Light Field Endoscope Look Around Head Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video endoscope systems with 3D capabilities lack the 'look around' functionality, requiring users to maintain a fixed head position for depth perception, and are limited by high bandwidth and complexity, especially in autostereoscopic systems which are impractical for real-time video applications due to excessive data requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-view light field endoscope system utilizing a multi-camera setup with a video switching system, polarized eye wear, and an eye and head tracker, which selects and displays appropriate image pairs based on the user's head position, reducing the need for extensive cabling and bandwidth, while maintaining the simplicity of a two-channel stereoscopic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-camera autostereoscopic system is used to provide look around capability, then the user can move their head freely while maintaining depth perception, but the bandwidth and storage requirements increase dramatically (39 times for 39 cameras)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scene into multiple light field views captured by an array of cameras, then segments these views and presents only the relevant portion to each eye based on head position. This allows look around capability without transmitting all 39 views simultaneously, dramatically reducing bandwidth requirements while maintaining depth perception during head movement.
2Quantity of substance
If a traditional stereo endoscope system is used, then the bandwidth and system complexity are manageable, but the user cannot move their head and must maintain a fixed position to see the 3D image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic view selection system that automatically adjusts which light field views are presented to each eye based on real-time head position tracking. This dynamic adaptation enables head movement freedom while maintaining stereo depth perception, overcoming the fixed-head position limitation of traditional systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 39 cameras and 39 projectors are used to achieve look around capability, then multiple views are available simultaneously, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential stereo view information needed for depth perception, rather than transmitting all 39 light field views. By selecting and presenting only the relevant views based on head position, the system achieves look around capability with a manageable number of cameras and standard display equipment, dramatically reducing 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 the user to maintain depth perception with 'look around' capability during head movements, reducing the need for complex and costly robotic manipulators and minimizing bandwidth and cable requirements, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing capital equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
passive polarized eye wear
Implementation Method 2
multi-view light field endoscope system utilizing a multi-camera setup
Implementation Method 3
eye and head tracker
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-camera, multi-view light field endoscope simultaneously captures images of a body cavity using a plurality of camera sensors. The system makes use of input from an eye and head tracker to generate control signals selecting the specific pair of camera sensors that correspond to the user's eye and head position. By selecting only signals from the selected pair, transmission bandwidth, data rate, and system complexity are reduced. Use of the eye and head tracker give the user a look around, autostereoscopic capability with a simple, commercially available stereo display.