Endoscope Data Converter Serializing Parallel Pixel Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in miniaturizing their distal ends while maintaining effective image signal processing and transmission, particularly in converting analog pixel signals to digital and serial formats efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a CMOS imager with multiple pixels, an analog-digital converter, and a data converter that alternately inverts digital pixel data and adds start and end bits to convert parallel data into serial transmission data, enabling efficient image signal processing and transmission with a small distal end size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distal end size is reduced, then the endoscope achieves miniaturization, but the circuit complexity and signal processing capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ADC and data converter functions into an integrated circuit located in the distal end. This merging of multiple signal processing functions into a single compact unit reduces the overall distal end size while maintaining the necessary signal processing capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal processing functions into distinct modular components (imager, ADC, data converter) that can be independently optimized and integrated. This segmentation allows each component to be minimized in size while maintaining its specific function, enabling the overall distal end to be compact yet functionally complete.
2Speed
If parallel data format is used for image signal processing, then the processing speed is improved, but the transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data format conversion, where the data converter automatically transforms parallel digital image data into serial transmission data with start and end bits. This dynamic conversion optimizes the data format according to the specific operation mode (processing vs. transmission), achieving both fast parallel processing and efficient serial transmission without sacrificing performance in either domain.
3Reliability
If digital image data is converted to serial format with start and end bits, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the data transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data structure parameters by adding standardized start and end bits to each serial data transmission. This parameter modification ensures reliable frame synchronization and data integrity during transmission while keeping the overhead minimal and predictable, thus improving reliability without excessive data overhead.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An endoscope (100) is provided having an imager (112), an analog-digital converter (113), and a data converter (114). The imager comprises multiple pixels which output pixel signals, and that outputs an image signal comprising the pixel signals. The analog-digital converter converts the image signal to digital image data in parallel data format. The data converter converts the digital image data to transmission data. The data converter converts the pixel-generated digital image data based on a first rule, converts the converted digital image data to converted pixel data in serial data format, and adds a start bit and an end bit to the converted pixel data to convert the digital image data to the transmission data.