Patent ID: 7471310

Claim:
A video imaging system comprising: a camera control unit processing a continuous stream of digital video data; a cable, connected to said camera control unit, for transmitting the stream of digital video data to said camera control unit; and a camera head, connected to said cable, for providing the stream of digital video data, said camera head including; an imager, for generating an analog stream of video data; a timing generator, generating a timing signal particular to said camera head, the timing signal actuating said imager and sent to said camera control unit; a converter, for converting the analog stream of video data into the stream of digital video data; a serializer, for serializing the stream of digital video data for transmission over said cable; at least one digital serial driver; a processor; and a memory device, accessible by said processor, containing camera head information; said camera control unit having at least one digital serial receiver and is controlled based at least in part upon said timing signal particular to said camera head.