Imaging Apparatus Dual-Format Image Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in preserving image quality for quantitative evaluation and analysis due to irreversible compression of moving image files, which degrades image data and limits the use of image processing techniques.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an excitation light source, a visible light source, a photographing unit, and an image processing unit that combines and stores fluorescence and visible light images as both irreversibly-compressed and reversibly-compressed/uncompressed moving image files, allowing for synchronized recording and analysis, enabling high-quality image data collection for various analyses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If irreversible compression is applied to moving image files for light handling and reduced storage load, then data transmission load is reduced and data reproduction is facilitated, but image quality is degraded and the images cannot be used for quantitative evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single image data stream into two separate storage paths: one for irreversibly compressed moving image files (for display and light handling) and another for uncompressed or reversibly compressed image data (for analysis and quantitative evaluation). This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the captured image data and stores it in two different formats simultaneously. The original high-quality data is preserved in uncompressed or reversibly compressed form while a copy is irreversibly compressed for efficient storage and transmission. This copying approach enables both high-quality analysis and efficient handling without loss of the original data.
2Volume of stationary object
If irreversible compression is used to reduce storage device requirements, then storage capacity requirements are reduced, but image data is degraded and various image processing techniques cannot be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage capacity allocation into two distinct portions: one dedicated to irreversibly compressed moving image files for efficient storage and display, and another dedicated to uncompressed or reversibly compressed image data that preserves full quality for various image processing techniques and quantitative evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains copies of image data in different compression formats. The uncompressed or reversibly compressed copies preserve full image quality for analysis while the irreversibly compressed copies reduce storage requirements for archival and display purposes.
3Productivity
If a single camera photographs visible light and near-infrared light simultaneously at the same frame rate, then both fluorescence and reflected light images are captured, but data handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handling of multiple image data streams by implementing a unified dual-format storage system. Both fluorescence images (near-infrared) and reflected light images (visible) are captured simultaneously and processed through the same dual-path storage architecture, where each is stored in both irreversibly compressed and uncompressed/reversibly compressed formats. This merging approach simplifies data handling compared to separate processing systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for the acquisition and analysis of high-quality moving images, facilitating spatial, temporal, and quantitative analyses by maintaining image integrity and reducing data storage and transfer loads, while enabling synchronized recording and display of irreversibly-compressed and reversibly-compressed/uncompressed images.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation light source that irradiates a fluorescence substance infiltrated into a body of a subject with excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a visible light source that irradiates the subject with white light
Data Source
AI summary
The control unit includes, as a mechanical configuration, an image processing unit and a recording control unit. The image processing unit includes a combining unit that combines the fluorescence image acquired by the illuminating/photographing unit and the visible light image, a condition designation unit that designates an analysis condition and the like of an image analysis by an analyzing unit to be described later, and an analyzing unit that performs an analysis under the analysis condition designated by the condition designation unit. The storage unit includes an image storage unit including a reproduction moving image storage unit that stores a combined moving image obtained by combining the fluorescence image and the visible light image by the combining unit in the image processing unit as an irreversibly-compressed moving image file and an analysis moving image storage unit that stores a fluorescence moving image and a visible light moving image.