US4887153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic endoscope apparatus using horizontal transfer clock of fixed frequency
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-08
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Granted: 1989-12-12
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Expires: 2008-09-08
Abstract
Abstract The bandwidth of a signal read out from a solid-state image element is standardized by the application of a drive signal including a horizontal transfer clock of a fixed frequency to the solid-state image elements each with a different number of pixels. In consequence, part of circuitry capable of processing a signal without changing the circuit constant is increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Uehara
- 👤 Masahiko Sasaki
- 👤 Masahide Kanno
- 👤 Jun Hasegawa
- 👤 Shinji Yamashita
- 👤 Katsuyoshi Sasagawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/555; H04N23/10; H04N23/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An endoscope apparatus comprising: first and second endoscopes respectively including first and second long inserted portions, first and second light emitting means for respectively emitting light from the forward ends of said first and second inserted portions, first and second objective lens systems respectively disposed at the forward ends of said first and second inserted portions for forming the image of an object, and first and second solid-state image elements for respectively converting the images formed by said first and second objective lens systems to electrical signals, said first and second solid-state image elements containing a different number of pixels; a drive signal generating means for outputting to said first or second solid-state image element a drive signal including a horizontal transfer clock of fixed frequency even when said first and second solid-state image elements have a different number of pixels; and a video signal processing means for processing a signal read out from said first or second solid-state image element by the application of said drive signal so as to generate a predetermined video signal and for outputting said video signal to a monitor means for visual display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An endoscope apparatus comprising: first and second endoscopes respectively including first and second long inserted portions, first and second light emitting means for respectively emitting light from the forward ends of said first and second inserted portions, first and second objective lens systems respectively disposed at the forward ends of said first and second inserted portions for forming the image of an object, and first and second solid-state image elements for respectively converting the images formed by said first and second objective lens systems to electrical signals, said first and second solid-state image elements containing a different number of pixels; a drive signal generating means for outputting to said first or second solid-state image element a drive signal including a horizontal transfer clock of fixed frequency even when said first and second solid-state image elements have a different number of pixels; and a video signal processing means for processing a signal read out from said first or second solid-state image element by the application of said drive signal so as to generate a predetermined video signal and for outputting said video signal to a monitor means for visual display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
An endoscope signal processing apparatus comprising: first and second endoscopes respectively incorporating first and second solid-state image elements each with a different number of pixels as imaging means; a drive signal generating means on which said first or second endoscope is mounted, said drive signal generating means generating a drive signal including a horizontal transfer clock of a fixed frequency to said first or second solid-state image element regardless of said number of pixels thereof; and a video signal processing means for processing a signal output from said first or second solid-state image element by the application of said drive signal so as to generate a predetermined video signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
An endoscope signal processing apparatus comprising: first and second endoscopes respectively incorporating first and second solid-state image elements each with a different number of pixels as imaging means; a drive signal generating means on which said first or second endoscope is mounted, said drive signal generating means generating a drive signal including a horizontal transfer clock of a fixed frequency to said first or second solid-state image element regardless of said number of pixels thereof; and a video signal processing means for processing a signal output from said first or second solid-state image element by the application of said drive signal so as to generate a predetermined video signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second endoscope means comprises an electronic scope in which said first or second solid-state image element is disposed at a positon at which an image is formed by said first or second objective lens system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An endoscope apparatus according to either one of claims 1 or 3, wherein at least one of said first and second light emitting means comprises a light guide means whose light emitting end is disposed at the forward end of said first or second inserted portion, said light guide means transferring the light supplied from a light source means to the incident end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said light source means is a field-sequential type illumination means for successively outputting a plurality of light rays with different wavelengths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said illuminating means includes a lamp for emitting light with wavelengths in the visible range, a rotary color filter with a plurality of color transmitting filters for respectively transmitting light with different wavelengths mounted on a rotary wheel of said rotary color filter, and a motor for driving said rotary color filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An endoscope apparatus according to either one of claims 1 or 3, wherein said light emitting means has means for switching over the exposure period for a solid-state image element in accordance with the number of pixels thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope apparatus according to either one of claims 1, or 3, wherein said first and second endoscope means each have a source for generating information identifying the number of pixels of said first or second solid-state image element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said drive signal generating means and said video signal processing means are accommodated in the same casing, and said casing incorporates a connecting portion to which said first and second endoscopes can be connected, and an interpreting means for interpreting the information of said information generating means by this connection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An endoscope apparatus according to either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said video signal processing means does not change the characteristics of a system for processing a video signal even when the number of pixels differs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An endoscope apparatus according to either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said video signal processing means has a means for switching over the characteristics with which said video signal processing means processes a video signal in accordance with the number of pixels of said first and second solid-state image element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said light emitting means has a means for switching over the exposure period in accordance with the number of pixels of said first and second solid-state image elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said video signal processing means has a means for switching over the characteristics of the system for processing a video signal in correspondence with the number of pixels of said first and second solid-state image elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 11, including means for interpreting the information of said information generating means, the signal output from said interpreting means being applied to said switching over means for automatic switch-over operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said video signal processing means includes a first low-pass filter means for cutting off unnecessary higher harmonic waves, an A/D converting means for conveting the signal that has passed through said first low-pass filter means to a digital signal, a digital memory means for temporarily storing the digital signal that has passed through said A/D converting means, a D/A converting means for converting the digital signal read out from said digital memory means to an analog signal; and a second low-pass filter means for cutting off the higher harmonic waves of the analog signal output from said D/A converting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 15, including a means for switching over at least one of the read-out clock of said digital memory means, the D/A converting rate of said D/A converting means and the frequency cut off by said second low-pass filter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said video signal processing means includes an outline enhancing means disposed prior to or subsequent to said second low-pass filter means for enhancing the outline of an input signal, and a means for switching over the outline enhancing frequency used by said outline enhancing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said illumination means includes a second rotary color filter having a second rotary wheel on which a plurality of color transmitting filters having the same characteristics as those of said plurality of color transmitting filters and different lengths are mounted in the circumferential direction, a second motor for driving said second rotary color filter, and a switching over means for disposing in the light path of the illumination either of said rotary color filter and said second rotary color filter by moving said rotary color filter and said second rotary color filter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said illumination means includes a second rotary wheel having openings at positions at which they face said plurality of color transmitting filters, said second rotary wheel facing said rotary wheel, a second motor for rotating said second rotary wheel, means for controlling the rotational phases of said second motor and said motor, and a means for switching over the amount of shift of the rotational phases of said color transmitting filters and said openings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first and second endoscope means each have a source for generating information identifying the number of pixels of said first or second solid-state image element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said drive signal generating means and said video signal processing means are accommodated in the same casing, and said casing incorporates a connecting portion to which said first and second endoscopes can be connected, and an interpreting means for interpreting the information of said information generating means by this connection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said light emitting means has a means for switching over the exposure period in accordance with the number of pixels of said first and second solid-state image elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said video signal processing means has a means for switching over the characteristics of the system for processing a video signal in correspondence with the number of pixels of said first and second solid-state image elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 12, including means for interpreting the information of said information generating means, the signal output from said interpreting means being applied to said switching over means for automatic switch-over operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 13, including means for interpreting the information of said information generating means, the signal output from said interpreting means being applied to said switching over means for automatic switch-over operation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 22, including means for interpreting the information of said information generating means, the signal output from said interpreting means being applied to said switching over means for automatic switch-over operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 13, including means for interpreting the information of said information generating means, the signal output from said interpreting means being applied to said switching over means for automatic switch-over operation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said video signal processing means includes a first low-pass filter means for cutting off unnecessary higher harmonic waves, an A/D converting means for converting the signal that has passed through said first low-pass filter means to a digital signal, a digital memory means for temporarily storing the digital signal that has passed through said A/D converting means, a D/A converting means for converting the digital signal read out from said digital memory means to an analog signal; and a second low-pass filter means for cutting off the higher harmonic waves of the analog signal output form said D/A converting means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 28, including a means for switching over at least one of the read-out clock of said digital memory means, the D/A converting rate of said D/A converting means and the frequency cut off by said second low-pass filter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
An endoscope according to claim 29, wherein said video signal processing means includes an outline enhancing means disposed prior to or subsequent to said second low-pass filter means for enhancing the outline of an input signal, a means for switching over the outline enhancing frequency used by said outline enhancing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |