Imaging system having vari-focal lens for use in endoscope
First Claim
1. An imaging system for use in an endoscope comprising:
- a vari-focal lens system provided in a viewing head to be inserted into a cavity;
a solid-state imaging device for picking up an image formed by said lens system to produce electrical signals representative of the image;
supporting means for supporting said lens system and imaging device thereon so as to change the spacing between said lens system and said imaging device on the optical axis of said lens system; and
controller means operable in response to magnification of said lens system for estimating the position of a focus of said lens system to control said supporting means so as to position said imaging device substantially at the focus of said lens system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system for use in an endoscope includes a vari-focal lens system provided in a viewing head to be inserted into a cavity or opening of a living body or machinery, a solid-state image sensor for imaging an image formed by the lens system to produce electrical signals representative of the image, a supporting unit for supporting the lens system and the image sensor thereon so as to change the spacing between the lens system and the image sensor on the optical axis of the lens system, and controller circuitry operable in response to magnification of the lens system for estimating the position of a focus of the lens system to control the supporting unit so as to position the image sensor substantially at the estimated position of the focus.
70 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An imaging system for use in an endoscope comprising:
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a vari-focal lens system provided in a viewing head to be inserted into a cavity; a solid-state imaging device for picking up an image formed by said lens system to produce electrical signals representative of the image; supporting means for supporting said lens system and imaging device thereon so as to change the spacing between said lens system and said imaging device on the optical axis of said lens system; and controller means operable in response to magnification of said lens system for estimating the position of a focus of said lens system to control said supporting means so as to position said imaging device substantially at the focus of said lens system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An imaging system for use in an endoscope comprising:
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a zoom lens system provided in a viewing head to be inserted into a cavity, and having a movable lens; first supporting means for supporting said movable lens thereon movably along the optical axis of said zoom lens system for changing magnification of said zoom lens; a solid-state imaging device for picking up an image formed by said zoom lens system to produce electrical signals representative of the image; second supporting means for supporting said imaging device thereon movably along the optical axis of said zoom lens system; controller means for sensing the position of said movable lens to estimate the position of a focus of said zoom lens system; and driver means operative in response to said controller means for driving said second supporting means so as to position said imaging device substantially at the estimated position of the focus of said zoom lens system.
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Specification