System and method for controlling in vivo camera capture and display rate

• US 7,022,067 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adler, Doron, Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Avron, Jerome, Zinati, Ofra
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/705,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/476, 600/160, 600/118, 375/240.16, 348/700, 348/701, 382/107, 386 6- 8, 386/68
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00002 Operational features of endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• 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 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Claims

1. A display system for displaying the output of an in vivo camera system, the display system comprising:

a receiver to receive data of frames of output of an autonomous in vivo imaging device;

a storage unit for storing the data of frames of output;

an image processor for correlating the data of said output to determine the extent of their similarity and for generating a frame display rate therefrom, wherein said frame display rate is slower when said data are generally different and faster when said data are generally similar; and

a display unit for displaying said frames received from said storage unit.

2. A display system according to claim 1 wherein said frames are two consecutive frames.

3. A display system according to claim 1 wherein said frames are two non-consecutive frames.

4. A display system according to claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with said storage unit and said image processor, wherein said controller varies said display rate of said display unit.

5. A method for varying a frame display rate of frames generated by an in vivo camera system, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving data of the frames from an autonomous in vivo imaging device;

storing said frames;

correlating at least two frames;

based on the correlation, varying the frame display rate; and

communicating said frame display rate.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said at least two frames are consecutive frames.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein said at least two frames are non-consecutive frames.

8. A method according to claim 5 comprising displaying one frame repeatedly.

9. A method according to claim 5 comprising eliminating display of a frame.