Patent ID: 7316646

Claim:
A video imaging system for viewing an area to be viewed, the system comprising: an endoscopic device, for transmitting illuminating light to and transmitting reflected light from, an area to be viewed; a camera, coupled to the endoscopic device, said camera generating image data based upon the received reflected light, said camera including: camera information relating to said camera; and a multiplexer; a camera control unit generating a command signal for operating said camera based on received camera information; a light source, coupled to said camera control unit, for generating illuminating light; a cable, coupling said camera to said camera control unit, said cable including: a pair of wires, for transmitting the image data and for transmitting camera information from said camera to said camera control unit; and a light guide, coupled to said light source, for transmitting illuminating light from said light source to said camera; said image data, the command signal and camera information multiplexed on said pair of wires.