Patent ID: 6685631
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electronic endoscope system having a variable power function, comprising:an objective optical system for optically magnifying an image to be observed by using a variable power lens; an electronic variable power circuit for electronically magnifying an image obtained via an image pick-up element by signal processing; common variable power operating means for operating optical variable power and electronic variable power; switching point setting means for setting a depth of field at the switching time between optical variable power and electronic variable power at an arbitrary value; a control circuit which continuously operates optical variable power and electronic variable power based on the operation of said variable power operating means, and controls the switching between optical variable power and electronic variable power with said arbitrary value of a depth of field being a switching point; and wherein said switching point setting means sets the depth of field at the arbitrary value by an operating member on an operating section.