Abstract: An endoscope having a light source unit, a light guide fiber for guiding illumination light from the light source unit to the distal end in the inserting section of the endoscope main body, an optical system provided in the distal end for guiding the illumination light transmitted via the light guide fiber to an object, and a solid-state image pickup element incorporated in the distal end. A lens of the optical system is supported by a frame movable along an optical axis thereof. The frame is moved along the optical axis by a wire operating device provided in a control section of the endoscope main body in order to vary the angle of view of the optical system, i.e., the illuminating angle of the illuminating light. The image obtained by the solid-state image pickup element is enlarged by an image enlargement processor in accordance with the angle of view of the optical system, and is displayed. The image enlargement processor has a first frame memory and a second frame memory.

Abstract: An endoscope video apparatus has an endoscope including a solid-state image sensor, for outputting an endoscopic image signal, a video processor for processing the image signal supplied from the solid-state image sensor and outputting a video signal, an image file unit for recording the video signal, and an input section for inputting retrieval data corresponding to the video signal recorded in the image file unit. A control section discriminates the presence/absence of retrieval data input from the input section. A control circuit operates an alarm unit by discrimination data representing the absence of retrieval data.

Abstract: An electronic scope including a solid-state image pickup device arranged at a distal end of an endoscope and having an image pickup area whose aspect ratio is 1:1, an image processing circuit for masking the image signal output from the image pickup device, and a display device having a screen whose aspect ratio is 3:4. The image processing circuit has frame memories for storing one-frame image signals, a mask signal generator for generating a mask pattern signal, and a gate for permitting/inhibiting supply of the image signal from the frame memories to the display device in response to the mask pattern signal from the mask signal generator.

Abstract: An endoscopic photographing apparatus comprises a first frame memory for successively storing the image signals, generated from a solid-state image sensor with every scanning line, in synchronism with drive signals, and a second frame memory for successively storing the image signals, read successively from the first frame memory, by the interlacing method, and delivering the stored image signals to a monitor, in synchronism with television synchronizing signals, for display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control circuit which is connected to a video endoscope, having a CCD in the distal end thereof. The control circuit supplies driving clock pulses to the CCD, and converts a picture element signal pulses from the CCD into a continuous image signal, by clamping, or sampling and holding, the signal pulses. The converted signals are further subjected to video processing. A scope discrimination resistor is contained in the endoscope, in the vicinity of a connector thereof, which connects the endoscope and the control circuit. The resistance value of the resistor depends on the length of the endoscope. When the endoscope is connected to the control circuit, the resistor is connected in series with a constantcurrent source in a scope discrimination circuit. The discrimination circuit discriminates the scope length by detecting the resistance value of the resistor as a terminal voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light source device for an endoscope including a lamp to flash or to normally emit light according to current fed thereto, a shutter for photographing, and a diaphragm for photographing/observing. In the light source device, the amount of light emitted is variable. In response to a supplied check start command signal, except when the endoscope body is used, the light source device successively checks at least two of the following items; the operation of the shutter, the operation of the diaphragm, normal light emission of the lamp and the flashing of the lamp. Then, the light source device automatically checks, according to the amount of light detected by a photosensitive element, whether the above functions are operating normally or not, and displays the result of the check.

Abstract: A control system with a microprocessor controls an output pressure of a water/air pump and a light amount of a light source lamp in an endoscope. Under control of a program, the microprocessor periodically accesses a decoder to periodically generate a pulse signal. The generated pulse signal is applied to a watch dog type detector for detecting an abnormal operation of the microprocessor. When the microprocessor operates abnormally and is detected, the microprocessor is reset, and an output pressure of a water/air pump and a light amount of a light source lamp are respectively set at the maximum levels independently of the control by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, an endoscope camera and a light source device. The light source device has an error detection unit for detecting an error of communication data and an error recovery unit for performing an error recovery operation in correspondence with an error content detected by the error detection unit.

Abstract: A light supply apparatus for an endoscope comprises a discharge lamp for supplying light to an endoscope, and a microprocessor for controlling various devices such as a display unit for displaying data. The discharge lamp is ignited by an ignition signal. The microprocessor is reset by the ignition signal. The display unit is held in the same state as before the ignition of the lamp even when the microprocessor is reset.