Medical Control Device Brightness Adjustment for Endoscope Halation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscope systems, halation occurs due to the capture of objects other than the observation target, leading to increased image brightness and loss of information, which is difficult to address with large-sized image sensors or HDR photography methods that cause image blur.
Innovation Solution
A medical control device controls the brightness of imaging signals to reduce halation by adjusting the dynamic range of the display device, using gamma and inverse-gamma corrections to optimize image brightness for both HDR and SDR display devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a large-sized image sensor with large cell size is used to expand dynamic range, then halation is reduced, but device size increases making it difficult to use in compact endoscope camera heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of brightness in the imaging signal based on the dynamic range capability of the display device. By adjusting brightness parameter according to display device characteristics (HDR vs SDR), the system achieves halation reduction without requiring larger image sensors, thus maintaining compact endoscope camera head design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If HDR photography with multiple brightness images at different shutter speeds is used, then halation is reduced, but image blur occurs due to subject or device movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the display device's dynamic range before image capture. Based on this predetermined information, the system adjusts the brightness of the imaging signal in advance, eliminating the need for post-capture HDR synthesis and avoiding image blur from movement during multi-exposure photography.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes predetermined information about the display device's dynamic range characteristics. By taking out this information and using it to control imaging signal brightness, the system avoids the need for complex multi-exposure HDR photography and its associated image blur problems.
3Illumination intensity
If brightness of imaging signal is increased to match bright objects like forceps or gauze, then overall image brightness increases, but halation occurs causing loss of information and color in the observation region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the brightness parameter of the imaging signal based on the display device's dynamic range. By adjusting this parameter before image capture, the system prevents over-brightening that causes halation, thereby preserving information and color in the observation region while avoiding the need to increase brightness to match bright objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical control device includes a display controller configured to display, in a display device configured to display images, a medical image generated from an imaging signal generated by an imaging device configured to receive light coming from an observation target; and a brightness controller configured to control the brightness of the imaging signal in such a way that the display controller displays the medical image having a predetermined brightness. When the dynamic range of the display device is set to a second value that is greater than a first value, the brightness controller is configured to perform control to lower the brightness of the imaging signal as compared to the brightness of the imaging signal for displaying the medical image at the predetermined brightness when the dynamic range is set to the first value.