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US4281910A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera apparatus for endoscope

Assignee: Olympus Corp
•
Filing: 1980-03-05
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 2000-03-05
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Abstract

Abstract A camera apparatus can be mounted on an endoscope to enable a picture to be taken of the interior of a coeliac cavity. The apparatus comprises a detecting device which detects whether the apparatus is or is not mounted on an endoscope. When the apparatus is mounted, the detecting device operates to supply power to an electrical circuit of the apparatus which requires energization only during a photographing operation, which power may be drawn from either an internal battery or an external power supply, thus minimizing the power dissipation of the internal battery.

Inventors

  • 👤 Syuichi Takayama

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 06:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00112; A61B1/00121; A61B1/00124; A61B1/00126; A61B1/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
A camera apparatus adapted to be mounted on an endoscope, said apparatus comprising: a first electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized both during a photographing operation and when no photographing operation is in progress; a second electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized during said photographing operation; a battery located in said camera for energizing at least said first electrical circuit; a connection terminal located on said camera and adapted to be connected to an external power supply associated with the endoscope when said camera is connected to the endoscope; and detecting means for detecting whether said camera apparatus if mounted on an endoscope, said detecting means connecting said connection terminal to said second electrical circuit during said photographing operation when said camera apparatus is mounted on the endoscope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
A camera apparatus adapted to be mounted on an endoscope, said apparatus comprising: a first electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized both during a photographing operation and when no photographing operation is in progress; a second electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized during said photographing operation; a battery located in said camera for energizing at least said first electrical circuit; a connection terminal located on said camera and adapted to be connected to an external power supply associated with the endoscope when said camera is connected to the endoscope; and detecting means for detecting whether said camera apparatus if mounted on an endoscope, said detecting means connecting said connection terminal to said second electrical circuit during said photographing operation when said camera apparatus is mounted on the endoscope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 108 words
A camera apparatus adapted to be mounted on an endscope, said apparatus comprising: a first electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized both during a photographing operating and when no photographing operation is in progress; a second electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized during said photographing operation; a battery located in said camera for energizing at least said first electrical circuit; and detecting means for detecting whether said camera apparatus is mounted on an endoscope, said detecting means being for connecting said second electrical circuit to said battery during a photographing operation when said camera apparatus is mounted on the endoscope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 108 words
A camera apparatus adapted to be mounted on an endscope, said apparatus comprising: a first electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized both during a photographing operating and when no photographing operation is in progress; a second electrical circuit located in said camera which must be energized during said photographing operation; a battery located in said camera for energizing at least said first electrical circuit; and detecting means for detecting whether said camera apparatus is mounted on an endoscope, said detecting means being for connecting said second electrical circuit to said battery during a photographing operation when said camera apparatus is mounted on the endoscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 56 words
A camera apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which said detecting means further comprises: a conductive member adapted to be disposed on an eyepiece assembly of an endoscope; and a pair of detecting terminals adapted to contact said conductive member simultaneously as said camera apparatus is mounted on an eyepiece assembly of the endoscope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 121 words
A camera apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which said detecting means comprises: a light receiving element; a light emitting element adapted to be disposed in the eyepiece assembly of an endoscope in such a manner as to be located opposite and aligned with said light receiving element when said camera apparatus is mounted on an eyepiece assembly of the endoscope; a retractable light shield member for preventing said light receiving element from receiving light when said camera apparatus is not mounted on the eyepiece of an endoscope; and means for retracting said light shield member as said camera apparatus is mounted on the endoscope, for allowing said light receiving element to receive light from said light emitting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 40 words
A camera apparatus according to claim 1, in which said detecting means comprises a switch circuit for electrically connecting said connection terminal to the external power supply when said camera apparatus is mounted on an eyepiece assembly of the endoscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A camera apparatus according to claim 1 in which said detecting means is for connecting said second electrical circuit to a power supply of a light source unit of an endoscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 65 words
A camera apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which said second electrical circuit further comprises: a motor for winding film; an electromagnet for controlling the operation of a mirror shutter; a light emitting element for forming a data entry on a film; and detection and display means for detecting and displaying one of a film speed and the voltage of said internal battery.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3987463A Cited
US4145130A Cited
US4168702A Cited
US4153356A Cited
US4192597A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-08-03 1985-02-02 1985-08-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-08-03 1989-02-02 1989-08-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-08-03 1993-02-02 1993-08-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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