Abstract: An endoscope device including an insertion part including an observation optical system and a measuring optical system, wherein the endoscope device is provided with a characteristic value comparing circuit which compares previous characteristic values and current characteristic values to identify previous characteristic values corresponding to the current characteristic values, and when storing the current characteristic values, current characteristic values corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the characteristic value comparing circuit, are stored in a storage circuit together with various information. According to the invention, for inspecting turbine blades of jet engines, automation (labor-saving) of the inspection process by reducing the number of the inspection steps is realized and the difficulty in the inspection of analysis areas is eliminated.

Abstract: An endoscope signal processor to which an endoscope having an image pickup device is detachably connected has a phase-locked loop circuit in which a phase comparator compares a phase of a variable clock with that of a reference clock output from the image pickup device to generate a variable clock phase-synchronized with the reference clock. The processor includes a gate section opened or closed to input of the reference clock to the phase comparator, an operation control signal generation section which generates an operation control signal for setting the phase-locked loop circuit in a closed loop operable state during intermittent periods, and a sync timing setting section which synchronizes a timing of starting the generation of the operation control signal with a timing of input of the variable clock to the phase comparator at least within a predetermined time period shorter than the cycle of the variable clock.

Abstract: A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination. The appropriate operations performed after detecting the capsule camera's exit from the GI tract includes stopping further taking or storing of images and, optionally, activating an audio signal to indicate the capsule camera has exited the GI tract.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an optical sensor region, a stack of dielectric and metal layers, and an embedded layer. The optical sensor is disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The stack of dielectric and metal layers are disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate above the optical sensor region. The embedded focusing layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate in a Backside Illuminated (BSI) image sensor, supported by a support grid, or a support grid composed of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A system and method use a video transform to produce an intermediate pixel transform file representative of a video effect. The intermediate pixel transform file is applied to a frame of one or more input video streams to generate a frame for a streaming video with the video effect. The intermediate pixel transform file may be stored with stock video in an effect library and used to provide real time streaming video with complex effects in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A high tone image is saved in a versatile image file format to enhance usability. There are provided an imaging unit that images an original image having a predetermined dynamic range, which is a ratio between minimum luminance and maximum luminance; a synthesized image generating part that generates a synthesized image data that is higher in tone than a tone width of the original image by synthesizing a plurality of original images imaged under different imaging conditions at the same observation position; a display unit that displays the images imaged by the imaging unit; a tone conversion part that converts the synthesized image data generated by the synthesized image generating part to low tone image data having a tone width capable of being displayed on the display unit; and a tone data saving part that generates a high tone data-attached display file including a high tone image region for saving the synthesized image data serving as a basis as an image file for saving the low tone image data.

Abstract: A microscope system having a selectively mountable optical element, comprises: a first noncontact type storage medium, being equipped in the optical element, for enabling a noncontact readout of information externally; and a first readout unit for reading information non-contactingly from the first noncontact type storage medium, wherein the first noncontact type storage medium stores information related to the optical element.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an optical coupler, an image pickup module, a second bundle of optical fibers, a photodetector and an image processing module. The optical coupler has an input end optically coupled to a light source, a first output end and a second output end. The image pickup module includes a lens module and a first bundle of optical fibers. A end of the first bundle of the optical fibers is optically coupled to the output end of the optical coupler. An opposite end of the first bundle of the optical fibers is configured for emitting the light to illuminate an object. The second bundle of optical fibers has a end optically coupled to an image side of the lens module. An opposite end of the second bundle of the optical fibers and the second output end of the optical coupler are optically coupled to the photodetector.

Abstract: A vision-controlled system and method thereof for detecting changes in a monitoring environment are disclosed. The system includes an image-capturing device for capturing an image; an image analyzer for receiving the captured image and analyzing the same to provide a control signal; and a controller coupled to the image analyzer for receiving the control signal and processing the same.

Abstract: An image-signal generating apparatus comprises a solid-state image pickup device-equivalent load circuit unit including a load approximately equivalent to a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device, etc. The image-signal generating apparatus further comprises an image-signal generating circuit for generating an image signal corresponding to an output signal output from the solid-state image pickup device through the solid-state image pickup device-equivalent load circuit unit, which is a load to which a driving signal for driving the solid-state image pickup device is applied.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a video-scope with an image sensor, a light source, a signal reading processor, a shading member, a driver, and a driving controller. The signal reading processor alternately reads odd-line image-pixel signals and even-line image-pixel signals over one-frame reading interval, when forming a still image on the basis of one frame worth of image-pixel signals generated by a one-time exposure. The shading member blocks the illuminating light. The driver selectively arranges the shading member at a non-shading position that enable the illuminating light to pass and at a shading position that blocks the light. The driving controller controls the driver by a sequence of pulse signals so as to position the shading member at the shading position for a shading-interval in the one-frame reading interval, and so as to position the shading member at the non-shading position for a remaining reading-interval.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-purpose imaging apparatus (10) comprising a body (14) and imaging means (36) housed within the body (14). The body (14) is adapted to releasably engage an adaptor (12). The adaptor (12) has an aperture (108) extending therethrough that aligns with the optical axis (X) of the imaging means (36) when so engaged, such that at least a portion of the optical axis (X) is not obscured. The adaptor (12) also has optics for illuminating a subject within the optical axis (X) for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Automatic gain control is provided for a confocal imaging system to improve the quality of images produced by the system. The confocal imaging system utilizes an illumination source, such as a laser, to produce illumination which enables imaging of an object. The automatic gain control is provided by an automatic gain controller which operates in accordance with the counted number of pixels which are too bright, the counted number of pixels which are too dim, and the counted total number of pixels, or in accordance with the average value of pixels, of each two-dimensional frame of the images from the confocal imaging system to control the intensity of the illumination source. The automatic gain controller may be operative over either the entire frame, or a region thereof.

Abstract: A miniature ingestible capsule has multiple therapeutic or diagnostic operations that can be performed. These functions are controlled by a combination of an outside control, a pose beacon and through information relayed from an imagining array and transmitter. These functions can be in a separate capsule without an imaging array or within the same capsule with an imaging array. Typically, there is one function performed in addition to imaging. These functions can include suction and spray capabilities, ultrasound sensor, lithotripsy, laser, heat, electrocautery, BICAP, biopsy forceps, a needle knife snare cautery (cold and hot with continuous or pulsed current for cutting and coagulation), with a basket, and fine needle aspiration with various wheels and fins and motors controlled externally and other tools to be used in humans. All of these tools can be attached to a retractable arm. Also, they can be used on an elevator device that lifts them, allowing for an extra 180° of movement.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a camera configured to obtain first image information, and a receiving unit configured to receive second image information from outside. A display unit is configured to display at least one of a first image and a second image. A display control unit is configured to receive a first request for displaying the first image after the first image information is obtained by the camera, and to receive a second request for displaying the second image after the second image information is received from outside. The display control unit is configured to perform control to update a display on the display unit if the first request or the second request is received, at a predetermined updating time, which occurs at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope, which is inserted into a subject and picking up an image inside the subject, includes an illuminating unit that illuminates an interior surface of the subject with illuminating light; an imaging unit that generates an electronic signal corresponding to incident light and outputs the electronic signal generated; a noise canceller that eliminates noise charges which are caused by dark current and accumulated in the imaging unit; and a timing controller that controls driving timing of the noise canceller so that the driving timing lays within a period after the imaging unit finishes an output operation of the electronic signals and before the illuminating unit starts to emit the illuminating light.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that can improve immediacy. The information processing apparatus emits a plurality of lights whose wavelengths are different from each other to a living body, disperses the respective lights coming from the living body, separates a plurality of image components corresponding to the respective lights from an image pickup signal output as a result of image pickup by an image pickup element for the respective dispersed lights, and carries out processing corresponding to the respective image components. Thus, it becomes possible to concurrently pick up an image pickup subject without the processing of controlling an optical system, which can reduce processing burden at the time of image pickup.

Abstract: The present invention makes an image data supplier such as an image shooting apparatus controllable of image processing that is performed in an image output apparatus according to image data for the purpose of improving image quality. In the present invention, control data, which is used to control image processing that is performed in an image output apparatus, is set in correlation with image data. A digital camera 10 performs image analysis of shot image data to set control data, and outputs the control data in correlation with the image data. This allows for the control of the image processing that is performed in the image output apparatus. Since the control data is not previously prepared uniform data but is set based on the analysis of the image data, the image processing can be performed as appropriate for each image.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an optical sensor region, a stack of dielectric and metal layers, and a buried focusing layer. The optical sensor is disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The stack of dielectric and metal layers are disposed on the semiconductor substrate above the optical sensor region. The metal layers include optical pass-throughs aligned to expose an optical path through the stack form a top dielectric layer through to the optical sensor region. The buried focusing layer is disposed over a conforming metal layer of the metal layers within the stack. The buried focusing layer includes a curved surface conformed by the optical pass-through of the conforming metal layer to focus light onto the optical sensor region.

Abstract: A CCD driver circuit adjusts and supplies pulse-type signals to a CCD in order to adjust the sensitivity of the CCD. A metering circuit meters a signal output from the CCD. A sensitivity control circuit controls the sensitivity of the CCD by controlling the sensitivity multiplication factor of the CCD based on a metering result by the metering circuit. A metering correcting circuit corrects a metering result from the metering circuit based on a charge multiplication factor from the sensitivity control circuit. An aperture control circuit controls an aperture based on a metering signal corrected by the metering correcting circuit. Thus, an image of an object of which strength of light largely varies can be obtained as an image under a proper dimming state.

Abstract: A medical wireless imaging device comprises an image sensor, a transmitter, a receiving device, and a plurality of light sources. The transmitter transmits data through a wireless communication link to a processing device. The receiving device wirelessly receives control data from a control unit. Each light source is configured to be individually controlled according to the control data. A reference image is stored for each light source. Intensities of each light source are calculated based on a reference image and on an input image.

Abstract: A drive signal from an SSG drives a CCD through a delay circuit and the like. An imaging signal from the CCD is converted to a video signal in a CDS circuit, which is driven by a sample hold signal given through the delay circuit, and is converted to a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor through an A/D converter circuit, a video signal processing circuit and a digital encoder to be output. Here, by correcting phases of the imaging signal and the sample hold signal, length of a signal line is corrected. Also, since the delay circuit is constructed by being incorporated in a DSP for video signal processing, which includes a video signal processing circuit and the like, the construction is simplified. Thus, the number of parts is reduced, and it can be constructed inexpensively.

Abstract: An endoscope device including an insertion part including an observation optical system and a measuring optical system, wherein the endoscope device is provided with a characteristic value comparing circuit 85 which compares previous characteristic values and current characteristic value to identify previous characteristic values corresponding to the current characteristic values, corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the characteristic value comparing circuit 85, are stored in a storage circuit C2 together with various information. According to the invention, for inspection turbine blades of jet engines, automation (labor-saving) of the inspection process by reducing the number of the inspection steps is realized and the difficulty in the inspection of analysis areas is eliminated.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting fluorescence emitted by molecular constituents in a wall of a body lumen include introducing an autonomous solid support into the body lumen. Cells in a lumen wall of the body lumen are illuminated by a light source mounted to the solid support with a wavelength that excites a particular fluorescent signal. A detector mounted to the solid support detects whether illuminated cells emit the particular fluorescent signal. If the particular fluorescent signal is detected from the illuminated cells, then intensity or position in the lumen wall of the detected fluorescent signal, or both, is determined. These techniques allow the information collected by the capsule to support diagnosis and therapy of GI cancer and other intestinal pathologies and syndromes. For example, these techniques allow diagnostic imaging using endogenous and exogenous fluoroprobes, treating diseased sites by targeted release of drug with or without photoactivation, and determining therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: A surgical light system (10) includes a lighthead (44) coupled to a suspension arm (41?) adapted for mounting to a surface (14) of a surgical room. A bulb (130) is disposed in the lighthead. A processor (120) in the lighthead is operatively coupled with the bulb for controlling an intensity of light of the bulb and is adapted to generate a lighthead status signal representative of a first status of the lighthead. A control apparatus (32, 34) is in operative communication with the processor (120) in the lighthead. The control apparatus receives the lighthead status signal and selects a set of control algorithms from among a group of algorithms based on the lighthead status signal for controlling the lighthead.

Abstract: An adjusting method for endoscope systems comprises a first adjusting step, a second light adjusting step and a storing step. The first adjusting step compares video signals, which are produced from illumination light rays that are reflected from an object and whose wavelengths fall within first, second, and third ranges, with one another, and regulates a lamp current that flows into a light source lamp. The second light adjusting step adjusts a diaphragm that controls an amount of light which is emitted from the light source lamp and which is irradiated to the object. The storing step stores the lamp current regulated at the first adjusting step and a light limiting level adjusted at the second adjusting step.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscope image sensing apparatus which can switch suitable color matrixes in accordance with the type of observation region, the type of light source used, or the like, and obtain good color reproduction corresponding to the type of observation region or the type of light source used. This apparatus uses a one-chip color CCD as an image sensing means. A CPU reads out corresponding color matrix coefficients from a ROM, and outputs the coefficients to a color separation circuit. The color separation circuit executes a matrix computation based on the color matrix to convert luminance and color difference signals into primary color signals.

Abstract: System for producing a stereoscopic image of an object, and displaying the stereoscopic image, the system including a capsule and a control unit, the capsule including a sensor assembly, a processor connected to the sensor assembly, a capsule transceiver connected to the processor, a light source, and a power supply for supplying electrical power to the capsule transceiver, the processor, the light source and to the sensor assembly, the control unit including a control unit transceiver, and an image processing system connected to the control unit transceiver, wherein, the sensor assembly detects the stereoscopic image, the processor captures the stereoscopic image, the capsule transceiver transmits the stereoscopic image to the control unit transceiver and the image processing system processes the stereoscopic image.

Abstract: An endoscope surgery system is provided, as a medical system, to be easily used by a user who is not used to the operation. An endoscope operation system includes a trolley and a remote controller. The trolley includes a plurality of medical devices (having a TV camera for an endoscope, a light source device, pneumoperitoneum equipment, an electric knife, and a VTR). Further, the trolley includes a system controller for radio communication with the medical devices, and an operation panel and a display panel for operating the system controller. The system controller detects operation states of the plurality of medical devices, determines the medical device to be operated next based on the detection result, and displays, on the operation panel or the display panel, an operation screen of the medical device or a screen for information on the operation state based on the determination result.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a video-scope with an image sensor and a video-processor. The video-scope has an objective lens and an illuminating lens in a tip portion. Further, the electronic endoscope has a luminance calculator and a light-amount adjuster. The luminance calculator divides the total area of a subject image into a plurality of division areas, defines weighted areas from the plurality of division areas in accordance with the tip characteristics of the video-scope, and calculates a total luminance value of the subject image by putting priority on predetermined weighted areas relative to the other areas. The light-amount adjuster adjusts the quantity of light illuminating the subject in accordance with the total luminance value.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.

Abstract: An endoscopy illumination system with a light-emitting element placed at the tip of an endoscope is disclosed. Pulses of light illuminate moving parts of the human body, enabling an observer to obtain information about the dynamical behavior of intracorporal structures, including vocal fold oscillations. An electronic control unit, which may obtain frequency and phase information from a microphone detecting the sound of an examinee's voice, generates light pulses for stroboscopy. The light-emitting elements are over-modulated light emitting diodes in the preferred embodiment. The endoscopy illumination system may be powered by batteries, rechargeables, or transformers. When image capture devices, including CCD and CMOS cameras, are used to record video images, electronic gating circuits activate the light-emitting elements, resulting in improved imaging.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic-endoscope apparatus for compensating for lack of light quantity caused by a delayed response from a light shielding mechanism when an all-pixel reading system is used. In the case of, for example, a moving image, this apparatus reads pixel mix data out from a CCD to reproduce motions faithfully. For a still image, this apparatus reads out all pixels obtained by the CCD during a single exposure period using a light shielding period set by a light shielding plate, and outputs this data to a mixing circuit via memories to form a pixel mix signal. This configuration enables a high-quality still image to be obtained. In this case, however, the light quantity may be insufficient due to a delayed response from the light shielding plate. Thus, during the exposure period for still-image formation, the lamp voltage is increased above a normal amount or the diaphragm aperture is increased in order to compensate for the shortage of light quantity.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope of the present invention includes a video-scope, video-processor, a light source, a luminance value calculator, a light-adjuster, and a determiner. The luminance value calculator successively calculates a luminance value indicating brightness of the object image, on the basis of said image-pixel signals. The light-adjuster adjusts a quantity of light radiating from the distal end of the video-scope on the basis of a difference between the luminance value and a reference value indicating a proper brightness of the object image at regular-time-intervals, such that the brightness of said object image displayed on the monitor is maintained at a constant level. The determiner determines whether halation occurs on the object image displayed on the monitor, on the basis of the luminance value. The light-adjuster includes a light-reducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light control system for electronic endoscopes which provides sufficiently bright images during observation of distant objects, allows stable light control during observation of close objects, and prolongs lamp life. The light control system comprises a CCD drive circuit for controlling a CCD, a microcomputer, a diaphragm drive circuit for driving a diaphragm, a lamp voltage control circuit for variably controlling lamp voltage, and a DVP for generating a luminance signal, wherein the diaphragm drive circuit controls the opening of the diaphragm based on the luminance signal received from the DVP and a constant voltage V1 is normally supplied to the lamp, but a larger voltage up to V2 may be supplied on instructions from the microcomputer if the luminance of an image is insufficient even with the diaphragm fully open.

Abstract: When a new processor is connected to an old electronic endoscope provided with a memory storing B data for image processing specific to the scope, white balance control is carried out by a microcomputer. That is, at the time when power is turned on, this microcomputer determines whether or not image processing data compatible with the new processor is present in the old electronic endoscope. If the compatible data are not present, the microcomputer carries out white balance control based on the image of white board picked up by the user, and additionally writes new C data for image processing at the time of white balance control in a memory of the old electronic endoscope together with data identification information. Thereby, the compatibility with an old type of electronic endoscope is maintained.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has a moving-image displayer that reads image-pixel signals from an image sensor at predetermined time intervals to display a moving-image, a light-amount adjuster that adjusts an amount of light for illuminating a subject, and a still-image recorder that performs a series of actions for recording a still image. The still-image recorder is capable of reading the image-pixel signals at a still-image electronic shutter speed, which corresponds to a reading time interval shorter than the predetermined time interval. When the series of actions is started, the still-image recorder controls the light-amount adjuster such that the light-amount becomes a standard light-amount corresponding to the recording of the still image. Then, the still-image recorder performs a recording process in accordance with the still-image electronic shutter speed when the light-amount becomes the standard light-amount.

Abstract: The present electronic endoscope apparatus makes it possible to select either of a conventional pixel mixing and reading system and a new all-pixel reading system. For example, an electronic endoscope apparatus having a pixel mixing and reading system circuit section is configured so that an all pixel reading system circuit board for reading all pixel signals out of a CCD while using an opaque period can be selectively set to the electronic endoscope apparatus, it is judged by a microcomputer whether the all pixel reading system circuit board is present, and when the circuit board is present, an all-pixel reading system operation is executed. Moreover, it is permitted to use the pixel mixing and reading system and all-pixel reading system circuit sections as standard sections, normally execute all-pixel reading system operations, and when, for example, a freeze switch is pressed at power-on, pixel mixing and reading system operations may be executed.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a flexible scope has an image sensor provided at a distal end thereof. A video-signal processing unit, to which a proximal end of the flexible scope is connected, processes image signals read from the sensor. A light source is provided in the unit, and light, emitted from the light source, is guided through the scope and radiates from the distal end. An aperture-stop is associated with the source that regulates the radiation of light from the distal end. An aperture-stop is controlled in accordance with the luminance-signal-histogram, such that an image having a constant luminance level is reproduced in accordance with the processed image signals. When a localized halation occurs on the reproduced image, the aperture-stop is controlled such that the radiation of light from the distal end is forcibly decreased, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the localized halation.

Abstract: A video camera and imaging system having signal processing circuitry configured to change the black level (pedestal) of a video signal in response to comparing an overall system gain (for instance, a gain value and the electronic exposure time of the image sensor) to a threshold value. The change helps to automatically obtain brighter and more detailed images, particularly with imaging systems which are optimized for intraoral (dental) imaging but are also used to capture a headshot of the patent's smile or face.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes a video-scope with an image sensor and a video-processor, to which the video-scope is detachably connected. The electronic endoscope has a light source that emits illuminating light for illuminating a subject, a color adjuster that performs a color adjustment process for color image signals read from the image sensor, which include a plurality of color signal components corresponding to a plurality of color elements, and a light source detector that detects the type of the light source. The color adjuster performs the color adjustment process in accordance with the type of the light source such that color in displayed subject image is properly reproduced.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, and a memory which contains image pickup area information including size and light distribution characteristics are provided, and in a processor device to which this electronic endoscope is connected, a photometric part for measuring the light receiving state by using separated photometric areas, and a microcomputer are provided, and this microcomputer reads the above described image pickup area information on the electronic endoscope side, and sets a photometric areas (EA to EC) whose size is approximately the same corresponding to the size of the image pickup area in the above described photometric part, and in the meantime, gives weightings A to C to each separated area of these photometric areas (EA to EC). Consequently, even in the case where the sizes and the light distribution characteristics of the actual image pickup areas (FA to FC) determined by the objective optical system are changed, it is possible to realize fine photometry and brightness control.

Abstract: A larger number of micromirrors arranged on an illumination optical path of a lamp in a light source device for supplying an illumination light to an endoscope and by using a silicon chip as a base are arranged the micromirrors in a two-dimensional are set at two angles. When the micromirrors are set at one of the two angles, a reflected light is supplied to the light guide. When the micromirrors are set at the other angle, the micromirrors are driven such that the reflected light is not supplied to the light guide. An intensity of illumination light supplied to the light guide or the like is adjusted at a high speed by using a brightness level by selected the micromirrors at the two angles respectively, so that an endoscope image which can be easily observed is obtained.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system comprises an electronic endoscope unit equipped with a solid state image pickup element for providing electric signals of an object and a processing unit for processing the electric signals to video signals. During performing black balance adjustment, the processing unit interrupts only vertical transfer signals included in drive signals, vertical and horizontal drive signals, for driving the solid state image pickup element so as to cause the solid state image pickup element to provide electric signals at the same level as electric signals that the solid state image pickup element provides while it is in isolated from ambient light.

Abstract: The present application relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus for forming a preferable static image by controlling blurring of an image at the time of picking up the image by using a variable-power mechanism. This endoscope emits stroboscopic light by a stroboscopic light emission circuit when a freeze button is pressed and sets a high shutter speed shorter than an exposure time for a dynamic image by an electronic shutter circuit. Moreover, observation distances can be changed by moving a movable lens through a variable-power motor section and a linear transmission member in accordance with operation of a variable-power switch. Therefore, a static image is formed trough short-time image pickup by strong illumination light and image blurring is eliminated which becomes remarkable in particular when the image is enlarged through variable-power operation.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a flexible scope has an image sensor provided at a distal end thereof, and an optical light guide extending therethrough. The scope is detachably connectable, at a proximal end thereof, to a processing unit, which processes image-pixel signals successively read from the image sensor. A light source is provided in the processing unit such that light, emitted from the light source, is guided through the guide and radiates from the distal end of the scope. An aperture-stop is associated with the source that regulates the radiation of light from the distal end of the scope. A histogram generator generates a luminance-signal-histogram based on the processed signals. An average luminance level-value is approximately calculated based on luminance signals exhibiting thinned luminance levels extracted from the histogram.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a video-scope has an image sensor for photographing an object image and a light guide for guiding light toward an object. A video-processor has a light source, a stop, a signal conversion circuit, a histogram processing circuit, and a CPU. When the video-scope is connected to the video-processor, light emitted from the light source is guided by the light guide and radiates from a distal end of the light guide, so that an object image is formed on the image sensor. The object image is then converted into the image-pixel signals. Further, a representative value, which relates to a brightness of the object image, is calculated on the basis of the image-pixel signals through the signal conversion circuit, the histogram processing circuit, and the CPU. Then, a control of light radiating from the distal end of the light guide is performed at regular time-intervals. Namely, the stop is controlled such that the brightness of the object image is proper.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic-endoscope light quantity controlling apparatus that can reduce costs by simplifying a configuration for setting a shielding period in executing an all-pixel reading system. This apparatus uses diaphragm controlling circuit to control a diaphragm so as to maintain the brightness of an image at a predetermined value. It completely closes the diaphragm to set the shielding period and uses this period to form a still image based on the all-pixel reading method. For a moving image, it forms an image signal using a pixel mix reading system at the output of an image pickup device. That is, for a still image, during the shielding period set by the diaphragm, odd-line signals are read out from all pixels obtained by a CCD during a single exposure within a {fraction (1/60)}-second period, and during the next period, even-line signals are read out from these pixels. Subsequently, a mixing circuit pixel-mixes these line signals into a field signal to form a high-quality still image.

Abstract: A video camera system is provided in which the camera head is powered at least in part by electrical energy converted from optical energy provided by a light source. In one implementation, communication between the camera head and control circuitry thereof occurs by means of a wireless communications interface.

Abstract: A video signal compensator and method for compensating for differential picture brightness of an optical image due to uneven illumination is shown. The video signal compensator includes a device for generating a compensating signal substantially representing at least one parameter of a compensating waveform required to produce a video signal representing an optical image having a substantially uniform brightness.