Abstract: An image pickup system includes an image pickup device including an image pickup section, a first amplifier circuit capable of amplifying a video signal for each field, and a communication circuit configured to acquire a set gain of the first amplifier circuit, a second amplifier circuit configured to amplify the video signal outputted from the image pickup device, and a processor. According to a result of a detection indicating that the video signal is not amplified by the set gain in the first amplifier circuit, a correction gain to be set in the second amplifier circuit is calculated.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element that outputs a video signal and to which a processor drive clock is input from an external image processor. The imaging apparatus father includes a clock generation circuit and a memory. The clock generation circuit generates a clock synchronized with the video signal output from the imaging element. The memory stores the video signal output from the imaging element in synchronization with the clock synchronized with the video signal and outputs the stored video signal in synchronization with the processor drive clock.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes an image pickup device including an image pickup section, a first amplifier circuit capable of amplifying a video signal for each field, and a communication circuit configured to acquire a set gain of the first amplifier circuit, a second amplifier circuit configured to amplify the video signal outputted from the image pickup device, and a processor. According to a result of a detection indicating that the video signal is not amplified by the set gain in the first amplifier circuit, a correction gain to be set in the second amplifier circuit is calculated.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an image pickup device; an EEPROM provided in the endoscope, and configured to hold data according to a kind of the image pickup device; a video processor to which the endoscope is attachably and detachably connected; a control portion provided in the video processor, and configured to acquire the data from the EEPROM when the endoscope is connected to the video processor and set processing content of noise reduction processing, based on the acquired data; and an NR processing circuit provided in the video processor, and configured to execute the noise reduction processing on a video signal outputted from the image pickup device, based on setting of the control portion. The control portion sets execution/non-execution of the noise reduction processing to the NR processing circuit, based on the acquired data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element that outputs a video signal and to which a processor drive clock is input from an external image processor. The imaging apparatus father includes a clock generation circuit and a memory. The clock generation circuit generates a clock synchronized with the video signal output from the imaging element. The memory stores the video signal output from the imaging element in synchronization with the clock synchronized with the video signal and outputs the stored video signal in synchronization with the processor drive clock.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a second clock generation portion configured to generate a second clock, which is set independently of and asynchronously with the first clock; a second vertical synchronizing signal generation portion configured to generate a second vertical synchronizing signal, according to the second clock and the first vertical synchronizing signal; a sensor synchronization control signal generation portion configured to generate a sensor synchronization control signal, according to the second clock and the second vertical synchronizing signal; and the image pickup device configured to pick up an image of an object according to the sensor synchronization control signal, and according to the internal vertical synchronizing drive timing.

Abstract: An endoscope system including: a light source that generates illuminating light; a controller that receives a light control signal and controls the illuminating light; a light receiving unit having pixels in a matrix; a reading unit that sequentially reads an electrical signal for each line; and an imaging controller that repeats read processing to sequentially read, for each line, the electrical signal from the light receiving unit, and exposure processing for exposing the light receiving unit. Where a blanking period is a time from completion of reading of a last line for a preceding frame to start of reading of a first line for a following frame and a read period is a time from a start of reading of a first line for a frame to completion of reading of a last line of the frame such that the blanking period can be changed without changing the read period.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: first and second image sensors; a first communication controller configured to be connected to the first image sensor; a first clock generator that generates a first clock signal that is a reference for operation of the first communication controller; a second communication controller configured to be connected to the second image sensor; a second clock generator that generates a second clock signal that is a reference for operation of the second communication controller; a reference synchronization signal generator that generates a reference synchronization signal; and an imaging synchronization signal generator that generates an imaging synchronization signal which is a trigger for determining timings of imaging by the first and second image sensors, and outputs the imaging synchronization signal to the first and second communication controllers at a timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed from a reference timing based on the reference synchronization signal.

Abstract: In an image data transmission system, even when encoded serial digital data transmitted from an endoscope to a video processor cannot be decoded due to a shift in a delimiter position as a result of a lack of the serial digital data or the like, a communication transmission section transmits error announcement information to a communication reception section in the endoscope based on a decoding error signal from a decoding error detection section, and a control code insertion section that has received the information instructs an encoding section to insert a control code for synchronization at a timing of occurrence of an error.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an image pickup device; an EEPROM provided in the endoscope, and configured to hold data according to a kind of the image pickup device; a video processor to which the endoscope is attachably and detachably connected; a control portion provided in the video processor, and configured to acquire the data from the EEPROM when the endoscope is connected to the video processor and set processing content of noise reduction processing, based on the acquired data; and an NR processing circuit provided in the video processor, and configured to execute the noise reduction processing on a video signal outputted from the image pickup device, based on setting of the control portion. The control portion sets execution/non-execution of the noise reduction processing to the NR processing circuit, based on the acquired data.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source that generates illuminating light to be emitted from a distal end of an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject; an illumination controller that receives a light control signal and to control emission of the illuminating light according to the light control signal; a light receiving unit in which pixels is provided in a matrix form, each pixel being configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light from the subject irradiated with the illuminating light to generate an electrical signal; a reading unit that sequentially reads, for each line, the electrical signal; and an imaging controller that performs imaging control that alternately repeats read processing for causing the reading unit to sequentially read, for each line, the electrical signal from the light receiving unit, and exposure processing for exposing the light receiving unit.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: first and second image sensors; a first communication controller configured to be connected to the first image sensor; a first clock generator that generates a first clock signal that is a reference for operation of the first communication controller; a second communication controller configured to be connected to the second image sensor; a second clock generator that generates a second clock signal that is a reference for operation of the second communication controller; a reference synchronization signal generator that generates a reference synchronization signal; and an imaging synchronization signal generator that generates an imaging synchronization signal which is a trigger for determining timings of imaging by the first and second image sensors, and outputs the imaging synchronization signal to the first and second communication controllers at a timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed from a reference timing based on the reference synchronization signal.

Abstract: An image pickup system is an image pickup system in which an image pickup device arranged at a distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope and a processor can communicate with each other. A group of multiple control parameters to be collectively transmitted and checksum codes related to the parameters are transmitted from the processor to the image pickup device, and the image pickup device reflects the control parameters on a register only when all the received multiple control parameters are normal, on the basis of the checksums.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging apparatus that outputs, as image information, an electrical signal photoelectrically converted from a plurality of pixels, outside the imaging apparatus, and a processing apparatus that is connected to the imaging apparatus so as to bi-directionally communicate with the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a first recording unit that records identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a second recording unit that records correction information for correcting characteristics of the imaging apparatus in association with the identification information, and a control unit that acquires, from the second recording unit, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received from the imaging apparatus and transmits the correction information to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a CDS circuit that samples an image pickup signal from a CCD via a feedthrough sampling pulse SHP and a clamp pulse SHD to output a post-sampling image pickup signal; a CPU that controls a sampling timing of each of SHP and SHD and evaluates the post-sampling image pickup signal from the CDS circuit, and a flash memory that stores timing information on the respective timings and timing determination procedure information. The CPU, upon receipt of an adjustment instruction for adjustment of the respective timings of SHP and SHD, rewrites the timing information in the flash memory according to a result of evaluation of a plurality of post-sampling image pickup signals obtained by shifting the respective timings based on the timing determination procedure information.

Abstract: A medical system includes an image pickup device configured to output, as image information, an electric signal after photoelectric conversion from a plurality of pixels, and a processing device that is connected to the image pickup device to allow bi-directional communication. The image pickup device includes a signal processing unit configured to perform a process of converting the electric signal into the image information, and to generate heat accompanying the process, a temperature detector that is provided in vicinity to the signal processing unit, and is configured to detect temperature of the signal processing unit, and an output unit configured to output temperature information on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, together with the image information. The processing device includes a controller configured to control the image pickup device based on the temperature information input from the output unit.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging apparatus that outputs, as image information, an electrical signal photoelectrically converted from a plurality of pixels, outside the imaging apparatus, and a processing apparatus that is connected to the imaging apparatus so as to bi-directionally communicate with the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a first recording unit that records identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a second recording unit that records correction information for correcting characteristics of the imaging apparatus in association with the identification information, and a control unit that acquires, from the second recording unit, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received from the imaging apparatus and transmits the correction information to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An image pickup system is an image pickup system in which an image pickup device arranged at a distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope and a processor can communicate with each other. A group of multiple control parameters to be collectively transmitted and checksum codes related to the parameters are transmitted from the processor to the image pickup device, and the image pickup device reflects the control parameters on a register only when all the received multiple control parameters are normal, on the basis of the checksums.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a CDS circuit that samples an image pickup signal from a CCD via a feedthrough sampling pulse SHP and a clamp pulse SHD to output a post-sampling image pickup signal; a CPU that controls a sampling timing of each of SHP and SHD and evaluates the post-sampling image pickup signal from the CDS circuit, and a flash memory that stores timing information on the respective timings and timing determination procedure information. The CPU, upon receipt of an adjustment instruction for adjustment of the respective timings of SHP and SHD, rewrites the timing information in the flash memory according to a result of evaluation of a plurality of post-sampling image pickup signals obtained by shifting the respective timings based on the timing determination procedure information.