Imaging Device Spotlight Grid Size Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging devices, such as endoscopes, face challenges in accurately determining the size of objects due to varying distances and imaging directions, making it difficult to grasp the object's size from captured images.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a spotlight emitting unit that captures measurement frame images with two parallel spotlights and generates grid images with lines set at intervals based on the distance between the spot areas, allowing for the superimposition of grid lines onto moving images to facilitate size measurement and recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the distance between the imaging unit and the object changes, then the captured image size changes, but the ability to accurately determine object size deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject size determination accuracyVSAvoiddistance between imaging unit and object

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference object with known dimensions into the imaging field. This reference object serves as an intermediary standard that enables accurate size determination of the target object by comparison, regardless of the imaging distance. The reference object provides a constant size reference that compensates for distance variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the imaging parameters by capturing images at multiple different distances between the imaging unit and the object. By taking measurement images at different distances and using the reference object for scaling, the system can accurately determine object size despite distance variations. The controller processes these multi-distance images to calculate accurate dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the imaging direction changes, then the captured image content changes, but the ability to accurately determine object size deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject size determination accuracyVSAvoidimaging direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The reference object with known dimensions acts as a mediator that provides a consistent size reference regardless of imaging direction changes. By comparing the target object size to the reference object size in the same image frame, the system can accurately determine dimensions even when the imaging direction varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent captures images with excessive coverage by including both the target object and the reference object in the same field of view. This partial action of capturing extra information (the reference object) enables accurate size determination through comparison, compensating for imaging direction changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of moving object

If zooming is applied to change object size in the captured image, then the image magnification changes, but the ability to accurately determine actual object size deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject size in captured imageVSAvoidactual object size determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reference object serves as an intermediary reference that maintains its known dimensions in the captured image. By comparing the zoomed target object to the reference object in the same image, the system can calculate the actual size of the target object, compensating for the zoom effect. The reference object provides a scaling reference that remains valid even when zooming is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures a constant ratio between the size of the imaged object and the distance between spot areas, enabling accurate size measurement and recognition of objects regardless of the imaging unit's distance from the object, with high-accuracy grid line intervals and visibility.

Implementation Method 1

a spotlight emitting unit configured to emit two parallel spotlights

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10426319B2Imaging device, attachment for imaging device and image processing method

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 RF CO LTD

AI summary

A imaging device includes: a spotlight emitting unit configured to emit two parallel spotlights; an imaging element configured to capture a measurement frame image having two spot areas irradiated with the spotlights and a plurality of first frame images which do not have the two spot areas, during capturing a moving image; and a controller configured to generate a grid image having a plurality of grid lines arranged at intervals set on the basis of the distance between the two spot areas in the measurement frame image, generate a plurality of second frame images by superimposing the grid image on the first frame images, and display the second frame images on a display unit.