Endoscope Image Processing Apparatus Infrared Contrast
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope image processing technologies face challenges in generating high-contrast infrared image data and achieving good color reproducibility in RGB color image data without using an expensive IR cut filter, which complicates the system and hinders miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates high-contrast infrared image data and high-color-reproduction RGB image data by processing signals from an image pickup device, using coefficients to combine red, green, blue, and infrared components, and adjusting spectral sensitivities to match ideal photoelectric conversion element characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for an IR cut filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an IR cut filter is provided in front of the image pickup device to improve color reproducibility, then color reproducibility is improved, but system cost increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the infrared-blocking function from a physical IR cut filter and implements it through software-based image processing. The image processing apparatus separates infrared components from RGB signals using spectral analysis and mathematical processing, eliminating the need for a physical filter in front of the image pickup device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical IR cut filter with an electronic/image processing system. By using digital signal processing techniques to analyze and separate spectral components, the system achieves infrared filtering functionality through computation rather than physical filtration.
2Measurement precision
If an IR cut filter is provided to improve color reproducibility, then color reproducibility is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive physical IR cut filters with a cost-effective software-based image processing solution. The image processing apparatus uses computational algorithms to achieve infrared separation, eliminating the need for costly optical components while maintaining color accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If frame sequential image pickup is used to obtain infrared image data, then infrared information accuracy is improved, but color shift occurs for moving subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the color image pickup and infrared image pickup processes into a single simultaneous operation. By using a single image pickup device that captures both RGB and infrared information at the same time, the system eliminates the temporal separation inherent in frame sequential methods, preventing color shifts in moving subjects while maintaining infrared accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image pickup device multi-functional by enabling it to capture both color (RGB) and infrared information simultaneously through a single device. This universal approach allows the system to perform both color imaging and infrared imaging without requiring separate pickup mechanisms or sequential operations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If simultaneous image pickup is used to avoid color shift, then color stability is improved, but infrared information accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters of the captured signals by applying spectral analysis and mathematical transformations to the simultaneously captured RGB data. Through coefficient-based processing and spectral decomposition, the system extracts accurate infrared information from the color image data, maintaining both color stability and infrared accuracy.
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
The solution enhances the contrast of infrared image data and improves color reproducibility of RGB image data, improving test accuracy and enabling miniaturization of the endoscope system while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
An endoscope using a CCD or CMOS image sensor as an image pickup device
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a color image data generation section 54 that generates color image data from an image pickup signal of a red component, an image pickup signal of a green component, and an image pickup signal of a blue component which are output from an image pickup device 100; an infrared image data generation section 53 that generates infrared image data from an image pickup signal of an infrared component output from the image pickup device 100; and a high-contrast infrared image data generation section 55 that generates high-contrast infrared image data using the color image data and the infrared image data. Contrast of the high-contrast infrared image data is more enhanced than that of the infrared image data.