Patent ID: 7822248

Claim:
An endoscope processor, comprising: a signal receiver that receives an image signal, said image signal being generated based on an optical image captured at a light receiving surface on an imaging device, said image signal comprising a plurality of pixel signals, said pixel signals being generated by a plurality of pixels according to amounts of received light, a plurality of said pixels being arranged on said light receiving surface on said imaging device; and a standard value calculator that calculates a standard value using a focused pixel signal and surrounding pixel signals, said focused pixel signal being said pixel signal of a focused pixel, said surrounding pixel signals being said pixel signals of surrounding pixels, said focused pixel being each said pixel designated one by one, said surrounding pixels surrounding said focused pixel, said standard value being used for carrying out signal processing on said focused pixel signal; and a signal processor that calculates a signal difference value which is the difference between the signal level of said focused pixel signal and said standard value, calculates an emphasized value by multiplying said signal difference value by a predetermined gain, and converts said image signal into an emphasized image signal by replacing said focused pixel signal with a signal corresponding to the sum of said standard value and said emphasized value, and said standard value being the average of the signal levels of said focused pixel signal and said surrounding pixel signals.