Electronic Endoscope Processor Dual Memory Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic endoscope processors face challenges in obtaining clear still images with minimal blur or color drift, especially when the observation target has moved significantly, and require re-shooting images due to gaps in stored data, leading to increased time and difficulty in recognizing diseased portions.
Innovation Solution
A processor for electronic endoscopes that includes image data generating, storing, and motion detection means, allowing for sequential storage and playback of image frames, switching between modes to optimize frame display and storage, ensuring continuous data availability for rapid retrieval of clear still images without waiting for new data accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single memory is used to store image data for still image acquisition, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases because the system must wait for new data accumulation during re-shooting
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into two independent memories (first memory and second memory) that operate in parallel. This segmentation allows the system to alternate between storing new image data in one memory while retrieving and displaying still images from the other memory, eliminating the need to wait for data accumulation and enabling rapid re-shooting without increasing overall system complexity.
2Loss of time
If image data is stored only when needed for display, then the loss of time for data accumulation is reduced, but the loss of information increases because no data is stored during re-shooting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by having two memories operating in parallel while alternating roles. While one memory is being written with new image data, the other memory is being read for still image display. This continuous alternation ensures that image data is continuously stored without interruption, and the system can immediately re-shoot and display new images without waiting for data accumulation, thus preventing both time loss and information loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system automatically selects images with lower blur for still image display, then the manufacturing precision of image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional motion detection and comparison functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously detecting motion and evaluating image quality metrics (such as blur levels) for each incoming image frame before it is stored in memory. This preliminary evaluation allows the system to pre-identify high-quality images that are suitable for still image display, so that when a still image is requested, the system can immediately retrieve a pre-validated high-quality image without needing complex real-time analysis at the moment of display, thus improving image quality while managing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor for an electronic endoscope includes first and second image storing units; a motion detector obtains a difference of image data; and a controller executes control in one of a first mode where the image data is sequentially converted into the video signal, and the image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the first and second image storing units; a second mode where the image data stored in the first image storing unit is outputted, and the generated image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the second image storing unit; and a third mode where the image data stored in the second image storing unit is outputted, and the generated image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the first image storing unit, and in the second and the third modes, based on the difference.