Endoscope Apparatus Stereoscopic Image Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems face challenges in providing comfortable and fatigue-free three-dimensional observation due to limitations in depth perception and distortion, especially when observing objects close to the monitor screen, leading to increased eye strain during close observations.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates dual optical systems for left-eye and right-eye image formation, an image pickup element, and an image processing unit that adjusts image shift and distortion to satisfy specific conditional expressions, allowing for optimal three-dimensional image display on a monitor, thereby enhancing depth perception and reducing eye fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional endoscope systems are used for three-dimensional observation, then depth perception is achieved through parallax images, but eye strain increases during close observations due to limitations in depth perception and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the relationship between object distance (CP) and distortion (Dt1) to satisfy a specific conditional expression. By adjusting these parameters within defined ranges, the system optimizes the stereoscopic display to reduce eye strain while maintaining accurate depth perception during close observations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating and compensating for distortion effects before image display. The image processing unit applies correction based on the measured distortion characteristics, counteracting the harmful effects of distortion-induced eye strain before they affect the observer
2Ease of operation
If multiple images with parallax are captured for stereoscopic display, then three-dimensional observation is achieved, but image distortion increases at maximum image height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the distortion parameter Dt1 at maximum image height by adjusting optical system parameters and satisfying a specific conditional relationship between object distance and distortion. This ensures that three-dimensional observation capability is maintained while distortion remains within acceptable limits
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing unit measures the actual distortion in captured images and applies corrective transformations based on the measured distortion characteristics. This feedback mechanism ensures that distortion is compensated in real-time, maintaining image quality across the entire field of view
3Ease of operation
If the amount of left and right shift of pictorial images is reduced to improve depth perception, then comfortable observation is achieved, but the ability to observe objects at various distances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of image shift and distortion parameters based on the observed object's distance. The system adapts the parallax and distortion compensation in real-time, allowing comfortable observation of close objects while maintaining the ability to observe objects at various distances by dynamically adjusting the display parameters
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an endoscope apparatus which enables to observe a three-dimensional image which is easy to view even in close observation.An endoscope apparatus, comprises:optical systems which form images for a left-eye and a right-eye respectively;an image pickup element which captures the two images and generates pictorial images for the left eye and the right eye; andat least one image processing unit which carries out processing of a pictorial image signal from the image pickup element and creates a stereoscopic image that can be displayed on a monitor, whereinthe endoscope apparatus satisfies the following conditional expression (1)0.3<CP×(1+Dt1)<7, and CP≤10 (1)where,CP denotes a distance (mm) from a surface nearest to object of the optical system up to an object, when an amount of left and right shift of the left-eye pictorial image and the right-eye pictorial image becomes 0, at a center of a monitor screen, andDt1 denotes a distortion in length at the maximum image height.