Method and apparatus for displaying endoscopic images
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing images of a viewed surface to a user, the method comprising:
- moving an endoscope relative to a real surface which provides an endoscope view;
using the endoscope to acquire an image of the real surface;
providing a virtual surface approximating the topography of the real surface;
mapping the acquired image onto the virtual surface;
establishing a second viewing position relative to the real surface that represents a view different than the endoscope view;
determining position data indicating the difference between the endoscope view and the view from the second viewing position as the endoscope moves;
using the mapped virtual surface and the position data to render an image representing a view of the real surface from the second viewing position; and
providing the rendered image to the user.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for displaying endoscopic images that includes three-dimensional surfaces, variable viewing points, directions, and orientations. A computer receives a captured endoscopic image. A virtual surface is defined in the computer with the captured image textured onto the virtual surface. A virtual viewing point, virtual viewing direction, and virtual viewing orientation are defined relative to the virtual surface. A rendered image of the virtual surface is then created. The rendered image is displayed to the user. Video is displayed on the virtual surface by updating the image texture with each new frame.
131 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for providing images of a viewed surface to a user, the method comprising:
-
moving an endoscope relative to a real surface which provides an endoscope view; using the endoscope to acquire an image of the real surface; providing a virtual surface approximating the topography of the real surface; mapping the acquired image onto the virtual surface; establishing a second viewing position relative to the real surface that represents a view different than the endoscope view; determining position data indicating the difference between the endoscope view and the view from the second viewing position as the endoscope moves; using the mapped virtual surface and the position data to render an image representing a view of the real surface from the second viewing position; and providing the rendered image to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for providing images of a viewed surface to a user, comprising:
-
an endoscope providing an endoscope view that captures an image of a real surface when moved relative to the real surface; a processor that creates a virtual surface approximating the topography of the real surface, maps the image acquired by said endoscope onto the virtual surface, determines position data indicating the difference between the endoscope view and a view from a second viewing position relative the real surface different than the endoscope view as the endoscope moves, and uses the mapped virtual surface and the position data to render an image representing a view of the real surface from the second viewing position; and a monitor in communication with said computer that displays the rendered image. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for providing images of a viewed surface to a user, the method comprising:
-
inserting an endoscope into a cavity; moving the endoscope relative to a real surface which provides an endoscope view; using the endoscope to acquire an image of the real surface; providing a virtual surface approximating the topography of the real surface; mapping the acquired image onto the virtual surface; establishing a second viewing position representing a view different than the endoscope view relative to the real surface; determining position data indicating the difference between the endoscope view and the view from the second viewing position as the endoscope moves; using the mapped virtual surface and the position data to render an image representing a view of the real surface from the second viewing position; and providing the rendered image to the user. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification