IP Library Granted Patent US 12,256,142
Granted Patent B2
US 12,256,142 · App. 17/433,603 · Granted Mar 18, 2025

Control device and medical observation system

Inventor: Kazuhiro Yamaguchi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
H04N23/66A61B34/25A61B90/20G10L15/22H04N23/69H04N23/695A61B2017/00203A61B90/25A61B2560/0493G10L2015/223
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,256,142
App. No.
17/433,603
Granted
Mar 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a control device that electrically controls a medical observation apparatus configured to capture an image of an observation target and includes a voice recognition section, a recognized-information processing section, a switch input reception section, and a control section. The voice recognition section recognizes a voice inputted from outside. Based on a result of recognition by the voice recognition section, the recognized-information processing section determines processing to be executed by the medical observation apparatus. The switch input reception section receives an input of an operation signal based on an operation performed on a switch. Upon detecting a first operation signal received by the switch input reception section or upon acquiring information regarding processing determined by the recognized-information processing section, the control section causes the voice recognition section to start voice recognition processing and causes the medical observation apparatus to execute the processing determined by the recognized-information processing section.

Claims (37)

1. A control device for electrically controlling a medical observation apparatus that captures an image of an observation target, the control device comprising:

circuitry configured to

receive an input value as an operation signal of a switch,

start voice recognition processing based on a voice inputted from outside in a case where the input value is changed from an initial value of the switch to a value other than the initial value,

determine processing to be executed by the medical observation apparatus based on a result of the voice recognition processing,

cause the medical observation apparatus to execute the processing that is determined,

cause the medical observation apparatus to stop the processing in a case where the input value is changed back to the initial value, and

cause the medical observation apparatus to execute reverse processing that is reverse of the processing that is stopped, in a case where the input value is changed again from the initial value during a preset period after the medical observation apparatus is caused to stop the processing.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

the circuitry is further configured to change driving speed of the medical observation apparatus according to the operation signal that is received.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

the circuitry is further configured to

receive the operation signal that is outputted upon depression of the switch,

cause the medical observation apparatus to continuously execute the processing, while the switch is continuously depressed, and

cause the medical observation apparatus to stop the processing in a case where the switch is released.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

in a case where the result of the voice recognition processing agrees with first recognized information, the circuitry is further configured to enable later voice recognition processing, and

in a case where the result of the voice recognition processing agrees with second recognized information, the circuitry is further configured to disable the later voice recognition processing.

5. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

in a case where the result of the voice recognition processing agrees with first recognized information, the circuitry is further configured to enable later voice recognition processing, and

after a preset period of time elapses since the voice recognition processing is enabled, the circuitry is further configured to disable a voice recognition result other than the first recognized information.

6. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

based on the result of the voice recognition processing, the circuitry is further configured to determine a direction in which the medical observation apparatus moves an imaging area, and cause the medical observation apparatus to move the imaging area in the direction that is determined.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein

based on the result of the voice recognition processing, the circuitry is further configured to determine image magnifying power of the medical observation apparatus and cause the medical observation apparatus to set the image magnifying power that is determined.

8. A medical observation system comprising:

a medical observation apparatus that includes

a microscope configured to capture a magnified image of an observation target, and

a support that includes a plurality of arms and a plurality of joints rotatably connecting the plurality of arms and supports the microscope at a leading end of the support, the plurality of joints including actuators that cause relative movements of the plurality of arms to change a position of the microscope;

a switch configured to output an operation signal based on an operation performed on the switch; and

circuitry configured to

receive an input value as the operation signal from the switch,

start voice recognition processing based on a voice inputted from outside in a case where the input value is changed from an initial value of the switch to a value other than the initial value,

determine processing to be executed by the medical observation apparatus based on a result of the voice recognition processing, the processing including at least changing the position of the microscope and

cause the medical observation apparatus to execute the processing that is determined,

cause the medical observation apparatus to stop the processing in a case where the input value is changed back to the initial value and

cause the medical observation apparatus to execute reverse processing that is reverse of the processing that is stopped, in a case where the input value is changed again from the initial value during a preset period after the medical observation apparatus is caused to stop the processing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2021
From: YAMAGUCHI, KAZUHIRO
To: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 057285/0737 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-055706 · Mar 22, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220141376A1 · May 5, 2022
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