Abstract: An electronic endoscope removably connected to a video processor in which a predetermined gamma characteristic is set includes: an image pickup device provided at a distal end of an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject, the image pickup device being configured to pick up an optical image of the subject to generate an image pickup signal; a gain circuit configured to amplify the image pickup signal using a predetermined gain parameter; a gamma characteristic recognition circuit configured to recognize the gamma characteristic of the video processor; and a gain adjustment circuit configured to set the gain parameter according to the gamma characteristic.

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 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 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 electronic endoscope removably connected to a video processor in which a predetermined gamma characteristic is set includes: an image pickup device provided at a distal end of an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject, the image pickup device being configured to pick up an optical image of the subject to generate an image pickup signal; a gain circuit configured to amplify the image pickup signal using a predetermined gain parameter; a gamma characteristic recognition circuit configured to recognize the gamma characteristic of the video processor; and a gain adjustment circuit configured to set the gain parameter according to the gamma characteristic.

Abstract: An endoscope connected to a control apparatus, includes an imager, a status signal acquisition circuit, and a preprocessor. The imager images a subject to generate an imaging signal related to the subject. The status signal acquisition circuit receives a status signal indicating an operation status or an operation mode of the endoscope or of the control apparatus. The preprocessor processes the imaging signal according to the status signal received via the status signal acquisition circuit.

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: 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: 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 imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels arranged into a two-dimensional matrix, configured to receive light from outside, and configured to generate and output an imaging signal according to an amount of light received; a first transfer line connected to the pixel and configured to transfer the imaging signal; a pixel selection unit configured to perform a selection operation of selecting a selection target pixel from among the plurality of pixels in order to read the imaging signal out to the first transfer line and a de-selection operation of canceling the selection of the pixel being selected; and control unit configured to control the pixel selection unit. The control unit performs the selection operation of selecting a new selection target pixel after performing the de-selection operation on the basis of a synchronization signal from outside.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels arranged into a two-dimensional matrix, configured to receive light from outside, and configured to generate and output an imaging signal according to an amount of light received; a first transfer line connected to the pixel and configured to transfer the imaging signal; a pixel selection unit configured to perform a selection operation of selecting a selection target pixel from among the plurality of pixels in order to read the imaging signal out to the first transfer line and a de-selection operation of canceling the selection of the pixel being selected; and control unit configured to control the pixel selection unit. The control unit performs the selection operation of selecting a new selection target pixel after performing the de-selection operation on the basis of a synchronization signal from outside.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk by polishing a circular glass plate, which comprises a step of polishing the principal plane of the circular glass plate by using a slurry containing a CeO2 crystal powder, the CeO2 crystal powder being obtained in such a manner that a melt containing CeO2 is quenched to obtain an amorphous material, and the amorphous material is subjected to heat treatment to obtain a CeO2 crystals-precipitated amorphous material, which is subjected to acid treatment to separate and extract the CeO2 crystal powder from the CeO2 crystals-precipitated amorphous material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens element capable of finely adjusting focal length according to the magnitude of applied voltage, and an optical head device employing such a liquid crystal lens element, are provided. On one surface of a transparent substrate 511, a transparent electrode 513 and a concave-convex portion 517 made of a transparent material having a cross section shape approximated by a saw-tooth shape, are formed so as to constitute a plurality of annular portions, and on one surface of a transparent substrate 512, a transparent electrode 514 is formed. The transparent electrodes 513 and 514 constitute annular divided electrode segments, and division positions of the annular electrode segments are made to be agree with division positions of annular portions of the saw-tooth-shaped concave-convex portion 517 of the transparent substrate 511.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens element is provided, which does not produce change of transmission wavefront regardless of polarization state of incident light when it is off-state at a time of no voltage application, and which exhibits concave lens function for extraordinarily polarized incident light when it is on-state at a time of voltage application.

Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal lens element and an optical head device, in particular order, to a liquid crystal lens capable of switching the focal length among a plurality of different focal lengths according to switching of applied voltage among a plurality of applied voltages, and an optical head device employing the liquid crystal lens, for writing and/or reading an information to/from an optical recording medium.

Abstract: A single bus apparatus enables the simultaneous execution of both high-speed data transfer, which requires real time operation, and low-speed data transfer. At least one of slaves I/F 22-0, 22-1, . . . that control slave devices SV0-SV3 upon the request from master devices MS0-MS3 connected to interconnection bus BS via master I/Fs 21-0 through 21-3 has a constitution made of multiport slave I/F 23 corresponding to a multi-access function that allows simultaneous access from plural master devices MS0-MS3.