Endoscope Focus Position Control for Region of Interest Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems struggle to maintain optimal focus and brightness when a region of interest is outside the user's viewpoint, leading to decreased analysis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system that consecutively images a subject by switching between a reference focus position and a moved focus position, using a processor to analyze focus position movement images and recognize regions of interest, while adjusting imaging frequency and exposure based on movement amount and focus position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the focus position is fixed at a preset position, then the operation is simple, but the region of interest may be out of focus when it is outside the user's viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the focus position based on the detected region of interest. Instead of using a fixed preset focus position, the focus position is automatically moved to match the region of interest detected by the recognition function, ensuring that the region of interest remains in focus even when it is outside the user's initial viewpoint.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback loop where the recognition function detects the region of interest, and this detection information is fed back to control the focus position adjustment. This feedback mechanism ensures that the focus position is continuously optimized based on the actual region of interest location.
2Measurement precision
If the focus position is frequently adjusted to track region of interest, then the image analysis accuracy is improved, but the imaging frequency must be increased which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the region of interest using the recognition function before fully adjusting the focus position. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate the needed focus adjustment and prepare the imaging system accordingly, reducing the need for frequent high-frequency imaging while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging frequency is dynamically adjusted based on the movement amount of the focus position. When the focus position changes significantly, the system increases the imaging frequency to capture the region of interest accurately. When the focus position remains stable, the system reduces the imaging frequency to maintain productivity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between accuracy and productivity.
3Device complexity
If the exposure amount is not adjusted according to focus position, then the system is simpler, but the brightness becomes excessive or insufficient when the region of interest is outside the viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the region of interest detection to automatically adjust the exposure amount. The recognition function detects the region of interest and provides feedback to the exposure control mechanism, which then adjusts the exposure amount to appropriate levels for the detected region, preventing excessive or insufficient brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the exposure parameter (exposure amount) based on the detected focus position and region of interest. By adjusting the exposure amount according to the focus position and brightness detection, the system maintains optimal image brightness without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention consecutively images, with an endoscope, a subject by switching between a reference focus position where a focus position is a preset position and a moved focus position where a position of a focus lens is moved from the reference focus position, performs image analysis on a focus position movement image captured at the moved focus position to recognize a region of interest from the subject, and displays an endoscope image captured at the reference focus position on a screen and notifies of a result of the image analysis.