Endoscopic Image Processing Brightness Correction for Uneven Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic images obtained during near-point observation often suffer from uneven light distribution due to overlapping and non-overlapping illumination ranges, resulting in dark regions that are not adequately illuminated, which complicates brightness adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic image processing apparatus that employs a brightness correction circuit to adjust pixel values based on thresholds specific to near-point and far-point images, determining the light distribution state of the image to apply appropriate brightness corrections, thereby addressing uneven illumination issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If aperture is increased to improve brightness of near-point image, then brightness is improved, but light distribution unevenness worsens due to overlapping illumination ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different brightness correction strategies to different regions of the image. The brightness correction circuit performs different corrections on pixels in dark regions versus pixels in well-illuminated regions, creating local quality adjustments that address the uneven light distribution while maintaining overall brightness improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of aperture size dynamically based on observation conditions. The control circuit adjusts aperture to be larger when sufficient brightness is obtained and smaller when brightness correction is needed, allowing the system to adapt between brightness improvement and light distribution uniformity based on real-time conditions
2Illumination intensity
If brightness correction is applied to dark regions in near-point image, then brightness of dark regions is improved, but complexity of image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct functional blocks: a light distribution state determination circuit that identifies whether the image is in near-point or far-point mode, and a brightness correction circuit that applies appropriate corrections. This segmentation allows complex processing to be broken down into manageable, specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the light distribution state before applying brightness correction. The light distribution state determination circuit evaluates the image characteristics first, and only then does the brightness correction circuit apply the appropriate correction algorithm, avoiding unnecessary processing in cases where correction is not needed
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic image processing apparatus includes a memory configured to store a threshold THn to determine a dark region in the near-point image inputted, a brightness correction circuit configured to perform brightness correction on the near-point image based on the threshold THn depending on timing of acquiring the near-point image and perform second brightness correction on the far-point image based on a threshold THf on the far-point image, and a light distribution state determination circuit configured to determine whether a light distribution state of a live image from an endoscope is a light distribution state of the near-point image. The brightness correction circuit, in the timing of acquiring the near-point image, performs the first brightness correction when the light distribution state determination circuit determines that the light distribution state of the live image is the light distribution state of the near-point image.