Focus Control for Endoscopic Imaging with Lost-Target Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic systems with high pixel count imaging elements face a decrease in depth of field, necessitating frequent focus adjustments, which can burden users and interfere with diagnosis and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A focus control device that automatically sets a focus drive mode based on target object detection, switching to autofocus mode when the object is detected and to a first or second positional mode when it is not, thereby reducing user burden and optimizing focus control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high pixel count imaging elements are used to improve image quality, then image resolution is improved, but depth of field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the focus drive mode based on real-time detection of target object presence and lost state. The focus control transitions between autofocus mode, first positional mode, and second positional mode according to the operational conditions, making the depth of field adaptable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focus drive mode parameter based on detection results. When the target object is detected, autofocus mode is selected; when lost state is determined, the system switches to positional modes. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between resolution and depth of field based on actual imaging conditions.
2Measurement precision
If autofocus operation is continuously performed to maintain focus on target object, then focus accuracy is improved, but unnecessary operations increase when object is not detected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously performing autofocus operations, the system applies partial action by executing autofocus only when the target object is detected. When the object is not detected or lost state is determined, the system switches to positional modes, avoiding excessive and unnecessary autofocus operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detection results from the imaging system itself to automatically determine when to switch between autofocus mode and positional modes. The focus control device serves itself by using its own detection capability to regulate its focus operation, eliminating the need for external control inputs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual focus adjustment is required to maintain large depth of field, then depth of field is preserved, but user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic focus control by itself based on detection results, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The focus drive mode is automatically selected between autofocus mode and positional modes according to whether the target object is detected, making the system self-sufficient in focus management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the detection results to automatically adjust the focus drive mode. When the target object is detected, autofocus mode is activated; when lost state is determined, positional modes are selected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain large depth of field when needed while automatically adapting to imaging conditions.
4Measurement precision
If autofocus mode is activated whenever object approaches or separates, then focus tracking is improved, but AF operations are performed in situations without need
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial autofocus action only when the target object is actually detected in the image. By introducing the lost state determination based on time-sequential analysis, the system avoids excessive autofocus operations that would occur with simple object approach/separation detection, performing AF only when truly needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lost state determination acts as an intermediary between object detection and autofocus activation. Instead of directly activating autofocus when object is detected, the system first determines whether the object is in a lost state through time-sequential analysis, using this intermediate judgment to decide whether to activate autofocus mode or switch to positional modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A focus control device includes a processor. The processor analyzes detection results of a target object in time sequence to determine whether the target object is in a lost state in which the target object is not temporarily captured into an image, sets a focus drive mode to an autofocus mode when the target object is detected, sets a first positional mode in which the focus lens is arranged at a position that is within a set range of an in-focus object plane position and is on the far point side of a central position when the target object is not detected and is not in the lost state, and sets the focus drive mode such that a lens position is nearer to a near point than in the first positional mode or sets the focus drive mode to the autofocus mode in a when the lost state is determined.