Multi-Camera Ophthalmic Imaging for Reflection Pixel Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmic imaging systems often produce images with undesired reflections due to illumination, which existing methods like polarization and interpolation fail to effectively address, leading to inaccurate or less clear images.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple cameras with different viewing directions to capture images of the eye, identifying reflection pixels in one image and using information from other images or surrounding pixels to correct these reflections, employing techniques such as averaging or overlaying correction pixels to reduce or eliminate reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If illumination is used to generate the image, then the image can be captured, but undesired reflections appear in the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the reflection itself as a reference to identify and correct problematic pixels. By detecting pixels that match the illuminator's spectral signature, the system converts the harmful reflection into a useful signal for identifying and correcting affected pixels through replacement with data from alternative viewpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that uses image data from multiple cameras at different positions. The correction process uses pixels from other viewpoints as intermediaries to replace or adjust the reflected pixels, effectively using alternative information paths to eliminate the harmful reflection effect.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing methods like polarization and interpolation are used to address reflections, then some reflection reduction may be achieved, but image accuracy and clarity become inaccurate or less clear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-viewpoint image processing to multi-viewpoint stereoscopic imaging. By capturing images from multiple cameras positioned at different locations, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the problem, allowing reflection-free pixels from alternative angles to be used for correcting reflected pixels in the original image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of the eye image from multiple camera viewpoints. These duplicate images serve as reference data sources, allowing the system to copy pixel information from reflection-free viewpoints to replace or correct pixels affected by reflection in the primary image.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture images from different positions, then reflection correction is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera system multi-functional by using the same cameras for both capturing the primary image and providing correction data. The system processes images from multiple viewpoints not just for stereoscopic display but also for reflection identification and correction, making the imaging apparatus serve multiple purposes simultaneously.
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 approach enhances image clarity by accurately reducing reflections, providing more precise and accurate ophthalmic imaging by leveraging stereoscopic reconstruction and interpolation of image data from multiple viewpoints.
Implementation Method 1
the reflection pixels image a reflection of light from the illuminator reflected by a location of the eye region
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic system images an eye region comprising at least one eye. The system includes a camera system and a computer. The camera system includes cameras that yield image portions of the eye region. Each camera is located at a position relative to the eye region and yields an image portion. The computer receives the image portions from the camera system. A first image portion is provided by a first camera, and a second image portion is provided by a second camera. The computer identifies identify target pixels of the first image portion, where the target pixels image a location of the eye region; determines image information of correction pixels of the second image portion, where the correction pixels image the same location of the eye region; and corrects the target pixels using the identified image information.