Abstract: An endoscope includes in a tip portion of an insertion unit: an image sensor having plural terminals including a video terminal which outputs a video signal; and a tip potion of a treatment tool channel which extends in a longitudinal direction of the insertion unit, and a distance of the video terminal is longest among distances of the respective terminals from a center of the treatment tool channel in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An endoscope includes, in a tip portion of an insertion unit: an image sensor having a photodetecting surface as defined herein; an imaging optical system as defined herein; a holding frame as defined herein; and a tip portion of a treatment tool channel as defined herein, and, in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the optical axis, a thickness, on a first axis that intersects the optical axis and a center of the treatment tool channel, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the first axis, of at least a portion of the holding frame is smaller than a thickness, on a second axis that is perpendicular to the optical axis and the first axis, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the second axis, of the at least portion of the holding frame.

Abstract: An endoscope includes, in a tip portion of an insertion unit: an image sensor having a photodetecting surface as defined herein; an imaging optical system as defined herein; a holding frame as defined herein; and a tip portion of a treatment tool channel as defined herein, and, in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the optical axis, a thickness, on a first axis that intersects the optical axis and a center of the treatment tool channel, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the first axis, of at least a portion of the holding frame is smaller than a thickness, on a second axis that is perpendicular to the optical axis and the first axis, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the second axis, of the at least portion of the holding frame.

Abstract: An endoscope includes in a tip portion of an insertion unit: an image sensor having plural terminals including a video terminal which outputs a video signal; and a tip potion of a treatment tool channel which extends in a longitudinal direction of the insertion unit, and a distance of the video terminal is longest among distances of the respective terminals from a center of the treatment tool channel in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus in which improvements in the moisture-proof and insulation properties of an imaging device and miniaturization of the entire apparatus can be realized. The imaging apparatus is configured to include: an imaging device in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arrayed; a substrate on which the imaging device is provided and which has a larger outer shape than the imaging device; a transparent cover member that is provided on an opposite surface side to a surface of the imaging device facing the substrate and has a larger outer shape than the imaging device; and a sealing resin that fills a gap between the substrate and the cover member in order to seal a side surface of the imaging device.

Abstract: A hand-held tool, in which multiple fasteners are successively fed, is provided with: an ejection detecting portion for detecting an ejection of the fasteners; and a control portion for switching from a power saving wait mode of small power consumption to an active mode capable of executing normal processing when the ejection detecting portion detects the ejection of the fasteners, and for switching from the active mode to the wait mode when the normal processing is ended.

Abstract: A narrow-band observation image and a spectral estimation image are automatically switched based on the type of a subject. In an endoscopic image obtained by a scope, judgment is made as to whether the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging or by distant-view imaging. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by distant-view imaging, white light is output from a light source unit and a spectral estimation image is output. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging, narrow-band light is output from the light source unit and a narrow-band observation image that has been obtained when the narrow-band light was output is output.

Abstract: An imaging mode is automatically switched based on the kind of a subject. The spatial frequency of an endoscopic image obtained by imaging the subject is detected. Further, judgment is made, based on the distribution of the spatial frequency, as to whether the endoscopic image was obtained by performing close-up imaging on the subject. The condition of imaging is switched based on the result of judgment as to whether the image was obtained by close-up imaging or distant-view imaging.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is configured to execute testing of whether or not the responding module is correctly responding to the plurality of commands transmitted and received between a transmission module and a reception module, the testing being performed via a loop-back mode transmission and reception path configured such that the reception module receives the command transmitted by the transmission module; and during the testing, following procedure is performed, which includes: transmitting the specific command by the transmission module; receiving the specific command by the reception module via the transmission and reception path; deactivating reception of the specific command; and transmitting a command different from the specific command subsequent to transmitting the specific command by the transmission module.

Abstract: A method capable of obtaining a fluorescence image and a background image with a simple configuration. A color image is obtained, when excitation light is emitted on a subject, by imaging excitation light reflected from the subject and fluorescence emitted from the subject. Thereafter, an estimated spectral image that includes a background image representing the excitation light and a fluorescence image representing the fluorescence is generated by allocating a wavelength component of the excitation light and a wavelength component of the fluorescence included in the obtained color image to different primary color components.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is configured to execute testing of whether or not the responding module is correctly responding to the plurality of commands transmitted and received between a transmission module and a reception module, the testing being performed via a loop-back mode transmission and reception path configured such that the reception module receives the command transmitted by the transmission module; and during the testing, following procedure is performed, which includes: transmitting the specific command by the transmission module; receiving the specific command by the reception module via the transmission and reception path; deactivating reception of the specific command; and transmitting a command different from the specific command subsequent to transmitting the specific command by the transmission module.

Abstract: Emitting illumination light and auxiliary light having a wavelength range different from that of the illumination light onto an observation target simultaneously, obtaining an image formed of reflection light of the illumination light and reflection light of the auxiliary light reflected from the observation target, calculating, with respect to each pixel of the obtained image signal, estimated spectroscopic data in the wavelength range of the auxiliary light using a value of the image signal and estimated matrix data in the wavelength range of the auxiliary light stored in advance, obtaining quasi reflectivity information reflecting a reflectivity of the observation target in the wavelength range of the auxiliary light based on the estimated spectroscopic data in the wavelength range of the auxiliary light, and generating a special image based on the quasi reflectivity information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an interface device including a decoding module configured to decode received data, a storage module configured to store data obtained after the decoding module performs decoding, a CRC module configured to detect a CRC error included in the data obtained after the decoding module performs the decoding, an error detection module configured to detect a decoding error included in the data obtained after the decoding module performs the decoding, and a data processing module configured to process, as valid data, the data that is obtained after the decoding module performs the decoding and stored in the storage module when the decoding error detected by the error detection module is non-user data and the CRC module does not detect any CRC error.

Abstract: A probe apparatus in combination with an endoscope includes a confocal laser probe for in-vivo imaging. The probe is insertable through a forceps channel of an endoscope, and has an optical unit. There is a lens barrel. Plural lens optics are mounted in the lens barrel. The plural lens optics include first lens optics disposed on an object side, and opposed to an object within a body. An optically inactive surface is formed with the first lens optics, and has at least one portion protruding from a barrel end surface of the lens barrel on the object side. Preferably, a height difference of protruding the optically inactive surface from the barrel end surface is 10-500 microns. The portion of the optically inactive surface protruding from the barrel end surface is coated with adhesive agent, for adhesion of the first lens optics thereto.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device, comprising: a solid-state image pickup element; a circuit-board main body to which the solid-state image pickup element is connected; a shield piece consecutively connected to the circuit-board main body, capable of being folded, and having a shield pattern disposed; and a signal cable which is connected to a connection terminal disposed on the circuit-board main body and transmits an input/output signal to the solid-state image pickup element, wherein the shield piece is folded at least to one face side of a region where the connection terminal is formed.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is configured to execute testing of whether or not the responding module is correctly responding to the plurality of commands transmitted and received between a transmission module and a reception module, the testing being performed via a loop-back mode transmission and reception path configured such that the reception module receives the command transmitted by the transmission module; and during the testing, following procedure is performed, which includes: transmitting the specific command by the transmission module; receiving the specific command by the reception module via the transmission and reception path; deactivating reception of the specific command; and transmitting a command different from the specific command subsequent to transmitting the specific command by the transmission module.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data storage device is provided, which has a cache controller that performs cache control, by using a buffer memory divided into segments, which are managed. The cache controller performs sequential hit judge on each segment, in accordance with the requested access range designated by a read or write command coming from a host system. The cache controller updates the hit upper-limit LBA set for each segment if the result of the hit judge is a mishit.

Abstract: A reinforcement binding machine capable of detecting, by the rotation of a reel, that wire on the reel is consumed and the reel, the reinforcement binding machine wherein an interrupter is installed in the cassette case of a binding machine body, a cover is rotatably held on a reel mounting shaft, an opening part is formed in the cover, a projection is formed on the reel and fitted into the opening part, and a color with a lightness different from that of the cover is applied to the projection to detect the rotation of the reel by the interrupter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data storage device is provided, which has a cache controller that performs cache control, by using a buffer memory divided into segments, which are managed. The cache controller performs sequential hit judge on each segment, in accordance with the requested access range designated by a read or write command coming from a host system. The cache controller updates the hit upper-limit LBA set for each segment if the result of the hit judge is a mishit.

Abstract: A hand-held tool, in which multiple fasteners are successively fed, is provided with: an ejection detecting portion for detecting an ejection of the fasteners; and a control portion for switching from a power saving wait mode of small power consumption to an active mode capable of executing normal processing when the ejection detecting portion detects the ejection of the fasteners, and for switching from the active mode to the wait mode when the normal processing is ended.