Light Source Apparatus for Endoscope Color Balance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope light source apparatuses face challenges in maintaining optimal color balance and brightness across different semiconductor light sources, particularly when used with endoscopes having varying spectral sensitivity characteristics, which can lead to suboptimal image quality and require complex control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus comprising multiple semiconductor light sources (e.g., LEDs) with a control section that adjusts the light output based on spectral sensitivity characteristics of the endoscope, using PWM and current control to maintain a predetermined brightness and color balance by determining the light amount ratios and generating light adjustment information for each LED, ensuring simultaneous activation with a common pulse period to prevent image quality deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple semiconductor light sources with different wavelength bands are used to enable both normal observation and special light observation, then the versatility of the endoscope system is improved, but maintaining optimal color balance and brightness across different light sources becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control section dynamically adjusts the light amount parameters of each semiconductor light source based on the selected observation mode (normal or special light observation). By changing the light amount parameters independently for each wavelength band, the system maintains optimal color balance while enabling versatile observation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses spectral sensitivity characteristics of the endoscope as feedback information to determine appropriate light amount ratios. The control section acquires information relating to the ratio of light amount values and uses this feedback to generate appropriate light adjustment information, ensuring color balance is maintained across different observation modes.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex control mechanisms are implemented to maintain optimal color balance and brightness, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-acquires spectral sensitivity characteristics of the endoscope and stores information relating to light amount ratios. By performing this preparation in advance, the control section can quickly determine appropriate light adjustment information without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining image quality while reducing control mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing complex control mechanisms, the system simplifies control by focusing on adjusting key parameters (light amount ratios) based on predetermined spectral sensitivity characteristics. This parameter-based approach achieves high image quality with simpler control logic.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light amount of each semiconductor light source is adjusted independently to match spectral sensitivity characteristics, then the color balance is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section adjusts the light amount parameters of semiconductor light sources based on information relating to the ratio of light amount values. By changing parameters in a coordinated manner rather than independently, the system maintains color balance while simplifying control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section serves multiple functions: it acquires spectral sensitivity characteristics, determines light amount ratios, generates light adjustment information, and coordinates multiple light sources. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while achieving precise color balance control.
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
The solution provides endoscopes with illuminating light that matches the spectral sensitivity characteristics, maintaining optimal color balance and brightness, while extending LED lifespan by controlling light adjustment within a wide range and preventing color balance variations during fast-moving object capture.
Implementation Method 1
a first semiconductor light source that emits light with a first wavelength band; a second semiconductor light source that emits light with a second wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes: a control section that acquires information relating to a ratio of a light amount value for light with second wavelength band to a light amount value for light with first wavelength band, obtains a light amount value for the light with the first wavelength band so that an observation image has a predetermined brightness, and, from the information relating to the ratio, determines a light amount value for the light with the second wavelength band, and generates light adjustment information for making first and second semiconductor light sources emit light with the light amount value for the light with the first wavelength band and the light amount value for the light with the second wavelength band; and a drive section that, based on the light adjustment information generated by the control section, drives the first and second semiconductor light sources.