Device, system, and method for reducing image data captured in-vivo

• US 20060034514A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Horn, Eli
• Granted Patent: US 7,336,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/115 Selection of the code volume for a coding unit prior to coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/17 the unit being an image region, e.g. an object
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/59 involving spatial sub-sampling or interpolation, e.g. alteration of picture size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/60 using transform coding

Abstract

A device, system, and method for reducing image data using spatially varying reduction are described. Images may be captured from an in-vivo device, while the reduced images may be transmitted via wireless communications. Reduction may be achieved by selecting a spatial area of interest on an image frame, dividing the spatial area of interest into one or more sub-regions, reducing each sub-region by a defined reduction ratio according to the spatial properties of said sub-region, and transmitting image data from spatial area of interest.

Claims

1. A method for reducing image data, the method comprising:

selecting image data from a preset spatial region on an image frame; and

reducing data in said preset spatial region.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising:

defining a sub-region in said preset spatial region, wherein the reducing includes reducing data in said sub-region.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the reducing is according to a dilution pattern.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein dilution is by applying a constant reduction ratio.

5. The method according to claim 1 comprising:

selecting a first sub-region in said preset spatial region;

reducing data in the first sub-region by applying a first reduction ratio;

selecting a second sub-region in said preset region; and

reducing data in the second sub-region by applying a second reduction ratio.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the reducing is by performing dilution.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the dilution comprises selecting every fourth datum.

8. The method according to claim 1 comprising compressing data in said preset spatial region.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein compressing is by JPEG compression.

10. The method according to claim 1 comprising:

transmitting the data from a preset spatial region; and

reconstructing the transmitted data.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the spatial data has a spatially varying resolution.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein image data is captured by a CMOS imager.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein image data is captured by an autonomous in-vivo imaging device.

14. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:

an imager;

an image distorting element; and

a data reduction circuit.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the imager is a CMOS imager.

16. The device according to claim 14 wherein the image distorting element includes a curved reflective element.

17. The device according to claim 14 comprising a transmitter.

18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the data reduction circuit is integral to the transmitter.

19. The device according to claim 14 wherein the device is to capture a substantially panoramic image.

20. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

an in-vivo imaging device comprising a data reduction circuit;

an external receiving unit; and

an external data processor.

21. The system according to claim 20 wherein the in-vivo imaging device is an autonomous swallowable capsule.

22. The system according to claim 20 wherein the in-vivo imaging device is to image the GI tract.

23. The system according to claim 20 wherein the receiving unit comprises:

an antenna; and

a storage unit.

24. The system according to claim 20 comprising a monitor.

25. An in-vivo sensing device comprising:

a sensing means for sensing spatial data in-vivo;

a reducing means for reducing the spatial data from at least one selected sub-region of the spatial data; and

a reconstruction means for reconstructing the reduced spatial data.

26. The in-vivo device according to claim 25 comprising:

a selection means for pre-selecting a region of the spatial data; and

a transmission means for transmitting the spatial data from said region.

27. The in-vivo device according to claim 25 wherein the reducing means follows a dilution pattern.

28. The in-vivo device according to claim 25 wherein the data sensing means is an imager.

29. The in-vivo device according to claim 27 wherein the imager is a CMOS imager.

30. The in-vivo device according to claim 25 wherein the sensing means is an in-vivo sensing capsule.

31. A method for diluting an image frame having spatially varying resolution, the method comprising:

selecting a preset region in the image frame;

selecting a first sub-region in said region, said first sub- region having a first selected range of resolution;

selecting a second sub-region in said region, said second sub-region having a second selected range of resolution;

diluting data in said first sub-region by a first dilution ratio; and

diluting data in said second sub-region by a second dilution ratio.

32. The method according to claim 31 comprising transmitting data in said region.

33. The method according to claim 31 wherein diluting is by a selected dilution pattern.

34. The method according to claim 31 comprising reconstructing the data in said region wherein the data is diluted data.