Patent ID: 7738034

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: an imaging device including an illumination unit, an imaging unit for taking an image of a subject, and a control unit for controlling the illumination unit, and converting image information obtained by the imaging unit into a differential image signal to output the differential image signal; the image processing apparatus further comprising: a main body unit for receiving the differential image signal from the control unit to perform a predetermined process, and converting a control command for controlling the illumination unit or the imaging unit into a differential control signal to output the differential control signal; and a single signal cable for transmitting the differential image signal and the differential control signal, wherein the signal cable includes: a signal line pair for transmitting the differential image signal from the control unit to the main body unit; and a signal line pair for transmitting the differential control signal from the main body unit to the control unit, wherein the illumination unit and the imaging unit are accommodated in different casings from each other; the control unit converts the differential control signal back into the control command, controls the imaging unit based on the control command when the control command indicates control to the imaging unit, and generates an instruction signal according to the control command to transmit to the illumination unit when the control command indicates control to the illumination unit; the illumination unit includes a motion control unit for controlling motion of the illumination unit according to the instruction signal; the illumination unit and the control unit are connected via a second signal cable or are directly connected via connectors; and the instruction signal outputted from the control unit and to be transmitted to the illumination unit is transmitted to the motion control unit of the illumination unit through the second signal cable or the connectors.