Endoscope Imaging Apparatus Reducing Signal Path Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing resolution of imaging elements in endoscope apparatuses results in a significant increase in the amount of information in image signals, leading to larger signal transmission paths, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus outputs pixel signals only from a specified pixel area smaller than the whole pixel area of the imaging element, which contains the entire subject image, reducing the amount of information and the size of the signal transmission path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel signals from the whole pixel area of the imaging element are output as the image signal, then the image quality and completeness are improved, but the amount of information and the size of the signal transmission path increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary pixel signals from the specified pixel area that contains the subject image, rather than outputting all pixel signals from the entire pixel area. This extraction principle reduces the amount of information in the image signal while maintaining the complete subject image, directly resolving the contradiction between image quality and information quantity.
2Measurement precision
If pixel signals from the whole pixel area of the imaging element are output as the image signal, then the image completeness is improved, but the size of the signal transmission path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selecting and outputting only the pixel signals from the specified pixel area that contains the subject image. This reduces the number of transmission paths needed while ensuring the complete subject image is transmitted, thereby resolving the contradiction between image completeness and transmission path size.
3Quantity of substance
If a specified pixel area smaller than the whole pixel area is output as the image signal, then the amount of information and signal transmission path size are reduced, but the pixel area for signal output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by differentiating between the whole pixel area and the specified pixel area. The specified pixel area is specifically configured to contain only the necessary pixels for the subject image, optimizing the local region for signal output. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the output pixel area to the minimum necessary while maintaining complete subject image information.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus includes: an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging element configured to capture a subject image of inside of a subject, the imaging apparatus outputting an image signal obtained by capturing the subject image by the imaging element; a control apparatus configured to process the image signal to generate a video signal for display; and a signal transmission path configured to transmit the image signal from the imaging apparatus to the control apparatus. The imaging apparatus outputs, as the image signal, pixel signals of respective pixels in a specified pixel area out of a whole pixel area of the imaging element, the specified pixel area being smaller than the whole pixel area and containing the entire subject image.