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US 7,453,490 B2Granted
Correction of image signals characteristic of non-uniform images in an endoscopic imaging system
AssigneeGyrus ACMI, Inc.
InventorErhan Gunday
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The subject matter hereof relates to systems and methods of providing for correction of image signals characteristic of non-uniform images. Various example embodiments of systems and methods so providing correction include embodiments directed to endoscopic imaging systems, endoscopes, and endoscopic imaging methods. Various example embodiments of systems and methods so providing correction include embodiments: that establish one or more correction factors and correct selected image data using at least one of such correction factors; and/or that establish one or more correction factors in performing a trigger operation, e.g., a white balance operation.
Claims49
A method of compensating for non-uniformity in an image signal, the method comprising:
- performing a characterization operation on an endoscopic optical image portion of an input image signal from an image sensor that comprises a pixel array of imaging elements, the endoscopic optical image portion of the image signal originating from an endoscopic optical image that is incident on at least a portion of the optical image sensor, which portion is subject to non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics, the portion of the input signal originated by the endoscopic optical image requiring compensation to render it suitable for output as a video signal;
- establishing, based at least in part on the characterization operation, one or more correction factors to compensate for the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the sensor;
- acquiring selected endoscopic image data from the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal;
- and
- applying, using at least one of the established correction factors, a compensation operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal to address the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the signal before conversion to an output video signal;
- wherein the compensation operation is determined and provided using pixel-by-pixel correction factors to correct non-uniformities arising at individual pixel locations.
3 more elements
An endoscopic imaging system for acquiring an endoscopic optical image of a target and providing an input signal for conversion to an output video signal, the system comprising:
- an optical image sensor comprising a pixel array of imaging elements for acquiring the endoscopic optical image and converting it to an input image signal comprising a signal portion originating from the endoscopic optical image that is incident on at least a portion of the optical image sensor, which portion is subject to non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics, the portion of the input signal originated by the endoscopic optical image requiring compensation to render it suitable for output as a video signal;
- and
- system components constructed and arranged to:
- perform a characterization operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the image sensor;
- establish, based at least in part on the characterization operation, one or more correction factors to compensate for the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the sensor;
- acquire selected endoscopic image data from the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal;
- and
- apply, using at least one of the established correction factors, a compensation operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal to address the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the signal before conversion to an output video signal;
- wherein the compensation operation is determined and provided using pixel-by-pixel correction factors to correct non-uniformities arising at individual pixel locations.
6 more elements
An endoscope for acquiring an endoscopic optical image of a target and providing an input signal for conversion to an output video signal, the system comprising:
- an optical image sensor comprising a pixel array of imaging elements for acquiring the endoscopic optical image and converting it to an input image signal comprising a signal portion originating from the endoscopic optical image that is incident on at least a portion of the optical image sensor, which portion is subject to non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics, the portion of the input signal originated by the endoscopic optical image requiring compensation to render it suitable for output as a video signal;
- and
- system components constructed and arranged to:
- perform a characterization operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the image sensor;
- establish, based at least in part on the characterization operation, one or more correction factors to compensate for the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the sensor;
- acquire selected endoscopic image data from the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal;
- and
- apply, using at least one of the established correction factors, a compensation operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal to address the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the signal before conversion to an output video signal;
- wherein the compensation operation is determined and provided using pixel-by-pixel correction factors to correct non-uniformities arising at individual pixel locations.
6 more elements
An imaging system for acquiring an optical image of a target and providing an input signal for conversion to an output video signal, the system comprising:
- an optical image sensor comprising a pixel array of imaging elements for acquiring the optical image and converting it to an input image signal comprising a signal portion originating from the optical image that is incident on at least a portion of the optical image sensor, which portion is subject to non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics, the portion of the input signal originated by the optical image requiring compensation to render it suitable for output as a video signal;
- and
- system components constructed and arranged to:
- perform a characterization operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the image sensor;
- establish, based at least in part on the characterization operation, one or more correction factors to compensate for the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal from the sensor;
- acquire selected endoscopic image data from the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal;
- and
- apply, using at least one of the established correction factors, a compensation operation on the endoscopic optical image portion of the input image signal to address the non-uniform illumination and non-uniform optical characteristics in the signal before conversion to an output video signal;
- wherein the compensation operation is determined and provided using pixel-by-pixel correction factors to correct non-uniformities arising at individual pixel locations.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.