Multiple capsule camera apparatus and methods for using the same

• US 8,300,091 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2009
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CapsoVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CapsoVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Kang-Huai
• Primary Examiner(s): Winder, Patrice
• Application Number:
  US12/430,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20100271468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,284 Days
• Field of Search: 348/45, 348/65, 348/72, 600/118
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A multiple capsule camera apparatus is disclosed to enhance the rate of detection and/or extend the overall imaging period. The multiple capsule camera apparatus coordinates the operations of the camera according to a schedule so that one camera may enter an active mode when the other camera is anticipated to have a low battery level. The capsule cameras may also coordinate their operations by communication with each other through a wireless link. A base station may also be used to coordinate the capsule camera operations with a wireless link established between the base station and each capsule camera.

Claims

1. A multiple capsule camera apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of capsule cameras;

wherein the capsule camera includes a control module to control capsule camera operations according to a schedule; and

wherein the schedule incorporates a factor of time differences associated with different times that the plurality of capsule cameras are swallowed.

2. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the control module includes a timer to track an elapse time since the capsule camera is activated.

3. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the camera operations include a sleep mode and an active mode.

4. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the capsule camera is initially switched from the sleep mode to the active mode when the elapse time reaches a pre-defined value.

5. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the schedule includes a list of the pre-defined values corresponding to the elapse times for the respective capsule cameras.

6. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the pre-defined values are stored in a memory space of the control module.

7. A multiple capsule camera apparatus, comprising:

a first capsule camera and a second capsule camera;

wherein each of the capsule cameras includes a battery, an image sensor, illuminating LEDs, and a control module;

the first capsule cameras further includes a first wireless communication module and the second capsule camera further includes a second wireless communication module, wherein a wireless link between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module is established;

the control module controls capsule camera operations using information received from the wireless link; and

the second capsule camera enter an active mode from a sleep mode after the first capsule camera is anticipated to run out of battery.

8. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the first capsule camera sends status information of the first capsule camera to the second capsule camera through the wireless link.

9. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information includes battery status.

10. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information includes energy consumption of the battery.

11. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information includes a number of pictures captured by the image sensor.

12. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by a combination of the number of captured pictures by the image sensor, and a total time period as the LED being illuminating.

13. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the second capsule camera is initially switched from the sleep mode to the active mode using the first capsule camera status information received from the wireless link.

14. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the second capsule camera and the first capsule camera have a period of time as being both in the active mode.

15. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information is transmitted periodically.

16. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by low battery status.

17. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by energy consumption profile.

18. A multiple capsule camera apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of capsule cameras, wherein the capsule camera includes a battery, an image sensor, illuminating LEDs, a first wireless communication module and a first control module; and

a base station having a second wireless communication module and a second control module;

wherein the second control module coordinates with the first control module through a wireless link between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module;

the first control module controls capsule camera operations using information received from the base station through the wireless link; and

one of said plurality of capsule cameras enters an active mode from a sleep mode when the base station receives a low battery status from another of said plurality of capsule cameras.

19. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the information transmitted from the first wireless communication module to the second wireless communication module includes status information of the respective capsule camera.

20. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the status information includes a number of pictures captured by the image sensor.

21. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the status information includes a total time period as the LEDs being illuminating.

22. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the base station polls the status information from the control modules periodically through the wireless link.

23. The multiple capsule camera apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by a combination of a number of captured by the image sensor, and a total time period as the LED being illuminating.

24. A method for operating multiple capsule camera, comprising:

providing a plurality of capsule cameras, wherein the capsule camera includes a control module; and

controlling capsule camera operations through the control module according to a schedule; and

wherein the schedule incorporates a factor of time differences associated with different times that the plurality of capsule cameras are swallowed.

25. The method as in claim 24, wherein the control module has a timer to track an elapse time since the capsule camera is activated.

26. The method as in claim 25, wherein the camera operations include a sleep mode and an active mode.

27. The method as in claim 26, wherein the capsule camera is initially switched from the sleep mode to the active mode when the elapse time reaches a pre-defined value.

28. The method as in claim 26, wherein the schedule includes a list of the pre-defined values corresponding to the elapse times for the respective capsule cameras.

29. A method for operating multiple capsule cameras, comprising:

providing a first capsule camera and a second capsule camera, wherein each of the capsule cameras includes a battery, an image sensor, illuminating LEDs, and a control module, and the first capsule camera further includes a first wireless communication module and the second capsule camera further includes a second wireless communication module;

establishing a wireless link between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module; and

controlling capsule camera operations through the control module using information received from the wireless link; and

wherein the second capsule camera enter an active mode from a sleep mode after the first capsule camera is anticipated to run out of battery.

30. The method as in claim 29, wherein the first capsule camera sends status information of the first capsule camera to the second capsule camera through the wireless link.

31. The method as in claim 30, wherein the status information includes a number of pictures captured by the image sensor.

32. The method as in claim 30, wherein the status information is transmitted periodically.

33. The method as in claim 30, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by low battery status.

34. The method as in claim 30, wherein the status information is transmitted as being triggered by a combination of a number of captured pictures by the image sensor, and a total time period as the LEDs being illuminating.

35. A method for operating multiple capsule cameras, comprising:

providing a plurality of capsule cameras, wherein the capsule camera includes a battery, an image sensor, illuminating LEDs, a first wireless communication module and a first control module;

providing a base station having a second wireless communication module and a second control module;

establishing a wireless link between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module;

coordinating with the first control module using the second control module through the wireless link; and

controlling capsule camera operations through the first control module using information received from the second control module through the wireless link; and

wherein one of said plurality of capsule cameras enters an active mode from a sleep mode when the base station receives a low battery status from another of said plurality of capsule cameras.

36. The method as in claim 35, wherein the information transmitted from the first wireless communication module to the second wireless communication module includes status information of the respective capsule camera.

37. The method as in claim 36, wherein the status information includes a number of pictures captured by the image sensor.

38. The method as in claim 36, wherein the second control module polls the status information from the first control modules periodically through the wireless link.

39. The method as in claim 36, wherein the first control module initiates transmitting status information to the second control module as being triggered by a low battery status.

40. The method as in claim 36, wherein the first control module initiates transmitting status information to the second control module as being triggered by a combination of a number of captured pictures by the image sensor, and a total time period as the LED being illuminating.