Abstract: A display device includes (a) a non-volatile memory containing corrective data for compensating input image data received; (b) display hardware receiving control and data signals for displaying an image; and (c) an image processing circuit that retrieves the corrective data from the non-volatile memory to generate the data signals for the display hardware, after applying the corrective data to each color component of each pixel in the input image data.

Abstract: A camera system uses one or more image sensor IC chips each having multiple pixel arrays on the same semiconductor substrate (i.e., “multiple pixel arrays on a chip”). In one embodiment, such a camera system includes: (a) optical components that create multiple images in close physical proximity of each other (e.g., within a few millimeters or centimeters); and (b) a single sensor substrate (“chip”) containing multiple 2-dimensional pixel arrays that are aligned to capture these multiple images, so as to convert the multiple images into electrical signal. The pixel arrays can be manufactured using a CCD or a CMOS compatible process. For manufacturing reasons, such a chip is typically two centimeters or less on a side. However, large chips can also be made. Optional electronic components for further signal processing of the captured images may be formed either on the sensor chip (i.e., in a “system-on-a-chip” implementation), or in a separate back-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Abstract: A method of processing images captured by an in vivo capsule camera is disclosed. The images having large overlap exceeding a threshold are stitched into larger images. If the current image and none of its neighboring images has large overlap, the current image is designated as a non-stitched image. Any image, that exists between two images stitched and is not included in the stitched image, is also designated as a non-stitched image. The large-overlap stitching can be performed on the images iteratively by treating the stitched images and non-stitched image as to be processed images in the next round. A second stage stitching can be applied to stitch small-overlap images. The small-overlap image stitching can also be applied iteratively. A third stage stitching can be further applied to stitch the output images from the second stage processing.

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.

Abstract: A method characterizes manufacturing imperfections in a camera and variations in its operating environment to allow images captured by the camera to be compensated for these defects. The method includes: (a) illuminating a field of view of the optical elements under a controlled condition; (b) exposing multiple images onto the image sensor under the controlled condition; (c) extracting from the multiple images parameter values for pixels of the image sensor; and (d) compensating images taken subsequently in the camera using the parameter values. The controlled condition includes an external light source for illumination, and the image sensor is sensitive to color components.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor circuit with multiple power modes is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a pixel array, an analog block to process analog signal associated with the pixel array, where the analog block comprises an analog to digital convertor (ADC), and a first control circuit to enable/disable the analog block or to configure the analog block to a high/low-power mode depending on whether the pixel array is in a readout frame or in a reset frame with no active readout. The integrated image sensor circuit may further comprise a post-processing block and a second control circuit to enable/disable the post-processing block or to configure the post-processing block to the high-power mode or the low-power mode depending on whether the pixel array is in the readout frame or in the reset frame with no active readout.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed, wherein the system comprises a capsule endoscope, a docking station, second circuits and contact means to cause the second circuits connected to first circuits inside the capsule endoscope when the capsule endoscope is docked in the docking station in a first rotational orientation and in a second rotational orientation. The capsule endoscope comprises a capsule housing, the first circuits, and first contacts disposed fixedly on or through the capsule housing, wherein the first contacts are connected to the first circuits. The docking station comprises one or more second contacts. The docking station also includes a docking bay to receive the capsule endoscope. The second contacts are configured to contact the first contacts and to cause the first circuits to connect to the second circuits when the capsule endoscope is docked in the first rotational orientation and the second rotational orientation.

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.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system with wireless docking device is disclosed, where the system comprises a capsule device and a docking device for receiving the data from the capsule device. The docking device supplies power to the capsule device and retrieves data from the capsule device wirelessly. The capsule device comprises an archival memory to store data captured inside a body lumen by the capsule device, a wireless transmitter to transmit the stored data, a secondary coil. The docking device comprises a primary coil to generate an alternating magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is coupled to the secondary coil to supply power to the capsule device wirelessly when the capsule device is docked in the docking device and a wireless receiver to receive the data from the capsule device. The wireless link can be a radio frequency (RF) link or an optical link.

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.

Abstract: A method characterizes manufacturing imperfections in a camera and variations in its operating environment to allow images captured by the camera to be compensated for these defects. The method includes: (a) illuminating a field of view of the optical elements under a controlled condition; (b) exposing multiple images onto the image sensor under the controlled condition; (c) extracting from the multiple images parameter values for pixels of the image sensor; and (d) compensating images taken subsequently in the camera using the parameter values. The controlled condition includes an external light source for illumination, and the image sensor is sensitive to color components.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed for receiving data from a capsule device and providing inductive power to the capsule device wirelessly, where the capsule endoscopic system incorporates a feature to automatically protect the capsule device and the docking device from damage if the capsule device is docked in a backward orientation. In one embodiment, the docking device comprises a current sense circuit to detect the current flowing through the primary coil or primary drive circuit. The occurrence of wrong orientation can be detected from the current. A detection/control circuit can be used to provide the needed control in order to prevent damage to the system. In another embodiment, a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and the primary coil is used to provide the needed protection when the capsule device is docked with a wrong orientation.

Abstract: A capsule device with an inductive powering apparatus is disclosed. The capsule device comprises a secondary coil to generate an induced secondary voltage when a first alternating magnetic field is coupled to the secondary coil externally. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a power conversion device to convert the induced secondary voltage into a DC output voltage for the capsule device. In particular, the power conversion device comprises a voltage booster to generate the DC voltage from a lower induced secondary voltage. Accordingly, the system can be operated using a lower secondary voltage, which will reduce the influence of magnetic flux on the circuit boards inside the capsule.

Abstract: A capsule camera includes a wireless transmitter that transmits data and a receiving system having multiple receiving units to allowing storing multiple data streams simultaneously. The multiple stored data streams may be used at a later time to derive the best data stream for analysis, based on the network conditions at the time each data packet is received. The best data stream may be derived from the multiple stored data streams at a later time during the decoding process. For example, in a capsule camera application, the multiple data streams may be stored in the memory devices associated with the receiving units, which are typically attached to different locations on the body during diagnosis. The multiple data streams are maintained as the capsule passes through the gastrointestinal tract. Subsequently, after the diagnosis, the receiving units are recovered and connected to a computer or another standalone device for analysis.

Abstract: An in-vivo self-assembly capsule system is disclosed, where the in-vivo capsule system comprises a first primary capsule, at least one second capsule, and a self-connection means for connecting the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule by providing holding force when the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule are in contact in human GI tract. The self-connection means comprises an interlocking means disposed on the first primary capsule and said at least one second capsule. The interlocking means may correspond to hooks disposed on one connecting side and loops disposed on another connecting side, or hooks disposed on both connecting sides. The interlocking means may also correspond to a first magnet and an interaction piece affixed to two corresponding capsules respectively, and the interaction piece corresponds to a second magnet or a ferromagnetic component.

Abstract: An in vivo image capturing system includes a capsule, and a camera encased within the capsule and configured to capture through a transparent window of the capsule, a view outside the capsule. The system includes a light source enclosed within the capsule and a reflector configured to reflect a ray of light from the light source, away from the camera. Wherever incoming image rays and outgoing illuminating light rays intersect at a common point on any surface of the transparent window, an angle between an outgoing illuminating light ray and a surface normal exceeds an angle between an incoming image ray and the surface normal such that a reflection of the outgoing illuminating light ray from said any surface is not within a field of view (FOV) of the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying images captured from a panoramic capsule camera system. In one embodiment according to the invention, multiple sub-image sets are generated using a sub-image set window on the panoramic image by cyclically shifting the panoramic image. The multiple sub-image sets are then displayed in multiple display windows. In another embodiment according to the invention, the sub-image set in every other display window is flipped horizontally, vertically or both horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic device with movement control is disclosed. The capsule endoscopic device comprises a capsule housing, one or more electrodes disposed fixedly through the capsule housing and a processing unit inside the capsule housing. The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal track. The processing unit generates the electrical stimulus according to a quantified movement of the capsule endoscopic device to adjust movement of the capsule endoscopic device. Also, the capsule device can be configured for multi-function electrodes. In one embodiment, the capsule device can be configured to use the electrodes to adjust movement in vivo. In another embodiment, the capsule device can be configured to use the electrodes to download data stored in an archive memory inside the capsule device. In yet another embodiment, the capsule device can configure the electrodes to collect electrochemical data.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for displaying images captured from a capsule camera system. In one embodiment of the present invention, annotation data associated with image sequence data is used to derive navigation guide for the images. The navigation guide comprises a series of part representations corresponding to the images, and wherein one color is selected for each of the series of part representations. In another embodiment of the present invention, the intensity of the image sequence data is used to derive the navigation guide, which comprises a series of intensity profiles corresponding to the images. Various ways to derive the intensity profile are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images captured by an in vivo imaging device are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention display image sequence data in a first display area. When a first annotated image is displayed in the first display area, a first thumbnail image in a second display area corresponding to the first annotated image is replaced to indicate an occurring correspondence between the first annotated image and the first thumbnail image corresponding to the first annotated image being displayed. In one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the first thumbnail image in the second display area when one other image of the image sequence data is displayed in the first display area after the first annotated image is displayed.