Patent ID: 7158323

Claim:
An optical filter switching apparatus for switching low pass optical filters for use in an optical instrument for converting externally input image information into video image information and outputting the video image information, wherein the apparatus comprises: an optical filter holding section for holding a first optical filter for transmitting at least light of a first wavelength band in the image information and a second optical filter for transmitting light of a second wavelength band in the image information; an actuator having a rotary solenoid which rotates between a first position for retaining the optical filter holding section at a first optical filter setting position so that the first filter is positioned in the path of the image information and a second position for retaining the optical filter holding section at a second optical filter setting position so that the second filter is positioned in the path of the image information, and a rotational power transmission section located between a shaft of the rotary solenoid and the optical filter holding section to transmit the rotational force of the rotary solenoid to the optical filter holding section, wherein the rotational power transmission section comprises a first rotary lever secured to one end of the shaft of the rotary solenoid, and a second rotary lever rotatably secured to a first plate in such a manner that the second rotary lever transmits the rotational force of the first rotary lever to the optical filter holding section, the optical filter holding section being fixed to the first plate; and a microprocessor for controlling the rotary solenoid of the actuator in accordance with at least one of an input signal which is externally input and a power level of the video image information, so that the rotary solenoid is rotated to at least one of the first and second positions.