ENCAPSULATED IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICES HAVING ON-BOARD DATA STORAGE, AND SYSTEMS, KITS, AND METHODS THEREFOR

• US 20130321603A1
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnivision Technologies Incorporated (Will Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Shanghai)
• Original Assignee: Omnivision Technologies Incorporated (Will Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Shanghai)
• Inventors: Johnson, Gregory E., Dowski, Edward R. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,912,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/000094 extracting biological structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/000095 for image enhancement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.

Claims

1-83. -83. (canceled)

84. A encapsulated image acquisition device comprising:

a housing having a transparent portion;

a light source enclosed within the housing, the light source to transmit light through the transparent portion of the housing;

a camera within the housing, the camera to obtain images of surfaces illuminated by the light from the light source;

a memory within the housing to store the images; and

analysis level specifying information stored in the memory, the analysis level specifying information specifying a level of analysis to be used to analyze the images.

85. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, wherein the analysis level specifying information specifies that one of a plurality of different levels of analysis are to be used to analyze the images, the plurality of different levels of analysis including at least a first level of analysis and a second level of analysis that involves more analysis than the first level of analysis.

86. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, wherein the analysis level specifying information specifies that a plurality of redundant analysis is to be used to analyze the images.

87. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, further comprising person identification information stored in the memory, the person identification information identifying a person who is to use the encapsulated image acquisition device.

88. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, included within a kit comprising a pre-addressed return device, the pre-addressed return device pre-addressed with an address of an analysis facility that is to analyze the images.

89. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, included within a delivered mailing device having at least one of a postmark and a cancellation of a postage, the delivered mailing device having an address of a person who is to use the encapsulated image acquisition device.

90. The encapsulated image acquisition device of claim 84, wherein the data storage comprises at least 64 gigabytes of NAND flash.