Abstract:
An electronic endoscope system has a video-scope, a video-processor, and a liquid supply apparatus. The video-scope has a liquid transmitting tube for spouting liquid from a tip of the video-scope, and is detachably and electrically connected to the video-processor. The liquid supply apparatus is electrically connectable to the video-processor, and has a container for storing liquid and a liquid supplier that supplies the liquid in the container to the liquid transmitting tube. A liquid jet performance member for spouting the liquid is provided on the video-scope. A liquid jet performance detector detects operational status of the liquid jet performance member, and a liquid jet performance transmitter feeds a control signal regarding the operational status of the liquid jet performance member to the liquid supply apparatus. The liquid supplier supplies the liquid in the container to the liquid transmitting tube in accordance with the control signal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system having a video-scope with an image sensor, and a video-processor. Especially, the present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system with a video-scope having a water transmitting tube for spouting water from the tip of the video-scope, and a water supply apparatus for supplying water to the water transmitting tube.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In the prior art, to wash the observed portion in an organ, a water-jet-nozzle is formed at the tip of the video-scope and an exclusive water transmitting tube is provided through the video-scope. The water transmitting tube extends from the tip portion to an operating portion, and an inlet for the water transmitting tube is formed on the operating portion. When the water is injected into the inlet, the water jets from the water-jet-nozzle. Further, other liquid can be injected into the inlet in place of the water as required.  
           [0005]    Various instruments for supplying water to the water transmitting tube are connectable to the inlet. For example, a physiological saline can be supplied with an injector or a water supply apparatus. In the case of the water supply apparatus, a switch for supplying the water is provided on a front panel, or is connected to the water supply apparatus as a foot switch. When supplying the water, the switch is operated.  
           [0006]    During the operation or inspection, the operator (doctor) manipulates the tip of the video-scope by handling the operating portion, and operates a plurality of switch buttons provided on the operating portion. Accordingly, when spouting the water, the operator must discontinue the operation of the endoscope to operate the switch for supplying the water. Further, accurately adjusting the amount of the water while handling the operating portion is difficult.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope system that is capable of properly spouting liquid from the tip of a video-scope without obstructing the operation of the video-scope.  
           [0008]    An electronic endoscope system according to the present invention has a video-scope, a video-processor, and a liquid supply apparatus. The video-scope has an image sensor, and a liquid transmitting tube for spouting liquid from the tip of the video-scope. The liquid transmitting tube is different from water and air transmitting tubes, which are provided through the video-scope to wash an objective lens. The liquid transmitting tube extends from the tip portion to the operating portion. Liquid, such as water, is injected in an inlet formed in the operating portion, so that liquid jets from a nozzle formed at the tip portion.  
           [0009]    The video-processor processes image signals read from the image sensor to display the subject image on a monitor, which is connected to the video-processor. The video-scope is detachably and electrically connected to the video-processor. The liquid supply apparatus is electrically connectable to the video-processor, and has a container for storing liquid. The container is spatially connectable to the liquid transmitting tube. The liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid supplier that supplies the liquid in the container to the liquid transmitting tube. For example, the liquid supply apparatus has a rotary pump, a motor, and a tube. The liquid in the container flows through the tube and is fed to the liquid transmitting tube by the rotation of the pump.  
           [0010]    In the present invention, a liquid jet performance member for spouting the liquid is provided on the video-scope. Preferably, the liquid jet performance member is provided on an operating portion of the video-scope. For example, the liquid jet performance member is a switch button, a dial switch, a slide switch, or a switch lever. The operator operates the liquid jet performance member when spouting the liquid. Further, the electronic endoscope system has a liquid jet performance detector, and a liquid jet performance transmitter. The liquid jet performance detector detects the operational status of the liquid jet performance member. When the operation of the liquid jet performance member is detected, the liquid jet performance transmitter feeds a control signal for informing the operational status of the liquid jet performance member to the liquid supply apparatus. Then, the liquid supplier supplies the liquid in the container to the liquid transmitting tube in accordance with the control signal.  
           [0011]    As the operator only has to operate the member provided at the video-scope when spouting the liquid, the operator can wash the observed portion without discontinuing the operation or inspection. Further, as a finger or a thumb is used when operating the member, the operator can properly control the supply of the liquid.  
           [0012]    A liquid supply system for an endoscope according to the present invention has a video-scope, a liquid supply apparatus, and a liquid jet performance member. The video-scope has an image sensor and a liquid transmitting tube for spouting liquid from a tip of the video-scope. The liquid transmitting tube extends from the tip to an operating portion of the video-scope. The liquid supply apparatus is electrically connected to the video-scope, and has a container for storing liquid and a liquid supplier that supplies the liquid in the container to the liquid transmitting tube. The liquid jet performance member for spouting the liquid is provided on the video-scope. The liquid supplier supplies the liquid when the liquid jet performance member is operated. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The present invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention set fourth below together with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope system of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a water supply apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a water supply process, performed at a system control circuit in a video-processor of FIG. 2.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a view showing a flowchart of the water supply process, performed at a system control circuit in water supply apparatus of FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic endoscope system according to a present embodiment.  
         [0021]    In the electronic endoscope system, a video-scope  10  and a video-processor  100  are provided. A monitor  150  for displaying an observed subject image, a video recorder  160  for recording the subject image, a printer  170  for printing the subject image, and a keyboard  134  for inputting character information are respectively connected to the video-processor  100 .  
         [0022]    A video-scope  10  has a bending portion  18  including a rigid tip portion  14 , a flexible inserting portion  17 , an operating portion  16  with a operating lever  16 D for manipulating the bending portion  18 , a connecting tube  12  for electrically and optically connecting the video-scope  10  with the video-processor  100 , and a connector  15 . The video-scope  10  is detachably connected to the video-processor  100  via the connecting tube  12  and the connector  15 , the connector  15  being attached to a connecting portion  102  formed on the video-processor  100 . A water supply apparatus  20  is spatially connectable to the video-scope  10  via a scope-connecting tube  52 , which is connected to a water inlet  11  of the video-scope  10 . Further, the water supply apparatus  20  is electrically connectable to the video-processor  100  via a signal cable  104 . When the operation or inspection is started, the operator handles the operating portion  16  of the video-scope  10 , and the inserting portion  17  is inserted into a body.  
         [0023]    In the video-scope  10 , a water transmitting tube  13  is provided between the water inlet  11  and the tip portion  14 . When water is injected into the water inlet  11 , the water flows through the water transmitting tube  13 , and jets from a water jet nozzle  14 A formed in the tip portion  14 , which is the distal portion of the water transmitting tube  13 . The water transmitting tube  13  is different from the water and air supplying tubes (not shown), which are formed between the connector  15  and the tip portion  14 . The water and air supplying tubes are used to remove a dust (obstructions) on an objective lens (not shown) provided at the tip portion  14 , or wash the objective lens. The water transmitting tube  13  is an exclusive tube for spouting the liquid from the tip portion  14  toward the observed portion in the organ. A forceps tube (not shown) is provided between a forceps inlet CP and the tip portion  14 . The forceps tube is used to treat a diseased portion.  
         [0024]    On the operating portion  16 , in addition to the operating lever  16 D, a VTR and water supply switch button  16 A (hereinafter, designated as “a first switch button”), a copy and water supplying up switch button  16 B (hereinafter, designated as “a second switch button”), a freeze and water supplying down switch button  16 C (hereinafter, designated as “a third switch button”) are provided. The first switch button  16 A is a switch button for recording the subject image in the video recorder  160  as a moving image, and for supplying the water. The second switch button  16 B is a switch button for printing the subject image at the printer  170 , and, as described later, for raising the flow-velocity of the water jetting from the water jet nozzle  14 A. The third switch button  16 C is a switch button for recording and displaying the subject image as a still image, and for lowering the flow-velocity of the water. The first, second, and third switch buttons  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C are respectively operated by a thumb, an index finger, and a middle finger of the left hand of the operator.  
         [0025]    The scope connecting tube  52  is a flexible tube, and first and second connectors  52 A and  52 B are provided at the opposite ends of the scope connecting tube  52 . The first connector  52 A is connected to the water inlet  11  of the video-scope  10 , whereas the second connector  52 B is connected to an outlet  23 B of the water supply apparatus  20 . The water supply apparatus  20  has a tank  40 , which stores water for washing the observed portion in the organ. A tank tube  50  is inserted into the tank  40 , and is connected to an inlet  23 A on the water supply apparatus  20 . The water in the tank  40  is fed to the inside of the water supply apparatus  20  via the tank tube  50 . Note that, in this embodiment, water is stored in the tank  40 , however, other liquids may be stored in the tank  40  in place of the water.  
         [0026]    A disk-shaped rotating pump  21  is provided in the water supply apparatus  20 . A motor (herein, not shown) drives the pump  21  to supply the water in the tank  40  to the video-scope  10 , namely, the water transmitting tube  13 . Further, a coupling tube  25  for connecting the water inlet  23 A and the water outlet  23 B is provided in the water supply apparatus  20 , so that the tank  40  is spatially connected to the water transmitting tube  13  via the tank tube  50 , the coupling tube  25 , and the scope connecting tube  52 . The construction of the pump  21  is the same as a rotary type pump, which is used for supplying liquid medicine. Namely, the coupling tube  25  is tightly arranged along the circumference of the rotary pump  21 , and pressing members (not shown) are arranged along the circumference of the pump  21  at regular intervals, so that the coupling tube  52  is pressed along the radial direction by the pressing members  52 . Accordingly, when the pump  21  rotates, the water in the tank  40  is sucked up by the force, which operates between the pressing members and the coupling tube  25 . The sucked water flows through the tank tube  50 , the coupling tube  25 , and the scope connecting tube  52  toward the water transmitting tube  13 .  
         [0027]    On a front panel of the water supply apparatus  20 , a flow-velocity setting switch  27 , a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  26 , and a main electric power switch  31  are provided. Further, a foot switch inlet  28  for connecting a foot switch  22  is provided. The flow-velocity setting switch  27  is a dial switch for setting the flow-velocity of the water spouted in the organ, namely, the amount of the water fed to the inside of the organ per minute. In this embodiment, five values of the flow-velocity can be set by the operator. While the flow-velocity is set by the operator, the flow-velocity is displayed on the LCD  26 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope system.  
         [0029]    A lamp  112  provided in the video-processor  100  radiates light, which enters into an incidence surface of a fiber-optic bundle (not shown) via a stop  116 . The fiber-optic bundle transmits the light to the tip portion  14  so that the light is radiated from the tip portion  14 , and the subject (observed portion) is illuminated by the radiated light.  
         [0030]    Light reflected on the subject passes through an objective lens (not shown) provided in the tip portion  14 , and reaches an image sensor (for example, CCD (Charge-Coupled Device))  19 . Consequently, the subject image is formed on the image sensor  19 . In this embodiment, for the color imaging process, an on-chip color filter method using a single color filter is applied. On a photo-sensitive area of the image sensor  19 , a color filter (not shown), checkered by four color elements of Yellow (Y), Magenta (M), Cyan (C), and Green (G), is arranged such that the four color elements are opposite the pixels arranged in the photo-sensitive area. In the image sensor  19 , color image signals, corresponding to light passing through the color filter, are generated by the photoelectric transformation effect. The generated color image signals are read from the image sensor  19  at regular time intervals in accordance with the so called “color difference line sequential system”. In this embodiment, the NTSC standard is applied as the color TV standard, accordingly, one field (frame) worth of image signals is read from the image sensor  19  at {fraction (1/60)} ( {fraction (1/30)}) of a second time intervals, and is then fed to an initial signal processing circuit 55.    
         [0031]    In the initial signal processing circuit  55 , various processes are performed for the image signals, so that video signals including luminance signals and color difference signals are generated. The generated video signals are fed from the initial signal processing circuit  55  to a latter signal processing circuit  128  in the video-processor  100 , and luminance signals are further fed to a system control circuit  122 . A frame memory (not shown) for storing the one frame worth of image signals is provided in the latter signal processing circuit  128 . The video signals are temporarily stored in the frame memory and a given process is then performed for the video signals. The processed video signals are output to the monitor  150  as NTSC composite signals, S-video signals, and R, G, B component signals. Thus, the subject image is displayed on the monitor  150 .  
         [0032]    The system control circuit  122  including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls the video-processor  100  and feeds control signals to a lamp controlling circuit  111 , the latter signal processing circuit  128 , and so on. In a timing control circuit  130 , clock pulses are output to each circuit in the video-processor  100 , and synchronizing signals to be interleaved in the video signals are fed to the latter signal processing circuit  128 . The stop  116 , which is provided between the incident surface of the fiber-optic bundle and the lamp  112 , is opened and closed by a motor (not shown). The system control circuit  122  outputs driving signals to the motor via a peripheral driver  129  in accordance with the fed luminance signals, thus the stop  116  opens or closes such that the amount of light illuminating the subject becomes constant.  
         [0033]    A scope controller  56 , provided in the video-scope  10 , controls the video-scope  10 , namely, outputs control signals to the initial signal processing circuit  55  and reads data from an EEPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmable ROM), which is not shown in FIG. 2. When the video-scope  10  is connected to the video-processor  100 , data is communicated between the scope controller  56  and the system control circuit  122 . Namely, data associated with the video-scope  10  is fed to the system control circuit  122  and data associated with the video-processor  100  is fed to the scope-controller  56 .  
         [0034]    On a front panel  123  of the video-processor  100 , a plurality of switch buttons, such as a setting switch button for setting a reference luminance level, are provided. When the operator operates a given switch button, an operating signal is fed to the system control circuit  122 .  
         [0035]    The water supply apparatus  20  is electrically connected to the system control circuit  122  in the video-processor  100  via the signal cable  104 , and the keyboard  134  is also connected to the system control circuit  122 . Further, the first, second, and third switch buttons  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C on the video-processor  10  are electrically connected to the system control circuit  122  via the scope controller  56 . When the water supply apparatus  20  is not connected to the video-processor  100 , the first switch button  16 A functions as a switch button for recording the subject image in the video recorder  160 , the second switch button  16 B functions as a switch button for printing the subject image on the printer  170 , and the third switch button  16 C functions as a switch button for displaying the subject image on the monitor  150  and recording the still image.  
         [0036]    When the first switch button  16 A is pressed, an ON signal corresponding to the first switch button  16 A is input to the system control circuit  122 . In the system control circuit  122 , a control signal is output to the latter signal processing circuit  128  such that the NTSC composite signals are fed to the video recorder  160 . Thus, the subject image is recorded as a moving image in the video recorder  160 . On the other hand, when the thumb of the operator is detached from the first switch button  16 A, an OFF signal is input to the system control circuit  122 .  
         [0037]    When the second switch button  16 B is pressed, an ON signal corresponding to the second switch button  16 B is input to the system control circuit  122 . In the system control circuit  122 , a control signal is output to the latter signal processing circuit  128  such that the R, G, B component signals are fed to the printer  170 . Thus, the subject image is printed at the printer  170 .  
         [0038]    When the third switch button  16 C is pressed, an ON signal corresponding to the third switch button  16 C is input to the system control circuit  122 . In the system control circuit  122 , a control signal is output to the latter signal processing circuit  128  such that a specific one frame worth of video signals is stored in the frame memory, and is then continuously fed to the monitor  150 . Thus, the still image is displayed on the monitor  150 . Further, the one frame memory stored in the frame memory is stored in an image memory (not shown) in the video-processor  100 .  
         [0039]    On the other hand, when the water supply apparatus  20  is connected to the video-processor  100 , the first switch button  16 A functions as a switch button for supplying the water, the second switch button  16 B functions as a switch button for raising the flow velocity of the water, and the third switch button  16 C functions as a switch button for lowering the flow velocity. When the first switch button  16 A, the second switch button  16 B, or the third switch button  16 C is pressed, a corresponding control signal is fed from the system control circuit  122  to the water supply apparatus  20 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the water supply apparatus  20 .  
         [0041]    A system control circuit  35  including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls the water supply apparatus  20 . The foot switch  22 , the flow-velocity setting switch  27 , and the LCD  26  are respectively connected to the system control circuit  35 . When the foot-switch  22 , or flow-velocity setting switch  27  is operated, a corresponding signal is fed to the system control circuit  35 . In the case of the flow-velocity setting switch  27 , the flow-velocity set by the operator is temporarily stored in a RAM  39 . The LCD  26  has an LCD panel, an LCD driver, and a backlight (all not shown). The system control circuit  35  outputs a control signal to the LCD driver in accordance with the data of the flow-velocity stored in the RAM  39 . The LCD driver controls the LCD panel and the backlight is turned ON, so that the flow-velocity is displayed on the LCD  26 . Electric power is supplied to each circuit in the water supply apparatus  20  by an electric power supply circuit  38 .  
         [0042]    When the foot switch  22  is operated, the system control circuit  35  outputs a control signal so that the motor  41  rotates in accordance with the set flow-velocity. While the foot switch is continuously pressed, the water in the tank  40  flows toward the water transmitting tube  13 . When the operator separates his foot from the foot switch  22 , the system control circuit  35  outputs a control signal to stop the pump  21 . As described above, when the water supply apparatus  20  is connected to the video-processor  100 , the first switch button  16 A on the video-scope  10  is operated for supplying the water to the water transmitting tube  13 . Similarly to the foot switch  22 , the water in the tank  40  is supplied while the first switch button  16 A is pressed.  
         [0043]    The motor  41  is a direct current motor, which is driven in accordance with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control. The pump  21  rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor  41 . A motor driver  37  feeds a driving signal to the motor  41  in accordance with a control signal fed from the system control circuit  35 . The rotating speed of the motor  41  depends upon the flow velocity set by the flow-velocity setting switch  27 .  
         [0044]    In this embodiment, as shown in a following table T, a relationship between the flow-velocity of the water, which is set by the flow-velocity setting switch  27  (or the second and third switch buttons  16 B and  16 C), and the rotating speed of the motor  41 , is stored in a ROM  36  as data in advance. The table T is also stored in a ROM (not shown) included in the system control circuit  122  of the video-processor  100 , to display the flow-velocity on the monitor  150 .  
                                     TABLE T                               FLOW-VELOCITY       ROTATING SPEED   MOTOR POWER (%)   Li (ml/sec)                                V1   100   10.0       V2   85   8.5       V3   70   7.0       V4   55   5.5       V5   40   4.0                  
 
         [0045]    In the table T, the corresponding relationship between five flow-velocities Li and the corresponding five rotating speeds of the motor  41  and the corresponding five power rates of the motor  41 , is shown. The rotating speed of the motor  41  is defined on the basis of the table T. For example, when the flow-velocity Li is set to “10.0 ml”, the motor  41  is driven such that the power rate of the motor  41  becomes 100%. Namely, the motor  41  rotates at the maximum speed “V 1 ”.  
         [0046]    The flow-velocity increases or decreases step by step by rotating the dial type flow-velocity setting switch  27  step by step. On the other hand, when the video-processor  100  is connected to the water supply apparatus  20 , the flow-velocity increases or decreases every time the operator presses the second switch button  16 B or third switch button  16 C.  
         [0047]    When the motor  41  is driven, the rotating speed of the motor  41  is detected by an encoder  42 . Then, a voltage signal corresponding to the rotating speed is fed to the system control circuit  35 . To perform the feedback control for the motor  41 , a difference between the set rotating speed and the detected rotating speed is calculated in the system control circuit  35 , and a control signal corresponding to the difference is fed to the motor driver  37 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a water supply process, performed in the system control circuit  122  in the video-processor  100 . When a main electric power switch (not shown) is turned ON, the water supply process is performed.  
         [0049]    In Step S 101 , it is determined whether the signal cable  104  is connected to the video-processor  100 . When it is determined that the signal cable  104  is connected to the video-processor  100 , the process goes to Step S 102 . In Step S 102 , the first switch button  16 A is set to the switch button for performing the water supply, the second switch button  16 B is set to the switch button for raising the flow-velocity, and the third switch button  16 C is set to the switch button for lowering the flow-velocity. Further, the value of the flow-velocity, determined in the water supply apparatus  20 , is fed to the system control circuit  122  as data. After Step S 102  is performed, the process goes to Step S 103 , wherein it is determined whether the first switch button  16  A is pressed to perform the water supply.  
         [0050]    When it is determined that the ON signal of the first switch button  16 A is detected, namely, the first switch button  16 A is pressed in Step S 103 , the process goes to Step S 104 . In Step S 104 , a signal for informing that the first switch button  16 A is pressed (hereinafter, designated as a “first ON signal”), is fed from the system control circuit  122  to the system control circuit  35  in the water supply apparatus  20 . After Step S 104  is performed, the process goes to Step S 105 , wherein it is determined whether the operator detaches thumb from the first switch button  16 A to suspend, or finish the water supply.  
         [0051]    When it is determined that the OFF signal of the first switch button  16 A is detected in Step S 105 , namely, the operator has ceased pressing the first switch button  16 A, the process goes to Step S 106 , wherein a signal for informing that the first switch button  16 A is not pressed (hereinafter, designated as a “first OFF signal”), is fed from the system control circuit  122  to the system control circuit  35  in the water supply apparatus  20 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the OFF signal is not detected, because the first switch button  16 A is continuously being pressed, Step S 105  is repeatedly performed until the OFF signal is detected. After Step S 106  is performed, the process returns to Step S 101 .  
         [0052]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the first switch button  16 A is not pressed in Step S 103 , the process goes to Step S 107 , wherein it is determined whether the second switch button  16 B is pressed for raising the flow-velocity.  
         [0053]    When it is determined that the second switch button  16 B is pressed in Step S 107 , the process goes to Step S 108 , wherein a signal for informing that the second switch button  16 B is pressed (hereinafter, designated as a “second signal”), is fed to the system control circuit  35  in the water supply apparatus  20 . After Step S 108  is performed, the process goes to Step S 109 .  
         [0054]    In Step S 109 , the flow-velocity changed by operating the second switch button  16 B is displayed on the monitor  150 . Namely, in the system control circuit  122  of the video-processor  100 , a character signal corresponding to the flow-velocity changed by the second switch button  16 B is generated in accordance with the table T and the flow-velocity data fed from the water supply apparatus  20 . The generated character signal is fed to the latter signal processing circuit  128  at a given timing, and the character signal is superimposed in the video signals. Consequently, the changed flow-velocity is displayed on the monitor  150  in addition to the subject image. After Step S 109  is performed, the process goes to Step S 101 .  
         [0055]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the second switch button  16 B is not pressed in Step S 107 , the process goes to Step S 110 , wherein it is determined whether the third switch button  16 C is pressed. When it is determined that the third switch button  16 C is not pressed, the process returns to Step S 101 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the third switch button  16 C is pressed, the process goes to Step S 111 .  
         [0056]    In Step S 111 , a signal for informing that the third switch button  16 C is pressed (hereinafter, designated as a “third signal”), is fed to the system control circuit  35  in the water supply apparatus  20 . Then, in Step S 112 , similarly to Step S 109 , the flow-velocity, changed by the third switch button  16 C, is displayed on the monitor  150 . After Step S 112  is performed, the process returns to Step S 101 .  
         [0057]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal cable  104  is not connected to the video-processor  100  in Step S 101 , the process goes to Step S 113 . In Step S 113 , the first switch button  16 A is set as the switch button for recording the subject image as a moving image, the second switch button  16 B is set as the switch button for printing the subject image, and the third switch button  16 C is set as the switch button for displaying and recording the still subject image. In Step S 114 , a signal process corresponding to the pressed switch button is performed. After Step S 114  is performed, the process returns to Step S 101 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 5 is a view showing a flowchart of the water supply process, performed at the system control circuit  35  in water supply apparatus  20 . When the electric power switch of the water supply apparatus is turned ON, the water supply process is started.  
         [0059]    In Step  201 , it is determined whether the water supply apparatus  20  is connected to the video-processor  100  via the signal cable  104 . When it is determined that the water supply apparatus  20  is not connected to the video-processor  100 , the process goes to Step S 213 , wherein the water supply process, which has no relation to the operation of the first, second, and third switch button  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C, is performed. On the other hand, when the water supply apparatus  20  is connected to the video-processor  100 , the process goes to Step S 202 .  
         [0060]    In Step S 202 , data associated with the flow-velocity is fed to the system control circuit  122  in the video-processor  100 . Herein, the initial value of the flow-velocity is set to “7.0 ml/sec”. Then, the process goes to Step S 203 . In Step S 203 , it is determined whether the first ON signal is fed from the system control circuit  122  of the video-processor  100  to the system control circuit  35 . The first ON signal is a signal for informing that the first switch button  16 A is pressed, as described above (See Step S 104 ).  
         [0061]    When it is determined that the first ON signal is fed from the system control circuit  122  in Step S 203 , the process goes to Step S 204 , wherein a control signal for rotating the motor  41  is fed from the system control circuit  35  to the motor driver  37 . Thus, the water in the tank  40  flows through the water transmitting tube  13  and jets from the tip portion  14 . After Step S 204  is performed, the process goes to Step S 205 .  
         [0062]    In Step S 205 , it is determined whether the first OFF signal (See Step S 106 ) is fed from the system control circuit  122  in the video-processor  100 . When it is determined that the first OFF signal is not fed from the system control circuit  122 , Step S 205  is repeatedly performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first OFF signal is fed from the system control circuit  122 , the process goes to Step S 206 , wherein a control signal for stopping the motor  41  is fed from the system control circuit  35  to the motor driver  41 . Consequently, the pump  21  stops and the water supply is terminated. After Step S 206  is performed, the process goes to Step S 201 .  
         [0063]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the first ON signal is not fed from the system control circuit  122  in Step S 203 , the process goes to Step S 207 , wherein it is determined whether the second signal (See Step S 108 ) is fed from the system control circuit  122  of the video-processor  100 .  
         [0064]    When it is determined that the second signal is fed from the system control circuit  122  in Step S 207 , the process goes to Step S 208 , wherein the flow-velocity is raised by one step in accordance with the table T. Then, in Step S 209 , the changed flow-velocity is displayed on the LCD  26  of the water supply apparatus  20 . After Step S 209  is performed, the process goes to Step S 201 .  
         [0065]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the second signal is not fed from the system control circuit  122  at Step S 207 , the process goes to Step S 210 . In Step S 210 , it is determined whether the third signal (See Step S 111 ) is fed from the system control circuit  122  of the video-processor  100 . When it is determined that the third signal is fed from the system control circuit  122 , the process goes to Step S 211 , wherein the flow-velocity is lowered by one step. Then, in Step S 212 , the changed flow-velocity is displayed on the LCD  26 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the third signal is not fed from the system control circuit  122 , the process returns to Step S 201 .  
         [0066]    In this way, in this embodiment, the first switch button  16 A functions as the button for supplying and spouting the water. Further, the second and third switch buttons  16 B and  16 C function as the buttons for changing the flow-velocity. When the first switch button  16 A is pressed, the signal for performing the water supply is fed to the water supply apparatus  20 . Thus, the motor  41  operates to rotate the pump  21 . On the other hand, when the second switch button  16 B or third switch button  16 C is pressed, a signal for changing the flow-velocity is fed to the water supply apparatus  20 . Thus, the flow-velocity is changed. At this time, the changed flow-velocity is displayed on the monitor  150 , in addition to the LCD  26  of the water supply apparatus  20 .  
         [0067]    Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of the device, and that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.  
         [0068]    The present disclosure relates to subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-265305 (filed on Sep. 3, 2001) which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.