Switch operation processing apparatus and method

A switch operation processing apparatus for use with an endoscope system including a manually operable switch and a controlled device, for controlling said controlled device depending on a switch operation of said manually operable switch, said apparatus comprising:

• a detection circuit that detects any occurrence of a switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• a determination system that determines when a first predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs, which comprises two successive switch operations of said manually operable switch with a time interval therebetween shorter than a predetermined time interval;
• and
• a controller controlling said controlled device depending on a determination made by said determination system.

A method of processing operation of a manually operable switch, for controlling a controlled device depending on switch operation of said manually operable switch, said method comprising:

• detecting any occurrence of switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• determining when a first predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs, which comprises two successive switch operations of said manually operable switch with a time interval therebetween shorter than a predetermined time interval;
• and
• controlling said controlled device depending on said determination.

A switch operation processing apparatus for use with a manually operable switch and a controlled device, for controlling said controlled device depending on a switch operation of said manually operable switch, said apparatus comprising:

• a detection circuit that detects any occurrence of a switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• a determination system that determines when a predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs;
• and
• a controller controlling said controlled device depending on a determination made by said determination system;
• wherein said apparatus itself serves as a two-position switch for said controlled device, having on- and off-positions;
• and
• wherein said apparatus is placed in said off-position when two successive switch operations of said manually operable switch occur with a time interval therebetween shorter than a predetermined time interval.

A switch operation processing apparatus for use with a manually operable switch and a controlled device, for controlling said controlled device depending on a switch operation of said manually operable switch, said apparatus comprising:

• a detection circuit that detects any occurrence of a switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• a determination system that determines when a predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs;
• and
• a controller controlling said controlled device depending on a determination made by said determination system;
• wherein said apparatus itself serves as a two-position switch for said controlled device, having on- and off-positions;
• and
• wherein said apparatus is placed in said on-position when two successive switch operations of said manually operable switch occur with a time interval therebetween shorter than a predetermined time interval.

A switch operation processing apparatus for use with a manually operable switch and a controlled device, for controlling said controlled device depending on a switch operation of said manually operable switch, said apparatus comprising:

• a detection circuit that detects any occurrence of a switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• a determination system that determines when a predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs, which comprises two successive switch operations of said manually operable switch with a time interval therebetween shorter than a predetermined time interval;
• and
• a controller controlling said controlled device depending on a determination made by said determination system;
• wherein said apparatus itself serves as a three-position switch for said controlled device, having first, second and third positions;
• and
• wherein said apparatus changes position among said first, second and third positions depending on a determination made by said determination system.

A switch operation processing apparatus for use with a manually operable switch and controlled device, said controlled device being capable of placement in either of two states comprising first and second states, for placing said controlled device in one of said first and second states depending on a switch operation of said manually operable switch, said apparatus comprising:

• a detection circuit that detects any occurrence of a switch operation of said manually operable switch;
• a determination system that determines when a predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs;
• and
• a controller that changes the state of said controlled device depending on a determination made by said determination system,
• wherein said controller i) changes the state of said controlled device from said first state to said second state when a first predefined temporal pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs and ii) maintains the state of said controlled device in said first state when a second predefined pattern of switch operation of said manually operable switch occurs.