Polarized Dermoscopy Image Control for Aligned Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual switching between polarization and non-polarization dermoscopy for skin tumor diagnosis is burdensome and prone to positional shifts, affecting diagnostic efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that automatically alternates between dermoscopic images taken with and without a polarizing filter, correcting luminance, aligning positions, and emphasizing differences to facilitate easier diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual switching between polarization and non-polarization dermoscopy is performed, then diagnostic information can be obtained from both observation modes, but user burden increases and positional shifts occur affecting diagnostic efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polarization and non-polarization dermoscopy images into a single composite image that displays both observation modes simultaneously. The polarization image and non-polarization image are overlaid or juxtaposed in one view, allowing doctors to obtain diagnostic information from both modes without manually switching between them, thereby reducing user burden while maintaining diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite image that copies and integrates information from both polarization and non-polarization observation modes into a single displayed image. This copying approach allows the diagnostic information from both modes to be available simultaneously without requiring the user to perform separate manual switching operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual switching between polarization and non-polarization dermoscopy is performed, then both observation modes can be used for diagnosis, but positional shifts occur between images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidimage position alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual switching operation with an automated image processing system. The system automatically captures, processes, and combines polarization and non-polarization images using computational methods, eliminating the mechanical switching process that causes positional shifts and maintaining precise alignment between the two observation modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies image processing techniques that adjust parameters such as luminance, contrast, and positioning of the captured images. By automatically adjusting these parameters during the composite image generation process, the system maintains precise positional alignment between polarization and non-polarization images without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automatic alternation between polarization and non-polarization images is implemented, then user burden is reduced and positioning is stabilized, but additional image processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic efficiencyVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service image processing system that automatically performs capture, alignment, luminance correction, and composite image generation without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously executing the entire workflow from image acquisition to final display, reducing user burden while maintaining controlled complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Reduces user burden, stabilizes image positioning, and enhances diagnostic sensitivity by clearly highlighting relevant skin structures, improving diagnostic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first image including a region of interest which is irradiated with first illumination light and imaged by an imaging element via a polarizing filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250292534A1Information processing apparatus, display control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus 100 includes one or more processors configured to: acquire a first image including a region of interest which is irradiated with first illumination light and imaged by an imaging element via a polarizing filter 31, and a second image including the region of interest which is irradiated with second illumination light and imaged by the imaging element without using the polarizing filter 31, and cause a display device 10 to switch between the first image and the second image in a state in which a position of the region of interest in the first image and a position of the region of interest in the second image substantially coincide with each other.