Diagnostic device, system and method for reduced data transmission

Abstract

A device, system and method may enable the obtaining of in vivo images from within body lumens or cavities, such as images the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the data such as image data is typically transmitted or otherwise sent to a receiving system in compressed or diluted form. The image may be reconstructed and for example displayed to a user.

1 . An in vivo device comprising:
 an imager for capturing in vivo image data, the imager comprising rows of pixels;   a controller to receive the in vivo image data, and to dilute the image data using a dilution pattern, wherein said dilution pattern is repeated in every four rows of the captured image data, such that every second green pixel is selected from a first row, every second blue pixel is selected from a second row, and every second red pixel is selected from a third row; and   a transmitter to transmit diluted image data.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dilution pattern used to dilute the image data is modified based on operating conditions of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the operating conditions are selected from a group consisting of position of the in vivo device, pH, temperature, ambient lighting or color conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dilution pattern further comprises selecting a same amount of red pixels and blue pixels and twice that amount of green pixels. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dilution pattern further comprises selecting every second green pixel from said second row, and selecting no pixels from a fourth row. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dilution pattern further comprises selecting every second red pixel from a fourth row, such that a same amount of green pixels and blue pixels are selected and twice that amount of red pixels are selected. 
     
     
         7 . A system for dilution of in vivo image data for subsequent reconstruction thereof, the system comprising a data compression module to:
 receive image data acquired by an in-vivo imager, the imager comprising rows of pixels; and   dilute said image data using a dilution pattern, wherein said dilution pattern is repeated in every four rows of the image data, such that every second green pixel is selected from a first row, every second blue pixel is selected from a second row, and every second red pixel is selected from a third row.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said data compression module is implemented as part of a transmitter in an in vivo device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a receiver to receive the diluted image data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said dilution pattern further comprises selecting a same amount of red pixels and blue pixels and twice that amount of green pixels. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said dilution pattern further comprises selecting every second green pixel from said second row, and selecting no pixels from a fourth row. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said dilution pattern further comprises selecting every second red pixel from a fourth row, such that a same amount of green pixels and blue pixels are selected and twice that amount of red pixels are selected. 
     
     
         13 . A method for dilution of in vivo image data comprising:
 capturing in vivo image data by an in vivo imager, the data arranged in rows of pixels;   diluting the captured image data according to a dilution pattern, wherein the dilution pattern wherein the dilution pattern is repeated in every four rows of the image data, such that every second green pixel is selected from a first row, every second blue pixel is selected from a second row, and every second red pixel is selected from a third row; and   transmitting the diluted image data to a receiver.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said dilution pattern further comprises selecting every second red pixel from a fourth row, such that a same amount of green pixels and blue pixels are selected and twice that amount of red pixels are selected. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  comprising reconstructing an image from the diluted image data. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dilution pattern is predetermined. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dilution pattern is created by a component of an in vivo device comprising the imager, based on operating conditions selected from: the position of the device in the gastro-intestinal tract, pH, temperature surrounding the device, ambient lighting or color. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the dilution pattern further comprises averaging the value of a selected pixel of a certain color with the value of a nearby pixel of the same color. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the averaging is activated or deactivated by a control bit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the in vivo imaging device is a swallowable capsule.