Frame-Sequential Image Pickup System Color Shift Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems for narrow band light observation face challenges in reducing color shift and backlash during frame-sequential image pickup, particularly in medical applications where precise imaging of blood vessels is required.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a light source unit that sequentially irradiates illumination lights in different wavelength bands, such as G and B, and an image processing apparatus that generates and assigns image signals to color channels using specific assignment processing equations to synchronize and update image data, reducing color shift and backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frame-sequential operation is used to sequentially irradiate illumination light in different wavelength bands, then narrow band light observation capability is improved, but color shift and backlash occur in the displayed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing synthesis signals for multiple fields in advance. The synthesis signal calculation unit computes the synthesis signal based on pickup images from multiple fields before display, and the synthesis signal storage unit retains these pre-computed signals. This allows the display to use pre-prepared synthesis signals that compensate for color shift and backlash, rather than calculating them in real-time during display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the synthesis signal - that mediates between the raw pickup images and the final displayed image. The synthesis signal calculation unit generates this intermediate synthesis signal by processing pickup images from multiple fields, and the synthesis signal storage unit holds this intermediary data. This synthesis signal acts as a buffer that corrects color inaccuracies before the final display, effectively mediating the color shift and backlash problems.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple pickup images from different fields are synthesized to reduce color shift, then image quality is improved, but processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces processing complexity during display by performing the complex synthesis signal calculation in advance. The synthesis signal calculation unit computes the synthesis signal based on pickup images from multiple fields before display, and the synthesis signal storage unit retains these pre-computed signals. This shifts the computational burden to a pre-processing stage, allowing simpler real-time display operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If synthesis signal calculation is performed for each frame, then color accuracy is improved, but processing time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves processing speed by performing synthesis signal calculation in advance and storing the results. The synthesis signal calculation unit computes the synthesis signal based on pickup images from multiple fields before display, and the synthesis signal storage unit retains these pre-computed signals. This allows the display to simply retrieve and use pre-calculated synthesis signals, dramatically reducing real-time processing requirements and improving overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup system includes a light source unit configured to perform illumination; an image pickup unit configured to output an image pickup signal; a pre-processing unit configured to generate a first image signal, a second image signal, and a third image signal, each corresponding to one field, and sequentially output the image signals; and a synchronization processing unit configured to selectively assign the image signals sequentially outputted to a first color channel, a second color channel, and a third color channel. The synchronization processing unit switches first assignment processing for assigning the first image signal to the first color channel and further assigning the second image signal to the second and third color channels and second assignment processing for assigning the first image signal to the first color channel and further assigning the third image signal to the second and third color channels.