Adaptive Endoscopic Imaging for Diverse Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857165_0007_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Endoscopic Imaging for Diverse Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857165_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857165_0007_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,165.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to expand its application beyond endoscopic imaging in medicine, exploring new use cases in agriculture, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and food quality control.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent addressed limitations in endoscopic imaging systems for medical applications. However, its core technology has the potential to be adapted for other industries, where similar imaging challenges exist. This inventive concept solves the problem of limited application scope by exploring new use cases that benefit from the original patent's innovative approach.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new claims propose adapting the endoscopic imaging system for various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and food quality control. In each of these domains, the system captures and evaluates images using white light and special light modes to detect signs of disease, defects, contamination, or damage. The system's components, including the video endoscope, light source unit, and controller, are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each industry.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the original patent's core technology, expanding its scope beyond medical endoscopic imaging. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential for this technology to be adapted for diverse industries, where similar imaging challenges exist.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include modifying the system's hardware and software to accommodate specific industry requirements, such as adapting the light source unit for underwater use in environmental monitoring or integrating the system with robotic platforms for infrastructure inspection.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and food quality control. The market demand for innovative imaging solutions in these domains is substantial, driven by the need for efficient, accurate, and cost-effective inspection and monitoring systems.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61B1/043
A	A61	A61B1/000094
A	A61	A61B1/044
A	A61	A61B1/0638
A	A61	A61B1/0655
G	G06	G06F18/214
G	G06	G06N3/08
G	G06	G06V10/141
G	G06	G06V10/143
H	H04	H04N5/265
H	H04	H04N23/74
G	G06	G06V2201/032

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Imaging systems with multi-spectral capture capabilities, spanning medical endoscopy, industrial inspection, and sensor technologies. Requires expertise in optical systems, image processing, sensor design, and cross-domain adaptive imaging techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with advanced degree in electrical/optical engineering, familiar with image sensor technologies, capable of translating imaging system principles across different technical domains, understanding multi-spectral imaging principles and adaptive sensor configurations

Obviousness Rationale

The source patent's core technology of multi-modal imaging using white and special light modes provides a fundamental framework that can be systematically adapted to different inspection scenarios. A skilled practitioner would recognize the universal applicability of synchronized multi-spectral image capture for detecting subtle structural variations across diverse domains. The technical principles of selective illumination, image processing, and structural detection are fundamentally transferable between medical, industrial, and environmental contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Synchronized white and special light image capture with intelligent detection of predefined structural characteristics

PTD Variation

Applying the synchronization technique to crop health monitoring by detecting plant disease signatures

Obviousness Reasoning

Known technique of spectral imaging applied to a predictable domain with finite, identifiable detection goals

Source Patent Element

Controller capable of generating alternating illumination modes based on detected image characteristics

PTD Variation

Adapting controller logic to detect manufacturing defects across different material types

Obviousness Reasoning

Transferring image analysis algorithm to a structurally similar detection problem with known computational approaches

Source Patent Element

Video endoscope with CMOS image sensor capable of multi-spectral capture

PTD Variation

Modifying sensor configuration for underwater or confined space environmental monitoring

Obviousness Reasoning

Predictable engineering adaptation involving standard sensor design principles and known environmental compensation techniques

Source Patent Element

Special light imaging modes for enhanced structural visualization

PTD Variation

Implementing specialized light frequencies for food contamination detection

Obviousness Reasoning

Extending known spectral imaging principles to a new domain with finite, scientifically definable detection parameters

Source Patent Element

Composite image generation combining multiple illumination modes

PTD Variation

Creating composite infrastructure inspection images highlighting structural anomalies

Obviousness Reasoning

Applying known image composition techniques to a new technical inspection context with clear computational parallels

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857165's comprehensive disclosure of multi-spectral imaging techniques, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations represent obvious extensions of the source patent's core technological principles. A person having ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize the systematic transferability of the disclosed imaging methodology across diverse technical domains, rendering subsequent claims involving similar adaptive imaging approaches unpatentable under standard obviousness criteria.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,165
Title	Method for endoscopic imaging, endoscopic imaging system and software program product
Assignee(s)	OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH