Vascular Pattern Localization Using Temporal Video Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vascular pattern localization in the visible spectrum is challenging due to low contrast between vascular and nonvascular regions, requiring specialized and expensive near-infrared (NIR) imaging equipment.

Innovation Solution

A computing device extracts temporal features from video frames, applying image segmentation and morphological filtering techniques to enhance contrast and localize vascular patterns without needing specialized equipment, using standard video cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If visible spectrum imaging is used for vascular pattern localization, then equipment cost is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but image contrast between vascular and nonvascular regions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costVSAvoidimage contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms spatial image data into temporal frequency domain data by analyzing pixel intensity variations over time. This parameter transformation allows vascular patterns to be detected through their characteristic temporal frequencies rather than relying on spatial contrast, resolving the contradiction between using inexpensive visible spectrum equipment and achieving sufficient detection contrast

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for specialized NIR optical hardware with computational signal processing methods. By substituting physical contrast enhancement (NIR imaging) with temporal frequency analysis of visible spectrum video, the system achieves vascular detection without expensive specialized equipment while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If still images are used for vascular pattern detection, then equipment complexity is reduced, but detection precision deteriorates due to low contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment complexityVSAvoiddetection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static still image analysis to dynamic temporal analysis of video sequences. By capturing and analyzing pixel intensity variations over time, the system extracts vascular patterns through their temporal dynamics, achieving high detection precision with standard video cameras while keeping equipment complexity low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the time dimension to the analysis by processing video sequences rather than still images. This temporal dimension provides additional information about vascular patterns through blood flow dynamics, enabling precise detection without requiring complex specialized imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8977004B2Methods and systems for vascular pattern localization using temporal features

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A system and method of localizing vascular patterns by receiving frames from a video camera, identifying and tracking an object within the frames, determining temporal features associated with the object; and localizing vascular patterns from the frames based on the temporal features associated with the object.