Imaging-observation apparatus real-time polarization synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging-observation methods struggle to easily locate and visualize differences in images shot under varying polarization conditions, making it difficult to identify spots or diseased regions on the skin surface.
Innovation Solution
An imaging-observation apparatus that captures images under multiple different shooting optical conditions simultaneously and synthesizes them in real-time according to operator input, allowing for the generation and display of synthetic moving pictures that enhance visibility of differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple images under different polarization conditions are displayed separately, then complete information about skin surface and subcutaneous tissue is obtained, but it becomes difficult to locate and identify spots or diseased regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple images captured under different polarization conditions into a single synthetic image. The image synthesizing section superimposes the skin surface image and subcutaneous tissue image with adjustable synthesis ratios, allowing spots and diseased regions to be visually identified while preserving complete information from both polarization conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows different regions of the synthetic image to emphasize different polarization components. By adjusting the synthesis ratio, certain areas with spots or diseases can be enhanced to have higher visibility, while other regions maintain their original information integrity, thus achieving local optimization of detection quality.
2Measurement precision
If sequential shooting of skin surface and subcutaneous tissue images is performed, then accurate separate observation is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous capture of multiple polarization images using multiple image capturing sections. Instead of sequentially shooting different polarization conditions, the system captures skin surface and subcutaneous tissue images at the same time, eliminating idle time between shots while maintaining the accuracy of separate observation through real-time synthesis.
3Device complexity
If fixed synthesis ratio is used for image combination, then processing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different observation needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display control section that allows dynamic adjustment of the synthesis ratio between different polarization images. The synthesis ratio is not fixed but can be changed according to observation needs, enabling users to emphasize either skin surface or subcutaneous tissue information as required, thus achieving adaptability without significantly increasing system complexity.
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
Enables easier detection of differences caused by varying shooting conditions, improving the visibility of skin texture, subcutaneous tissue, and spots, facilitating more effective skin observation and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
the skin surface may be irradiated with predetermined polarized light and shot through a polarizer. Then, an image, of which the majority is surface reflected light components with surface information, and an image, of which the majority is internally reflected light components with subcutaneous tissue information, can be shot separately.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging-observation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an image capturing section that shoots a subject under multiple different shooting optical conditions at the same time and sequentially generates a plurality of images under those multiple different shooting optical conditions; a display control section that accepts an operator's input; an image synthesizing section that synthesizes together the plurality of images in accordance with the input to the display control section at a synthesis ratio specified by the input and sequentially generates synthetic images one after another; and a display section that presents the synthetic images.