Method for activating an image collecting process

Abstract

A method and system may activate an in-vivo capsule to perform image collection while the capsule is outside a body and held in a cup, the cup having a mark on its inner wall. A processor may attempt to identify the mark, and terminate the image collection if the mark is not identified

1 . A method comprising:
 activiating an in-vivo capsule to perform image collection while the capsule is outside a body and held in a holding cup, the cup having a mark on its inner wall;   transferring an image of the mark from the capsule to a reception system; and   attempting to identify the mark, and terminating the image collection if the mark is not identified.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising terminating the image collection after a predetermined period of time if the mark is not identified. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising terminating the image collection after a predetermined number of images are collected if the mark is not identified. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule comprises an imaging device, wherein the imaging device is a CCD camera or a CMOS type image sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising correcting the image of the mark. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule is removably inserted in the holding cup 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein activating the image collection is started when the capsule is within the holding cup, allowing the verification of the capsule's operation based on images captured within the holding cup. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule comprises a light source. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule comprises a transmitter for transmitting output of the capsule. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule is to capture images of a body lumen. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 an in-vivo imaging capsule comprising an imager;   a holding cup to hold the imaging capsule, the holding cup comprising a mark on its inner surface, wherein the capsule is to perform image collection while the capsule is outside a body and held in the holding cup; and   a processor to attempt to identify the mark, and to terminate the image collection if the mark is not identified.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the image collection is terminated after a predetermined period of time if the mark is not identified. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the image collection is terminated after a predetermined number of images are collected if the mark is not identified. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the imaging device is a CCD camera or a CMOS type image sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is to correct the image of the mark. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein image collection is started while the capsule is within the holding cup, allowing the verification of the system's operation based on images captured within the holding cup. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein wherein the capsule comprises a light source. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein wherein the capsule is to capture images of a body lumen. 
     
     
         19 . A method for activating an image collecting process of a swallowable capsule held by a package comprising a magnet, comprising releasing the power source to an imager from an inhibition imposed by the magnet by distancing the power source from the package.