Electronic-endoscope light quantity controlling apparatus
US6734894B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/183
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an electronic-endoscope apparatus for compensating for lack of light quantity caused by a delayed response from a light shielding mechanism when an all-pixel reading system is used. In the case of, for example, a moving image, this apparatus reads pixel mix data out from a CCD to reproduce motions faithfully. For a still image, this apparatus reads out all pixels obtained by the CCD during a single exposure period using a light shielding period set by a light shielding plate, and outputs this data to a mixing circuit via memories to form a pixel mix signal. This configuration enables a high-quality still image to be obtained. In this case, however, the light quantity may be insufficient due to a delayed response from the light shielding plate. Thus, during the exposure period for still-image formation, the lamp voltage is increased above a normal amount or the diaphragm aperture is increased in order to compensate for the shortage of light quantity. In addition, this light quantity compensation can be achieved by amplifying a video signal or controlling the increase of the electronic shutter time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.