United States Patent (19)
`Kikuchi et al.
`
`USOO5408263A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`11
`45
`
`5,408,263
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`73) Assignee:
`
`54 ELECTRONICENDOSCOPE APPARATUS
`75 Inventors: Kenichi Kikuchi; Akira Watanabe,
`both of Hachioji; Masaki Terakubo,
`Sagamihara; Takehiro Nakagawa;
`Yasuo Komatsu, both of Hachioji, all
`of Japan
`Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo,
`Japan
`(21) Appl. No.: 76,771
`22 Filed:
`Jun, 15, 1993
`30
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Jun. 16, 1992 JP
`Japan .................................. 4-156949
`51 Int. Cl............................ A61B 1/04; A61B 1/06
`52 U.S. C. ...................................... 348/68; 348/223;
`348/229; 348/370
`58) Field of Search ....................... 348/68, 69, 70, 72,
`348/65, 45,229, 370,371, 222, 223; H04N 7/18
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,495,520 1/1985 Kravitz et al. ...................... 348/229
`4,884,133 1/1989 Kanno ..........
`... 348/72
`5,065,248 11/1991 Honma ....
`... 348/229
`5,315,383 5/1994 Yabe ...................................... 348/68
`
`56)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1-17621 of 0000 Japan.
`1-85631 of 0000 Japan .
`63-155984 of 0000 Japan.
`63-240827 of 0000 Japan .
`Primary Examiner-Howard W. Britton
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Armstrong, Westerman,
`Hattori, McLeland & Naughton
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An electronic endoscope apparatus has an arrangement
`that its discrimination circuit discriminates the type or
`the operational state of the light source in accordance
`with a discrimination signal transmitted from a discrimi
`nation signal generator, and in accordance with the
`result of the discrimination, the processing operation to
`be performed by its video signal processing circuit is
`changed over to correspond to the difference in the
`type or the operational state of the light source. The
`video signal processing circuit performs a proper signal
`processing operation to correspond to the difference in
`the type of the light source to prevent deterioration in
`the image quality. The electronic endoscope apparatus
`is structured so that a different type light source can be
`adaptably connected to it.
`
`76 Claims, 58 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I3 SOLID-STATE
`MAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2 ELECTRONIC
`ENDOSCOPE
`
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`VIDEO SIGNA
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`
`SIGNAL GENERATOR
`
`| ELECTRONIC
`d
`ES5
`
`5
`
`6
`
`3 LIGHT
`SOURCE
`DEVICE
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.1
`PRIOR ART
`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.3
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`3 SOLD-STATE
`MAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`o 2 ELECTRONIC o VIDEO SIGNAL
`
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`CRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`DSCRIMINATION
`SIGNAL GENERATOR
`
`
`
`ELECTRONIC
`-- ENDOSCOPE
`APPARATUS
`
`5
`
`6
`
`II
`
`3 LIGHT
`SOURCE
`DEVICE
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`PRE-PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`SWITCH SIGNAL
`
`WHTE
`si
`
`MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`FIG.7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRE
`PROCESSENG
`CIRCUIT
`
`WHITE
`BALANCE
`CRCUIT
`
`POST
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`TO
`MONITOR
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`To DISCRIMINATION CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`FG.9
`33R
`
`CONTRO
`SIGNAL
`GENERATING
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`r
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hr Hall
`
`GENERATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`Y
`
`-
`
`3B
`
`TO DISCRIMINATION CIRCUIT
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.10
`
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`VIDEO SIGNAL
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`TO
`MONTOR
`
`3 LIGHT
`SOURCE
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13 SOLID-STATE
`MAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`O
`
`
`
`2 ELECTRONIC S VIDEO SIGNAL
`
`FIG.11
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`CRCUIT
`
`DRIVE
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`DAPHRAGM
`POSITION
`DETECTOR
`
`FIG. 12
`
`VIDEO
`SIGNAL
`
`MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`SIGNAL
`
`COEFFICENT
`GENERATOR
`
`38
`
`37
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.13
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`I3 SOLID-STATE
`IMAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`O
`
`2 ELECTRONIC o WDEO SIGNAL
`
`
`
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`DRIVE
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`DSCRIMINATION
`PSGNAL GENERATO R
`18
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`SGNAL
`
`
`
`42
`
`
`
`MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`DSCRIMINATION
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`41
`
`
`
`COEFFICIENT
`GENERATOR
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.16
`SATURATION
`CONVERSION R-y
`
`A.
`
`HUE CONVERSION N.
`
`FIG.17
`
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL IS
`GENERATED BY LIGHT SOURCE
`
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL IS
`RECEIVED BY PROCESSOR
`
`DENTIFICATION OF
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL
`
`
`
`SELECTION OF
`MATRIX COEFFICIENT
`
`GENERATION OF
`MATRIX COEFFICIENT
`
`LOAD MATRIX COEFFICIENT
`N MATRIX CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S4
`
`S42
`
`S43
`
`S44
`
`S45
`
`S46
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 10 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`3 SOLID-STATE
`IMAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`O
`
`
`
`2 ELECTRONIC
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 18
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`VIDEO SIGNAL
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`DRIVE
`CIRCUIT
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`F.G. 19
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`SIGNAL
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`SGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`45
`
`CoEFFICIENT
`GENERATOR
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 11 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.2O
`
`SATURATION
`CONVERSION
`
`R-Y
`
`
`
`FIG.21
`
`
`
`
`
`Y
`
`21 (ERey
`11- - - - HALOGEN
`LAMP)
`
`WAVELENGTH
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 12 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.22
`
`SWITCH TO EMERGENCY LAMP
`
`S5 I
`
`NOTIFY DISCRIMINATION
`SIGNA GENERATOR SWITCHING
`
`S52
`
`OSCRIMINATION SGNAL
`GENERATOR TRANSMTS
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL
`
`PROCESSOR RECEIVES
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF
`DISCRIMINATION SIGNAL
`
`SELECTION OF
`MATRIX COEFFICIENT
`
`GENERATION OF
`MATRX COEFFICENT
`
`S53
`
`S54
`
`S55
`
`S56
`
`S57
`
`LOAD MATRIX COEFFICIENT
`IN MATRIX CIRCUIT
`
`S58
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 13 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`I3 SOLID-STATE
`IMAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`O
`
`FIG.23
`
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`2 ELECTRONIC
`
`VIDEO SIGNAL
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`DISCRIMINATION
`CRCUIT
`
`DRIVE
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DAPHRAGM
`POSITION
`DETECTOR
`
`
`
`
`
`FG.24
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`49
`
`Y
`
`52
`
`
`
`
`
`COEFFICIENT
`
`e MULTIPLER
`
`
`
`COEFFICIENT
`MULTIPLER
`
`
`
`AR-POINT
`DSCRIMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 14 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COEFFICENT
`MULTIPLER
`
`
`
`
`
`FAR-P
`OSCRW
`RC
`
`FIG.26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COEFFICIENT
`MULTIPLER
`
`5Oc
`COEFFICIENT d
`
`MULTIPLER
`
`AR-POINT
`DISCRIMINATO
`RC
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 15 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.27
`3 SOLID-STATE
`MAGE SENSING
`DEVICE
`jo 2 ELECTRONIC
`
`
`
`4 PROCESSOR
`
`WDEO SIGNA
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`DSCRINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`DRIVE
`CRCUIT
`
`DAPHRAGM
`POSITION
`DETECOR
`
`
`
`INFORMATION OF
`REFLECTED LIGHT
`
`
`
`DAPHRAGM
`POSITION
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 16 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`FIIIIII-.
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 17 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`CDS OUTPUT
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`RGB SWITCH
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`CDS OUTPUT
`SIGNA
`
`MASK
`SGNAL
`
`WAVE
`DETECTION
`OUTPUT
`
`I
`
`| 2 || 13
`
`WAV
`DEoN
`OUTPUT
`
`CDS
`OUTPUT
`SGNAL
`
`II5 II6
`
`| 17 119 I2O
`
`RRADATION
`MODE
`
`
`
`SWITCH CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 18 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`CDS
`OUTPUT
`SIGNAL
`
`CDS
`OUTPUT
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`RGB
`SWITCH. SIGNAL
`
`DIGITAL
`RGB SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`CRCUIT
`
`
`
`13 I
`
`MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`DIGITAL
`RGB SIGNAL
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 19 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`vmy..
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`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 20 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`ENDOSCOPE 14o 1.
`145
`PRE-
`PROCESSING
`CRCUIT
`
`FIG.36
`I 46
`Agc
`
`
`
`147
`OUTLINE
`HGHGHTIN D O
`CIRCUIT
`148
`
`| 4 |
`142
`
`GAISEs
`PARAM CRCUIT
`CIRCUIT
`
`t;
`
`
`
`| 6O
`K SEE C
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`151
`CPU - PANEL
`PROCESSOR 143
`S.
`
`DEVICE 144
`
`159
`
`DETECTION CIRCUIT
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HIGHIGHT
`LEVEL
`
`"M"
`"H"
`
`MAXIMUM
`GAN OF AGC
`
`
`
`NORMAL IN A SMALL LIGHT
`STATE
`QUANTITY STATE
`3dB
`Ods
`6dB
`3ds
`9ds
`6ds
`
`18B
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 21 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.39
`
`PRE-
`PROCESSENG
`CIRCUIT
`
`Agc
`
`TONE
`CIRCUIT
`
`D O
`148
`
`
`
`| 4 |
`42
`
`GAS is
`PAISM CIRCUIT
`CIRCUIT
`
`alué2
`D/A
`
`163
`
`
`
`
`
`6 7.
`H leo
`EONue 158
`
`
`
`
`
`159
`
`157
`
`LIGHT GUANTITY
`DETECTION CIRCUIT
`
`DSCRIMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`FIG.40
`
`O
`O
`O
`O
`O
`m O
`O
`O -
`O
`O
`O
`
`O
`C
`O
`O
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 22 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`CHE LOT!!!!1$NI
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`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 23 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`______
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 24 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FROM
`our
`FROM
`
`
`
`
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`l
`85
`
`sENAL
`SIGNA
`PROCESS
`
`
`
`84
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`SMULTANEOUS
`SIGNAL
`PROCESSING
`CIRCUIT
`
`188
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`
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`FROM CPU
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`
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`COLOR
`SEPARATION
`CRCUIT
`
`TO MATRIX
`CIRCUIT
`
`FIG.45
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 25 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`._<z=‘cmh
`
`
`
`moan—OmPIG—4
`
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`
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`25.85..
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 26 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`TVNI'W HELL
`
`Z
`
`TOHINOSO
`HEILTI=}} E ALLV LOH
`
`ILNE WIJLSÍTÍPCIV
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 27 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FG.48
`
`INTERRUPTION OF
`RECEPT IN SO
`S 1
`
`EMERGENCY
`(MPMops
`
`- READ CORRECTION
`VALUE OF WBFOR
`EMERGENCY LAMP
`
`RESTORE
`
`
`
`FIG.49 INTERRUPTION
`
`OF TIMER
`
`READ DETECTED
`VALUE OF WEB WAVE
`CACULATE FOR
`DETECTING
`EMERGENCY AMP
`
`
`
`S4
`
`S5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EMERGENCY
`Mgp5
`
`OTHER CONSTANT-TME
`PROCESS
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 28 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.50
`
`25 I
`
`252
`
`AVERAGNG
`CIRCUIT
`
`AVERAGNG
`CIRCUIT
`
`s
`
`TO CPU
`
`manus
`
`252
`
`REGISTER
`
`AYASING : REGISTER
`
`CPU
`
`
`
`R-Y
`
`B-Y
`
`
`
`
`
`R/G/B
`
`m-O
`
`
`
`LOAD-G
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 29 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.52
`
`1/60S
`
`Y
`
`FIG.53
`
`1/60S
`un-mour
`
`-(-)-(a)-(e)-(r)-
`RGB -(a)-(a)-(b)-(R)
`-
`
`TeS
`
`LOAD-G
`
`LOAD - B
`
`—
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 30 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.54
`
`24O 255
`
`243
`
`
`
`
`
`ROTATIONAL PLANE OF
`ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`FIG.55
`\ 24O
`
`259
`
`
`
`258
`
`
`
`fi, CENTER OF
`OPTICAL AXIS
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 31 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.56
`
`OUTPUT
`FROM CCD
`
`R
`
`B
`
`G
`
`-- APERTURE
`DAPHRAGM
`
`FIG.57
`
`INTERRUPTION
`OF TMER
`
`WAVE DETECTION OF
`LIGHT ADJUSTMENT
`
`SIO
`
`SI I
`
`S/2
`
`S13
`
`CACUATE VALUE
`OF DAOHRAGM
`
`
`
`
`
`OUTPUT
`DAPHRAGM
`VALUE
`
`
`
`S
`DAPHRAGM
`VALUE LARGER THAN
`PREDETERMINED
`VALUE
`
`
`
`READ SET VALUE
`OF WEB
`
`READ CORRECTION
`VALUE OF WEB
`
`CALCULATE
`CORRECTION OF WB
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER CONSTANT-TIME
`PROCESS
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 32 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.58
`
`START ADJUSTING
`OF WHITE BALANCE
`
`S2 is,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ADJUSTMENT
`
`core Sp
`T
`
`S2 2
`
`DETECT WB WAVE
`S23
`
`CACULATE WEB
`
`S24
`
`5 S2
`
`SET WB
`
`OUTPUT
`PREDETERMINED
`VALUE OF DAPHRAGM
`
`DAPHRAGM
`NCOMPLETED
`
`S27
`
`DETECT WB WAVE
`8 S2
`
`CACULATE WEB
`
`S29
`STORE CORRECTION
`VALUE OF WB
`
`S3O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MAXIMUM
`
`T
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 33 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`.2255:
`
`5332...
`
`29.20.235.200mmm
`
`and."—
`
`ZO_._.<_n<mm_
`
`
`
`P5050AOmhzOO
`
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`
`PEOEOJOE—.200.
`
`20.5.4552":
`
`
`
`:h02m4m><>>um._02_mIPOszm><>>flmm=h
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 34 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.60
`
`S3 I
`
`INTERRUPTION OF
`RECEPT OF SIO
`(LIGHT SOURCE DATA
`COMMUNICATION)
`
`
`
`SPECIAL LIGHT
`WTH SINGLE
`WAVELENGTH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S35
`
`
`
`SPECIAL LIGHT
`WITH THREE -
`WAVELENGTHS
`
`
`
`CACULATE WB
`
`OTHER COMMUNICATION
`PROCESS
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 35 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.61
`263
`262
`
`26
`
`264
`
`N
`
`
`
`FILTER FOR
`RRADATION - a
`WITH THREE
`WAVELENGTHS
`
`
`
`FILTER FOR
`RRADATION
`WITH SINGLE-
`WAVELENGTH
`ess
`o
`5
`284
`MOTOR FOR
`MOTOR FOR
`MOTOR FOR ATTACHMENT AND
`SELECTING
`FILTER
`DE
`ROTATION
`
`sumn
`
`M
`2
`N
`265
`
`
`
`OPTICAL AXIS
`
`CENTER AXIS
`OF ROTATION
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 36 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`02.330...
`
`
`
`8..29.55..
`
`...
`
`
`
`momaom.55...".onz<szoo
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`“—25zozmxm0...—
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 37 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`
`
`FIG.65
`W2XY
`
`A
`
`REGION IN WHCH
`RRADATION
`LIGHT ACKS
`
`CHD IMAGE PLANE
`(KINETIC IMAGE)
`
`PARENT MAGE PLANE
`(STILL IMAGE)
`
`FG.66
`
`
`
`THRESHOD
`VALUE
`V
`
`
`
`FIG.67
`
`
`
`IMAGE PLANE
`
`
`
`ZAZ
`4.17% «W
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 38 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`OUTPUT
`FROM CDS
`
`
`
`in a CONTROL
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`AGC WAVE DETECTION
`CONTROL SIGNAL
`
`FG.69
`
`OUTPUT
`FROM CDS
`
`MASK SIGNAL
`GENERATING
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`AGC WAVE DETECTION
`CONTROL SIGNAL
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 39 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`.Ee
`mz<._mmG<E_
` q__mo".:35:__._
`
`
`
`
`
`>m02m=
`
`hzmm<nm0"—
`
`9min
`
`m‘m00m.NONmom
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`2.325.
`
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`
`Ema—Omn—b.5050
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 40 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`SUSPEND CCD
`SHUTTER MODE
`
`SUSPEND
`FREEZING
`
`FG. 70
`
`COMMAND OF CCD
`SHUTER MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`FG.7b SESIS.gp
`
`COMMAND
`OF FREEZING
`
`FG.7C
`certair
`FG.7 d
`
`PROPER EXPOSURE
`QUANTITY DETECTION
`PULSE
`
`FIG.7le
`GCA ON/OFF
`CONTROL SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`H.R.
`
`s singe
`: DRIVE CCD
`
`SHUTTER
`
`- esses --------
`AUTOMATIC
`HOLD
`AUTOMATIC
`GAN
`GAN
`GAN
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 41 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`Gzfiwmoomm
`
`#50:.0
`
`.2205
`
`mom
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`3:38..50...
`
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`
`mmm
`
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`
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`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
`n.5<._
`
`20_h<z_2_mom_n
`
`EDGE—O
`
`5EU
`
`mom
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 42 of 58
`
`5,408,263-
`
`
`
`02__m<mzm00.mmnzo_h<_o<mm_".0
`
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`
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`
`zo_h<z_:_m00_n
`
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`
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`
`fig:
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 43 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FIG.74
`
`OUTPUT
`FROM CDS
`
`357
`
`358
`/ MULTIPLER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GE
`
`MULTIPLER
`
`MULTIPLER
`
`}
`
`GCA
`CONTROL
`
`VOLTAGE
`
`SWITCH SIGNAL
`GENERATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`356
`
`359
`
`OUTPUT OF
`RRADATION LIGHT
`DESCRIMINATION
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 44 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`| 82
`
`242
`
`O
`
`
`
`TOELNOSO
`„LIT,OHIO
`
`AHOWIE W
`
`28 2
`
`
`(LIT. SO?TISO
`CIOSO
`
`ETA 181C]
`
`692
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 45 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FG.76
`
`FIG.76b
`
`.
`
`FG. 76C
`
`FIG. 77
`
`FIG.77b
`
`DRECTION
`
`O ROTATION (e) ROTATION
`
`DRECTION
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 46 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`F G. 78O
`
`O ODD-NUMBER FELD
`E. : EVEN-NUMBER FIELD
`
`O
`R
`
`O
`G
`
`O
`E
`B
`R
`one orano
`
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`H
`
`E
`G
`
`E
`B
`
`-
`
`FIG.78b.
`
`O
`R
`
`E
`
`E
`O
`G
`G
`ONE ROTATION
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`O
`B
`
`E
`B
`
`F G.78C
`
`FRAME
`
`ONE ROTATION
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`FG. 78d
`
`O
`
`R
`
`E
`
`R
`
`O
`
`G
`
`E
`
`G
`
`O
`
`B
`
`E
`
`B
`
`ONE ROTATION
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 47 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`OECHIA
`LÍndi fìO
`
`|
`
`caecº
`
`EI W
`
`O
`89,
`
`TOHINOO
`AHOWEEN
`Lino810
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`38 2
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`HEITIH BAILVIO?d
`
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`HO. Elbin LBHdW.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`692
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 48 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FG8OO
`
`FIG. 8Ob
`
`6. 2 CD
`(9Tc, 9.
`
`FIG.8 O
`
`FG.8b
`
`DIRECTION
`
`O ROTATION
`
`DIRECTION
`
`ROTATION
`
`BAR CODE
`
`BAR CODE
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 49 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`FG. 82O
`
`FRAME
`
`FRAME
`
`FRAME
`
`ONE ROTATON
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`F. G. 82b
`
`O
`R
`
`E
`R
`
`O
`B
`
`E
`O
`G
`G
`ONE ROTATION
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`E
`B
`
`|
`
`FG.82C
`
`O
`R
`
`E
`R
`
`O
`G
`
`E
`G
`
`O
`B
`
`E
`B
`
`ONE ROTATION
`OF ROTATIVE FILTER
`
`O. : ODD-NUMBER FELD
`E : EVEN-NUMBER FIELD
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 50 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`Own;
`
`.2266
`
`mad—n.
`
`
`m0?.NOV
`
` Sagom20:85:.55:6
`
`5.050
`
`02.332...:8...
`
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`
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`
`#26...
`
`hzmihmnfinz
`
`.5500
`
`#5050
`
`mutazm
`
`JOEPZOO
`
`#5050
`
`HTC, Exhibit 10.20
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 51 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
`mow
`
`wad—n—
`
`Own;
`
`.2265
`
`
`
`Omn=>
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`JOE—.200
`
`#5050
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 52 of 58
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 53 of 58
`
`5,408,263
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`FG.86C
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 54 of 58
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`5,408,263
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 55 of 58
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`5,408,263
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 56 of 58
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`5,408,263
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 57 of 58
`Sheet 57 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`5,408,263
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 18, 1995
`
`Sheet 58 of 58
`
`5,408,263
`
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`HTC, Exhibit 1020
`
`

`

`10
`
`35
`
`1.
`
`ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to an electronic endo
`scope apparatus to be inserted into a subject for inspec
`tion to enable its inside to be observed.
`2. Related Art And Prior Art Statement
`Endoscopes have been widely used, each of which
`comprises an elongated insertion portion to be inserted
`into the coelom to observe the internal organ in the
`coelom, and which uses a curing tool inserted into a
`channel for the curing tool to perform a variety of treat
`15
`ments, if necessary.
`Also industrial endoscopes have been widely used for
`the purpose of observing and inspecting internal flaws
`or corrosion occurring in boilers, gas turbine engines,
`pipes in chemical plants and the bodies of automobiles.
`Further, a variety of electronic endoscopes have been
`used each of which has an image pickup means compris
`ing a solid-state image sensing device, such as a charge
`coupled-device (CCD).
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the structure of an
`25
`electronic endoscope apparatus which uses an elec
`tronic endoscope 81. The electronic endoscope 81 has
`an elongated and, for example, flexible insertion portion
`82. Further, a control portion 83 having a large diame
`ter is connected to the trailing end of the insertion por
`30
`tion 82. A flexible cable 84 is extended sidewards from
`the trailing end of the control portion 83, the cable 84
`having a connector 85 in the leading portion thereof.
`The electronic endoscope 81 is connected to a video
`processor 86 via the connector 85, the video processor
`86 including a light source device serving as an irradia
`tion-light generating means and a signal processing
`circuit. Further, a monitor 87 is connected to the video
`processor 86.
`The insertion portion 82 has, in the leading portion
`thereof, a hard leading portion 89 and a warp-enabled
`portion 90 which can be warped and which is disposed
`sequentially, the warp-enabled portion 90 being dis
`posed adjacently to the trailing portion of the leading
`portion 89. Further, the endoscope 81 has an arrange
`45
`ment that a warp-control-portion knob 91 disposed in
`the control portion 83 can be rotated so that the warp
`enabled portion 90 is warped horizontally or vertically.
`The control portion 83 has an insertion port 92 commu
`nicated with a channel (omitted from illustration) for a
`50
`curing tool disposed in the insertion portion 82.
`As shown in FIG. 2, a light guide 94 for transmitting
`irradiation light is arranged to penetrate the insertion
`portion 82 of the electronic endoscope 81. The leading
`surface of the light guide 94 is disposed in a leading
`55
`portion 89 of the insertion portion 82 so that irradiation
`light can be emitted from the leading portion 89. The
`light-incidental end of the light guide 94 is passed
`through the universal cord 84 and connected to the
`connector 85. The leading portion 89 has an objective
`lens system 95 fastened thereto. A solid-state image
`sensing device 96, such as CCD, is disposed at a position
`at which an image is formed by the objective lens sys
`tem 95. The solid-state image sensing device 96 has
`sensitivity in a wide range from the ultraviolet region to
`65
`the infrared region including a visible region. Signal
`lines 71 and 72 are connected to the solid-state image
`sensing device 96, the signal lines 71 and 72 being passed
`
`5,408,263
`2
`through the insertion portion 82 and the universal cord
`84 as to be connected to the connector 85.
`On the other hand, a lamp 73 serving as an irradiation
`light source for emitting light in a wide band zone from
`ultraviolet rays to infrared rays is disposed in the video
`processor 86. The lamp 73 may be an ordinary xenon
`lamp, a strobe lamp or a halogen lamp. The Xenon lamp,
`the strobe lamp and the halogen lamp are able to emit
`ultraviolet rays and infrared rays by a large quantity as
`well as visible rays. The lamp 73 is supplied with elec
`tric power from a light source portion 77. Light emitted
`from the lamp 73 is made incident upon the light-inci
`dental end of the light guide 94 and guided to the lead
`ing portion 89 via the light guide 94. As a result, light is
`emitted from the leading portion 89 so that the portion
`to be observed is irradiated with light.
`Irradiation light is then returned by the portion to be
`observed, and it is imaged on the solid-state image sens
`ing device 96 by the objective lens system 95 so that
`returned light is photoelectrically converted. The solid
`state image sensing device 96 is, via the signal line 71,
`applied with drive pulses from a driver circuit 70 dis
`posed in the video processor 86. A video signal is read
`from the solid-state image sensing device 96 in response
`to the drive pulse to transfer the video signal.
`The video signal read from the solid-state image sens
`ing device 96 is, via the signal line 72, supplied to a
`pre-amplifier 74 disposed in the video processor 86 or in
`the electronic endoscope 81. The video signal amplified
`by the pre-amplifier 74 is supplied to a processing cir
`cuit 75 to be subjected to signal processes, such as a
`y-correction process and a white balance process. As a
`result, the video signal is transmitted as R, G and B
`signals and as well as supplied to an encoder 76. The
`encoder 76 subjects the R, G and B signals to conver
`sion processes to transmit an NTSC composite signal.
`The white balance operation is so controlled that, if a
`white subject is imaged for example, the values of the
`transmitted R, G and B signals are the same.
`The R, G and B signals or the NTSC composite sig
`mal is supplied to a color monitor 87 so that the observed
`portion is color-displayed by the color monitor 87.
`It can be considered that the foregoing conventional
`example encounters the following problems in a case
`where the type of the light source serving as informa
`tion about the irradiation light generating means, for
`example, the type of the lamp, is changed. The lamp for
`the endoscope is typified by the foregoing xenon lamp
`and the halogen lamp. The xenon (Xe) lamp and the
`halogen lamp have different radiation energy distribu
`tions and also exhibits a difference in the color tempera
`ture of about 2000K. If the color temperature is consid
`erably different by the foregoing degree, the white
`balance adjustment performed to adjust the color repro
`duction is insufficient to realize satisfactory reproduc
`tions of the other colors. In general, the xenon lamp is
`used as a usual lamp and the halogen lamp is used as an
`emergency lamp.
`What is worse, a signal processing method must be
`varied between different irradiation (imaging) methods,
`which are the types of the light sources serving as infor
`mation about the irradiation-light generating means, for
`example, between a plane sequential method and a sin
`gle-plate color method (hereinafter sometimes ex
`pressed as a "simultaneous method”). The conventional
`structure cannot cope with the foregoing problem.
`Since medical endoscopes among the endoscopes for
`use in a variety of fields are so used that the inner wall
`
`HTC, Exhibit 1020
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`

`

`5
`
`O
`
`15
`
`5,408,263
`3
`4.
`of the body is the subject of imaging, the reproduced
`A light source device solely adaptable to the plane
`color has a feature that red shades are made relatively
`sequential method encounters an undesirable color mix
`thick. Therefore, if the distance from the leading por
`ture if the rotational speed of a rotative filter for sepa
`tion of the endoscope to the subject is elongated, a
`rating irradiation light into a plurality of different wave
`length regions is changed. If the numerical aperture of
`major portion of irradiation light emitted from the light
`an optical filter disposed in the rotative filter is changed,
`guide is applied to the subject after light has been re
`light is undesirably introduced and a flicker and/or a
`flected by the inner wall. Hence, red shades are intensi
`color mixture takes place. If the sequential order or the
`fied excessively in the colors of the imaged subject.
`configuration of colors of the optical filter is changed,
`That is, the image is affected by so-called secondary
`an undesirable color mixture takes place. Each of the
`reflected light.
`foregoing facts is one of the operational states of the
`Some light source devices have a light-quantity ad
`light source.
`justment means, such as a diaphragm, for the purpose of
`Some of the electronic endoscope apparatuses use
`obtaining a proper light quantity. The position of the
`special light, such as infrared rays, for the purpose of
`diaphragm, which is the operational state of the light
`observing, for example, blood flows as well as perform
`source, or a deflection between the diaphragm and the
`ing the imaging operation using plane sequential irradia
`optical axis sometimes varies the color of irradiation
`tion light and white irradiation light.
`light emitted from the lamp. Therefore, there arises a
`In the case where the special-light observation is
`problem in that the diaphragm is changed due to the
`performed, the white balance realized in a usual obser
`brightness of the subject and the change in the bright
`vation operation has been insufficient to always obtain
`20
`ness changes the overall color even if the white balance
`color tone that is suitable for the observation.
`adjustment is performed.
`If the xenon lamp, which is the usual lamp of the light
`An electronic endoscope adapted to the plane se
`source device, is burned out and, accordingly, changing
`quential method has an arrangement that a color
`over to the halogen lamp serving as the emergency
`decomposing rotative filter is disposed in the light
`lamp is performed, the signal processing operation of
`25
`source. If the color-decomposing rotative filter has been
`the processor has not been changed. Therefore, if
`changed, the color reproducibility of the obtained
`changing over to the emergency lamp is performed
`image depends upon scatter of the spectrum character
`during an inspection, color is rapidly changed. There
`istics of the filter. The conventional apparatus has an
`fore, the observation rapidly becomes difficult to be
`arrangement that the scatter of the color-decomposing
`performed, causing a problem to rise at the time of
`30
`filter