Light Adjustment Control Unit for In-Vivo Imaging Brightness Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body-insertable imaging apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent image brightness due to variations in distance between the device and the object, requiring frequent adjustments of the illumination unit, which increases power consumption and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A body-insertable apparatus with an illumination unit and an imaging device featuring an effective pixel region and an optical black region, where the light adjustment control unit adjusts the illumination based on pixel values from both regions, reducing the need for black level correction and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the illumination unit frequently adjusts the amount of light to maintain consistent image brightness, then image brightness consistency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing black level correction using the optical black region data before the actual image processing. The light adjustment control unit uses the pixel values from the optical black region to pre-determine the appropriate illumination level, avoiding the need for frequent adjustments during image capture. This preliminary correction establishes a baseline that stabilizes brightness without requiring continuous active adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the imaging device to automatically compensate for illumination variations using its own optical black region. The light adjustment control unit autonomously monitors the pixel values in the optical black region and self-adjusts the illumination unit accordingly, without requiring external intervention or complex external control systems. This self-regulating mechanism maintains brightness consistency while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the light adjustment control unit performs frequent light measurement and adjustment processes, then image brightness stability is improved, but arithmetic operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the black level information from the optical black region, which is physically separated from the effective pixel region. The light adjustment control unit isolates and uses only the necessary pixel values from the optical black region for light measurement, rather than processing data from the entire sensor array. This extraction approach simplifies the arithmetic operations required for light adjustment while maintaining brightness stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing light measurement and adjustment based solely on the optical black region data, which is a partial subset of the total sensor data. The light adjustment control unit does not need to process information from all pixels, but only from the specific optical black region, reducing the computational burden while achieving the same brightness stabilization effect.
3Manufacturing precision
If the apparatus uses conventional OB correction methods, then black level correction is achieved, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the black level correction function with the light adjustment control function into a single integrated process. The light adjustment control unit simultaneously performs both OB correction using the optical black region data and light measurement for illumination control, rather than treating them as separate sequential steps. This merging reduces the number of processing steps while maintaining correction precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by making the optical black region serve multiple functions: it is used both for black level correction and for light measurement in the light adjustment control. The same pixel values from the optical black region are utilized for dual purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated separate processing paths and reducing overall 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
This solution enables stable light adjustment independent of distance and device characteristics, reducing arithmetic operations and power consumption while maintaining consistent image brightness.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device having an effective pixel region on which an optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit is formed
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device having an effective pixel region on which an optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit is formed
Implementation Method 3
an illumination unit that illuminates an inside of the subject
Implementation Method 4
an optical black region at which the optical image is shielded
Data Source
AI summary
A body-insertable apparatus to be inserted into a subject includes an illumination unit that illuminates an inside of the subject; an imaging device having an effective pixel region that has a predetermined size and on which an optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit is formed, and having an optical black region at which the optical image is shielded; and a light adjustment control unit that adjusts an amount of light from the illumination unit to the effective pixel region based on pixel values of the effective pixel region of an image signal and pixel values of the optical black region of the image signal.