Superimposed Signal Generation for Endoscope Cable Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems require multiple signal lines for transmitting driving signals, negative voltage, and imaging signals, which increases the complexity and size of the transmission cable, and can lead to noise interference and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The system generates a superimposed signal by combining a pulsed data signal and a pulsed reference clock signal with negative voltage, allowing these signals to be transmitted over a single line, and uses extractors to separate the signals at the distal end, reducing the number of transmission cables and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple signal lines are used to transmit driving signals, negative voltage, and imaging signals separately, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and cable size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal lines into a single transmission cable by superimposing the driving signal and negative voltage onto the same line. The driving signal is modulated onto the negative voltage carrier, allowing both signals to be transmitted simultaneously through one cable, thereby reducing cable complexity while maintaining signal transmission reliability through proper signal separation at the receiver end
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission cable is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits both the negative voltage power supply and the driving signal for the imaging element through the same physical medium. This multi-functional cable reduces the overall system complexity while ensuring reliable transmission of all necessary signals
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple transmission cables are used, then signal interference is reduced, but the imaging apparatus size and cable management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cables are merged into a single integrated transmission cable that carries both power and signal. The cable structure is designed to minimize interference between the co-transmitted signals through proper shielding and grounding arrangements, reducing the overall apparatus size while managing noise interference
3Stability of the object's composition
If a dedicated negative voltage line is used, then power supply stability is improved, but the number of transmission cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The negative voltage power supply and driving signal are merged into a single transmission cable. The driving signal is superimposed on the negative voltage line, allowing both power delivery and signal transmission through the same cable, thereby reducing the number of cables while maintaining power supply stability through proper signal coupling techniques
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 reduces the number of transmission cables, eliminates the need for a dedicated negative voltage line, enhances image quality, and stabilizes the frequency of the superimposed signal, leading to a more compact and efficient endoscope system with reduced noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
an imager configured to generate an imaging signal by receiving light and performing photoelectric conversion on the light
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an imager configured to generate an imaging signal; a transmission channel configured to connect a controller and the images; a superimposed signal generator that is arranged on a proximal end side of the transmission channel, the superimposed signal generator being configured to generate a superimposed signal by superimposing a pulsed data signal and a pulsed reference clock signal, and output the generated superimposed signal to the transmission channel; a first extractor that is arranged on a distal end side of the transmission channel, the first extractor being configured to extract the data signal and the reference clock signal from the generated superimposed signal; and a second extractor that is arranged on the distal end side of the transmission channel, the second extractor being configured to extract the negative voltage from the generated superimposed signal.