Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and endoscope system
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12268514-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An image processing apparatus includes a processor, in which the processor is configured to receive a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion, detect a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image, and perform processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the color of the swallow object.
Core Innovation
An image processing apparatus receives a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion. The apparatus detects a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image and performs processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the color of the swallow object.
An endoscope system includes an endoscope configured to obtain the picked-up image of the swallowing motion in the swallowing test, and an image processing apparatus that receives the picked-up image via a communication circuit. The image processing apparatus includes an image processing circuit configured to detect a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image, and a control circuit configured to perform processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to the detection result.
The image quality improvement is adapted based on color detection, including emphasizing a complementary color component of the swallow object’s color in a region other than an image region of the swallow object. In addition, the image pickup frame rate is set to an effective image pickup state when the swallow object color is detected and is reverted to a standard frame rate when the detection stops, to suppress endoscope battery consumption while maintaining image quality during observation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an endoscope system. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features comprise receiving a picked-up image in a swallowing test, detecting the color of the swallow object in the image, and performing image-quality improving processing based on the detection result.
Swallowing-test picked-up image receipt
A processor receives a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion.
Swallow object color detection
The processor detects a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image.
Detection-result image-quality improvement processing
The processor performs processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the color of the swallow object.
Swallowing-test endoscope image acquisition with integrated processing circuits
An endoscope configured to obtain a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion; and an image processing apparatus including a communication circuit configured to receive the picked-up image, an image processing circuit configured to detect a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image, and a control circuit configured to perform processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the image processing circuit.
Swallowing-test image processing method with color-based image-quality improvement
An image processing method comprising receiving a picked-up image of a swallowing motion in a swallowing test in which a swallow object is provided to a subject to observe the swallowing motion; detecting a color of the swallow object in the picked-up image; and performing processing for improving an image quality of the picked-up image according to a detection result of the color of the swallow object.
Overall claim coverage focuses on detecting the color of the swallow object in a picked-up swallowing-motion image and performing image-quality improving processing based on that detection result, as implemented both in an image processing apparatus and as part of an endoscope system. Additional claim refinements specify complementary color emphasis outside the swallow object region and conditional frame-rate switching based on whether the swallow object color is detected.
Stated Advantages
Suppresses endoscope battery consumption by reverting to a standard frame rate after color detection stops.
Improves image quality of the picked-up image based on a detection result of the color of the swallow object.
Clarifies object vs. body by emphasizing a complementary color component in a region other than the swallow object image region.
Documented Applications
Image processing in swallowing tests where an endoscope obtains images of swallowing motion and a swallow object is provided to a subject for observing swallowing motion, including diagnosing dysphagia based on the image processing.
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