Patent ID: 7427747

Claim:
An optical image pickup apparatus, comprising: at least one light source; a probe having at least one optical scanning means for scanning light emitted from the light source to a target; waveform signal generating means for generating a drive waveform for driving the optical scanning means; an optical system including first light transmitting means for irradiating light from the light source to the target and first optical detecting means for receiving return light from the target; image creating means for converting the first light from the optical system to electric signals and creating images; scanning permit generating means for generating a scanning permit signal for permitting driving of the optical scanning means; scanning state detecting means for detecting a scanning state signal indicating a driving state of the optical scanning means; and light source output control means for generating a light source output control signal and controlling the light source as far as all of the scanning permit signal and scanning state signal are valid; wherein the probe has a probe connection connector removably connected to the signal generating means, and connection detecting means for detecting a connection state of the probe connection connector and generating a connection detection signal.