IMAGING MODULE AND IMAGING SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME

• US 20150320297A1
• Filed: 04/30/2015
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Nakatate, Kenichi, Ishibashi, Kenichi
• Granted Patent: US 10,420,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 module capable of being used a two or more limited number of times, the imaging module comprising:

an imaging sensor; 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.

2. An imaging system comprising:

the imaging module as set forth in claim 1; and

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

3. The imaging system as set forth in claim 2, 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.

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

an image stopping section provided in a signal path through which signals outputted from the imaging sensor are transmitted, the image stopping section stopping transmission of the signals 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 signals through the signal path is stopped.

5. The imaging system as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

the signals outputted from the imaging sensor includes (i) a video signal or an image signal and (ii) a synchronization signal; and

the signal stopping section is provided in the signal path of the synchronization signal.

6. The imaging system as set forth in claim 2, 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.

7. The imaging system as set forth in claim 2, 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.

8. The imaging system as set forth in claim 2, 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.