US5007407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscope having picture image freeze device
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-08-23
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope including a scope, in which a light source emits at least one light pulse locating in a boundary portion of adjacent first and second fields, and a photoelectric device detects image signals from the light pulse, and wherein a processor determines a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the image signals, and a controller controls, depending on the difference, to reduce the difference to at least a certain value to obtain a frozen picture image having a high resolving power without causing a flicker therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuya Kikuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/042; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/81; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00004; A61B1/00009; A61B1/06; A61B1/0655; H04N23/70; H04N23/74; H04N23/50; H04N23/555; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S348/00; Y10S348/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting at least one light pulse in a boundary portion of adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for controlling the light source means depending on the difference, to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting at least one light pulse in a boundary portion of adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for controlling the light source means depending on the difference, to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting a light pulse extending over a boundary between adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for controlling the light source means depending on the difference; to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting a light pulse extending over a boundary between adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for controlling the light source means depending on the difference; to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the controlling means includes means for changing a light pulse emitting timing of the light source means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the controlling means includes means for comparing the difference with a first predetermined value to obtain a comparison result, and means for changing a light pulse emitting timing of the light source means only when the comparison result is more than a second predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The endoscope of claim 4, wherein the first predetermined value is at most 3%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the operating means includes first and second summing devices for summing first and second illuminances, respectively, and a subtracter for obtaining a difference between the first and second illuminances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The endoscope of claim 3, wherein the changing means includes a pulse controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The endoscope of claim 4, wherein the comparing means includes a divider, and the changing means includes a pulse controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the light pulse has time length of approximately 1 to 2 milliseconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting at least one light pulse locating in a boundary portion of adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for electrically controlling one of the detected first and second field illuminances to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
An endoscope including a scope, comprising: light source means for emitting at least one light pulse locating in a boundary portion of adjacent first and second fields; means for obtaining photoelectrically a detection signal from the light pulse; means for calculating a difference between first and second field illuminances of the light pulse from the detection signal; and means for electrically controlling one of the detected first and second field illuminances to reduce the difference to at least a predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the controlling means includes means for multiplying a correction value to one of the first and second field illuminances.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The endoscope of claim 11, wherein the multiplying means multiplies a reciprocal of the difference to the larger one of the first and second field illuminances.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the operating means includes a summing device for alternately summing first or second field illuminances, first and second latches for storing first and second field illuminances, respectively, and a divider for obtaining a ratio between the first and second field illuminances.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the operating means includes an average operator for alternately calculating first or second field illuminance, first and second latchs for storing first and second field illuminances, respectively, and a divider for obtaining a ratio between the first and second field illuminances.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the light pulse has a duration of approximately 1 to 2 milliseconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4740837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |