Endoscope Measurement Marker Calibration for Optical Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope apparatuses fail to accurately measure the size of subjects positioned at the peripheral portion of the picked-up image due to distortion caused by the image pickup optical system, which is not considered in previous measurement marker displays.

Innovation Solution

A calibration device and method that perform representative point-extraction processing and create a representative point data table to associate representative points with irradiation positions, allowing for the display of measurement markers that account for the influence of image pickup optical system distortions, enabling accurate size measurement by adjusting marker shapes and positions based on the optical system's effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement markers are displayed without considering image pickup optical system distortion, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates at peripheral image areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration by capturing images of a chart with known geometry at multiple positions across the field of view. These calibration images are used to pre-calculate distortion correction parameters and create a lookup table or transformation model that compensates for optical distortion. This preliminary action enables accurate measurement without real-time complex calculations during actual measurement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calibration chart with known geometric features as a mediator between the optical system and the measurement process. By capturing images of this chart at various positions and using its known geometry to derive distortion characteristics, the system creates an intermediary reference that enables correction of peripheral distortion without requiring complex real-time optical modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If calibration is performed at multiple distances, then measurement precision is improved across different observation distances, but loss of time increases due to multiple calibration images required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration at multiple distances in advance and stores the calibration data for rapid retrieval during measurement. By pre-computing distortion correction parameters at multiple distances and storing them in a lookup table or database, the system eliminates the need for real-time multi-distance calibration during actual measurement, thus reducing time loss while maintaining precision across different observation distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of calibration data for different distances and stores them for rapid access. Instead of performing time-consuming calibration calculations each time measurement is needed, the system creates pre-computed copies of calibration information at multiple distances, allowing quick selection and application of appropriate calibration data based on the current observation distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3705023B1Endoscope apparatus, calibration device, and calibration method
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3705023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3705023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided an endoscope apparatus (10) that can display a measurement marker used to measure the size of a subject in consideration of the influence of a distortion and the like caused by an image pickup optical system (29b), a calibration device (200), and a calibration method. An image acquisition unit (38) acquires a picked-up image obtained from image pickup of a subject illuminated with illumination light and auxiliary measurement light. A display control unit (40) causes an observation display unit (18) to display a specific image where a first measurement marker used to measure the size of the subject is superimposed on the picked-up image. The display control unit performs control where the display aspect of the measurement marker varies according to the irradiation position of auxiliary measurement light and a marker display position on the picked-up image.