ensuring accurate color reproduction across different wavelengths and light guide characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common light source apparatus is utilized for endoscopes of different kinds, then device complexity is reduced, but color reproducibility deteriorates due to variations in light guide numerical apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting color correction coefficients based on the numerical aperture values of different light guides. The system stores multiple sets of color correction coefficients corresponding to different NA values and selects the appropriate coefficients through lookup tables, thereby maintaining accurate color reproduction across various light guide types without requiring separate light source apparatuses for each endoscope kind.
2Device complexity
If color correction is not performed according to numerical apertures for different wavelengths, then device complexity is reduced, but color reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing multiple sets of color correction coefficients in memory before actual image capture. These coefficients are prepared in advance for different numerical aperture values and wavelength bands, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and apply the appropriate correction without performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining high color reproducibility while minimizing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by selecting different color correction coefficients based on the detected numerical aperture value and wavelength band. This parameter switching approach allows the system to adapt color correction to match the specific optical characteristics of each light guide without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light guides with various characteristics are used, then adaptability is improved, but color reproducibility deteriorates due to mismatched numerical apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating a single light source apparatus that can work with multiple types of endoscopes having different light guide characteristics. The system accomplishes this by implementing a universal color correction mechanism that automatically adapts to different numerical aperture values through pre-stored correction coefficients, making the light source apparatus universally compatible across various endoscope kinds while maintaining consistent color reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains adaptability while ensuring color reproducibility by changing color correction parameters according to the detected numerical aperture. This allows the same light source apparatus to accommodate light guides with various characteristics (different NAs) by dynamically adjusting correction coefficients, thereby achieving both versatility and color accuracy simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
In an endoscope apparatus, inside an endoscope, color correction processing is performed that performs multiplication between a color correction coefficient that is set based on a plurality of numerical apertures with respect to a plurality of different wavelengths included in a wavelength band of illuminating light of a light guide that is mounted in the endoscope and that transmits light-source light from a light source apparatus, and at least one of B, G and R signals generated by the signal processing apparatus.