Stereoscopic Observation Device Parallax Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical stereoscopic observation devices, image deformation occurs due to errors in image capture between multiple imaging sections, leading to increased processing load and power consumption during real-time correction of parallax and magnification differences.

Innovation Solution

A medical stereoscopic observation device and method that utilize pre-stored correction data to adjust for parallax and magnification differences between imaging sections, reducing the need for real-time image processing and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If real-time image analysis processing is performed to detect and correct shifts between parallax images, then image deformation correction is achieved, but processing load and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage deformation correctionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values for parallax image shifts in a correction value storage unit. Instead of performing complex image analysis processing in real-time, the system prepares correction data in advance based on known optical characteristics of the imaging sections, thereby reducing processing load and power consumption during actual stereoscopic observation while maintaining accurate deformation correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time image analysis processing is performed to detect and correct shifts between parallax images, then image deformation correction is achieved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage deformation correctionVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs image analysis processing and detects shift patterns in advance, storing the results as correction values. During real-time operation, the system simply retrieves and applies these pre-computed correction values rather than performing complex analysis, significantly reducing processing load while maintaining correction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified model of the shift correction process by storing correction values that represent the complex optical misalignments. This copied correction data can be applied through simple arithmetic operations rather than complex image analysis, reducing processing complexity while achieving the same correction effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3438723B1Stereoscopic observation device for medical use, stereoscopic observation method for medical use, and program
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS
  • EP3438723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438723B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3438723B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Object] To reduce more load related to the correction of deformation of an observation image that is caused by an error between a plurality of imaging sections. [Solution] A medical stereoscopic observation device includes: an acquisition section configured to acquire, from an imaging unit including a first imaging section configured to capture a left-eye image and a second imaging section configured to capture a right-eye image, correction data for correcting an error related to capturing of an image between the first imaging section and the second imaging section, the imaging unit being rotatably held by a support section; and a correction section configured to correct a difference of parallax between the left-eye image and the right-eye image on a basis of the correction data, using a position corresponding to a rotation axis of the imaging unit as a reference position.