Imaging Apparatus, Imaging Method, and Endoscope Apparatus

Abstract

A head separated type imaging apparatus includes a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the main unit processing an image signal transmitted from the head unit. The main unit includes a first communication unit transmitting/receiving data to/from the head unit via wireless communication, a second communication unit transmitting/receiving data to/from the head unit via wired communication, and a control unit detecting whether the second communication unit is communicable, and continuing, when the first and second communication units are switched based on a detection result therefrom, transmission/reception of the data which is performed before the switching.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A head separated type imaging apparatus comprising a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the main unit processing an image signal transmitted from the head unit,
 wherein the head unit comprises:
 a rechargeable battery; and 
 a first memory configured to store correction data of the image signal; and 
   wherein the main unit comprises:
 a first terminal configured to connect the head unit to receive the image signal; 
 a plurality of second terminals configured to charge the rechargeable battery of the head unit, the second terminals being provided at positions different from the first terminal and charge the rechargeable batteries; and 
 a control unit configured to establish wired communication upon a detection of a connection of the head unit to one of the plurality of second terminals, and obtain the correction data from the first memory during charging of the rechargeable battery. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first memory is configured to store an identifier;   wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the correction data after obtaining the identifier from the first memory.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the main unit further comprises;
 a counter configured to count number of data transmitted by the wired communication; and 
   wherein the main unit is configured to continue transmission/reception of the data based on number of count of the counter.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the main unit further comprises;
 a second memory configured to store initialization data of the head; and 
   wherein the control unit is configured to transmit the initialization data stored in the second memory to the head after obtaining the correction data from the first memory.   
     
     
         5 . An operation method using a head separated type imaging apparatus comprising a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the main unit processing an image signal transmitted from the head unit, the method comprising:
 establishing wired communication upon a detection of a connection of the head unit to one of plurality of second terminals configured to charge a rechargeable battery of the head unit, the second terminals being provided at positions different from a first terminal configured to connect the head unit to receive the image signal; and   obtaining correction data of the image signal stored in the head unit during charging of the rechargeable battery.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 ,
 obtaining the correction data after obtaining an identifier from the first memory.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the main unit further comprises;
 a counter configured to count number of data transmitted by the wired communication; and 
   continuing transmission/reception of the data based on number of count of the counter.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 ,
 transmitting initialization data stored in the main unit to the head after obtaining the correction data.   
     
     
         9 . A head separated type endoscope apparatus comprising a head unit and a main unit which are separated, the head unit including a scope to be inserted into a subject to be inspected and imaging an inside of the subject to be inspected and the main unit processing an image signal transmitted from the head unit,
 wherein the head unit comprises:
 a rechargeable battery; and 
 a first memory configured to store correction data of the image signal; and 
   wherein the main unit comprises:
 a first terminal configured to connect the head unit to receive the image signal; 
 a plurality of second terminals configured to charge the rechargeable battery of the head unit, the second terminals being provided at positions different from the first terminal and charge the rechargeable batteries; and 
 a control unit configured to establish wired communication upon a detection of a connection of the head unit to one of the plurality of second terminals, and obtain the correction data from the first memory during charging of the rechargeable battery. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the first memory is configured to store an identifier;   wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the correction data after obtaining the identifier from the first memory.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the main unit further comprises;
 a counter configured to count number of data transmitted by the wired communication; and 
   wherein the main unit is configured to continue transmission/reception of the data based on number of count of the counter.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the main unit further comprises;
 a second memory configured to store initialization data of the head; and 
   wherein the control unit is configured to transmit the initialization data stored in the second memory to the head after obtaining the correction data from the first memory.