Endoscope Image Processing Apparatus Selective Data Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems face challenges in making conclusive diagnoses due to limitations in computing power, leading to the need for image information to be transmitted over a network for external processing, which can be time-consuming and requires significant data transmission.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus within the endoscope system that includes a first processor for diagnostic image processing, a second processor for selecting and transmitting image portions to an external image processing apparatus, and an interface for receiving processing results, allowing for efficient data transmission and high-precision diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image information is transmitted over a network to external equipment for diagnostic processing, then diagnostic capability is improved, but transmission time and data volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidtransmission time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data into multiple portions and transmits only the necessary portions to the external equipment. The internal image processing apparatus performs preliminary processing and selects specific image portions that require external analysis, thereby reducing the total data volume transmitted over the network while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential image portions that need external processing from the complete image data. The internal processing apparatus identifies and extracts relevant image segments based on diagnostic needs, transmitting only these extracted portions to external equipment rather than the entire image set, thus reducing transmission time and data requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If image information is transmitted over a network to external equipment for diagnostic processing, then diagnostic capability is improved, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data into multiple portions and transmits only the necessary portions to the external equipment. The internal image processing apparatus performs preliminary processing and selects specific image portions that require external analysis, thereby reducing the total data volume transmitted over the network while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential image portions that need external processing from the complete image data. The internal processing apparatus identifies and extracts relevant image segments based on diagnostic needs, transmitting only these extracted portions to external equipment rather than the entire image set, thus reducing transmission time and data requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If all image information is transmitted to external equipment for processing, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary image processing and analysis within the internal image processing apparatus before transmitting data externally. This preliminary action includes preprocessing, feature extraction, and selection of critical image portions, which reduces the complexity and volume of data requiring external processing, thereby maintaining diagnostic accuracy while improving overall processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential image portions that need external processing from the complete image data. The internal processing apparatus identifies and extracts relevant image segments based on diagnostic needs, transmitting only these extracted portions to external equipment rather than the entire image set, thus reducing transmission time and data requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250030819A1Endoscope system, and image processing apparatus and image processing method used in endoscope system

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An image processing apparatus for use with an endoscope system. The image processing apparatus including: a first processor configured to perform image processing on an inputted image, the image processing including a diagnostic process; a second processor configured to perform selection processing to select and transmit the inputted image to an external image processing apparatus connected to an external network; and an interface configured to receive a processing result of the diagnostic process by the external image processing apparatus. Wherein the external image processing apparatus is configured to perform at least one of a detection of a lesion candidate or a differentiation of the lesion candidate.