Endoscope Focus Control Device Zoom State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope technologies require manual switching of autofocus control during zoom observation, which is inconvenient and increases diagnosis time, as they lack automatic detection of the need for autofocus adjustments based on changes in contrast and luminance.
Innovation Solution
A focus control device that automatically determines whether to start or stop autofocus control by calculating focus evaluation values from captured images, using threshold values for contrast and luminance changes to differentiate between zoom and screening observation states, thereby switching between fixed-focus and autofocus control processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual switching of autofocus control is used during zoom observation, then the user has control over focus adjustments, but the operation becomes inconvenient and diagnosis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects zoom observation states by monitoring contrast and luminance changes, and autonomously switches between fixed-focus and autofocus control processes without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually switch focus modes, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing diagnosis time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors image contrast and luminance changes as feedback signals to determine whether the current observation state requires autofocus control. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the focus control process, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to observation conditions without manual input.
2Reliability
If autofocus control is continuously activated, then in-focus images are maintained during zoom observation, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the focus control mode based on real-time analysis of contrast and luminance changes. Rather than continuously activating autofocus, the system transitions between fixed-focus and autofocus modes according to the detected observation state, maintaining in-focus image quality while avoiding the unnecessary complexity of continuous autofocus activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter (focus control mode) based on detected conditions. By monitoring contrast and luminance parameters and switching between fixed-focus and autofocus modes accordingly, the system maintains image quality without requiring complex continuous autofocus mechanisms.
3Extent of automation
If automatic detection of zoom observation state is implemented, then autofocus can be automatically initiated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical switching operations with an automated detection and control mechanism. By using image processing algorithms to detect contrast and luminance changes, the system substitutes manual focus mode switching with automatic detection, thereby increasing automation level while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A focus control device includes an image acquisition section that acquires a captured image that has been captured by an imaging optical system, an evaluation value calculation section that calculates a focus evaluation value based on the captured image, the focus evaluation value being used to evaluate an in-focus state of an object in the captured image, a determination information calculation section that calculates determination information based on the focus evaluation value, a determination section that determines whether to start or stop an autofocus control process based on the determination information, and a focus control section that starts or stops the autofocus control process based on a determination result of the determination section.