Wireless Endoscope Image Transmission via Progressive Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless endoscopes face challenges in transmitting high-definition still images while minimizing display delay due to limited transmission channel bandwidth and the need for power-saving measures, such as reducing circuit size and simplifying processes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless endoscope system that separates the transmission of low-resolution moving images for normal observation and high-resolution still images for detailed observation, using an imaging unit, moving image-compressing unit, still image-compressing unit, and image quality control unit to manage image quality and transmission, allowing for sequential transmission of still image data to achieve high image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-definition still image transmission is implemented, then image quality is improved, but transmission time increases due to limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a high-definition still image into multiple compressed data pieces (first piece, second piece, third piece, etc.) with different compression rates. The first piece uses a first compression rate, the second piece uses a second compression rate higher than the first, and subsequent pieces use progressively higher compression rates. This segmentation allows progressive transmission where lower quality images are transmitted first for quick display, followed by higher quality pieces that progressively improve the image quality until the complete high-definition image is reconstructed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If circuit scale is reduced for power saving, then power consumption is decreased, but processing capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic compression rate adjustment where the compression rate is changed according to the transmission stage. The system dynamically switches between different compression rates (first compression rate for initial transmission, second compression rate for subsequent transmissions) based on progress and bandwidth conditions. This dynamic approach allows the use of simpler compression algorithms at different stages, reducing overall processing requirements while maintaining the ability to achieve high-definition quality in the final reconstructed image.
3Productivity
If simple compression processes are used, then processing speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image transmission into multiple pieces with different compression rates. Lower compression rates are applied to earlier pieces for faster processing and initial display, while higher compression rates are applied to subsequent pieces. The image quality control unit reconstructs the complete image by combining all pieces, where the later pieces with higher compression rates provide the additional detail needed to achieve high-definition quality in the final reconstructed image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary transmission of image data at lower compression rates to enable quick initial display and diagnosis. This preliminary action allows operators to view the image structure and identify areas of interest rapidly, while the complete high-definition image is progressively reconstructed in the background using additional transmitted pieces with higher compression rates.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless endoscope system includes: a data storage unit that stores imaging data as storage data at a time at which a still image display signal is switched from a first state indicating an execution of a moving image display to a second state indicating an execution of a still image display; an image quality control unit that controls image quality of a plurality of pieces of still image data such that an image quality of a piece of still image data generated later a becomes higher; a data-selecting unit that selects the moving image data or the plurality of pieces of still image data on the basis of the still image display signal; and a transmission unit that transmits the moving image data or the plurality of pieces of still image data selected by the data-selecting unit in a wireless manner.