Image Display Apparatus Hierarchical Extraction Visual Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image display apparatuses struggle to visually distinguish between images extracted based on previous and new extraction conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased time burdens for users observing in-vivo images.

Innovation Solution

An image display apparatus that employs a hierarchical image-extraction condition setting system, allowing for the display of new images extracted under changed conditions in a different pattern from those extracted under previous conditions, using features like varying display sizes or highlighting to differentiate them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image display apparatus re-extracts in-vivo images based on post-change extraction condition, then the images can be updated with new findings, but it becomes difficult to visually distinguish newly extracted images from previously extracted images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction condition change capabilityVSAvoidvisual distinction information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by displaying newly extracted images in a different color or with different visual styling compared to previously extracted images. This allows users to immediately distinguish between new and old images without losing the ability to review all images, thereby resolving the contradiction between updating extraction results and maintaining visual distinction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional visual dimension (such as overlay indicators, border styles, or positioning differences) to differentiate between newly extracted and previously extracted images. This extra dimension of information allows the system to maintain both the updated extraction capability and the visual distinction needed for efficient review.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the image display apparatus displays all extracted images in the same manner, then the display is simple and consistent, but users cannot efficiently identify newly observed images, increasing observation time and burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display simplicityVSAvoidimage observation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By applying different colors or visual styles to newly extracted images versus previously extracted images, the system maintains simple and consistent display for all images while simultaneously enabling users to quickly identify new images. This reduces observation time without complicating the overall display mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display treatment into different categories: newly extracted images receive special visual treatment while previously extracted images maintain standard display. This segmentation allows users to quickly locate new images without requiring complex display changes, thus reducing observation time while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If the image display apparatus uses complex display patterns to differentiate new and old images, then visual distinction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual distinction informationVSAvoiddisplay control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color changes as a straightforward visual differentiation method that can be implemented with minimal additional complexity. By applying different colors or styles to new versus old images, the system achieves effective visual distinction without requiring complex display control mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between visual distinction and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2172902B1Image display apparatus, image display method, and image display program
Publication Date: 2011.11.16 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP2172902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2172902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2172902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image display apparatus (4) includes a reader/writer (11) that obtains a series of images captured in time series, an extraction-condition setting unit (15c) that sets an image-extraction condition that can be hierarchically changed, an image extracting unit (15b) that extracts images from the series of images according to the image-extraction condition, a display unit (13) that displays a list of images, and a display controller (15a) that controls the display unit.