The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 11, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1999
Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd., Saitama, JP;
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.