Abstract: An endoscope includes: an illuminator configured to guide illumination light from a light source capable of emitting the illumination light intermittently and apply the illumination light to an object; an imaging element including a light receiver where multiple pixels configured to receive light and perform photoelectric conversion to generate electric signals are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and a reader configured to sequentially read the electric signals per horizontal line from each of the multiple pixels; a generator configured to, based on a first vertical synchronization signal that is input from an external processor and reference timing of exposure of the imaging element with the illumination light, generate a second vertical synchronization signal for controlling timing at which the reader reads the electric signal; and an imaging controller configured to cause the reader to read the electric signals sequentially according to the second vertical synchronization signal.

Abstract: A heated air blower includes an energization control unit that controls on and off states of energization of a heater unit. The energization control unit includes a first energization control mode in which when a hot and cold mode is selected, control is executed in a manner that an energization time for energizing the heater unit in a predetermined period is equal to or less than 3 seconds and a product of power input to the heater unit and the energization time is equal to or larger than 1000 W·s. It is thus possible to provide a heated air blower that can further enhance a hair treatment effect.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a solid state image pickup device including a plurality of pixels with a photoelectric conversion element, a transfer section, an electric charge conversion section, a reset section, an operation mode control section configured to switch a first operation mode in which the reset section and the transfer section are turned off, and a second operation mode in which the reset section is turned off, and the transfer section is turned on, a black level correction section, and a memory, and transfers a synchronous signal for outputting an image signal from the solid state image pickup device, and a control signal for causing the solid state image pickup device to operate in the first operation mode and the second operation mode respectively by using a common signal line.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a CMOS image sensor including only a vertical OB pixel region as an optical black pixel region, and a horizontal OB pixel region generation processing section that reads a photoelectric conversion signal generated in an effective pixel region in the CMOS image sensor and an OB signal generated in the vertical OB pixel region, adds the OB signal generated in the vertical OB pixel region to the beginning or end of each row of the photoelectric conversion signal which has been generated in the effective pixel region and read out for each row, and outputs a signal to which the OB signal is added.

Abstract: An endoscope is an endoscope connectable to a processor provided with a high frequency component enhancement circuit configured to perform, for an image pickup signal having an attenuated high frequency component, enhancement correction of the high frequency component, the endoscope including: a CMOS image sensor provided with an image pickup portion configured to pick up an optical image of a subject and generate an analog image pickup signal and an A/D converting portion configured to convert the analog image pickup signal to a digital image pickup signal and output the digital image pickup signal; a cable for transmitting the digital image pickup signal; and a filter having frequency characteristics equalizing frequency characteristics of the high frequency component enhancement circuit.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an image sensor including: pixels for receiving light to generate image signals, and reading circuits sharing predetermined number of pixels with one another; a format converter configured to convert the image signals output from the image sensor into a predetermined format corresponding to a processing device for performing image processing on the image signals; and a connector including the format converter and configured to be connected to the processing device. The image sensor includes a color filter of a Bayer array in which a red filter for passing a red component and a first green filter for passing a green component are alternately arranged in even lines of horizontal lines of the pixels, and a second green filter for passing a green component and a blue filter for passing a blue component are alternately arranged in odd lines of the horizontal lines.

Abstract: A gain adjustment unit calculates a total sum of analog gains on a way from photoelectric conversion output of an image pickup device to input of an analog/digital conversion circuit with use of picked-up images provided from the analog/digital conversion circuit, the analog/digital conversion circuit being configured to convert an output of an analog processing section into a digital signal, the analog processing section being configured to transmit and amplify an image pickup signal from the image pickup device, the image pickup device being provided at an insertion portion of an endoscope, and determines, as an adjustment gain, a difference between a target value of a total sum of gains and the total sum of the analog gains, and output information.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an image sensor including: pixels for receiving light to generate image signals, and reading circuits sharing predetermined number of pixels with one another; a format converter configured to convert the image signals output from the image sensor into a predetermined format corresponding to a processing device for performing image processing on the image signals; and a connector including the format converter and configured to be connected to the processing device. The image sensor includes a color filter of a Bayer array in which a red filter for passing a red component and a first green filter for passing a green component are alternately arranged in even lines of horizontal lines of the pixels, and a second green filter for passing a green component and a blue filter for passing a blue component are alternately arranged in odd lines of the horizontal lines.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a solid state image pickup device including a plurality of pixels with a photoelectric conversion element, a transfer section, an electric charge conversion section, a reset section, an operation mode control section configured to switch a first operation mode in which the reset section and the transfer section are turned off, and a second operation mode in which the reset section is turned off, and the transfer section is turned on, a black level correction section, and a memory, and transfers a synchronous signal for outputting an image signal from the solid state image pickup device, and a control signal for causing the solid state image pickup device to operate in the first operation mode and the second operation mode respectively by using a common signal line.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, an illumination portion, a light adjustment portion, an insertion channel configured to allow insertion of a laser probe capable of radiating an aiming monochromatic laser beam, a gain control portion, a halation detection portion, and a control portion, and in a case that halation by the aiming monochromatic laser beam is detected in the halation detection portion, the control portion controls the light adjustment portion to adjust the illumination light and controls the gain control portion to control the gain.

Abstract: An endoscope is an endoscope connectable to a processor provided with a high frequency component enhancement circuit configured to perform, for an image pickup signal having an attenuated high frequency component, enhancement correction of the high frequency component, the endoscope including: a CMOS image sensor provided with an image pickup portion configured to pick up an optical image of a subject and generate an analog image pickup signal and an A/D converting portion configured to convert the analog image pickup signal to a digital image pickup signal and output the digital image pickup signal; a cable for transmitting the digital image pickup signal; and a filter having frequency characteristics equalizing frequency characteristics of the high frequency component enhancement circuit.

Abstract: A heating blower such as a hair dryer includes a generator and a controller both disposed in a housing in which a blowing path is formed. The generator includes at least one of an ion generator for generating an ion, an acid component generator for generating an acid component, and a charged particulate liquid for generating a charged particulate liquid. The controller controls an amount of the component generated by the generator. The controller further performs control such that the amount of the component decreases after a lapse of predetermined time or with a lapse of time from an operation start of the generator. The foregoing structure allows supplying hair with the component in an amount adequate to a dry state of the hair.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a CMOS image sensor including only a vertical OB pixel region as an optical black pixel region, and a horizontal OB pixel region generation processing section that reads a photoelectric conversion signal generated in an effective pixel region in the CMOS image sensor and an OB signal generated in the vertical OB pixel region, adds the OB signal generated in the vertical OB pixel region to the beginning or end of each row of the photoelectric conversion signal which has been generated in the effective pixel region and read out for each row, and outputs a signal to which the OB signal is added.

Abstract: A heating blower such as a hair dryer includes a generator and a controller both disposed in a housing in which a blowing path is formed. The generator includes at least one of an ion generator for generating an ion, an acid component generator for generating an acid component, and a charged particulate liquid for generating a charged particulate liquid. The controller controls an amount of the component generated by the generator. The controller further performs control such that the amount of the component decreases after a lapse of predetermined time or with a lapse of time from an operation start of the generator. The foregoing structure allows supplying hair with the component in an amount adequate to a dry state of the hair.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an image pickup device mounted in a distal end portion of an insertion portion; wiring that transmits a power supply having a plurality of different power supply voltages for driving the image pickup device, a drive signal that drives the image pickup device, an image pickup signal that is outputted from the image pickup device, and a ground level; a substrate on which a connector that relays the wiring is provided; a first voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of different power supply voltages; a power supply generation portion that generates a plurality of second power supply voltages; a second voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of second power supply voltages; and a power supply control portion that controls a supply of power to the image pickup device based on comparison results of the first and second voltage comparing portions.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a sensor unit having a light receiving unit provided with a plurality of pixels for photoelectrically converting received light to generate an electrical signal after photoelectric conversion, and capable of reading the electrical signal generated by the light receiving unit as image information; a control unit configured to control an output mode of the electrical signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis such that a pixel signal level generated by photoelectrically converting the light and a reset level of the pixels are alternately output, and configured to output the electrical signal corresponding to a specified display pattern; a signal processing unit configured to perform signal processing on the electrical signal output from the sensor unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a processed signal processed by the signal processing unit to outside.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an image pickup device mounted in a distal end portion of an insertion portion; wiring that transmits a power supply having a plurality of different power supply voltages for driving the image pickup device, a drive signal that drives the image pickup device, an image pickup signal that is outputted from the image pickup device, and a ground level; a substrate on which a connector that relays the wiring is provided; a first voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of different power supply voltages; a power supply generation portion that generates a plurality of second power supply voltages; a second voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of second power supply voltages; and a power supply control portion that controls a supply of power to the image pickup device based on comparison results of the first and second voltage comparing portions.

Abstract: An oxidation and reduction fine particles generator includes an atomization electrode, a water feeder for supplying water to the atomization electrode and a high voltage generator, and also includes a switch device and a controller. The switch device changes an operation mode to an oxidation mode or a reduction mode. The controller generates negatively charged fine water particles including radicals through electrostatic atomization by applying a high voltage to water supplied to the atomization electrode in the oxidation mode. The controller also inactivates and activates the water feeder and the high voltage generator, respectively to generate reduction fine particles from the atomization electrode by dry discharge in the reduction mode.

Abstract: An electrostatic atomizer equipped with an electrostatic atomization pole having superior resistance to migration. The atomizer includes an electrostatic atomization pole, a liquid supply mechanism that supplies the pole with liquid, and a power supply that supplies the pole with high voltage to electrostatically atomize the liquid held on the pole. A coating is formed on the surface of the pole, and the coating is formed of simple metal or alloy, which displays resistance to migration.

Abstract: An electrostatic atomizer equipped with an electrostatic atomization pole having superior migration-proof. The atomizer comprises the electrostatic atomization pole, a liquid supply mechanism that supplies the pole with liquid, and a power supply that supplies the pole with high voltage to electrostatically atomize the liquid held on the pole. A coating is formed on the surface of the pole, and the coating is formed of simple metal or alloy, which displays resistance to migration.