Endoscope Dual-Processor Image Data Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems face challenges in efficiently processing high-load image data for both live and still images, leading to potential stagnation of live image display and reduced operability during image-quality improvement processing.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual-processor architecture where a first processor in the endoscope device handles live image display processing and outputs image data to a separate second processor for image-quality improvement processing, allowing parallel processing and reducing the processing load on the endoscope device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If image-quality improvement processing is performed on still images using the same processor that handles live image display, then advanced image processing can be applied to still images, but live image display may stagnate and operability deteriorates due to high processing load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing system into two separate processors: a first processor dedicated to live image display processing and a second processor dedicated to still image processing including quality improvement. This segmentation allows each processor to handle its specific tasks independently, preventing the high processing load of still image quality improvement from affecting live image display smoothness and maintaining high operability.
2Manufacturing precision
If advanced image processing is applied to still images, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases and live image display may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments processing tasks by dedicating the second processor exclusively to still image processing including advanced quality improvement algorithms. This allows computationally intensive operations to run in parallel without blocking the first processor's live display functionality, eliminating processing time conflicts and delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image storage unit as an intermediary between the image pickup unit and processing units. Raw image data is stored in this intermediate storage, allowing the second processor to access and process still images for quality improvement without requiring the first processor to pause or slow down live display operations, thus preventing processing time conflicts.
3Productivity
If high processing load operations are performed on the endoscope device processor, then comprehensive image processing can be achieved, but device complexity increases and may require more powerful hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments processing capabilities across two processors with distinct roles: the first processor handles real-time live display requirements while the second processor handles computationally intensive still image quality improvement. This segmentation distributes processing burden and allows each processor to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the need for an overly powerful single processor and managing device complexity through functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic device including: an image sensor configured to acquire image data; and a first processor comprising hardware, wherein the first processor is configured to: execute a first processing to process the image data, wherein the first processing involves a first processing load; acquire an instruction to perform a second processing to process the image data, wherein the second processing involves a second processing load different from the first processing load; and in response to acquiring the instruction, control a communication interface to output the image data to a second processor comprising hardware, wherein the second processor is provided separately from the endoscopic device, and wherein the second processor is configured to execute the second processing based on the image data.