Endoscopic Imaging Device Data Rate Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting image data due to differences in data transmission rates and processing capacities between sequential and simultaneous lighting methods, leading to degraded image resolution and processing capacity when using control devices that only support simultaneous lighting.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with an observation method determining unit and data reducing unit that adjusts the data transmission rate by switching the reading area or reducing the data amount of the image signal based on the identification information of the connected control device, allowing for standardized data transmission regardless of the observation method used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sequential lighting method is used to capture multiple color images, then the image quality and color information are improved, but the data amount of image signal increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device dynamically adjusts the reading area size based on the connected control device's capabilities. When a control device supports only simultaneous lighting method, the reading area is reduced to match the expected data transmission rate, preventing data overflow while maintaining acceptable image quality for that device type
2Measurement precision
If the data amount of image signal is increased to maintain image quality, then the transmission rate requirement increases, but the transmission rate is limited by the control device's processing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the parameter of reading area size according to the control device's identification information. By detecting whether the control device adopts first or second observation method, the system adjusts the reading area to produce image signals with appropriate data amounts that match the control device's processing capacity
3Productivity
If the reading area is reduced to match the control device's processing capacity, then the data transmission rate is controlled, but the image resolution may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different reading area sizes to different control devices based on their capabilities. For control devices with higher processing capacity, a larger reading area is used to maintain high image resolution. For control devices with limited capacity, the reading area is reduced to match their processing capability, accepting lower resolution as a trade-off
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 solution ensures consistent data transmission rates and image quality by reducing the data amount transmitted to the control device, accommodating both new-generation and older-generation control devices, and maintaining image resolution across different observation methods.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element configured to irradiate a subject with illumination light, capture an optical image reflected from the subject, and generate an image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes: an imaging element that generates an image signal of a subject; an observation method determining unit that determines, based on identification information indicating types of a control device connected to the imaging device, whether the control device adopts a first observation method for processing an image signal indicating a plurality of images of the subject per one frame period or a second observation method for processing an image signal indicating a single image of the subject per one frame period; and a data reducing unit. If the control device adopts the second observation method, the data reducing unit reduces a data amount of the image signal to be transmitted to the control device per unit time such that a transmission rate indicating the data amount of the image signal per unit time is acceptable to the control device that adopts the second observation method.