Sequential Wavelength Illumination for Endoscope Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in efficiently capturing high-quality color images, particularly under conditions where outside light interference is significant, and struggle to balance frame rate, resolution, and color reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus employs an illumination section with a light source that selectively emits different wavelength bands of light, controlled by an illumination switch controller to optimize illumination patterns based on the sensitivity characteristics of the imaging pixels, allowing for sequential emission of varying light combinations to process images effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If white light broadband illumination method is used, then color image can be obtained, but outside light interference significantly degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband white light spectrum is segmented into multiple discrete wavelength bands (e.g., blue, green, red). The illumination unit selectively emits light from specific wavelength bands corresponding to the sensitivity characteristics of imaging pixels, rather than using continuous broadband illumination. This segmentation allows the system to capture color information while rejecting outside light across the entire spectrum, thereby improving image quality in environments with significant outside light interference.
2Device complexity
If frame sequential illumination method is used, then color image can be obtained without color filters, but frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit performs periodic switching between different wavelength band emissions (e.g., blue, green, red bands) in a cyclic manner. By synchronizing the imaging operation with this periodic illumination switching, the system captures color information sequentially without requiring color filters on the image pickup device. This periodic action maintains frame rate while achieving color imaging functionality.
3Productivity
If multiple wavelength bands are emitted simultaneously, then color information is captured faster, but imaging pixels with different sensitivity characteristics cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit dynamically switches between different wavelength band emissions based on the specific sensitivity characteristics of imaging pixels at different positions. Rather than using fixed simultaneous multi-wavelength illumination, the system adaptively adjusts which wavelength bands are emitted and when, matching the temporal and spatial sensitivity profiles of the imaging pixels. This dynamic approach optimizes both capture speed and measurement precision.
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 display performance by improving frame rate, resolution, and color reproducibility, while minimizing the impact of outside light interference, making it suitable for applications like microscopes and endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination section (102) which applies an illumination light ray to an observation target (200)
Implementation Method 2
an imaging section (104) which images the observation target (200) by an image pickup device (1042) to acquire an image signal regarding the observation target (200)
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes an illumination section, an imaging section, and an image processor. The illumination section includes an illumination unit configured to selectively emit illumination light rays of light wavelength bands different from each other, and an illumination switch controller which generates an illumination unit control signal corresponding to each of sets of emission patterns so that combinations of the light wavelength bands of the illumination light rays emitted from the illumination unit are different from each other and the illumination switch controller controlling the illumination unit so that the illumination light rays are sequentially emitted from the illumination unit in the sets of emission patterns different from each other.