Updateable endoscopic video imaging system with unified electro-optic cable

• US 20050200698A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Amling, Marc R., Chatenever, David, Mirrer, Barry A., Kennedy, Bruce L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control

Abstract

A control unit is detachably coupled to a camera and receptive of the imaging data with a plurality of data processing instructions being stored on the camera and/or the control unit such that when the camera is coupled to the control unit, the plurality of data processing instructions transfer the imaging data from the camera to the control unit. The data processing instructions being field upgradeable with a portable upgrading module which may couple directly to either the camera and/or the control unit.

Claims

1. A camera assembly, comprising:

a camera for generating image data;

a control unit detachably coupled to said camera and receptive of the image data;

camera operating instructions specific a particular camera; and

control unit operating instructions;

wherein when said camera is coupled to said control unit, said camera is identified and camera operating instructions specific to said camera are selected for said camera.

2. The camera assembly according to claim 1 wherein said camera operating instructions and said control unit operating instructions processes the image data.

3. The camera assembly according to claim 1 wherein the image data is stored on said control unit.

4. The camera assembly according to claim 1 wherein the selected camera operating instructions comprise a device driver.

5. The camera assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an endoscope in communication with the said camera.

6. The camera assembly according to claim 1 wherein said camera is coupled to said control unit via a cable comprising both an electrical and an optical channel.

7. An imaging system, comprising:

a camera for generating image data;

a control unit detachably coupled to said camera and receptive of the image data;

camera operating instructions specific a particular camera; and

control unit operating instructions;

a light source for generating illuminating light;

a cable coupled between said camera and said control unit including;

a light guide coupled to said light source for transmitting the illuminating light from said light source to an object; and

a channel for transmitting the image data from said camera to said control unit;

wherein when said camera is coupled to said control unit, said camera is identified and camera operating instructions specific to said camera are selected for said camera.

8. The imaging system according to claim 7 wherein said camera operating instructions and said control unit operating instructions processes the image data.

9. The imaging system according to claim 7 further comprising an endoscope in communication with the said camera.

10. A camera assembly, comprising:

a camera for generating image data;

a control unit detachably coupled to said camera and receptive of the image data;

camera operating instructions stored on said camera; and

control unit operating instructions stored on said control unit;

wherein when said camera is coupled to said control unit, said camera operating instructions on said camera cooperate with said control unit operating instructions on said control unit to transfer and process the image data from said camera to said control unit; and

wherein the image data is stored on both said camera and said control unit.

11. The camera assembly according to claim 10 wherein the camera operating instructions comprise a device driver.

12. The camera assembly according to claim 10 further comprising an endoscope in communication with the said camera.

13. The camera assembly according to claim 10 wherein said camera is coupled to said control unit via a cable comprising both an electrical and an optical channel.

14. An imaging system, comprising:

a camera for generating image data;

a control unit detachably coupled to said camera and receptive of the image data;

camera operating instructions stored on said camera;

control unit operating instructions stored on said control unit;

a light source for generating illuminating light;

a cable coupled between said camera and said control unit including;

a light guide coupled to said light source for transmitting the illuminating light from said light source to an object; and

a channel for transmitting the image data from said camera to said control unit;

wherein when said camera is coupled to said control unit, said camera operating instructions on said camera cooperate with said control unit operating instructions on said control unit to transfer and process the image data from said camera to said control unit.

15. The imaging system according to claim 14 wherein the image data is stored on both said camera and said control unit.

16. The imaging system according to claim 14 further comprising an endoscope in communication with the said camera.

17. An imaging system, comprising:

a camera;

a control unit;

a cable for connecting said camera to said control unit, said cable including a channel for transmitting camera operating information between said camera and said control unit;

a light guide for transmitting illuminating light from a light source to said camera; and

said cable longitudinally engages said camera so as to direct light longitudinally and completely through said camera.

18. An imaging system, comprising:

a camera;

a control unit;

a cable coupling said camera to said control unit, said cable enclosing in a single protective jacket;

at least one channel for transmitting information between said camera and said control unit; and

a light guide for transmitting illuminating light to said camera;

wherein said cable longitudinally engages said camera so as to direct the illuminating light longitudinally and completely through said camera.

19. A portable system for upgrading camera operational parameters in the field, comprising:

a field programmable camera;

a set of operation parameters for controlling said camera;

a data set indicative of a level of features a user is entitled to utilize in connection with said camera;

a system storage accessible by said camera for storing said set of operation parameters and said data set;

a portable upgrading module for updating said set of operation parameters;

a module storage for storing operation parameter upgrades and data sets indicative of levels of operation parameter features a user is entitled to use;

a communications link established between said module and said camera;

software operating on said module for reading and updating said set of operation parameters based upon the data set.

20. The portable system according to claim 19 wherein said system storage is located on said camera.

21. The portable system according to claim 19 wherein said communications link comprises a wireless connection between said camera and said module.

22. The portable system according to claim 21 wherein said wireless connection comprises and infra-red connection.

23. The portable system according to claim 19 wherein said module comprises a card.

24. The portable system according to claim 23 wherein said card is insertable into a control unit which is coupled to said camera.

25. The portable system according to claim 24 wherein said communications link established between said module and said camera extends through the control unit.

26. The portable system according to claim 19 wherein said portable upgrading module gathers camera data related to said field programmable camera.

27. The portable system according to claim 26 wherein the camera data is selected from the group consisting of:

software version number, model number, serial number, date of manufacture, service dates, owner data, device location, maintenance data, hardware version number, and service location.

28. The portable system according to claim 26 wherein the camera data is stored on said portable upgrading module.

29. The portable system according to claim 26 wherein the camera data is transmitted to a computer.

30. The portable system according to claim 29 wherein the camera data is transmitted over a network.

31. The portable system according to claim 30 wherein the camera data is transmitted in the form of a report to a regulatory agency.

32. A portable system for upgrading control unit operational parameters in the field, comprising:

a field programmable control unit;

a set of operation parameters for controlling said control unit;

a data set indicative of a level of features a user is entitled to utilize in connection with said control unit;

a system storage accessible by said control unit for storing said set of operation parameters and said data set;

a portable upgrading module for updating said set of operation parameters;

a module storage for storing operation parameter upgrades and data sets indicative of levels of operation parameter features a user is entitled to use;

a communications link established between said module and said control unit;

software operating on said module for reading and updating said set of operation parameters based upon the data set.

33. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein said system storage is located on said control unit.

34. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein said communications link comprises a wireless connection between said control unit and said module.

35. The portable system according to claim 34 wherein said wireless connection comprises and infra-red connection.

36. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein said module comprises a card.

37. The portable system according to claim 36 wherein said card is insertable into said control unit.

38. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein said portable upgrading module gathers control unit data related to said field programmable control unit.

39. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein the control unit data is selected from the group consisting of:

software version number, model number, serial number, date of manufacture, service dates, owner data, device location, maintenance data, hardware version number, and service location.

40. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein the control unit data is stored on said portable upgrading module.

41. The portable system according to claim 32 wherein the control unit data is transmitted to a computer.

42. The portable system according to claim 41 wherein the control unit data is transmitted over a network.

43. The portable system according to claim 42 wherein the control unit data is transmitted in the form of a report to a regulatory agency.