US6607301B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for dark current noise temperature sensing in an imaging device
Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd
•
Filing: 2000-08-03
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Granted: 2003-08-19
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Expires: 2020-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A device, method and system for sensing the temperature of an environment. An image sensor may be introduced into an environment having an image sensing module. The dark current noise of the image sensor may be sensed, and the temperature of the image sensor (and environment) calculated. Such a device, system and method may be used in, for example, a medical imaging device.
Inventors
- 👤 Arkady Glukhovsky
- 👤 Gavriel Meron
- 👤 Gavriel J. Iddan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/041; A61B5/00; A61B5/0002; A61B5/0004; A61B5/0008; G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising the steps of: introducing into the environment an image sensor having an image sensing module; sensing the dark current noise of the image sensing module; calculating the temperature of the image sensor from the sensed dark current noise; and calculating the temperature of the environment from the calculated image sensor temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising the steps of: introducing into the environment an image sensor having an image sensing module; sensing the dark current noise of the image sensing module; calculating the temperature of the image sensor from the sensed dark current noise; and calculating the temperature of the environment from the calculated image sensor temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the calculated environment temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of amplifying the sensed dark current noise prior to the step of calculating the temperature of the image sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the sensed dark current noise is amplified by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein any one of the steps subsequent to the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the integrating unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the steps of calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image sensor is exposed to intermittent illuminated and dark periods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed during one or more dark periods.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image sensor is a video camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the environment is a body cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 1 , comprising obtaining visual data.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising an image sensor in communication with an integrating unit, said image sensor being introduced into an environment; and said integrating unit receiving dark current noise from the image sensor, calculating the temperature of the image sensor, and calculating the temperature of the environment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising an image sensor in communication with an integrating unit, said image sensor being introduced into an environment; and said integrating unit receiving dark current noise from the image sensor, calculating the temperature of the image sensor, and calculating the temperature of the environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit amplifies the received dark current noise prior to calculating the temperature of the image sensor, and calculating the temperature of the environment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein one or more of the steps of amplifying the received dark current noise, calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein one or both of calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit further displays the calculated environment temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein displaying the calculated environment temperature is performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 22 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit is located outside of the environment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the image sensor is exposed to intermittent illuminated and dark periods.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 25 further comprising a switch which is in communication with an illumination indicator for receiving indication of illumination, said switch enabling communication between the image sensor and integrating unit only during one or more dark periods.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the switch is capable of accepting signals from an external operator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 15 further comprising a switch which controls illumination elements for exposing the image sensor to intermittent illuminated and dark periods, said switch enabling communication between the image sensor and integrating unit only during one or more dark periods.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 28 wherein the switch is capable of accepting signals from an external operator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit is in communication with functional units for operating said functional units in accordance with a predetermined temperature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
A medical device comprising the system according to claim 30 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A medical device according to claim 31 in which the functional units are units that enable the collection of samples from the environment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the image sensor is a video camera.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein the environment is a body cavity.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
A medical device comprising the system according to claim 15 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A medical device according to claim 35 wherein the device is a swallowable autonomous endoscope.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 15 , wherein said image sensor is capable of obtaining visual data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-08-18 | 2007-02-17 | 2007-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-18 | 2011-02-17 | 2011-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-18 | 2015-02-17 | 2015-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |