Intelligent camera head

• US 7,471,310 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2001
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Incorporated (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Amling, Marc R., Chatenever, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DURNFORD GESZVAIN, DILLON
• Application Number:
  US10/033,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,559 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65, 348 72- 74, 348/211.14, 600/109, 600/112, 600/118, 600/129, 600/175
• US Class Current: 348/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/665 involving internal camera communication with the image sensor, e.g. synchronising or multiplexing SSIS control signals

Abstract

A video imaging system that minimizes the effect of EMI on the image data, provides a small, lightweight easy to use camera head, permitting interchangeable use of a variety of intelligent camera heads with a single camera control unit, and allows the utilization of new camera heads with new functions as they become available without having to replace the existing CCU.

Claims

1. A video imaging system comprising:

a camera control unit processing a continuous stream of digital video data;

a cable, connected to said camera control unit, for transmitting the stream of digital video data to said camera control unit; and

a camera head, connected to said cable, for providing the stream of digital video data, said camera head including;

an imager, for generating an analog stream of video data;

a timing generator, generating a timing signal particular to said camera head, the timing signal actuating said imager and sent to said camera control unit;

a converter, for converting the analog stream of video data into the stream of digital video data;

a serializer, for serializing the stream of digital video data for transmission over said cable;

at least one digital serial driver;

a processor; and

a memory device, accessible by said processor, containing camera head information;

said camera control unit having at least one digital serial receiver and is controlled based at least in part upon said timing signal particular to said camera head.

2. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said camera head further comprises a multiplexer, for generating a multiplexed signal, which includes the digital image signal and control signals.

3. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said camera head utilizes at least one digital serial receiver.

4. Said camera head according to claim 3 wherein the at least one digital serial receiver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

5. Said camera head according to claim 1 wherein the at least one digital serial driver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

6. The video imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said camera control unit utilizes at least one digital serial driver.

7. Said camera control unit according to claim 6 wherein the at least one digital serial driver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

8. Said camera control unit according to claim 1 wherein the at least one digital serial receiver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

9. A video imaging system comprising:

a camera control unit processing a continuous stream of digital video data;

a cable, connected to said camera control unit, for transmitting the stream of digital video data to said camera control unit; and

a camera head, connected to said cable, for providing the stream of digital video data, said camera head including;

an imager, for generating the stream of digital video data;

a timing generator, generating a timing signal particular to said camera head, the timing signal actuating said imager and sent to said camera control unit;

at least one digital serial driver;

a processor; and

a memory device, accessible by said processor, containing camera head information;

said camera control unit having at least one digital serial receiver and is controlled based at least in part upon said timing signal particular to said camera head;

wherein a plurality of camera heads, each with differing timing signals, are attachable to and controlled by said camera control unit.

10. The video imaging system according to claim 9 wherein said camera head produces analog image data, said camera head further comprising a converter, for converting an analog image signal to a digital image signal.

11. The video imaging system according to claim 9 wherein said camera head further comprises a multiplexer, for generating a multiplexed signal, which includes the image signal and control signals.

12. The video imaging system according to claim 9 wherein said camera head further comprises a serializer, for serializing the image signal.

13. The video imaging system according to claim 9 wherein said at least one digital serial driver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

14. The video imaging system according to claim 9 wherein said at least one digital serial receiver utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

15. A video imaging system comprising:

a camera control unit processing a continuous stream of digital video data;

a cable, connected to said camera control unit, for transmitting the stream of digital video data to said camera control unit; and

a camera head, connected to said cable, for providing the stream of digital video data, said camera head including;

an imager, for generating an analog stream of video data;

a converter, for converting the analog stream of video data into the stream of digital video data;

a serializer, for serializing the stream of digital video data

a processor; and

a memory device, accessible by said processor, containing camera head information.

16. The video imaging system according to claim 15 wherein said camera head further comprises a multiplexer, for generating a multiplexed signal, which includes the digital image signal and control signals.

17. The video imaging system according to claim 15 wherein an inputted data formats the camera control unit.

18. The video imaging system according to claim 17 wherein the inputted data comes from the camera head.

19. The video imaging system according to claim 15 wherein said camera head utilizes at least one digital serial driver utilizing Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

20. The video imaging system according to claim 15 wherein said camera control unit utilizes at least one digital serial receiver utilizing Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

21. A video imaging system comprising:

a camera control unit processing a continuous stream of digital video data;

a cable, connected to said camera control unit, for transmitting the stream of digital video data to said camera control unit; and

a camera head, connected to said cable and an endoscope, for providing the stream of digital video data, said camera head including;

an imager, including an analog to digital converter for generating the stream of digital video data;

a serializer, for serializing the stream of digital video data for continuous transmission over said cable

a processor; and

a memory device, accessible by said processor, containing camera head information.

22. The video imaging system according to claim 21 wherein said camera head further comprises a multiplexer, for generating a multiplexed signal, which includes the image signal and control signals.

23. The video imaging system according to claim 21 wherein an inputted data formats the camera control unit.

24. The video imaging system according to claim 23 wherein the inputted data comes from the camera head.

25. The video imaging system according to claim 21 wherein said camera head utilizes at least one digital serial driver utilizing Low-Voltage Differential Signals.

26. The video imaging system according to claim 21 wherein said camera control unit utilizes at least one digital serial receiver utilizing Low-Voltage Differential Signals.