Abstract: A signal processing apparatus processes a signal which has a plurality of spectral sensitivity characteristics and in which the information amount of a signal related to at least one of the spectral sensitivity characteristics is larger than the information amount of any one of signals related to the other spectral sensitivity characteristics. A wavelet transform section resolves the signal of the spectral sensitivity characteristic having a large information amount into high- and low-frequency components. An R- and B-signal correlation coefficient calculating section calculates correlation coefficients between the low-frequency component derived and the signals of the spectral sensitivity characteristics having a small information amount. An R- and B-signal high-frequency creating section creates high-frequency components of the signals of the spectral sensitivity characteristics having a small information amount based on the correlation coefficients derived and the high-frequency component.

Abstract: A marker detecting section detects markers formed at four corners of a block using binary image data of a two-dimensional code stored in a data memory. A marker's approximate center calculating section calculates the approximate centers of the detected markers. A pattern code detecting means detects a pattern code in accordance with format information of the two-dimensional code stored in a format memory. A marker's real center calculating section calculates the real centers of the markers from the detected pattern code and the format information using the error minimizing method. Based on the calculated real centers of the markers, a data code reading coordinate calculating section calculates reading coordinates for reading data dots of address code and data code areas from the data memory.

Abstract: An image pickup unit optically reads, from an information recording medium having a portion that records multimedia information including at least one of audio information, video information, and digital code data in the form of an optically readable code pattern, the code pattern. A conversion unit converts the code pattern read by the image pickup unit into code data as an image. A block extraction unit extracts a block as a predetermined data unit from the code data by processing the code data converted by the conversion unit. A reference coordinate calculation unit calculates a reference coordinate position for determining the data reading coordinate position in the block by approximation using an Nth-degree curve passing the centers of a plurality of dots arranged at predetermined relative positions on the image upon extraction of the block as the predetermined unit of data from the code data by the block extraction unit.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus which includes a time-serial image recording arrangement for recording time-serial images of an object, and still image filling arrangements for recoding a still image. The apparatus also includes an outputting arrangement capable of outputting an image information data of at least a part of the time-serial images to be recorded or having been recorded by the time-serial image recording arrangement, which is used as a standard for observing variations in the time-serial images of the object which occur with lapse of time. The outputting arrangement includes an extracting arrangement for extracting a selected feature of at least one image among the time-serial images as the image information to be a standard of the position and a composing arrangement for composing and outputting image information of the selected feature extracted by the extracting arrangement and for composing and outputting the time-serial images.

Abstract: The endoscope image processing apparatus includes a processing apparatus for image-processing as predetermined at least one image signal and a discriminating apparatus for discriminating regions ineffective to image-processing by the processing apparatus or to the result of the image-processing from other effective regions. The image processing apparatus further includes an outputting apparatus for outputting the results of processing images by the processing apparatus only on the effective regions discriminated by the discriminating apparatus and an image forming apparatus forming images based on the results of processing images by the processing apparatus only on the effective regions.

Abstract: An endoscope image data compressing apparatus comprises a plurality of image compressing apparatus not equivalent to each other for compressing input endoscope image data and outputting the compressed data and a selecting apparatus for selecting the compressed data output from at least one of the image compressing apparatus. The selecting apparatus selects the compressing method in response to the kind of the endoscope, characteristic of the image, picture quality of the compressed image, recording time intervals and others.A method for compressing endoscope image data is realized by an image compressing apparatus capable of compressing image data at different compressing rates. The endoscope image data is determined to be either ordinary image data or dyed image data and, based on this determination, is compressed at different rates. The compressing rate for dyed image data is lowered below the rate for ordinary image data.

Abstract: An endoscope image signal photoelectrically converted by an image sensing device in an endoscope is compressed by an image compressing apparatus and then recorded in a recording apparatus, whereby the number of image frames recordable in the recording apparatus can be increased. Also, the image compression is effectively performed, for example, by changing a compression ratio dependent on a quantity of respective image information contained in plural components of the endoscope image signal, whereby a quantity of information actually recorded can be reduced.

Abstract: This endoscope image data compressing apparatus comprises a plurality of image compressing apparatus not equivalent to each other for compressing input endoscope image data and outputting the compressed data and a selecting apparatus for selecting the compressed data output from at least one of the image compressing apparatus. The selecting apparatus selects in response to the kind of the endoscope, characteristic of the image, picture quality of the compressed image, recording time intervals and others.

Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy and an endoscopic device therefor, wherein, to an object to be examined containing a fluorescent substance, light rays in a plurality of wavelength ranges whose degrees of exciting the fluorescent substance are different from one another and which can constitute a color images are sequentially irradiated; images of the object are obtained by the respective wavelength ranges; a color image of the object is constituted using the images obtained by the respective wavelength ranges and information based on fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent substance, is obtained using at least an image obtained by a wavelength whose degree of exciting the fluorescent substance is largest out of the images obtained by the respective wavelength ranges.

Abstract: An image inputting device for an endoscope is provided in which image obtained by the endoscope and decomposed into a plurality of color signals is converted into electrical signals. A gray scale correcting section having an adjustable correcting value is provided for each of the plurality of color signals. In consequence, the gray scales of the plurality of color signals can be separately and adjustably corrected, and a resolution which corresponds to the luminance level of each color can be set so as to enable effective information to be easily obtained from all wavelength regions.

Abstract: An object is illuminated sequentially with light of wavelengths in respective narrow bands through a light guide in an electronic endoscope provided with an imaging device. The picture images are photoelectrically converted by the imaging device and are temporarily stored respectively in memories. The spectral distribution characteristics of the object are calculated by using spectral distribution calculating data and are displayed on a display.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes a first and a second optical guides inserted in an elongated insertion portion thereof, and which can transmit an optical image, and an optical system with a function of imaging at the end surface of the optical guide. By transmitting an illuminating light from the other end surface to the portion to be observed through one of the optical guides, the portion to be observed is illuminated. While, the optical image transmitted through the other optical guide is introduced into an ocular system or an imaging system. By changing the functions performed by these optical guides, the stereoscopic observation and stereoscopic imaging can be realized.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image data compressing device for an endoscope which is for use in converting a plurality of color signals obtained by separating the image provided by the endoscope into electrical signals and then quantizing and storing the thus-obtained signals. The image data compressing device includes sampling means for conducting sampling at sampling intervals which are different for each of the plurality of color signals and which correspond to the characteristics of each of the plurality of colors in the image obtained by the endoscope, so as to enable the image data to be compressed in accordance with the characteristics of each of the colors of the image provided by the endoscope.In consequence, data compression can be conducted without losing the quality of the image provided by the endoscope.