Endoscope Distal Memory Backup for Sensor Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscope systems with CMOS image sensors, replacing a faulty image pickup unit requires changing the solid-state image pickup device, which can be time-consuming and prone to disruptions from electrocautery noise, as specific information linked to the image sensor must be rewritten into memory during the replacement process.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes a nonvolatile memory at the distal end for storing specific information linked to the image sensor, and a controller at the proximal end that backs up this information in a second nonvolatile memory when powered on, allowing it to be retrieved and transmitted as needed, thereby separating the data storage and retrieval from the replacement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the specific information is stored only in the first nonvolatile memory at the distal end, then the device structure is simple, but the replacement process is time-consuming and prone to disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller reads out the specific information from the first nonvolatile memory and stores it as backup information in the second nonvolatile memory before the replacement process begins. This preliminary action ensures that the information is already available when needed, eliminating the time-consuming rewriting step during replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The second nonvolatile memory acts as an intermediary storage device that holds backup information. During replacement, the controller can retrieve information from this intermediary memory instead of rewriting from the first memory, thereby speeding up the process and reducing disruptions.
2Reliability
If the information is rewritten into memory during replacement, then the data remains accurate, but the process is disrupted by electrocautery noise
Solution Approach 1:
The specific information is read out and stored as backup in the second nonvolatile memory before the replacement operation commences. By completing this data preparation in advance, the system avoids performing memory rewriting operations during the replacement process, thereby eliminating vulnerability to electrocautery noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the backup information in advance as a cushioning measure against potential disruptions. This pre-prepared backup ensures that even if electrocautery noise occurs during replacement, the data integrity is protected because no rewriting operations are being performed at that critical time.
3Loss of time
If the backup information is stored separately in a second memory, then the retrieval is faster and more reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs the action of reading and storing backup information in the second nonvolatile memory in advance, before replacement is needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time loss that would otherwise occur during replacement by having the information ready for immediate retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the specific information and stores it in the second nonvolatile memory. This copying approach allows fast retrieval during replacement without requiring complex real-time data processing, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an image sensor and a first memory, which is a nonvolatile memory, storing first information disposed in a distal end portion, and includes a controller and a second memory configured to back up the first information disposed on a proximal end side relative to the distal end portion. The controller reads out the first information stored in the first memory and stores the read first information as a backup in the second memory when the controller is started when supplied with power, and reads out the first information stored in the second memory and transmits the read first information to a video processor when the controller receives a request from the video processor.