Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes at least one endoscope, a peripheral device having a light source, and a detachable connecting device to connect the endoscope to the peripheral device. The emission time or illumination duration of the light source is measured and stored in the peripheral device. An indicating device is used to display the stored emission time or illumination duration independent of the connection between the endoscope and the peripheral device.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an operation invalidating device which invalidates the operation of a switch or key which is actuated to control the operation of a device connected to an endoscope. The operation invalidating device begins operating automatically after a lapse of a predetermined time from actuation of a power source or after a lapse of a predetermined time from operation of a switch or key.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus for counting a total number of times each endoscope, of a plurality of endoscopes, is connected to a peripheral device includes a connector on the peripheral device, a switch for detecting the connection of an endoscope to the connector, and a storage device provided in the peripheral device for storing the total usage operating time or the number of times connected for each individual endoscope. A display device is connected to the storage device and allows an operator to visually confirm usage times or connection totals for each endoscope independent of which endoscope is connected to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A light source apparatus for an endoscope comprises a light source for supplying light to the endoscope for illuminating an object, a microcomputer for effecting operation control, and an erasable programmable read only memory for storing data that is used in the microcomputer. The read only memory may be replaced with a access memory that has a chip select terminal connected to a programmable input/output interface, which is connected to a system bus of the microcomputer, in such a manner that the random access memory will not be selected when all output ports of the interface are set to either a high or low level.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, a device for detecting a quantity of light that is reflected from the object and for outputting a signal in accordance with the detected quantity of light, and a device for amplifying the signal, with the amplifying device having a plurality of amplification factors which can be selected as desired. A photographing light quantity control device is provided for controlling the quantity of illuminating light that is supplied to the endoscope when a photographing operation is conducted, on the basis of the output signal from the amplifying device.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a light source for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, and a device for detecting an illuminating condition in an observation state before a photographing operation is initiated. A device is also provided for controlling the brightness of illuminating light that is supplied from the light source to the endoscope during the photographing operation on the basis of a signal that is detected by the device for detecting an illuminating condition in the observation state.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to be viewed by the endoscope, a photoelectric conversion device for converting into an electric signal, a brightness level of exposure light that is applied to a photographic plane in a photographing device after being reflected from the object, and a device for integrating the output from the photoelectric conversion device and outputting the resulting integral value.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to taken through the endoscope.

Abstract: A color tone controller for an endoscope which has a converting device, for example, a solid-state image sensor, for converting an observed image into an electric signal which is delivered to a monitor device where an observed image is reproduced. The color tone of the image reproduced by the monitor device is controllable with a color tone control device. The contents of the color tone control are quantitatively displayed on the screen of the monitor device in the form of numerals by way of example.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, a device for detecting a quantity of light that is reflected from the object and for outputting a signal in accordance with the detected quantity of light, and a device for amplifying the signal, with the amplifying device having a plurality of amplification factors which can be selected as desired. A photographing light quantity control device is provided for controlling the quantity of illuminating light that is supplied to the endoscope when a photographing operation is conducted, on the basis of the output signal from the amplifying device.