Patent ID: 6697116
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An observation apparatus for observing an observation object, comprising:a light-emitting portion for shining light onto the observation object; image detection means for receiving light reflected from or passing through the observation object; light emission period establishing means for establishing a light emission period for the light-emitting portion; and light emission control means which activates the light-emitting portion to emit light synchronous with a vertical synchronizing signal of the image detection means, and which terminates the emission of light from the light-emitting portion after the established light emission period has elapsed; wherein the light emission period establishing means is equipped with a preset portion for storing an initial value, and a counter portion which inputs the initial value and carries out a subtraction process in which the initial value is reduced by 1 each time a clock signal is inputted, the counter portion having a value N, in which the light emission control means activates the light-emitting portion to emit light when N>0 and terminates light emission from the light emitting portion when N&lE;0.