Master-Slave Processor Synchronization for Endoscope Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device systems, such as endoscope systems, require complex manual adjustments and settings when combining multiple processors and peripheral devices, leading to cumbersome operations, especially when switching between different types of endoscope systems like stereoscopic, frame-sequential, and simultaneous-type systems.

Innovation Solution

A medical device system where two processors are configured as a master-slave pair, with the master processor controlling settings and peripheral devices, allowing automatic synchronization and common setting updates, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and simplifying the operation of combining different endoscope systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processors are combined to construct endoscope systems (stereoscopic, frame-sequential, simultaneous-type), then system functionality and versatility are improved, but manual adjustment complexity and operation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic setting synchronization between processors without requiring manual intervention. The processors automatically detect and match settings such as image quality parameters, display content settings, and aspect ratios, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust each processor individually when combining different endoscope systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes and synchronizes various parameters between processors including image quality settings, display content parameters, and aspect ratio configurations. This automatic parameter matching allows different processor types to work together seamlessly without manual parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If processors are combined with peripheral devices (monitor, light source apparatus), then system capability is improved, but connection switching complexity and setting change difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidconnection switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the control of multiple processors and peripheral devices under a unified automatic synchronization framework. When processors are combined with shared peripheral devices, the system automatically manages connection switching and setting coordination, reducing the complexity of managing multiple connections and settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual setting adjustment is performed for each processor combination, then setting precision is maintained, but time consumption and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting precisionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic setting synchronization when processors are first combined or when peripheral devices are connected. This preliminary action establishes the correct settings in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent manual adjustments and maintaining setting precision while dramatically improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where processors continuously monitor and synchronize their settings with other processors and peripheral devices. This feedback loop ensures setting precision is maintained automatically without requiring manual verification or adjustment, thereby improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2674099B1Medical equipment system
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2674099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2674099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2674099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An endoscope system includes processors 12A and 12B, and settings in the processors are at least partially in common. And a setting content in a processor 12A determined to have a higher priority is transmitted to a processor 12B determined to have a lower priority (S3), based on a predetermined operation (S1), and the processor 12B changes a setting content that is in common with a setting content in the processor 12B among the received setting contents of the processor 12A (S5).