Imaging module and imaging system including same

• US 10,420,455 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2015
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Ishibashi, Kenichi, Nakatate, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Neal, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woo, Jae
• Application Number:
  US14/700,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20150320297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 600103, 600117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes

Abstract

An imaging module is capable of being used a two or more limited number of times. The imaging module includes: a CMOS imaging sensor; and a counter memory in which the number of use times is stored, the number of use times being the number of times the imaging sensor is used.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

an imaging module capable of being used a two or more limited number of times, the imaging module comprising;

an imaging sensor that outputs (i) a video signal or an image signal and (ii) a synchronization signal for use in displaying, on a display device, a video represented by the video signal or an image represented by the image signal, and

a storage device in which the number of use times is stored, the number of use times being the number of times the imaging module is used;

a control section that counts the number of use times and stores, in the storage device, the number of use times counted; and

a signal stopping section provided in a signal path through which the synchronization signal outputted from the imaging sensor is transmitted, the signal stopping section stopping transmission of the synchronization signal in the signal path,

the control section controlling the signal stopping section so that, in a case where the number of use times becomes greater than the threshold value, transmission of the synchronization signal through the signal path is stopped.

2. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a warning display section,

the control section causing the warning display section to light up in a case where the number of use times becomes greater than a threshold value.

3. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a number-of-use-times display section,

the control section causing the number-of-use-times display section to display the number of use times.

4. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a display device; and

an image processing device including an image processing section that processes the signals outputted from the imaging sensor, so as to convert the signals outputted from the image sensor into signals in a form that allows the display device to display the signals,

the control section controlling the image processing section so that, in a case where the number of use times becomes greater than the threshold value, the display device displays (a) a message that the number of use times becomes greater than the threshold value or (b) a message that the imaging module is unusable.

5. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a first connector in which the control section is provided,

the imaging module including a second connector in which the storage device is provided, the second connector being detachably attached to the first connector.

6. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal stopping section stops supply of the signals to an image processor.

7. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the signal stopping section stops the transmission of the synchronization signal through the signal path without stopping transmission of the video signal or the image signal; and

the control section controls the signal stopping section so that, in the case where the number of use times becomes greater than the threshold value, the transmission of the synchronization signal through the signal path is stopped but transmission of the video signal or the image signal is not stopped.

8. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the display device,

the display device displaying a solid blue screen in a case where the transmission of the synchronization signal through the signal path is stopped.