ENDOSCOPE

Abstract

An endoscope comprises an electric scope and a processor. The electric scope has a CMOS sensor and a video-signal emitting unit that outputs an image signal that is imaged by the CMOS sensor and that is converted to a light signal. The processor has a video-signal photo sensor unit that receives light regarding the image signal that is output from the video-signal emitting unit, and performs an image processing operation based on the light regarding the image signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the endoscope of the first, second, and third embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the imaging unit in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the imaging unit in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the imaging unit in the second embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a top view of the imaging unit in the third embodiment.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: an electric scope that has a CMOS sensor and a video-signal emitting unit that outputs an image signal that is imaged by said CMOS sensor and that is converted to a light signal; anda processor that has a video-signal photo sensor unit that receives light regarding said image signal that is output from said video-signal emitting unit, and that performs an image processing operation based on said light regarding said image signal.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said electric scope has an ADC that converts said image signal that is imaged by said CMOS sensor to a digital signal; and said video-signal emitting unit outputs said image signal that is converted to said digital signal by said ADC and that is converted to said light signal.

3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said processor has a control-signal emitting unit that outputs a control signal that is converted to a light signal; and said electric scope has a control-signal photo sensor unit that receives light regarding said control signal that is output from said control-signal emitting unit, and has a timing generator that outputs a clock pulse to said CMOS sensor and said ADC based on said light regarding said control signal.

4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said electric scope has a video-signal cable and a control-signal cable that are separate from each other; said video-signal cable transmits said light regarding said image signal that is output from said video-signal emitting unit; andsaid control-signal cable transmits said light regarding said control signal that is output from said control-signal emitting unit.

5. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said electric scope has an imaging prism that deflects an incident optical path toward said CMOS sensor, and has a control-signal prism that deflects an incident optical path toward said control-signal photo sensor unit; and said CMOS sensor, said ADC, said timing generator, and said control-signal photo sensor unit are mounted on the same CMOS sensor tip.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein a part of the photo diode area of said CMOS sensor tip, is used for a photo diode of said CMOS sensor, and the other part of the photo diode area of said CMOS sensor tip, is used for a photo diode of said control-signal photo sensor unit.

7. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said electric scope has a video-signal prism that deflects an output optical path from said video-signal emitting unit regarding said image signal; and said CMOS sensor tip and said video-signal emitting unit are arranged on a circuit board that consists of one plane.

8. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said timing generator has a sub TG that outputs said clock pulse to said CMOS sensor, and has a main TG that outputs a timing pulse to said ADC; said electric scope has a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a third circuit board;said CMOS sensor and said sub TG are arranged on said first circuit board;said ADC and said main TG are arranged on said second circuit board;said video-signal emitting unit and said control-signal photo sensor unit are arranged on said third circuit board; andsaid first, second, and third circuit boards are arranged in order from the distal end part of said electric scope.

9. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said electric scope has a cable that transmits said light regarding said image signal that is output from said video-signal emitting unit and said light regarding said control signal that is output from said control-signal emitting unit, and has a first polarizing mirror that transmits through said light regarding said image signal and that reflects said light regarding said control signal; and said processor has a second polarizing mirror that reflects said light regarding said image signal and that transmits through said light regarding control signal.

10. The endoscope according claim 1, wherein said electric scope supplies electric power to said CMOS sensor based on light from outside of said electric scope.

11. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said electric scope supplies electric power to each part of the distal end part of said electric scope that has said CMOS sensor, based on light from outside of said electric scope.