Programmable and reconfigurable camera control unit for video systems

• US 7,212,227 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava; Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henn; Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US10/039,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• Field of Search: 348 72- 76, 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/211.4, 348/211.6, 348/211.9
• US Class Current: 348/72
• 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 23/617 Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control

Abstract

A video imaging system is provided including, a camera head for transmitting image data to a camera control unit, a camera control unit for receiving and processing the image data into a usable format, and a storage device accessible by the camera control unit. The retrieved program executes on the camera control unit for enabling the camera control unit to process image data.

Claims

1. A video imaging system, comprising:

a camera for generating image data, said camera including;

a storage device positioned on said camera; and

a processor program;

a device program stored on said storage device;

a camera control unit coupled to said camera and receiving said image data, said camera control unit including;

a processor; and

at least one configurable hardware device;

said processor receiving said processor program for overwriting a pre-existing program on said processor;

said processor receiving said device program for programming of said at least one configurable hardware device;

said configurable hardware device processing said image data received from said camera.

2. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one configurable hardware device is selected from the group consisting of:

field programmable gate arrays, and computer programmable logic devices; and

said processor is selected from the group consisting of digital signal processors, microprocessors and microcontrollers.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising software executing on said camera control unit for determining when said camera is in communication with said camera control unit.

4. The video imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a pre-existing device program located on said configurable hardware device for processing the image data.

5. The video imaging system according to claim 4 wherein said device program executing on said processor overwrites said pre-existing device program.

6. The video imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a pre-existing processor program located on said processor for controlling the configurable hardware device.

7. The video imaging system according to claim 6 wherein said processor program executing on said processor overwrites said pre-existing processor program.

8. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said device program enables said camera control unit to issue a command to said camera to adjust and operating characteristic of the camera.

9. The video imaging system according to claim 8 wherein said camera sends confirmation to said camera control unit that the command was received.

10. The video imaging system according to claim 1 further including a second storage device and image data is stored on said second storage device.

11. The video imaging system according to claim 10 wherein the image data stored on said second storage device is processed image data.

12. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one configurable hardware device and said processor are physically separate devices.

13. A method for processing image data comprising the steps of:

coupling a camera to a camera control unit;

detecting the connection of the camera to the camera control unit;

accessing a processor program;

receiving the processor program with a processor;

overwriting a pre-existing program on the processor with the processor program;

accessing a device program;

receiving the device program with the processor;

programming a configurable hardware device based on the device program; and

processing image data generated by the camera and transmitted to the camera control unit.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of configuring the configurable hardware device further includes overwriting a pre-existing device program on the configurable hardware device.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of programming the processor further includes overwriting a pre-existing processor program on the processor.

16. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of issuing a command to the camera from the camera control unit for adjusting an operating characteristic of the camera.

17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of sending a confirmation to the camera control unit that the command was received by the camera.

18. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of storing the image data on a second storage device.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the image data stored on said second storage device is processed image data.

20. A video imaging system, comprising:

a camera generating image data and having a storage device positioned thereon;

a camera control unit coupled to said camera and receiving the image data, said camera control unit having a processor and at least one configurable hardware device;

said processor receiving a processor program for overwriting a pre-existing program on said processor;

said processor receiving a device program for programming of said at least one configurable hardware device;

said configurable hardware device processing said image data received from said camera.

21. The video imaging system according to claim 20 wherein said device program is stored on said storage device.

22. The video imaging system according to claim 20 wherein said device program configures said at least one configurable hardware device to interface with said camera for timing and control of said camera.

23. The video imaging system according to claim 20 wherein a plurality of cameras, each having differing camera characteristics, are attachable to said camera control unit such that said camera control unit is configured for and interfaces with the specific attached camera.

24. The video imaging system according to claim 20 wherein said at least one configurable hardware device and said processor are physically separate devices.