Image inputting device for endoscope

• US 5,081,524 A
• Filed: 02/21/1990
• Issued: 01/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Tsuruoka, Takao, Konomura, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Shepperd, John W.
• Application Number:
  US07/483,303
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 358/32, 358/164, 358/22, 358/98
• US Class Current: 348/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/69 for modifying the colour signals by gamma correction controlling camera response for colour signals H04N23/83

Abstract

An image inputting device for an endoscope is provided in which image obtained by the endoscope and decomposed into a plurality of color signals is converted into electrical signals. A gray scale correcting section having an adjustable correcting value is provided for each of the plurality of color signals. In consequence, the gray scales of the plurality of color signals can be separately and adjustably corrected, and a resolution which corresponds to the luminance level of each color can be set so as to enable effective information to be easily obtained from all wavelength regions.

Claims

1. A method of correcting color signals in an endoscope in correspondence to respective luminance levels of said color signals, said method comprising the steps of:

separating signals of an image obtained in said endoscope into three primary color signals R, G and B;

converting said primary color signals into electrical signals;

correcting all luminance levels of an R signal with a gamma value;

correcting all luminance levels of a B signal with a gamma value which is less than the gamma value of said R signal;

correcting all luminance levels of a G signal with a gamma value that is less than the gamma value of said R signal and more than the gamma value of said B signa; and

correcting said image in said endoscope using said gamma values of said R, B and G signals.

2. A method of correcting color signals in an endoscope in correspondence with respective luminance levels of said color signals, said method comprising the steps of:

separating signals of an image obtained in said endoscope into three primary color signals R, G and B;

converting said primary color signals into electrical signals;

using an input-output characteristic which improves resolution in a high level portion for all luminance levels of an R signal;

using an input-output characteristic which improves resolution in a low level portion for all luminance levels of a B signal;

using a linear input-ouput characteristic for all luminance levels of a G signal; and

correcting said image in said endoscope using said input-output characteristics of said R, B and G signals.