Patent US4827909A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4827909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1988-03-30
•
Granted: 1989-05-09
•
Expires: 2008-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic apparatus comprises a plurality of illuminating members disposed at an end of a scope around an observing point and illuminating an inspected object by sequentially switching illuminating light from positions different from each other; an image pick-up device disposed at the observing point and picking up an image of the inspected object illuminated by sequentially switching the plural illuminating members; and a processing unit for processing image information outputted from the image pick-up device and corresponding to the respective positions of the plural illuminating members. The processing unit outputs information with respect to the height of the inspected object having a three-dimensional shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Haruo Kato
- 👤 Satoshi Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/05; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/555
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An endoscopic apparatus comprising: illuminating means disposed at an end of a scope and illuminating an inspected object by sequentially switching illuminating light from positions different from each other; means for picking up an image of the inspected object illuminated by the illuminating means; and means for processing image information outputted from the image pick-up means and corresponding to the respective positions of the illuminating means, said processing means outputting information with respect to the height in irregularity of the inspected object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An endoscopic apparatus comprising: illuminating means disposed at an end of a scope and illuminating an inspected object by sequentially switching illuminating light from positions different from each other; means for picking up an image of the inspected object illuminated by the illuminating means; and means for processing image information outputted from the image pick-up means and corresponding to the respective positions of the illuminating means, said processing means outputting information with respect to the height in irregularity of the inspected object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is provided with a plurality of illuminating members disposed around an observing point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inspected object is illuminated by sequentially switching the illuminating light from angles different from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means outputs the information with respect to the height in irregularity of the inspected object having a three-dimensional shape at real time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is provided with first and second illuminating lenses, and the inspected object is illuminated by alternately switching the illuminated light from the first and second illuminated lenses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said apparatus further comprises a first image memory for memorizing first image data provided when the inspected object is illuminated by the first illuminating lens, and a second image memory for memorizing second image data provided when the inspected object is illuminated by the second illuminating lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first image data are shifted every picture element from the left to the right, and the second image data are shifted every picture element from the right to the left.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said apparatus further comprises a circuit for cancelling an unbalance in light intensity of the image with respect to the right and left thereof based on outputs from the first and second image memories.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating light from a light source is divided into plural sections, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of light guides for receiving the plural light sections, and a turret for alternately passing and interrupting the incident light toward the light guides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a circuit for adding shadow to the image to strengthen the image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a circuit for adding contour to the image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
An endoscopic apparatus comprising: a plurality of illuminating means disposed at an end of a scope around an observing point and illuminating an inspected object by sequentially switching illuminating light from positions different from each other; image pick-up means disposed at the observing point and picking up an image of the inspected object illuminated by sequentially switching the plural illuminating means; and processing means for processing image information outputted from the image pick-up means and corresponding to the respective positions of the plural illuminating means, said processing means outputting information with respect to the height of the inspected object having a three-dimensional shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
An endoscopic apparatus comprising: a plurality of illuminating means disposed at an end of a scope around an observing point and illuminating an inspected object by sequentially switching illuminating light from positions different from each other; image pick-up means disposed at the observing point and picking up an image of the inspected object illuminated by sequentially switching the plural illuminating means; and processing means for processing image information outputted from the image pick-up means and corresponding to the respective positions of the plural illuminating means, said processing means outputting information with respect to the height of the inspected object having a three-dimensional shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4259948A
Cited
US4651201A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |