Detection of when a capsule camera enters into or goes out of a human body and associated operations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A capsule camera, comprising:
- an illumination system providing light to illuminate a field of view of the capsule camera;
a sensor array for taking an image by capturing the light from the illumination system reflected from the field of view;
an image processor processing the images from the sensor array for storage or transmission; and
a clock generation circuit providing one or more clock signals to operate the image processor; and
a controller controlling a frequency of operation of the clock signals in response to a control signal derived from an output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal is provided from a secondary sensor which comprises a semiconductor-based thermometer that measures a leakage current from a PN-junction.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination.
35 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A capsule camera, comprising:
-
an illumination system providing light to illuminate a field of view of the capsule camera; a sensor array for taking an image by capturing the light from the illumination system reflected from the field of view; an image processor processing the images from the sensor array for storage or transmission; and a clock generation circuit providing one or more clock signals to operate the image processor; and a controller controlling a frequency of operation of the clock signals in response to a control signal derived from an output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal is provided from a secondary sensor which comprises a semiconductor-based thermometer that measures a leakage current from a PN-junction. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. A capsule camera, comprising:
-
an illumination system providing light to illuminate a field of view of the capsule camera; a sensor array for taking an image by capturing the light from the illumination system reflected from the field of view; an image processor processing the images from the sensor array for storage or transmission; and a clock generation circuit providing one or more clock signals to operate the image processor; and a controller controlling a frequency of operation of the clock signals in response to a control signal derived from an output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal is provided from a secondary sensor which comprises a semiconductor-based thermometer that includes a transistor thermometer based on thermal characteristics of at least one P-channel transistor or at least one N-channel transistor. - View Dependent Claims (4)
-
-
5. In a capsule camera, a method for power saving, comprising:
-
providing an illumination system that provides light to illuminate a field of view of the capsule camera; providing a sensor array that takes an image by capturing the light from the illumination system reflected from the field of view; providing an image processor that processes the images from the sensor array for storage or transmission; and providing a clock generation circuit that provides one or more clock signals to operate the image processor; and controlling a frequency of operation of the clock signals in response to a control signal derived from an output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal is provided from a secondary sensor which comprises a semiconductor-based thermometer that measures a leakage current from a PN-junction. - View Dependent Claims (6)
-
-
7. A method, comprising:
-
providing an illumination system that provides light to illuminate a field of view of the capsule camera; providing a sensor array that takes an image by capturing the light from the illumination system reflected from the field of view; providing an image processor that processes the images from the sensor array for storage or transmission; and providing a clock generation circuit that provides one or more clock signals to operate the image processor; and controlling a frequency of operation of the clock signals in response to a control signal derived from an output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal is provided from a secondary sensor which comprises a semiconductor-based thermometer that includes a transistor thermometer based on thermal characteristics of at least one P-channel transistor or at least one N-channel transistor. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
Specification