Endoscope Illumination Control for Color Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope apparatuses face challenges in performing effective color separation and image pickup under various illumination conditions, particularly when using multiple narrowband LEDs, as they struggle to separate return lights from different wavelength bands, leading to color mixture and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates a control system that determines whether to simultaneously or time-divide the illumination of LEDs in different wavelength bands based on the transmission characteristics of the color filter, ensuring that LEDs are either simultaneously irradiated when color separation is possible or time-divided when it is not, to optimize image pickup and reduce color mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple narrowband LEDs are used for illumination in different wavelength bands, then the endoscope can perform special light observation and normal observation, but color mixture occurs and image quality decreases due to inability to separate return lights from different wavelength bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination mode adjustable between simultaneous and time-division based on observation requirements. The control section dynamically selects the illumination strategy: using simultaneous illumination when the LED wavelength bands match color filter transmission bands for efficient color-separated imaging, and time-division illumination when matching is not possible to prevent color mixture. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between versatility and color separation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter (simultaneous vs. time-division) based on the matching between LED wavelength bands and color filter transmission bands. When parameters match, simultaneous illumination is used to maintain high frame rates and efficiency. When parameters don't match, time-division illumination is applied to ensure proper color separation. This parameter-based control strategy enables the system to adapt to different illumination conditions while maintaining image quality.
2Productivity
If simultaneous illumination of multiple wavelength bands is performed, then frame rate is maintained and efficiency is improved, but color mixture occurs when LED wavelength bands do not match color filter transmission bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by having the control section determine whether LED wavelength bands match color filter transmission bands before selecting the illumination mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that simultaneous illumination is only used when matching conditions are met, preventing color mixture while maintaining high frame rates. When matching is not possible, the system feedbacks to switch to time-division illumination mode to preserve color separation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination mode is dynamically adjusted based on the matching condition between LED wavelengths and color filter transmission bands. The system transitions between simultaneous and time-division illumination modes to optimize both frame rate and color separation accuracy for different observation scenarios.
3Manufacturing precision
If time-division illumination is used to prevent color mixture, then color separation is improved, but frame rate decreases and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameter from time-division to simultaneous based on the matching between LED wavelength bands and color filter transmission bands. When parameters match, simultaneous illumination is applied to maintain high frame rates without sacrificing color separation precision. This parameter-based optimization eliminates the need for time-division illumination in matching scenarios, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring color accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CCD with color filters is used for both normal and special light observation, then color image pickup can be performed under white illumination, but the system cannot effectively separate return lights from multiple narrowband LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination strategy adaptable to different observation modes and LED-color filter matching conditions. The control section dynamically selects between simultaneous and time-division illumination based on whether LED wavelength bands match color filter transmission bands, enabling effective return light separation for both normal and special light observations while maintaining observation mode versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination mode parameter based on the spectral matching between LEDs and color filters. This parameter change enables the conventional CCD with color filters to effectively separate return lights from multiple narrowband LEDs by ensuring that only matched wavelength bands are illuminated simultaneously, thereby reducing detection difficulty while maintaining observation versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient color-separated image acquisition, improving image quality by ensuring that LEDs are appropriately controlled to match the transmission wavelength bands of the color filter, thereby enhancing the endoscope's ability to perform under different illumination conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup device including a color filter that transmits light in transmission wavelength bands
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of LED units (16) that respectively generate lights in a plurality of different wavelength bands when electric power is supplied
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus includes an illuminating section capable of irradiating a subject with a light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelength band, an image processing section including a color filter configured by a plurality of filters, the image processing section generating, from two image pickup signals respectively generated in a first pixel and a second pixel that respectively receive light in a predetermined wavelength band and light in a wavelength band different from the predetermined wavelength band among return lights from the subject, first and second image signals, a control section that determines whether the two image pickup signals can be separated into the first and second image signals, and an illumination control section that performs irradiation in a time division manner or simultaneous irradiation according to a determination result whether the separation is possible or not.