Endoscope Image Measurement Using Auto-Detected Reference Scale
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope measurement methods require time and effort to align a fixed-sized scale with the object to be measured, making the measurement process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope apparatus with an auxiliary measurement light source and processor that automatically determines a specific region on the subject, sets a reference scale, extracts a region of interest, and generates a measured value marker superimposed on the image to simplify the measurement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed-sized scale is used as a measured value marker, then the measurement can be performed using a standardized reference, but time and effort are required to manually align the scale with the object to be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs measurement by having the camera capture both the object and the scale in the same field of view, then the processor automatically identifies the scale position and calculates measurements without requiring manual alignment operations by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The scale is pre-positioned in the environment before measurement begins, and the system automatically detects and utilizes this pre-positioned scale when capturing images, eliminating the need for real-time alignment during the measurement process
2Measurement precision
If a fixed-sized scale is used as a measured value marker, then the measurement can be performed using a standardized reference, but manual alignment effort is required to position the scale correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The processor automatically detects the scale's position and orientation in the captured image, and autonomously performs the alignment calculations to generate the measured value marker, eliminating manual alignment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced by an automated image processing system that uses computer vision algorithms to detect the scale and calculate measurements automatically from the captured image data
3Measurement precision
If a measured value marker with a fixed-sized scale is displayed, then the scale provides a reference for measurement, but the marker may not be optimally positioned relative to the object to be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from manual two-dimensional positioning to automated positioning by adding the temporal dimension of automatic detection and calculation, where the processor analyzes the spatial relationship between the object and scale in the image to determine optimal marker placement
Data Source
AI summary
In an endoscope apparatus including a processor, the processor specifies the position of a specific region and sets a reference scale in a picked-up image that is obtained from the image pickup of a subject on which the specific region formed by auxiliary measurement light is formed. Then, the processor extracts a region of interest, determines a measurement portion, calculates a measured value obtained from the measurement of the measurement portion, on the basis of the reference scale, and generates a measured value marker using the measured value. Further, the processor creates a specific image in which the measured value marker is superimposed on the picked-up image.