Abstract: For generating a plurality of light beams having different colors, time sequentially switching the light beams, illuminating a space modulation unit with the light beam, and projecting light modulated by and emitted from the space modulation unit, a white light illumination period is provided during a period between illumination periods for the plurality of light beams having different colors. An inexpensive and high quality image display apparatus is provided without using specific electronic circuits and space modulation unit and without using optical systems of high performance and large scale.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scene classification apparatus for classifying uncompressed or compressed video into various types of scenes at low cost and with high accuracy using characteristics of a video and audio characteristics accompanied by the video. When video are compressed data, their motion intensity, spatial distribution of motion and histogram of motion direction are detected by using values of motion vectors of predictive coding images existing in respective shots, and the respective shots of the video are classified into a dynamic scene, a static scene, a slow scene, a highlight scene, a zooming scene, a panning scene, a commercial scene and the like based on the motion intensity, the spatial distribution of motion, the histogram of motion direction and shot density.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.

Abstract: In a light source unit, a switchable filter section in which an RGB filter and a fluorescence observation filter can be shifted into the light path is disposed in front of a lamp. When fluorescence image mode is selected, excitation light in a part of the wavelength band of the blue wavelength band is supplied to an electronic endoscope, and the excitation light which is reflected by the subject is shielded by an excitation light shielding filter situated in front of a CCD, whereby a fluorescence image can be obtained. On the other hand, if normal-light image mode is selected, then R, G, B light is supplied sequentially, and even under illumination of B light, the color component image in the wavelength bands which are not shielded by the excitation light shielding filter are captured, thereby yielding a normal-light image also, and hence making it possible to capture both a fluorescence image and a normal-light image by means of a single image pickup element.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes a video-scope with an image sensor and a video-processor, to which the video-scope is detachably connected. The electronic endoscope has a light source that emits illuminating light for illuminating a subject, a color adjuster that performs a color adjustment process for color image signals read from the image sensor, which include a plurality of color signal components corresponding to a plurality of color elements, and a light source detector that detects the type of the light source. The color adjuster performs the color adjustment process in accordance with the type of the light source such that color in displayed subject image is properly reproduced.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system including a video scope having a solid-state image sensor that successively produces a frame of red, green, and blue image-pixel signals, a difference value is calculated between a value of each of corresponding central red, green, and blue image-pixel signals and an average of values of circumferential image-pixel signals surrounding the central image-pixel signal. When the respective values of the central red and green image-pixel signals are smaller than the corresponding averages of values, they are decreased in proportion to the absolute values of the corresponding difference values. When the value of the central blue image-pixel signal is smaller than the corresponding average of values, it is increased in proportion to the absolute value of the corresponding difference value.

Abstract: A larger number of micromirrors arranged on an illumination optical path of a lamp in a light source device for supplying an illumination light to an endoscope and by using a silicon chip as a base are arranged the micromirrors in a two-dimensional are set at two angles. When the micromirrors are set at one of the two angles, a reflected light is supplied to the light guide. When the micromirrors are set at the other angle, the micromirrors are driven such that the reflected light is not supplied to the light guide. An intensity of illumination light supplied to the light guide or the like is adjusted at a high speed by using a brightness level by selected the micromirrors at the two angles respectively, so that an endoscope image which can be easily observed is obtained.

Abstract: An illumination system for an endoscopic camera has a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to a substrate. The substrate is adapted for attachment at the distal end of the endoscope. Each LED is contained within a reflector cup which directs the angular dispersion of emitted light toward the object to be viewed.

Abstract: A display system using red, green, blue, and white light. The system derives data for the white portion of a color wheel or a white device from the red, green and blue data. The white portion of the color wheel is controlled as if it were another primary color on the wheel. Errors are prevented by a correction applied if the unfiltered light from the source has a different color temperature than the white light produced using the red, green and blue segments of the color wheel, or the devices for those colors. Analysis is performed on the data to determine if white light is necessary to be added to each frame of data.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope having a solid state image pickup device supplies an image signal which is converted into a digital signal and subject to a gamma correction in a gamma correcting portion in accordance with gamma correcting data stored in and read from a look-up table. The look-up table stores only data necessary for the gamma correction with respect to the image signal, so that data for the gamma correction is added to the image signal in the gamma correcting portion to output a gamma-corrected signal.

Abstract: In a frame-by-frame color image pickup apparatus, images of light components transmitted through red, green, and blue filters of a rotating filter are introduced to an image pickup device arranged in an optical path with rotating filter. The cells in the image pickup device are grouped into cell blocks, each block made up of four cells arranged in one horizontal row and four vertical columns. The rotational speed of the rotating filter is increased, and the cells within each block selected by switches for reading are fixed when an image is dynamic, a quarter of all the cells are read at one cycle of revolution of the rotating filter, and the remaining cells are interpolated to form one frame image. Color breakup is thus precluded. When an image is still, the cells selected are switched at each cycle of revolution of the rotating filter, and all the cells are read over four cycles of revolution of the rotating filter. Thus, a high resolution color image is obtained.

Abstract: A sequential color display system (10) suited to receive data (20) at different rates without discarding or filtering video data. The mismatch of bandwidths between the input source video data and the output sequential color display is accommodated by retaining a modified synchronous operation. A color wheel (50) having a plurality of segments is utilized whereby the input frame rate in reference to the color wheel rate is always a ratio of integers. Using a digital micromirror device (44) spatial light modulator, no mixing of frame-to-frame bit planes is required during a colored segment. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio of integers is 7-to-6 for a 50 hertz input, such as a PAL system, or a 5-to-6 ratio for a 72 hertz input. The color wheel is maintained at about a 60 hertz rate.

Abstract: This all pixels read type electronic endoscope system is to read out all the pixels obtained by one exposure in an image pickup device, thereby to improve the picture quality. In this system, a CCD and a CCD driver circuit are provided, and with respect to the video signals obtained by one exposure within a 1/60 sec period, the signals of odd lines are read out in the next period and then the signals of even lines are read out in the period subsequent to the next period, and the signal data of odd line is stored in a first memory, while the signal data of even lines is stored in a second memory. The reading of the even line data is enabled by a light interception by a light chopper. And, in a mixing circuit, the pixel data of odd and even lines are mixed together, and an image for one frame is formed based on the pixel mix signal.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus serving as a frame sequential type imaging apparatus comprises an electronic endoscope for picking up an object, a CCU for driving and controlling the electronic endoscope and processing imaging signals originated from the electronic endoscope, and a high resolution monitor displaying video signals processed by the CCU. An imaging optical system is provided at the tip of the electronic endoscope to receive reflected light irradiated on an object. The imaging optical system is provided with specific wavelength optical path changing apparatus for shifting an optical path of reflected light of a predetermined wavelength range between an objective lens system and a CCD. The specific wavelength optical path changing apparatus is a plate glass which transmits frame sequential light reflected from an object through the objective lens system.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope in which images of an object to be viewed are picked-up in a field-sequential system by a solid-state image pickup device. The electronic endoscope includes a primary converter for converting different color image signals picked-up by the solid-state image pickup device and successively output therefrom, into digital image signals. A single memory temporarily stores the digital image signals in a point-sequential system. A secondary converter converts the digital image signals successively read from the single memory, into analog image signals. A delay delays a part or all of the analog image signals by different delay times to synchronize the color image signals.

Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes.

Abstract: In order to protect body members adjacent an invasive procedure on a body, the member to be protected is illuminated preferably with infrared light energy and the entire site of the invasive procedure is viewed through an optical system that conducts both infrared and visible light energy to one or more video cameras. Various structures may be employed to separate the visible and infrared light energies so that the signals representing such light energies may be processed separately and differently if desired and then recombined for display or separately displayed on a video color monitor.

Abstract: A video endoscope system including a light guide for transmitting light emitted from a light source to illuminate an observation field of an endoscope, and a device for controlling the luminous flux of light supplied to the light guide from the light source. A solid-state imaging device forms an image of the observation field, and a processor processes an image signal output from the solid-state imaging device. In addition, a color tone correcting device divides the image to be processed by the processor into a plurality of regions and makes color tone correction with respect to each of the regions according to the control condition of the luminous flux control device.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus is of a field-sequential imaging type, comprising an illuminating unit for illuminating an object by sequentially emitting color illumination rays with a plurality of different wavelengths and an imaging device for photoelectrically transforming the object image formed with the color illumination rays emanating from the illuminating unit. The electronic endoscope includes a drive circuit for driving the imaging device so as to read the locations in the imaging device associated with only one of two fields, image memories for storing video signals representing the object image formed with the color illumination rays and having been read from the imaging device, and memory control units for reading color video signals from the image memories in synchronization with a vertical-synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A viewing scope and related apparatus for producing high quality color images with low levels of object illumination. A light source illuminates the object with a timed, patterned sequence of light at different wavelengths. Light reflected from an object transfers through the viewing scope to an image intensifier and video camera for producing a video signal. A video processor synchronized to the light source converts the video signal into discrete image frames corresponding to the light reflected at each discrete wavelength. An image memory retains each frame for conversion into a color video signal that produces a color display of the object being viewed.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has an illumination unit for irradiating light of red, light of green and light of blue on an object for photographing in predetermined order at a predetermined period; an image signal generation unit for receiving reflection light from the object, generating a field sequential image signal on the basis of the received reflection light and delivering the field sequential digital image signal; a first memory unit for forming a predetermined look up table; a red data memory unit for storing data of a red image signal by one field; a green data memory unit for storing data of a green image signal by one field; a blue data memory unit for storing data of a blue image signal by one field, one field from the first memory unit being stored in one of the data memory unit for red, green and blue in synchronism with the order and the predetermined period of color illumination by the illumination unit; a switching unit for reading data from one of said data memory unit in synchronism wi

Abstract: The system of the present invention provides actual interactive choices to members of an audience in the form of three dimensional (3D) objects in space, and after each member of the audience reaches out at, points at, or looks at the 3D object of choice, the system responds and alters the audio and/or video feedback to each member. Specifically, a 3D video production is presented on a screen and at several points during the presentation a character or person, appearing on the screen, requests each user to respond to a question by physically selecting one of several possible 3D objects, the 3D objects appearing through the 3D effect to be floating directly in front of each user. The 3D answer options could be three 3D characters, for example. Selection of one of these objects is facilitated through a unique user interface unit, embodied in either a helmet, gun, or wand configuration. Each of these alternative user interface units allow the interactive selection to be made by physical gestures.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, an image processing unit for an endoscope, and a method of emphasizing an endoscope image, conversion processing is performed in which an amount of pigment, such as a hemoglobin pigment, is calculated from the endoscope image which is detected by the use of the endoscope, by a pigment calculating circuit. The amount of pigment is substituted for an amount of pigment in which an amount of shift from a value such as average of the amount of pigment is enlarged, and the amount of pigment is returned to the endoscope image having an amount of pigment in which the amount of shift from an average is enlarged, whereby tone of most parts having the amount of pigment of the average is not changed to an original endoscope image, but the endoscope image in which tone of a portion having the amount of pigment which is shifted from the average is emphasized is generated.

Abstract: A field sequential image pickup apparatus which prevents misregistration in color pictures with respect to a visible freeze image and improves the S/N of an infrared image with respect to a movement of an object of observation. R (red), G (green), B (blue) and infrared light beams are sequentially projected from a color disk provided with filters for visible light and a filter for infrared light, and a CCD sequentially generates R, G, B picture signals and infrared picture signals. A movement detection circuit detects a movement in the object from the picture signals. When there is a movement, a freeze operation is inhibited with respect to a visible image, while executing it when there is no movement. With respect to an infrared image, a noise reducing operation is suppressed when there is a movement, while fully executing it when there is no movement.

Abstract: A freezing unit of the present invention includes a color discrepant magnitude detection unit for accumulating the color corrected magnitude for each pixel output from a color discrepancy correction circuit, and detecting it as the color discrepant magnitude for one field. The freezing unit also includes a comparator circuit including a memory for storing the color discrepant magnitudes for sixteen fields, and a comparator for comparing the color discrepant magnitudes for sixteen fields to search a field with the least color discrepant magnitude, and a memory for storing sixteen field images. The freezing unit further includes a reference position selection circuit for selecting the reference position of the image by the freezing signal, and an image selection circuit for selecting the address of an image of a field with the least color discrepant magnitude.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device for endoscopes including a color mosaic filter provided on a CCD image pick-up surface and having filters arranged so that the number of G-component pixels.gtoreq.the number of B-component pixels>the number of R-component pixels, the number of CCD pixels being set at a minimum requisite level in accordance with the information-amount characteristics of the endoscopic image to be picked up. A plurality of LPFs are provided in a signal processing section providing image signal resolution in which the G-component bandwidth.gtoreq.B-component bandwidth>R-component bandwidth, thereby obtaining an image-signal resolution which is high enough to allow the endoscopic image to be displayed, with the B-component being equal to or smaller than the G-component and larger than the R-component.

Abstract: A detection signal of an image pickup device is inputted to a gate circuit to open the gate circuit by a gate signal from a drive-signal generating circuit during a period of time of a phase regulating signal section of a drive signal, to thereby output the detection signal during the period of time, to a reference reset generating circuit. The reference reset generating circuit generates a reference reset signal on the basis of the detection signal during a period of time of the inputted phase regulation signal section. The reference reset signal and a basic clock signal are inputted to a timing-pulse generating circuit for generating various kinds of timing pulses which are used in an image-pickup-signal processing circuit for processing in signal the image pickup signal.

Abstract: A color sequential electronic camera includes an RGB light source in which the R and G sources are activated in combination to provide a luminance light beam, and the R and B sources separately to provide separate chrominance light beams. Image light reflected by a subject is captured by an image sensor, which generates a color sequential signal comprising a sequence of luminance and chrominance image components. By activating the light sources such that chrominance light beams alternate between luminance light beams, the chrominance image components are captured at a lower temporal rate than the luminance image components. Furthermore, by binning the sensor photosites together for the chrominance image, the chrominance components are captured at a lower spatial resolution than the luminance image components.

Abstract: An encoder decomposes an input color image signal into a luminance signal and color signals, places the color signals in image memories, then fetches color signals of a given screen before and after. A detector calculates differences between the color signals to detect color misregistration either on a pixel basis or a block basis. On the other hand, color signals of a last image acquired before occurrence of color misregistration are stored in frame memories. When color misregistration is detected, a corrector reads the color signals of the last image from the frame memories, and produces correction signals. A counter carries out counting for each difference between color signals of given screens before and after, then detects a distribution of color misregistration of a screen. A selector checks the distribution of color misregistration of a screen to identify the cause of color misregistration, then selectively outputs either the input color image signal or a correction signal sent from the corrector.

Abstract: A simultaneous electronic endoscope apparatus which is capable of preventing the deterioration of the picture quality due to the difference of the saturation property in mixture signals. The apparatus comprises a charge coupled device provided with a plurality of color filters. Upper and lower pixel signals are mixed in a charge coupled device so as to form mixture signals. When the saturated state of a mixture signal is detected, the gain of the mixture signal is multiplied by a preset coefficient so as to apparently cancel the saturated state. Alternatively two types of luminance signals may be formed by combining the plurality of mixture signals formed on each horizontal scanning line. When the saturated state of a luminance signal is detected, the gain of the luminance signal is amplified so that the level thereof is the same as that of the other luminance signal, thereby apparently cancelling the saturated state.

Abstract: A device has a light source apparatus, which, as required, feeds white continuous light or sequential colored light by means of a filter device having several color surface regions and two filter discs which can be rotary driven, into a particular endoscope. One filter disc is provided with the color segments red, green and white and the other filter disc is provided with the color segments blue and white to achieve a simplified and structurally compact light source apparatus, both filter discs being arranged to be rotatable on a common rotary axis and adjustable relative to one another and fixable such that the white color segment of one filter disc covers the blue color segment of the other filter disc in a first operating position of the filter discs, and the white color segment of one filter disc is aligned to be axis-parallel with the white color segment of the other filter disc in a second operating position of the filter discs.

Abstract: In the color smear correcting apparatus of the present invention, the states of a parent picture and son picture of a video signal from a frame sequential imaging apparatus are discriminated and the color smear correction on the parent picture and the color smear correction on the son picture are independently set. Or, in the color smear correcting apparatus of the present invention, whether a moving picture or a still picture is discriminated on a parent picture and son picture of a video signal output from an endoscope apparatus including a frame sequential imaging apparatus and the color smear correction on the parent picture and the color smear correction on the son picture are independently set.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system, an imaging device images a subject at a first frame frequency. A signal generating unit receives image signals of the subject imaged by the imaging device to generate signals of a standard TV system having a second frame frequency that is approximately n/m-fold (where, n and m are natural numbers, and n is unequal to m) of the first frame frequency. Then, a timing control unit synchronizes the first frame frequency of the imaging device with the second frame frequency using a predetermined timing signal output by the signal generating unit. The timing controller can also synchronize a first frame frequency of a color field sequential illumination unit with a second frame frequency using a predetermined timing signal.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system which picks up images by colors sequentially in a field sequential method, simultaneously converts the field sequential image signals obtained thereby, and reproduces the images as color images. The electronic endoscope system sample checks at every given cycle whether an image being currently picked up is a still picture image or a moving picture image. In the electronic endoscope system, the field sequential image signals are simultaneously. Each time the currently picked-up image is found as a still image, the storage contents of the memory means are updated to the latest field sequential image signals. Due to this, the memories can always store the latest field sequential image signals with no color discrepancies, e.g. shift. If a freeze instruction is input, then the updating of the storage content of the memories is immediately inhibited, so that the latest still image signals having no color discrepancies can be obtained from the memories.

Abstract: A device for the acquisition of images of an object, of the type including a light emitting source for illuminating said object and a light sensor of the monochromic charge coupled device type and adapted to receive the light representative of the image of said object. The light source has at least one semi-conductor light emitter such as an electroluminescent or laser diode, the invention being usable for medical diagnosis purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color misregistration easing system for inputting a color image signal of a subject imaged by a field sequential type imaging device and carrying out color misregistration easing.

Abstract: An endoscope whereby the vein image below the mucous membrane within a body cavity or the like can be observed has an insertable part to be inserted into the body cavity and is provided with an illuminating window and observing window in the tip part of the insertable part. A light guide transmitting an illuminating light emitted from a light source is inserted through the insertable part. The illuminating light transmitted through the light guide is emitted from the illuminating window to illuminate an object to be observed. The reflected light from the object forms an image in an imaging apparatus through the observing window and the formed object is converted to an electric signal. A light separating filter separating the light entering the imaging apparatus into a plurality of wavelength bands is provided between the light source part and imaging apparatus. The output signal of the imaging apparatus is processed by a video signal processing circuit and is input into an operating circuit.