Endoscope Row-by-Row Imaging for Shape Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial endoscopes face challenges in accurately measuring the shape of subjects due to positional changes between viewpoints, leading to mismatches in stereo measurement parameters, which affects the accuracy of shape measurement and dimension analysis.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope device incorporates a light source, illumination optical system, observation optical system, imaging device, switching unit, and control unit to alternate between imaging conditions, allowing the imaging device to read pixel signals row by row during specific periods, and the control unit manages illumination and switching to maintain accurate image capture and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the endoscope device alternately acquires first image and second image to perform stereo measurement, then shape measurement function is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates when tip movement or subject movement occurs during image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between first and second imaging conditions at predetermined intervals. The control unit alternates between capturing images under first imaging condition and second imaging condition, enabling stereo measurement through periodic acquisition of images from different viewpoints. This periodic action allows the system to maintain measurement capability while accommodating potential movements during the acquisition cycle.
2Manufacturing precision
If switching between multiple imaging conditions is performed continuously, then image processing quality improves, but motion-induced errors increase due to tip movement during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines whether switching between imaging conditions should be performed based on predetermined criteria before actually executing the switching operation. This preliminary determination step allows the system to assess whether the current conditions are suitable for switching, thereby preventing switching operations that would introduce motion-induced errors while still enabling switching when it improves image processing quality.
3Productivity
If the imaging device reads pixel signals row by row during specific periods, then image capture efficiency improves, but time for complete image acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image acquisition process into segmented row-by-row reading operations during specific periods. Instead of capturing the entire image simultaneously, the imaging device sequentially reads pixel signals row by row, allowing partial image data to be processed and transmitted incrementally. This segmentation improves capture efficiency by enabling earlier start of processing while the remaining rows are being read.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of shape measurement by reducing motion-induced errors and improving image processing quality, leading to precise 3D coordinate calculation and enhanced measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source 37 that generates illumination light; an illumination optical system 80 that radiates the illumination light to a subject
Implementation Method 2
an observation optical system 60 that forms an optical image of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
In an endoscope device, an imaging device sequentially reads pixel signals from at least some of a plurality of pixels row by row during a first period. A control unit causes a light source to generate illumination light during a second period. The second period is at least a part of a period other than the first period. The control unit causes the light source to stop the generation of the illumination light during a third period. The third period is all of a period other than the second period. The control unit causes a switching unit to start switching of an imaging condition during the third period and complete the switching of the imaging condition during the third period.