# US 2017/0280982 A1 · Endoscope system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0280982 A1 - Document ID: US20170280982A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/628,969 - Filed: 2017-06-21 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-03 - Assignees: Olympus Corporation - Applicants: Olympus Corporation - Inventors: Hideyuki KUGIMIYA; Ryo KOSHIDA; Takehiko ITO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170280982A1 ## CPC - A61B 1/00009: {of image signals during a use of endoscope} - A61B 1/00013: {using optical means} - A61B 1/045: Control thereof - G02B 23/2484: {Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device (processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70)} - H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices - A61B 1/00011: {characterised by signal transmission} - G02B 23/2415: {Stereoscopic endoscopes} - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An endoscope system includes an image pickup portion configured to pick up an image of a subject and output the image as an electrical signal, a processor configured to perform, on the electrical signal, a signal correction that converts the electrical signal into a signal of a video format that is compatible with a signal processed by the image processing apparatus, and an image processing portion configured to perform image processing on the electrical signal after the signal correction. An E/O converter that converts the electrical signal into an optical signal, an optical fiber that transmits the optical signal, and an O/E converter that converts the optical signal into the electrical signal, are arranged in at least one of between the image pickup portion and the processor, and between the processor and the image processing portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscope system comprising: an image pickup apparatus configured to pick up an image of a subject and output the image as an electrical signal; a processor configured to perform a predeteiniined signal correction on the electrical signal outputted from the image pickup apparatus and output the electrical signal; and an image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on the electrical signal after the signal correction, which is outputted from the processor, and generate a video signal, wherein the processor perfoims, as the predetermined signal correction, processing that converts a signal into a signal of a video foimat that is compatible with a signal processed by the image processing apparatus; and an electrical-to-optical converter configured to convert the electrical signal into an optical signal, an optical transmitting member configured to transmit the optical signal converted by the electrical-to-optical converter, and an optical-to-electrical converter configured to convert the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitting member into the electrical signal, are arranged in at least one of between the image pickup apparatus and the processor, and between the processor and the image processing apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising: an endoscope provided with the image pickup apparatus; an input module provided with the processor; a control module provided with the image processing apparatus; a first cable connecting the endoscope to the input module; and a second cable connecting the input module to the control module, wherein at least one of the first cable and the second cable includes the optical transmitting member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the first cable includes the optical transmitting member; the electrical-to-optical converter is arranged in the endoscope, or on the endoscope side of the optical transmitting member in the first cable; and the optical-to-electrical converter is arranged on the input module side of the optical transmitting member in the first cable, or in the input module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the second cable includes the optical transmitting member; the electrical-to-optical converter is arranged in the input module, or on the input module side of the optical transmitting member in the second cable; and the optical-to-electrical converter is arranged on the control module side of the optical transmitting member in the second cable, or in the control module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the second cable includes a metal transmitting member; the control module transmits a processing program for performing the predetermined signal correction to the processor via the metal transmitting member; and the processor performs the predetermined signal correction with the processing program. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein: the first cable includes a metal transmitting member; the endoscope is further provided with a storage device configured to store endoscope information, and a signal control circuit configured to read out the endoscope information stored in the storage device; the signal control circuit transmits the endoscope information read out from the storage device to the processor via the metal transmitting member before the image pickup apparatus outputs the electrical signal; and the processor performs the predetermined signal correction with the processing program with the endoscope information as a parameter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The endoscope system according to claim 6, wherein the control module transmits the processing program to the processor, and the signal control circuit transmits the endoscope information to the processor as an automatic process when a power supply of the endoscope system is turned on. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The endoscope system according to claim 6, wherein: the storage device stores, as the endoscope information, at least one of correction information of an optical characteristic of an objective optical system, defective pixel information of the image pickup apparatus, white balance characteristic infottuation of the image pickup apparatus, and color variation correction information of the image pickup apparatus; and the processor performs, as the predetermind signal correction with the endoscope information as the parameter, at least one of a correction based on the correction information of the optical characteristic of the objective optical system of the endoscope, a pixel defect correction based on the defective pixel information of the image pickup apparatus, a white balance correction based on the white balance characteristic information of the image pickup apparatus, and a color variation correction based on the color variation correction information of the image pickup apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the first cable includes a metal transmitting member; the endoscope is further provided with a storage device configured to store a processing program for performing the predetermined signal correction, and a signal control circuit configured to read out the processing program stored in the storage device; the signal control circuit transmits the processing program read out from the storage device to the processor via the metal transmitting member; and the processor performs the predetermined signal correction with the processing program. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the image pickup apparatus is provided with a light receiving portion configured to receive reflected light from the subject and perform optical-to-electrical conversion, and a drive circuit configured to drive the light receiving portion on the basis of a timing signal; the first cable includes a metal transmitting member; and the metal transmitting member transmits at least one of the timing signal, a drive signal for generating the timing signal, and a reference clock for generating the drive signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein: the image pickup apparatus is provided with a light receiving portion configured to receive reflected light from the subject and perform optical-to-electrical conversion, and a drive circuit configured to drive the light receiving portion on the basis of a timing signal; and the endoscope is provided with a timing generator configured to generate the timing signal, a drive signal generating circuit configured to generate a drive signal for generating the timing signal, and a reference clock generating circuit configured to generate a reference clock for generating the drive signal.