Positionable image input apparatus

An image input apparatus in which an image signal obtained by an image pickup unit is input to an apparatus main body to perform signal processing of the input signal, comprising:

• a camera head arranged at a distal end side of a pair of columns which are coupled via a plurality of joint portions;
• a signal processing unit which is incorporated in a base of the apparatus main body, which supports a proximal end side of the pair of columns;
• and
• a cable which is arranged along the pair of columns and connects said camera head and said signal processing unit,
• wherein the pair of columns consists of a first column and a second column,
• wherein the plurality of joint portions consists of a first joint portion consisting of a first hinge portion and a first pivot portion for joining said camera head with the first column, a second joint portion consisting of a second hinge portion for joining the pair of columns, a third joint portion consisting of a third hinge portion and a second pivot portion for joining the second column with the base of the apparatus main body,
• wherein said camera head comprises a lens portion which allows a rotation operation, and an index that can indicate the rotation operation state is arranged at an appropriate position on an outer surface of said lens portion,
• wherein an angle of said camera head at least about an optical axis can be adjusted via the joint portions, and a plurality of indices that can indicate a rotation operation state are arranged at 180.degree. separated positions on the outer surface of said lens portion, and
• wherein said camera head is supported by one end of the first column via said first joint portion so that an optical axis direction with respect to the first column and a pivot angle about the optical axis of said camera head can be adjusted.

An image input apparatus in which an image signal obtained by an image pickup unit is input to an apparatus main body to perform signal processing of the input signal, comprising:

• a camera head arranged at a distal end side of a pair of columns which are coupled via a plurality of joint portions;
• a signal processing unit which is incorporated in a base of the apparatus main body, which supports a proximal end side of the pair of columns;
• and
• a cable which is arranged along the pair of columns and connects said camera head and said signal processing unit,
• wherein the plurality of joint portions consists of a first joint portion consisting of a first hinge portion and a first pivot portion for joining said camera head with one of the pair of columns, a second joint portion consisting of a second hinge portion for joining the pair of columns, a third joint portion consisting of a third hinge portion and a second pivot portion for joining the other of the pair of columns with the base of the apparatus main body,
• wherein the base comprises a metal bottom plate, a signal processing circuit board, a metal weight, and a resin cover, and
• wherein the base supports the pair of columns via said third joint portion, said bottom plate and said weight are electrically connected to each other, and said signal processing circuit board is arranged between said bottom plate and said weight.

An image input apparatus in which an image signal obtained by an image pickup unit is input to an apparatus main body to perform signal processing of the input signal, comprising:

• a camera head arranged at a distal end side of a pair of columns which are coupled via a plurality of joint portions;
• a signal processing unit which is incorporated in a base of the apparatus main body, which supports a proximal end side of the pair of columns;
• a cable which is arranged along the pair of columns and connects said camera head and said signal processing unit, and
• wherein the plurality of joint portions consists of a first joint portion consisting of a first hinge portion and a first pivot portion for joining said camera head with one of the pair of columns, a second joint portion consisting of a second hinge portion for joining the pair of columns, a third joint portion consisting of a third hinge portion and a second pivot portion for joining the other of the pair of columns with the base of the apparatus main body,
• wherein an index for indicating a direction of said camera head with respect to the base is arranged at least at a center of a front surface of the base, and
• wherein said index indicates the direction of said camera head with respect to the base.

An image input apparatus in which an image signal obtained by an image pickup unit is input to an apparatus main body to perform signal processing of the input signal, comprising:

• a camera head arranged at a distal end side of a pair of columns which are coupled via a plurality of joint portions;
• a signal processing unit which is incorporated in a base of the apparatus main body, which supports a proximal end side of the pair of columns;
• a cable which is arranged along the pair of columns and connects said camera head and said signal processing unit, and
• wherein the plurality of joint portions consists of a first joint portion consisting of a first hinge portion and a first pivot portion for joining said camera head with one of the pair of columns, a second joint portion consisting of a second hinge portion for joining the pair of columns, a third joint portion consisting of a third hinge portion and a second pivot portion for joining the other of the pair of columns with the base of the apparatus main body,
• wherein said apparatus has an arrangement that can prevent a route of said cable from interfering with pivot axes of the joint portions when said cable is laid, and
• wherein said first and third hinge portions in said first and third joint portions are arranged on two sides of said cable so that said cable is linearly laid along said first and third joint portions.

An image input apparatus in which an image signal obtained by an image pickup unit is input to an apparatus main body to perform signal processing of the input signal, comprising:

• a camera head arranged at a distal end side of a pair of columns which are coupled via a plurality of joint portions;
• a signal processing unit which is incorporated in a base of the apparatus main body, which supports a proximal end side of the pair of columns;
• a cable which is arranged along the pair of columns and connects said camera head and said signal processing unit, and
• wherein the plurality of joint portions consists of a first joint portion consisting of a first hinge portion and a first pivot portion for joining said camera head with one of the pair of columns, a second joint portion consisting of a second hinge portion for joining the pair of columns, a third joint portion consisting of a third hinge portion and a second pivot portion for joining the other of the pair of columns with the base of the apparatus main body,
• wherein said apparatus has an arrangement that can prevent a route of said cable from interfering with pivot axes of the joint portions when said cable is laid, and
• wherein said cable is inserted through the respective columns, and said cable is exposed from said second joint portion that couples the columns and is laid in a loop pattern.