Abstract: An imaging-device driving unit comprising a detector and an exposure controller is provided. The imaging-device driving unit controls a CMOS imaging device amounted in an endoscope. The detector detects the pattern of emitted illumination light. The illumination light is emitted by a light source. The illumination light is shone on a subject. The CMOS imaging device is ordered to capture an optical image of the subject. The exposure controller orders the CMOS imaging device to perform the global exposure and the line exposure when the patterns of emitted illumination light detected by the detector are the first and second patterns, respectively.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope, a processor connected with the electronic endoscope, and a server that performs data communication with the processor via a network. The processor sends, to the server, update request data including an adjusted image and positional information of an adjusted area in the adjusted image. Further the processor receives, from the server, updating data created based on the update request data, and updates at least one of image processing tools used by the electronic endoscope and processor based on the updating data.

Abstract: An imaging-device driving unit comprising a detector and an exposure controller is provided. The imaging-device driving unit controls a CMOS imaging device amounted in an endoscope. The detector detects the pattern of emitted illumination light. The illumination light is emitted by a light source. The illumination light is shone on a subject. The CMOS imaging device is ordered to capture an optical image of the subject. The exposure controller orders the CMOS imaging device to perform the global exposure and the line exposure when the patterns of emitted illumination light detected by the detector are the first and second patterns, respectively.

Abstract: A light-source control system including a detector and a controller is provided. The detector detects an output period. The XY-address type imaging device generates an image signal comprising a plurality of pixel signals. The pixel signals vary according to the signal charges. The pixels generate signal charges according to the amount of light received during a storing period. The storing period comprises a common-period and a variable-period. The common-period is simultaneous for all of pixel-rows. The variable-period varies according to each of the pixel-rows that are arranged in a first direction. Series of the pixel signals corresponding to the pixels that are arranged in the same pixel-row are output in order of the pixel-rows during the output period. The controller controls a light-source to suspend the emission of illumination light during the output period.

Abstract: A noise reduction system comprising a switch, a light-source controller, a memory and a noise reduction block, is provided. The switch switches an exposure method of a CMOS imaging device to global exposure. The CMOS imaging device generates an image signal on the basis of signal charges. The light-source controller orders illumination of the subject to be suspended during a receiving period in at least one field period after switching the exposure method to the global exposure. The signal charges are generated during the receiving period. The memory stores the image signal which is based on the signal charges generated during the suspension period as a black image signal. The noise reduction block removes fixed pattern noise from an optical image signal on the basis of the black image signal stored in the memory.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope, a processor connected with the electronic endoscope, and a server that performs data communication with the processor via a network. The processor sends, to the server, update request data including an adjusted image and positional information of an adjusted area in the adjusted image. Further the processor receives, from the server, updating data created based on the update request data, and updates at least one of image processing tools used by the electronic endoscope and processor based on the updating data.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system, having at least one electronic endoscope, and a processor to regenerate an image captured by the electronic endoscope is provided. The electronic endoscope includes an optical objective system, a first image capturing element with higher sensitivity, which generates a first voltage signal, and a second image capturing element with lower sensitivity, which generates a second voltage signal. The processor includes a threshold setting system, which sets a threshold for judging which of the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal is used to regenerate the image, a judging system, which judges whether the first voltage signal is lower than or equal to the threshold, and an image processing system, which generates a usable signal to be used to regenerate the image based on one of the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.