Patents by Inventor Mitsuru Higuchi

Mitsuru Higuchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10004391
    Abstract: An electronic endoscopic device includes a light source, an endoscopic scope including an imaging unit provided at a tip end, a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the tip end, and a light source control unit that performs a light emission control and a light emission stop control in a frame period. The imaging unit includes a plurality of pixels and a driving unit, and the electronic endoscopic device further includes a control unit in which, when a temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit exceeds a threshold value, the control unit performs a control such that, in a frame period following a first frame period, a period in which the light emission stop control is performed is set to be longer, and a read-out speed of the imaging signal is set to be slower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ishimaru, Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20150094531
    Abstract: An electronic endoscopic device includes a light source, an endoscopic scope including an imaging unit provided at a tip end, a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the tip end, and a light source control unit that performs a light emission control and a light emission stop control in a frame period. The imaging unit includes a plurality of pixels and a driving unit, and the electronic endoscopic device further includes a control unit in which, when a temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit exceeds a threshold value, the control unit performs a control such that, in a frame period following a first frame period, a period in which the light emission stop control is performed is set to be longer, and a read-out speed of the imaging signal is set to be slower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki ISHIMARU, Mitsuru HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8633977
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus capable of setting the brightness of a displayed spectroscopic image within a desirable range. The apparatus includes: a light source for irradiating white light on an observation target body; a color imaging device for imaging the observation target image; a first color conversion circuit for converting Y/C signals to RGB three color image signals; a spectroscopic image generation circuit for generating a spectroscopic image from the RGB three color image signals; a second color conversion circuit for converting the RGB three color image signals to Y/C signals; a light amount regulation means for regulating the amount of white light irradiated on the observation target body; and a light amount control circuit for controlling the light amount regulation means based on the luminance information provided by the Y/C signals outputted from the second color conversion circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: FUJINON Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8400498
    Abstract: An endoscope having a color space conversion circuit performs a matrix calculation according to RGB signals and matrix data respectively corresponding to signals in wavelength ranges is provided with a wavelength memory section having a default data memory area, which stores a default value representing a wavelength range selected by a wavelength selection section, and a changed-wavelength saving area that stores a wavelength range selected by the wavelength selection section after changed from the wavelength range represented by the default value. Subsequently, at least a part of the wavelength range stored in the changed-wavelength saving area is rewritten by a reset section into the default value stored in the default data memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: FUJINON Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Mitsuru Higuchi, Kazunori Abe
  • Patent number: 7965878
    Abstract: An endoscopic system that processes a color image data of a subject from an imager mounted on an endoscope and records the processed image data in an image recorder/display unit, the endoscopic system comprising: a storage that stores matrix data for forming a spectral image; and a spectral-image forming circuit that is capable of forming (i) a spectral image in an arbitrarily-selected wavelength band according to a matrix operation of the matrix data in the storage and the color image data and (ii) a standard image according to a matrix operation of standard-image matrix data and the color image data, the standard-image matrix data being for forming a standard image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Shinji Takeuchi, Kazunori Abe, Daisuke Ayame
  • Patent number: 7850599
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an imaging device that forms a color image signal of a body to be observed; a storage portion that stores matrix data regarding a wavelength range in which a spectral image is constituted; a spectral image forming circuit that conducts matrix calculation based on the color image signals by using the matrix data of the storage portion and forms a spectral image of a selected wavelength range; and a wavelength selecting section that selects the wavelength range of the spectral image formed by the spectral image forming circuit through a continuous changeover or a step-wise changeover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Kazunori Abe, Daisuke Ayame, Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7683927
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus, comprising a media drive unit for recording image data, which is given digital processing, in a recording medium, judges a recordable amount of images by the detection of a free space of the above-mentioned recording medium, and displays a message, prompting the replacement of the recording medium in a monitor when this recordable amount becomes zero. Then, when the recording medium is replaced during the examination of the same patient, the electronic endoscope apparatus automatically creates a folder for a patient in this recording medium, and records remaining image data in this folder for a patient. In addition, also when the recordable amount becomes zero after the examination end switch was pushed, the electronic endoscope apparatus automatically creates a folder for the patient in a replaced recording medium, and records remaining image data in this folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Minoru Iketani
  • Publication number: 20090231418
    Abstract: An image processor for processing endoscopic images is provided with a first masking processor for masking a useless marginal area of each frame of the endoscopic image that is output from an endoscope, a PIP processor for resolution conversion and PIP processing of the endoscopic image frames after the masking, and a second masking processor for masking a composite image output from the PIP processor. The PIP processor may be configured using a commercially available general-purpose IC for video output. Although a border between an image display area and a masked area of the endoscopic image gets rough as a result of the resolution conversion to increase the resolution of the image, the second masking processor masks the rough-edged border so as to sharpen the border, so the rim around the image display area is sharp and clear as the endoscopic image is displayed on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Mitsuru HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090209811
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope is detachably connected to a processor via a first control connector and a second control connector. Contacts provided at side ends of the flat-shaped second control connector are connected to a CPU. The CPU detects start of removal of the first control connector in response to a change in voltage of one of ports, to which the contacts are connected, from low to high. When the CPU detects the start of the removal, drive signals from a CCD driver to a CCD is stopped. Then, power supply from a power supply section to the CCD is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20090209818
    Abstract: A processor is provided with a power supply circuit for supplying voltages of different values to a CCD. A RAM of the processor stores a power control information table in which types of the CCD and power control information indicating methods of supplying each voltage to the CCD are related and stored. A CPU retrieves CCD information indicating the type of the CCD from a ROM and identifies the type of the CCD. The CPU then retrieves the power control information corresponding to the identified type from the power control information table. Based on the power control information, the CPU controls the power supply circuit to supply voltages of different values to the CCD in a sequence and at an interval corresponding to the type of the CCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Mitsuru HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20080231692
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has: an image forming function of forming a moving image and a still image of an observation object according to an output signal of an image pickup device; and a main electronic enlargement function of forming an electronically enlarged image of the observation object at an optional magnification according to the output signal of the image pickup device in response to an enlargement operation, wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus displays images of the observation object on a main-screen and a subscreen, which are set on a screen of a same monitor, respectively, and wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus comprises a moving-image-for-subscreen generating circuit that forms a moving image which is not electrically enlarged by the main electronic enlargement function and which is converted into a reduced moving image for the subscreen, and when an enlarged still image formed by the electronic enlargement function is displayed on the main-screen, the moving image obtai
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Mitsuru HIGUCHI, Kazutoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7420586
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus uses an image storage memory capable of storing image data of one or more examinations and records the image data on a recording medium. In response to a redisplay command, it judges whether the image size for a connected electronic scope matches the image size of the data in the image storage memory. If no match is found, the electronic endoscope apparatus changes the clock signal generated by a timing generator to the one suitable for the image size in the image storage memory and redisplays the image data read out of the image storage memory using the clock signal with this frequency on the monitor screen. This makes it possible to redisplay images of a finished examination easily in a constant screen display size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7255676
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus which records image data of an object under observation on a recording medium has an image storage memory capable of storing current image data for at least one examination in response to an image capture command and transfers the image data from the image storage memory to the recording medium and erases the image data stored in the image storage memory at the time of the first image capture during the next examination after an electronic scope is turned on. The image data stored in the image storage memory may also be erased at the time of the first image capture after new patient data is inputted or after the number of recorded images is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Minoru Iketani
  • Publication number: 20070185378
    Abstract: An endoscopic system that processes a color image data of a subject from an imager mounted on an endoscope and records the processed image data in an image recorder/display unit, the endoscopic system comprising: a storage that stores matrix data for forming a spectral image; and a spectral-image forming circuit that is capable of forming (i) a spectral image in an arbitrarily-selected wavelength band according to a matrix operation of the matrix data in the storage and the color image data and (ii) a standard image according to a matrix operation of standard-image matrix data and the color image data, the standard-image matrix data being for forming a standard image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: FUJINON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Shinji Takeuchi, Kazunori Abe, Daisuke Ayame
  • Publication number: 20070183162
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus capable of setting the brightness of a displayed spectroscopic image within a desirable range. The apparatus includes: a light source for irradiating white light on an observation target body; a first color conversion imaging the observation target image; a first color conversion circuit for converting Y/C signals to RGB three color image signals; a spectroscopic image generation circuit for generating a spectroscopic image from the RGB three color image signals; a second color conversion circuit for converting the RGB three color image signals to Y/C signals; a light amount regulation means for regulating the amount of white light irradiated on the observation target body; and a light amount control circuit for controlling the light amount regulation means based on the luminance information provided by the Y/C signals outputted from the second color conversion circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20070088192
    Abstract: An endoscope having a color space conversion circuit performs a matrix calculation according to RGB signals and matrix data respectively corresponding to signals in wavelength ranges is provided with a wavelength memory section having a default data memory area, which stores a default value representing a wavelength range selected by a wavelength selection section, and a changed-wavelength saving area that stores a wavelength range selected by the wavelength selection section after changed from the wavelength range represented by the default value. Subsequently, at least a part of the wavelength range stored in the changed-wavelength saving area is rewritten by a reset section into the default value stored in the default data memory area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Mitsuru Higuchi, Kazunori Abe
  • Patent number: 7123288
    Abstract: The invention provides an endoscope having a scope that takes an image enlarged by driving a movable lens of an optical zoom mechanism by a CCD and displays an image of an object to be observed, wherein a multiplier multiplies RGB color signals by a coefficient set in view of light distribution of illumination light depending on focusing distances of the movable lens, thus eliminating uneven brightness resulting from varying light distribution depending on the focusing distances in enlargement photography. A red component cut filter for cutting a long wavelength side in a red band of the illumination light is provided in a light source unit to improve redness. Further, a coefficient for averaging a brightness signal for a predetermined number of pixels for each horizontal line is calculated, and this coefficient calculation may eliminate unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Abe, Mitsuru Higuchi, Daisuke Ayame, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20060211915
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an imaging device that forms a color image signal of a body to be observed; a storage portion that stores matrix data regarding a wavelength range in which a spectral image is constituted; a spectral image forming circuit that conducts matrix calculation based on the color image signals by using the matrix data of the storage portion and forms a spectral image of a selected wavelength range; and a wavelength selecting section that selects the wavelength range of the spectral image formed by the spectral image forming circuit through a continuous changeover or a step-wise changeover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Kazunori Abe, Daisuke Ayame, Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7053926
    Abstract: When a first-stage operation or first operation of a freeze switch is performed, a still image is stored in image memory and is displayed on a monitor. When an electronic variable power switch is operated in this state, a still image electronically enlarged is formed on the basis of a signal of the above-described image memory. Then, when a second-stage operation or second operation of the freeze switch is performed, the above-described enlarged still image is recorded in a recording device. Owing to this, it is possible to display and record an arbitrary still image that is enlarged and is positioned on optimum conditions. Moreover, by single operation of an electronic variable power switch, an enlarged still image can be formed and can be also recorded simultaneously. Furthermore, even if continuous recording operation is prohibited, the next recording operation can be performed by operating the electronic variable power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Wada, Kazuhiro Yamanaka, Mitsuru Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7042488
    Abstract: In an electronic endoscope of the present invention, an edge detection circuit detects a down edge section and an up edge section of both ends of a blood vessel in a width direction based on a G signal output from an RGB color conversion circuit, an R coefficient selector and a B coefficient selector select, for example, a coefficient smaller than 1 for the detected down edge section and select, for example, a coefficient larger than 1 for the up edge section, and a multiplier multiplies an R signal and a B signal by these coefficients. As a result, both ends of the blood vessel are highlighted with a left end part expressed blackish and a right end part expressed reddish, making it possible to clearly display blood vessels in mucous membranes on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Higuchi, Keiichi Negishi, Daisuke Ayame, Kazunori Abe, Shinji Takeuchi