US6508760B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope for optically variable power using moving time as position information
Assignee: Fujinon Corp
•
Filing: 2001-03-05
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Granted: 2003-01-21
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Expires: 2021-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A movable lens is provided at the tip of an electroscope, and an optically enlarged image can be observed by moving the movable lens by a motor. A microcomputer measures the entire moving time from a far end to a near end of the movable lens, and the moving time is used as the variable power position information about the movable lens. The variable power position information is displayed by a meter display, etc. on a monitor. Thus, an encoder, etc. is not required.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Yamanaka
- 👤 Mitsuru Higuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/04; A61B1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An endoscope apparatus with an optically variable power function, comprising: a movable lens, provided at a tip of an endoscope, for observing an optically magnified image; a drive circuit for driving the movable lens; and a control circuit for measuring an entire moving time of the variable power movable lens moving between driving ends, and using a moving time of said movable lens from a predetermined end as variable power position information of said movable lens to perform various controlling processes based on the variable power position information about said movable lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An endoscope apparatus with an optically variable power function, comprising: a movable lens, provided at a tip of an endoscope, for observing an optically magnified image; a drive circuit for driving the movable lens; and a control circuit for measuring an entire moving time of the variable power movable lens moving between driving ends, and using a moving time of said movable lens from a predetermined end as variable power position information of said movable lens to perform various controlling processes based on the variable power position information about said movable lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus with an optically variable power function according to claim 1 , wherein said control circuit initializes a moving range of said movable lens when a variable power switch is first operated after electric power is applied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus with an optically variable power function according to claim 1 , wherein said control circuit controls displaying variable power position information specified by the moving time of said movable lens on a monitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus with an optically variable power function according to claim 3 , wherein as the variable power position information, a magnification is displayed by indication changing stepwise.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus with an optically variable power function according to claim 1 , wherein said control circuit controls a movement of said movable lens to decelerate the movable lens when said movable lens approaches to an enlargement end or a reduction end according to the variable power position information.
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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) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-07-22 | 2007-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-20 | 2010-07-22 | 2011-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-20 | 2014-07-22 | 2015-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |