Endoscope Display Orientation Control for Inverted Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscope apparatuses face difficulties in displaying images and on-screen information in a user-friendly manner when the device is used in inverted orientations, leading to potential operational challenges due to rotated text and interface elements.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope apparatus includes a display control portion that maintains the image in a non-rotated state while superimposing information and graphical user interfaces in a rotated state, depending on the device's orientation, ensuring easy readability and operation regardless of the device's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the endoscope apparatus is used in inverted orientation, then the device can access hard-to-reach inspection areas, but the displayed image and on-screen information become rotated and difficult to read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice orientation flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display information is segmented into two distinct components: the endoscopic image and the OSD (on-screen display) information. The image is displayed in its original captured orientation without rotation, while the OSD elements (text, icons, interface elements) are independently rotated to match the device's physical orientation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately for readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating the entire display content when the device is inverted, the patent applies inversion selectively only to the OSD information while keeping the image orientation unchanged. This inverted approach to the conventional solution (where everything would be rotated together) resolves the contradiction by maintaining image integrity while adapting text readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the entire display content is rotated when the device is inverted, then the on-screen information becomes readable, but the image orientation becomes distorted and confusing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation readabilityVSAvoidimage orientation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into image data and OSD data that are processed independently. The image maintains its original spatial orientation from the camera, while the OSD elements are separately rotated based on device orientation sensors. This prevents the image distortion that would occur if the entire display were rotated as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the display content receive different transformations: the image portion maintains its original orientation quality, while the OSD portion receives rotational transformation. This local differentiation allows each element to maintain its optimal display characteristics without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the image is rotated to match device orientation, then the overall display adapts to inverted positions, but the image itself becomes rotated which may cause misinterpretation of spatial relationships

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay adaptation to orientationVSAvoidspatial relationship accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into image and information layers. The image layer preserves the true spatial relationships as captured by the endoscope camera, while the information layer (OSD) adapts to device orientation. This prevents the loss of spatial accuracy that would occur if the entire image were rotated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inverting the image to match device orientation, the patent inverts only the OSD elements while keeping the image orientation faithful to the captured scene. This inverted selective approach preserves spatial relationship accuracy while still providing orientation adaptation through the rotated text and interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8821379B2Industrial endoscope apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

This endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion portion configured to include a bend portion; an image pickup portion configured to capture an image of an object to be inspected; an operation portion configured to perform a bending operation of the bend portion; a storage portion configured to store at least an image of the objected to be inspected as a recorded image; a display portion configured to display the image, and a display control portion configured to: determine a display orientation of a superimposition information; display the image captured by the image pickup portion without rotating the image; and display the superimposition information, the display control portion being further configured to: determine a display orientation of at least one of the recorded image and a Graphical User Interface; and display the at least one of the recorded image and the Graphical User Interface.