KR102024009B1 - Apparatus for wireless endoscope including access point and method for wireless communicating using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image capture unit for taking an image; An access point unit for setting a second network to which an external device is connected; Connecting to the first network connected to the Internet network and receiving a connection request for the second network from the external device, connecting the external device to the second network, and corresponding to the setting of the first network; A control unit for changing a setting of a network, and determining whether the transmission request is received through the first network or the second network when the transmission request for the captured image is received; And when the transmission request is input through the first network, transmitting the captured image to the Internet network, and when the transmission request is input through the second network, sending the captured image to the external device. It includes a probe connection device including a transmitting unit for transmitting.

Description

Wireless endoscope device including an access point and a wireless communication method using the same {APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS ENDOSCOPE INCLUDING ACCESS POINT AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATING USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point and a wireless communication method using the same, including an access point (AP), transmitting an image to a device having a wifi reception function, and accessing the Internet without an external device. The present invention relates to a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point capable of connecting and transmitting images remotely, and a wireless communication method using the same.

Existing endoscope devices are bulky, inconvenient to move, and most of them are expensive devices.

Therefore, medical staff who want to utilize various methods such as sharing medical data with senior medical institutions and experts by remotely transmitting convenient medical treatment and medical data to patients who are unable to receive medical care economically or who cannot visit hospital due to geographical conditions. They need a reasonably priced wireless endoscope.

Conventionally, a wireless endoscope camera for constructing a system for transmitting an image using a frequency band of 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz, which is a dedicated frequency, or for transmitting an image using a separate connection point device, has been disclosed.

However, the conventional wireless endoscope camera has a problem in that the transmission is not smooth when the radio wave path is blocked due to the characteristics of the high frequency, so that a plurality of antennas must be installed in various directions, and a transmission module mounted to the wireless endoscope to view an image. There must be a dedicated display device equipped with a receiving module that meets the requirements, and for the bidirectional communication, there must be a separate transmitting and receiving module, respectively, and the control unit included in the external dedicated display device for remote transmission of images. In addition, a device for telecommunication (for example, WiFi, wired LAN, and CDMA device for Internet connection) must be further provided, and the setting for the Internet connection is also required to be performed separately from the external display device.

Therefore, by having an independent port including an access point, not only does it transmit an image taken by endoscope to an image display device such as an HMD, a mobile phone, or a tablet PC in real time, but also connects to the Internet without additional external devices, It is necessary to introduce a wireless endoscope device that can be uploaded.

KR 1020097009985 A

The present invention implements an access point function within a wireless endoscope, and transmits the captured image in real time without additional external device to a general-purpose portable device such as a mobile phone and a tablet PC that can use wifi, and uploads the captured image to the Internet network. The present invention relates to a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point capable of sharing a captured image, and a wireless communication method using the same.

Wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image capture unit for taking an image; An access point unit for setting a second network to which an external device is connected; Connecting to the first network connected to the Internet network and receiving a connection request for the second network from the external device, connecting the external device to the second network, and corresponding to the setting of the first network; A control unit for changing a setting of a network, and determining whether the transmission request is received through the first network or the second network when the transmission request for the captured image is received; And when the transmission request is input through the first network, transmitting the captured image to the Internet network, and when the transmission request is input through the second network, sending the captured image to the external device. It may include a probe connection device including a transmitting unit for transmitting.

The controller may connect to a first network connected to the Internet network by connecting to an external access point.

When the transmission request is input through the first network, the transmitter may transmit the captured image to the internet network through the external access point.

When the connection request is received, the controller may set a firewall for the second network and assign an IP (Internet Protocol) address preset for the second network to the external device.

The control unit generates a virtual network corresponding to the second network, and changes the address system of the virtual network to the address system of the first network, thereby changing the address system of the second network to the address system of the first network. Can be changed to

The image capture unit, a liquid lens; And a lens driving unit for controlling a voltage for driving the liquid lens and a focus of the liquid lens.

The lens driving unit may adjust the focus of the liquid lens by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the liquid lens.

The apparatus may further include an input unit configured to receive a signal for adjusting the focus of the liquid lens.

The lens driving unit may change the focus of the liquid lens to a focus corresponding to the input signal.

An endoscope probe including a reflective prism at one end thereof and having the other end coupled to the probe connection device; A light emitting diode provided at one side of the other end of the endoscope probe to irradiate a light source; And a light source controller coupled to the light emitting diode to adjust a wavelength and a light amount of the light source irradiated from the light emitting diode.

The light source controller may be wired to the power supply unit to receive power.

Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of photographing the image; Connecting to a first network connected to an internet network in parallel with the step of photographing the image; When receiving a connection request from an external device, connecting the external device to a second network; Changing the address system of the second network such that the address system of the first network and the second network are the same; When receiving a transmission request for the captured image, determining whether the transmission request is received through the first network or the second network; And transmitting the photographed image through a network receiving the transmission request.

The connecting to the first network may include connecting to a first network connected to the Internet network by connecting to an external access point.

The step of connecting to the second network comprises: setting up a firewall for the second network; And connecting the external device to the second network by allocating a preset Internet Protocol (IP) address for the second network to the external device.

After connecting to the second network, the method may further include generating a virtual network corresponding to the second network.

The changing of the address system of the second network may include changing the address system of the second network by changing the generated address system of the virtual network to correspond to the address system of the first network. .

The transmitting may include transmitting the captured image to an internet network connected to the first network when the transmission request is input through the first network.

The transmitting may include transmitting the photographed image to an external device connected to the second network when the transmission request is input through the second network.

Wireless endoscope device including an access point and a wireless communication method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention by connecting a plurality of image display device with the wireless endoscope device, the advantage that can share the image taken through the wireless endoscope device There is this.

In addition, even if the use position of the wireless endoscope device changes, since the connection between the wireless endoscope device and the image display device is automatically set, it can be easily used regardless of the use position of the wireless endoscope device.

In addition, since Wi-Fi is generally used, it is possible to receive and play back images captured by a wireless endoscope device in a conventionally manufactured smartphone, tablet pc, near eye display (HMD), and the like.

In addition, by uploading the image taken to the Internet network, there is an advantage that can increase the accuracy of the diagnosis by sharing the image with experts.

In addition, since the wireless endoscope device is smaller in volume than the conventional endoscope device and has increased wireless portability, the wireless endoscope device can provide a wide range of medical services to medically underprivileged and medically marginalized areas. Since there is no installation process, the maintenance cost is also reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, included as part of the detailed description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, provide embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, describe the technical features of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration diagram in which a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point, an image display apparatus, and the Internet are connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this specification, terms such as first and / or second are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. In other words, it is not intended to limit the components by the above terms.

Components, features, and steps that are referred to herein as "comprising" mean that such components, features, and steps exist and are intended to exclude one or more other components, features, steps, and equivalents. This is not it.

Unless otherwise specified and stated in the singular, the plural forms are included. That is, the components and the like mentioned herein may mean the presence or addition of one or more other components.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. to be.

In other words, terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and, unless expressly defined herein, are construed in ideal or overly formal meanings. It doesn't work.

Hereinafter, a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point and a wireless communication method using the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a probe 100, a probe connection device 110, and a light source unit 130.

One end of the endoscope probe 100 is provided with a reflective prism, the inside is made of an optical fiber can propagate light using the principle of total reflection.

In addition, the other end of the endoscope probe 100 is coupled to the probe connection unit 110, the other end of the light emitting diode 131 and the light emitting diode 131 irradiating the light source to adjust the wavelength and the amount of light The light source unit 130 including the light source controller 133 may be combined.

The light source controller 133 is connected to the power supply unit 117 in a wired manner to receive power for adjusting the light quantity and wavelength of the light emitting diode 131 or to store the light emitting diode 131 through pre-stored power including a rechargeable battery. The amount of light and the wavelength can be adjusted.

The probe connection unit 110 may include an image photographing unit 111, a control unit 113, an access point unit 115, a power supply unit 117, a transceiver unit 119, and an input unit 121.

The image capturing unit 111 may include a lens driving unit for controlling a liquid lens and a voltage for driving the liquid lens and a focus of the liquid lens, and may photograph an image coming through the probe.

Liquid lens is a lens that can focus the lens by adjusting the thickness of the liquid by using the electrowetting (Electrowetting) phenomenon to control the surface tension by applying a voltage to the liquid, the lens drive unit is a lens driving unit of the voltage applied to the liquid lens By adjusting the size, the focus of the liquid lens can be adjusted.

The controller 113 may connect to a first network connected to an internet network by connecting to an external access point. For example, the controller 113 may be connected to an access point such as a router and may be assigned an IP address corresponding to the address system of the first network.

The controller 113 generates a second network to which an external device can be connected through the access point unit 115, and upon receiving a connection request for the second network from the external device, sets a firewall for the second network. The external device may be connected to the second network.

For example, the controller 113 may be assigned an IP for the first network through a network interface card (NIC).

In addition, the external device may be assigned an IP address preset for the second network from the controller 113 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) module.

The preset IP address is an IP address for an address system assigned to an external device connected to the access point unit 115, and the connected external device may access the second network through the assigned preset IP address.

The controller 113 may assign an IP for the second network to the external device and then change the setting of the second network so as to correspond to the setting of the first network. That is, the controller 113 may change the address system of the second network to correspond to the address system of the first network.

For example, the controller 113 may connect to the second network through a virtual network interface card (VNIC), set a virtual network for the second network, and receive an IP. Thereafter, the controller 113 may change the IP address system of the second network to correspond to the IP address system of the first network.

In detail, the control unit 113 configures and implements functions such as a DHCP module, a network address translation (NAT) module, an IP masquerade, a virtual network interface card (VNIC), an Http Server Firewall, and a second network. And a virtual network corresponding to the second network.

That is, by changing the IP address of the first network allocated through the external access point and the IP address of the second network allocated through the VNIC to be the same, the first network and the second network can be treated as substantially the same network. In addition, the external device may access the second network through the IP for the second network allocated by the controller 113 and may also access the internet network through the first network.

That is, since the wireless endoscope device including the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to external devices through the probe connection unit 110 to configure a second network, the probe connection unit 110 and the external device No additional access point (AP) is required for data transfer between them.

In addition, since the first network and the second network are treated as substantially the same network, external devices are connected to the second network, but there is an advantage that the first network can be connected to the first network.

When the control unit 113 receives a transmission request for the captured image through the transceiver 119, the controller 113 may determine whether the transmission request is received through the first network or the second network.

When the transmission request for the image photographed through the first network is received, the transceiver 119 may transmit the image photographed to the Internet through the first network connected to the external access point.

On the contrary, when the transmission request for the image photographed through the second network is received, the transceiver 119 may transmit the image photographed to the external device through the second network connected to the access point unit 115.

That is, the controller 113 determines the subject requesting the image through the IP address requesting the captured image, determines the network (either the first network or the second network) including the subject, and the transceiver 119. ) May transmit the captured image through a network including the subject.

For example, when a device A connected to the second network requests transmission of a captured image, the controller 113 determines an IP address assigned to the device A from a request for transmitting the captured image, thereby subjecting the request for transmission of the captured image. Can be determined as A device. Thereafter, the transceiver 119 may transmit an image captured by the device A through the second network to which the device A is connected.

The access point unit 115 has a configuration similar to an external access point. The access point unit 115 sets up a second network to which external devices are connected, and the control unit 113 connects to the second network from the external device. When receiving the connection request, the external device may be connected to the second network.

Thereafter, the control unit 113 sets a virtual network corresponding to the second network using the VNIC, and changes the address system of the virtual network to correspond to the address system of the first network, whereby the first network and the second network are substantially changed. The configuration of the first network may be changed to have the same address system.

The power supply unit 117 may supply power to the probe connection unit 110 and the light source control unit 133 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

However, the light source controller 133 may receive power from the power supply unit 117 or adjust the light amount and wavelength of the light emitting diode 131 using pre-stored power including a rechargeable battery.

The transceiver 119 transmits and receives data through an external device and an internet network, and may receive a connection request for a second network from an external device.

In addition, a transmission request for an image captured by the image photographing unit 111 may be received from at least one of an external device and an internet network.

When the transmitter / receiver 119 receives a transmission request for the captured image, the controller 113 may determine a subject of the transmission request. The transmission / reception unit 119 may transmit an image to the external device through the second network if the subject of the transmission request is an external device, and transmit the image to the internet network through the first network if the subject of the transmission request is the Internet network. .

The input unit 121 may have an interface implemented to receive a signal for adjusting the focus of the liquid lens included in the image capturing unit 111. Based on a signal for focus adjustment received through the input unit 121, the lens driving unit may adjust the focus of the liquid lens by adjusting a voltage applied to the liquid lens.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control unit 113 of the wireless endoscope apparatus including the access point according to another embodiment of the present invention may control the power supply unit 117 to adjust the light amount and wavelength of the light emitting diode 131. .

That is, the light source controller 133 may be included by the power supply unit 117, and the light amount and wavelength of the light emitting diode 131 may be adjusted by the controller 113.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration diagram in which a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point, an image display apparatus, and the Internet are connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A is a wireless endoscope apparatus corresponding to FIG. 1, and includes a light source unit 13 including a light emitting diode 131 and a light source controller 133. FIG. 3B is a wireless endoscope apparatus corresponding to FIG. 2. The controller 133 is illustrated by way of example included in the power supply unit 117.

Referring to FIG. 3, a wireless endoscope apparatus including an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention may access an internet network by connecting to a first network through an external access point.

In addition, external devices such as a tablet PC, a smart phone, and an HMD including a NIC may access the second network set by the access point 115. By changing the address system of the second network so that the controller 113 is the same as the address system of the first network, the external devices can also access the Internet network through an external access point.

That is, the wireless endoscope apparatus including the access point according to an embodiment of the present invention sets the address system of the first network and the second network to be the same, so that external devices connected to the second network do not form a separate network. It is possible to access the internet network through the first network.

In addition, even if the position of the wireless endoscope device is changed so that the newly allocated IP address for connecting to the new first network is changed, the control unit 113 changes the second network address system to be the same as the address system of the first network. Therefore, the external devices and the wireless endoscope device can access the Internet network through the new first network without any separate setting.

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method may include taking an image (S101), connecting to a first network (S103), and connecting an external device to a second network (S105). ), A step (S107) of creating a virtual network, a step of changing (S109), a step of receiving a transmission request (S111), a step of transmitting an image captured by an external device (S113), and an image captured by an internet network. And transmitting 115.

The step S101 of capturing an image may include capturing an image of an image coming through the probe 100, and may capture an image through a liquid lens included in the image capturing unit 111.

The step of connecting to the first network (S103) is a step of connecting to a first network connected to the Internet network through an external access point in parallel with the step of taking an image (S101), and the controller 113 connects the NIC. Through the IP can be assigned to the first network.

Connecting to the second network (S105) is a step of connecting an external device to the second network set by the access point unit 115. When receiving a connection request for the second network from the external device, the controller 113 After setting the firewall for the second network, the external device may be connected to the second network by allocating a preset IP address for the second network.

For example, external devices such as a tablet PC, a smart phone, and an HMD including a NIC may be connected to the second network.

Generating a virtual network (S107) is a step of creating a virtual network corresponding to the second network, the control unit 113 may create a virtual network corresponding to the second network using the VNIC.

For example, when connecting to a network through one NIC, since only one IP address for the connected network can be allocated, a virtual network corresponding to the second network can be created by using a virtual NIC.

In operation S109, the address system of the second network is changed by changing the address system of the virtual network to correspond to the address system of the first network.

The second network and the virtual network are networks connected to the access point unit 115, and the first network is a network connected to an external access point, and its address system is different. Therefore, by changing the address system of the virtual network to correspond to the address system of the first network, the address system of the second network can be changed to be identical to the address system of the first network.

That is, since the first network and the second network have the same address system, an external device connected to the second network can access the Internet network through the first network without a separate additional access point.

Receiving a transmission request (S111) is a step of receiving a transmission request for an image captured from an external device or an internet network.

After receiving the transmission request, the control unit 113 may determine whether the received transmission request is input through the first network or the second network.

For example, when a transmission request is input through the first network, since it is routed through an external access point, the control unit 113 transmits the transmission request through the second network and when the transmission request is input through the first network. It is possible to distinguish the input case.

In the step S113 of transmitting the captured image to the external device, when it is determined that the transmission request input by the controller 113 is input through the second network, the transceiver 119 transmits the external device through the second network. You can send the video to.

In this case, since the external device is assigned an IP for the second network set by the access point unit 115, transmission is possible without having to go through the external access point.

In the step S115 of transmitting the captured image to the Internet network, when it is determined that the transmission request input by the controller 113 is input through the first network, the transceiver 119 transmits the Internet network through the first network. You can send the video to.

In this case, since the Internet network can be connected via an external access point, the transceiver 119 can transmit an image to the Internet network via an external access point through the first network.

That is, in the wireless communication method using the wireless endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, a virtual network corresponding to the second network is set using a virtual NIC (VNIC) through the control unit 113, and an address system of the virtual network is provided. By changing to correspond to the address system of the first network connected to the Internet network, it is possible to change the address system of the second network connected to the access point 115 to be the same as the address system of the first network.

Therefore, there is an advantage in that the Internet network, an external access point, a wireless endoscope device, and an external device can be connected to substantially the same network without any additional access point device.

Although the description herein has been shown in some illustrative aspects, various modifications or changes may be made from the scope defined by the claims that follow, and the technical protection scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims. It must be decided by.

100: probe
110: probe connection device
111: video recording unit
113: control unit
115: access point unit
117: power supply
119: transceiver
121: input unit
130: light source unit
131: light emitting diode
133: light source control unit

Claims (16)

Image taking unit for taking an image;
An access point unit for setting a second network to which an external device is connected;
A power supply unit supplying power;
Connect to a first network connected to the Internet network,
When the connection request for the second network is received from the external device, the external device is connected to the second network, the setting of the second network is changed to correspond to the setting of the first network,
A controller configured to determine whether the transmission request is received through the first network or the second network when the transmission request for the captured image is received; And
When the transmission request is input through the first network, the photographed image is transmitted to the internet network,
When the transmission request is input through the second network, comprising a probe connection device including a transmitter for transmitting the captured image to the external device,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Connecting to a first network connected to the Internet network by connecting to an external access point,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 2,
The transmitting unit,
When the transmission request is input through the first network,
Transmitting the photographed image to the internet network through the external access point,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
When receiving the connection request, set a firewall for the second network,
Allocating a predetermined Internet Protocol (IP) address for the second network to the external device;
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Create a virtual network corresponding to the second network,
Changing the address system of the virtual network to the address system of the first network, thereby changing the address system of the second network to be the same as the address system of the first network,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 1,
The image photographing unit,
Liquid lenses; And
A lens driving unit for controlling a voltage for driving the liquid lens and a focus of the liquid lens,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 6,
The lens driving unit,
Adjusting the focus of the liquid lens by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the liquid lens,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 6,
Further comprising an input unit for receiving a signal for adjusting the focus of the liquid lens,
The lens driving unit,
Changing the focus of the liquid lens to a focus corresponding to the received signal,
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. The method of claim 1,
An endoscope probe including a reflective prism at one end thereof and having the other end coupled to the probe connection device;
A light emitting diode provided at one side of the other end of the endoscope probe to irradiate a light source; And
And a light source controller coupled to the light emitting diode to adjust a wavelength and a light amount of the light source irradiated from the light emitting diode.
The light source control unit,
Connected to the power supply unit in a wired manner to receive power;
A wireless endoscope device comprising an access point. Imaging unit to take an image;
Connecting, by the controller, to the first network connected to the Internet network in parallel with the step of photographing the image;
When the controller receives a connection request from an external device, connecting the external device to a second network;
Changing, by the controller, the address system of the second network such that the address systems of the first network and the second network are the same;
Determining, by the controller, whether the transmission request has been received through the first network or the second network when the transmission request for the captured image is received; And
Transmitting a photographed image through a network through which a transmitter receives the transmission request;
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 10,
Connecting to the first network,
Connecting to a first network connected to the internet network by connecting to an external access point,
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 10,
Connecting to the second network,
Setting up a firewall for the second network; And
Connecting the external device to the second network by assigning the external device a preset Internet Protocol (IP) address for the second network;
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 10,
After connecting to the second network,
The control unit further comprises the step of generating a virtual network corresponding to the second network,
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 13,
Changing the address system of the second network,
Changing the address system of the second network by changing the generated address system of the virtual network to correspond to the address system of the first network;
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 10,
The transmitting step,
If the transmission request is input through the first network, transmitting the captured image to an internet network connected to the first network;
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope. The method of claim 10,
The transmitting step,
If the transmission request is input through the second network, transmitting the captured image to an external device connected to the second network;
Wireless communication method using a wireless endoscope.

Images