JP2000217780A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of cost reduction and miniaturization by reducing excessive circuits by expanding a function of a video signal processing circuit, etc., in the middle of processing of the video signal processing circuit, etc., by bidirectionally inputting/outputting video signals, etc., and an expansion unit for expanding the function of the video signal processing circuit, etc., in the endoscope apparatus. SOLUTION: A video signal processing circuit 25 bidirectionally inputs/output the video signal with an expansion unit 71 and the expansion function due to the expansion unit 71 is inserted in the middle of processing in the video signal processing circuit 25. Namely, since the expansion unit 71 returns the video signal to the video signal processing circuit 25, it is not necessary to provide the expansion unit with a digital encoder circuit 37 or amplifier circuit 38, excessive circuits are reduced and cost reduction and miniaturization are enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus to which an expansion unit for expanding functions of a video signal processing circuit and the like can be detachably attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope apparatus which can observe a site to be inspected, such as in a body cavity, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity, etc., has been widely used. In general, an endoscope apparatus captures an image of a subject using an imaging unit such as a CCD provided at the distal end of an insertion unit, and converts an imaging signal obtained by the imaging unit into a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor by a video signal processing circuit. The video signal is rendered on a monitor device or the like. As such an endoscope device, a device capable of expanding the functions of a video signal processing circuit and the like of the endoscope device has been conventionally known. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 5-211995, when outputting video signals from an endoscope apparatus to a plurality of different types of video recording devices, a board having a control circuit individually corresponding to each model is detachably attached. The endoscope device is configured so that it can be used, and the video signal is output to a video recording device and the like via this substrate, so that the function can be extended so that the video signal can be output to various types of video recording devices and the like. Has been proposed. In addition, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338446, an endoscope apparatus is configured such that an image memory device that temporarily stores a video signal output from a video signal processing circuit of the endoscope apparatus can be detachably attached. A configuration for outputting a video signal to a monitor device via the image memory device is shown. In this configuration, by temporarily storing the video signal in the image memory device, an extended function of freezing the video drawn on the monitor device can be obtained.

[0003]

However, the substrate disclosed in JP-A-5-211995 and the substrate disclosed in JP-A-4-338446 are disclosed.
The image memory device of No. 1 is configured to output a video signal output from a video signal processing circuit to a peripheral device such as a video recording device or a display device through these extension units. However, the video signal cannot be bidirectionally input / output between the extension unit and the video signal processing circuit, and for example, there is a drawback that the function cannot be extended during the processing by the video signal processing circuit.
Further, the image memory device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338446 is
It is configured to input an analog video signal that can be displayed on a monitor from the video signal processing circuit, and it is not configured to be able to input any video signal during the processing of the video signal processing circuit, so the video signal is temporarily stored For example, an A / D conversion circuit and a D / D converter are provided before and after the storage circuit.
It is necessary to provide an A-conversion circuit and the like, and there is a disadvantage that extra circuits increase, leading to an increase in cost and an increase in size. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
By bidirectionally inputting and outputting an extension unit that expands the function of the endoscope device and a signal of any format, it is possible to expand the function during the processing of the endoscope device, and reduce unnecessary circuits, An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of reducing costs and reducing the size.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus in which an extension unit for extending the function of the endoscope apparatus is detachably mounted. Expansion slot to be installed,
A terminal provided in the extension slot for outputting a signal such as a video signal to the extension unit and a terminal for inputting the signal from the extension unit are provided.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 which is inserted into a body cavity, a duct, or the like, and observes a subject in the body cavity, a duct, or the like. The light source device 3 is configured to supply illumination light to the endoscope 2.

The endoscope 2 is provided with an elongated insertion portion 11 to be inserted into a body cavity, a duct, or the like, and is provided at a base end side of the insertion portion 11 so as to grip and operate the endoscope 2. Operation unit 12
A universal cord 13 extending from, for example, a side portion of the operation unit 12 and detachably connected to the light source device 3 by a connector 14 at an end, and an illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 to the connector 13. 14 from the light incident end fixed to the universal cord 13 and the operation unit 1
Light guide 2 which guides illumination light to the light emitting end located at the tip of the insertion portion 11 by passing through the inside of the insertion portion 11 and the inside of the insertion portion 11.
1, a light distribution optical system 22 provided at the distal end of the insertion section 11 for distributing illumination light emitted from the light guide 21 toward a subject, and a light distribution optical system 22 provided at the distal end of the insert section 11 to form a subject image. An objective optical system 23 for imaging, a CCD 24 which is an image pickup device for imaging a subject image formed by the objective optical system 23, and provided on the operation unit 12 to drive the CCD 24, And a video signal processing circuit 25 for converting the image pickup signal obtained in the above into a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor.

The video signal processing circuit 25 includes the CCD
Drive circuit 31 for generating a drive signal for driving drive 24
A CDS / AGC circuit 32 that performs a CDS (correlated double sampling) process on the image signal obtained by the CCD 24 to extract a video signal from the image signal, and performs an AGC (automatic gain control) process on the video signal; , This CDS / AGC
An A / D conversion circuit 33 that converts an analog video signal obtained by the circuit 32 into a digital video signal, and performs various video signal processing on the video signal obtained by the A / D conversion circuit 33, for example, A video signal processing DSP 34 that outputs a digital video signal in the “Y: U: V = 4: 2: 2” format
(DSP is an abbreviation for digital signal processor), a synchronizing signal generating circuit 35 for generating a synchronizing signal of a video signal,
A selection circuit 36 for selectively passing the video signal obtained by the video signal processing DSP 34 and another video signal; and digitally modulating the video signal passed through the selection circuit 36 and then D / A converting the video signal. For example, a composite video signal and
Digital encoder circuit 37 for obtaining Y / C separated video signal
Amplifies the composite video signal obtained by the digital encoder circuit 37 and outputs a video signal having an output impedance of, for example, 75Ω, and controls the video signal processing DSP 34 and the video signal processing circuit 25. And a ROM 41 for storing software to be executed by the microprocessor 40.
Has a terminal 39 for outputting the video signal obtained by the amplifier circuit 38 to, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) not shown. The various video signal processes include, for example, white balance processing, enhancement processing, gamma correction and knee processing, luminance / color signal separation processing, and the like. In the present embodiment, the selection circuit 36 is constituted by, for example, a manual switch. Further, the microprocessor 40 outputs a dimming signal for controlling the light source device 3.

The connector 14 is connected to the light guide 2.
In addition to the light incident end, for example, a terminal 51 that supplies power from the light source device 3 to the video signal processing circuit 25, and a terminal 52 that supplies a dimming signal from the microprocessor 40 to the light source device 3 , The video signal processing DSP 3
A terminal 53 for providing a digital video signal from the light source device 4 to the light source device 3, a terminal 54 for providing a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generation circuit 35 to the light source device 3, and a digital video signal from the light source device 3 to the selection circuit 36. Terminal 55
And a terminal 56 for supplying the composite video signal and the Y / C separated video signal from the digital encoder circuit 37 to the light source device 3.

The light source device 3 includes a light source lamp 61 that emits illumination light, a condensing optical system 62 that condenses illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 61 to a light incident end of the light guide 21, and the terminal A dimming circuit 63 for driving the light source lamp 61 in accordance with a dimming signal input through the
A power cable 64 extending from the light source device 3 and connecting to an external commercial power supply or a power supply device;
4, a power supply circuit 65 that supplies power to the video signal processing circuit 25 and the like via the light source circuit 3 including the dimming circuit 63 and the terminals 51 and the power supply circuit 65 via the terminal 56. Composite video signal and Y
Amplifying circuit 66 that amplifies the / C separated video signal and outputs a video signal having an output impedance of, for example, 75Ω, a composite video signal output from the amplifying circuit 66, and Y
A terminal 67 for outputting the / C separated video signal and the digital video signal input via the terminal 53 to an external device;
The endoscope apparatus 1 has an expansion slot 72 for detachably mounting an expansion unit 71 for expanding the function of the video signal processing circuit 25, for example.

The expansion slot 72 has a terminal 73 for supplying power from the power supply circuit 65 to the expansion unit 71.
A terminal 74 for outputting a digital video signal input via the terminal 53 to the extension unit 71, a terminal 75 for outputting a synchronization signal input via the terminal 54 to the extension unit 71, It has a terminal 76 for inputting a digital video signal from the extension unit 71 and outputting this digital video signal to the terminal 55.

The extension unit 71, which can be mounted in the extension slot 72, temporarily stores, for example, a digital video signal input via the terminal 74, and stores the temporarily stored digital video signal via the terminal 76. An image memory 81 for output, a memory controller 82 for controlling the image memory 81 in response to a synchronization signal input via the terminal 75, and a digital video signal output from the image memory 81 and the terminal 75 And a terminal 83 for outputting the input synchronization signal to an external device.

The power supply circuit 65 may receive power from a battery 91 which is removably mounted on the light source device 3. At this time, the battery 91 may be charged by an electromagnetic coupling type non-contact charger 92 that charges the battery 91 in a non-contact manner by, for example, electromagnetic coupling.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the extension unit 71 is mounted on the extension slot 72,
When the connector 14 of the universal cord 13 is connected to the light source device 3, the power cable 64 is connected to a commercial power supply or an external power source, or the battery 91 is attached to the light source device 3, each part of the light source device 3 including the dimming circuit 63 Then, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 65 to the video signal processing circuit 25 and the extension unit 71 via the terminal 51, and the endoscope apparatus 1 becomes operable.

When power is supplied from the power supply circuit 65, the dimming circuit 63 drives the light source lamp 61 in accordance with a dimming signal supplied from the microprocessor 40 via the terminal 52. Then, the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 61 is incident on the light incident end of the light guide 21 via the condensing optical system 62, is guided by the light guide 21, and is transmitted through the light distribution optical system 22. The light is emitted from the tip of the insertion section 11 toward the subject.

The image of the subject due to the reflected light from the illuminated subject is transmitted through the objective optical system 23 at the tip of the insertion section 11 to C
An image is formed on the image forming surface of the CD 24, and the CCD 24 is driven by a drive signal provided from the CCD drive circuit 31 to supply an image signal to the CDS / AGC circuit 32. When the imaging signal is given, the CDS / AGC circuit 32 extracts a video signal from the imaging signal, adjusts the gain, and converts this video signal into an A signal.
/ A conversion circuit 33, and the A / D conversion circuit 33
The analog video signal is converted into a digital video signal, and this digital video signal is provided to the video signal processing DSP 34. Then, the video signal processing DSP 34 performs various video signal processing on the video signal, for example, “Y: U: V = 4:
A digital video signal of the "2: 2" format is output. At this time, if the selection circuit 36 is set to pass the video signal from the video signal processing DSP 34, the video signal from the video signal processing DSP 34 is transmitted to the digital encoder circuit 37 via the selection circuit 36. The digital encoder circuit 37 outputs a composite video signal and a Y / C separated video signal. The composite signal output from the digital encoder circuit 37 is amplified while undergoing impedance conversion by the amplifier circuit 38, and is output to a display device such as an LCD (not shown) via the terminal 39, so that a subject image is drawn on the display device. .

The composite signal from the digital encoder circuit 37 is supplied to an amplifier circuit 66 of the light source device 3 through a terminal 56, is amplified while being converted in impedance, and is amplified through a terminal 67 of the light source device 3. Can be output to an external display device or video recording device (not shown). A digital video signal from the video signal processing DSP 34 is supplied to the light source device 3 via a terminal 53, and can be output to an external video signal processing device (not shown) via a terminal 67 of the light source device 3. Has become.

The above is the operation when the extension function by the extension unit 71 is not used. Next, the extension unit 7
The operation when the extended function according to No. 1 is used will be described. The power from the power supply circuit 65 is supplied to the extension unit 71 via the terminal 73 of the extension slot 72. Also,
The digital video signal and the synchronization signal given from the video signal processing circuit 25 to the light source device 3 via the terminals 53 and 54 are:
It is provided to the expansion unit 71 via the terminals 74 and 75 of the expansion slot 72. Then, the memory controller 8
2 controls the image memory 81 according to the given synchronization signal, and the image memory 81 temporarily stores the given digital video signal. Then, the digital video signal output from the image memory 81 is returned to the video signal processing circuit 25 via the terminal 76 of the expansion slot 72, the light source device 3, and the terminal 55. Here, by setting the selection circuit 36 on the side through which the video signal from the terminal 55 passes, the video signal returned from the extension unit 71 to the video signal processing circuit 25 is given to the digital encoder circuit 37. As described above, the composite video signal and the Y / C separated video signal output from the digital encoder circuit 37 are supplied to the amplification circuit 38 and the terminal 39 or the amplification circuit 66.
And output to an external device via the terminal 67.

That is, the video signal processing circuit 25 bidirectionally inputs and outputs video signals to and from the extension unit 71. At this time, the video signal processing circuit 2
The video signals that 5 inputs and outputs with the extension unit 71 are:
This is not a video signal such as a composite signal or a Y / C separation signal output from the video signal processing circuit 25 to an external device, but a video signal used during the processing of the video signal processing circuit 25. Further, since the video signal input / output by the video signal processing circuit 25 to / from the extension unit 71 is a video signal used during the processing of the video signal processing circuit 25, the extension unit 71
Alternatively, the amplifier circuits 38 and 66 and the terminals 38 and 67 need not be provided, and the circuit configuration is downsized.

Further, by configuring the image memory 81 to store a video signal in accordance with the operation timing of a freeze switch (not shown), for example,
Can provide a freeze function of a video signal as an extended function.

The extension function of the extension unit 71 is not limited to the function of extending the function of the video signal processing circuit 25, and may be used to extend any function of the endoscope apparatus 1. It may be used to extend the function of the optical circuit 63. That is, a signal input / output to / from the extension unit 71 via the extension slot 72 is not limited to a video signal, and may be an arbitrary signal. Also, the extension unit 71
May provide an interface function with a communication network. At this time, as an interface with the communication network, for example, IE
An EE1394 interface may be used.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the extension unit 71 for extending the function of the endoscope apparatus 1 and a signal of an arbitrary format are bidirectionally input / output, so that the endoscope apparatus is provided. The function can be expanded in the middle of the process 1, and the effect that unnecessary circuits can be reduced to reduce costs and reduce the size can be obtained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the present modification, the same reference numerals are given to portions configured similarly to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. In addition, only portions different in configuration from the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this modification, the extension unit 71 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is replaced with an extension unit 101, and this extension unit 101 In addition to the memory 81 and the memory controller 82, the microprocessor 81 has a microprocessor 102 that communicates with the microprocessor 40 and controls the memory controller 82, and a ROM 103 that stores software executed by the microprocessor 102. The expansion slot 72 and the connector 14
Has terminals 104 and 105 for connecting signal lines for communication between the microprocessor 40 and the microprocessor 102, respectively. Thereby, the microprocessor 40 and the microprocessor 102 can communicate with each other. Further, the selection circuit 36 of the first embodiment is replaced with a selection circuit 36a, and the selection circuit 36a is configured to be controlled by the microprocessor 40.

Next, the operation of the present modified example will be described. In this modification, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described. First, when the extension unit 101 is inserted into the extension slot 72, the microprocessor 40 and the microprocessor 102 can communicate with each other, and the microprocessor 102 sends identification information for identifying the type of the extension unit 101 to the microprocessor 40. Tell
Then, the microprocessor 40 operates the extension unit 10.
1 is attached to the expansion slot 72, and
Each part of the video signal processing circuit 25 is controlled according to the type of the extension unit 101.

For example, the extension unit 101 of the present modified example
Provides a function of temporarily storing a video signal between the video signal processing DSP 34 and the digital encoder circuit 37 as an extended function. To perform corresponding control, the digital encoder circuit 37
And a selection circuit 36a for selecting a video signal to be input to the control circuit 36a. That is, when the extension unit 101 is mounted in the extension slot 72, the microprocessor 40
6a is automatically switched, and the video signal from the extension unit 101 is input to the digital encoder circuit 37. At this time, the microprocessor 40 controls the CCD drive circuit 31 so that the CCD 24 is exposed for a long time, so that the AE (automatic exposure) operation is also performed automatically. Further, the microprocessor 102 controls each part of the extension unit 101 according to the support from the microprocessor 40.

Conversely, when the expansion unit 101 is removed from the expansion slot 72, the microprocessor 4
0, the communication between the microprocessor 102 and the microprocessor 102 is interrupted, the microprocessor 40 recognizes that the expansion unit 101 has been removed from the expansion slot, and automatically changes the state of the selection circuit 36a to the state when the expansion unit 101 is not mounted. Change.

According to the present modification described above, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect described in the first embodiment. In this modification, since the microprocessor 40 can identify the state of attachment of the extension unit 101 to the extension slot 72 and the type of the extension unit 101, the endoscope apparatus 1 The operation of each section can be automatically switched in accordance with, and operability can be improved, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, ROM 41, 10
3 is not limited to a mask ROM, but may be a PROM or an EEPROM.
And so on. Further, for example, the CCD 24 is not only built in the endoscope 2 but also built in a camera head detachably connected to an eyepiece of an endoscope having an eyepiece for emitting an optical image of a subject. There may be. Further, for example, the video signal processing circuit 25 may be configured separately from the endoscope 2 as well as being built in the endoscope 2. For example, when the camera head is attached to the endoscope, ,
The camera head may be provided, or if a video processor is provided separately from the endoscope or the camera head, the video processor may be provided. Further, for example, the expansion slot 72 may be provided not only in the light source device 3 but also in the endoscope 2, and when a video processor is provided, the expansion slot 72 may be provided in the video processor. It may be provided in another device. Also, for example, the sampling frequency of a digital video signal in Y: U: V = 4: 2: 2 format is 13.5 MHz.
Or a fundamental frequency of a drive signal for driving the CCD 24 or a frequency approximately half of the fundamental frequency.

By the way, an endoscope apparatus 1 as shown in FIG.
Of the expansion unit 201 shown in FIG.
May be configured to be attachable. This extension unit 20
Reference numeral 1 denotes a video signal obtained by the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the IEEE 1394 standard.
It converts the video signal to an interface and outputs a video signal to an external device or network (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the extension unit 201 includes a terminal 202 that receives power supply via the extension slot 72 of the endoscope device 1,
A terminal 203 for inputting a digital video signal from the endoscope device 1 via the expansion slot 72, a terminal 204 for inputting a synchronization signal from the endoscope 1 via the expansion slot 72, and an external device or network (not shown). A terminal 205 for outputting a video signal through an IEEE interface, an input interface circuit 211 for interfacing an input digital video signal and a synchronizing signal,
It comprises an IEEE 1394 interface circuit 212 for outputting a 94 interface signal, a DMA controller for transferring a video signal from the input interface circuit 211 to the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 212, and a microprocessor 214 for controlling each unit of the extension unit 201. ing. The input interface circuit 211 includes a FIFO 211a for temporarily storing an input digital video signal, and a memory controller 211b for controlling the FIFO 211a in accordance with an input synchronization signal. The IEEE 1394
The interface circuit 212 outputs, for example, an IEEE
A physical layer I / F circuit 212a for controlling the physical layer of the E1394 interface signal;
2a, and a link layer I / F circuit 212b for controlling communication of the link layer of the IEEE 1394 interface. Note that the input interface circuit 211 to the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 21
The transfer of the video signal to 2 is not limited to the DMA transfer, and may be performed, for example, via the microprocessor 214 or another circuit. The extension unit 201 configured as described above converts the video signal obtained by the endoscope apparatus 1 into an IEEE
The function of outputting as an E1394 interface signal is provided as an extended function. When a video signal is output through the IEEE 1394 interface, transfer data is guaranteed by a function called an isochronous transfer function, or a 100M
There is an advantage that data can be transferred at a high communication speed of bps to 400 Mbps.

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) In an endoscope apparatus to which an extension unit for extending the function of the endoscope apparatus is detachably attached, an extension slot for detachably attaching the extension unit, and the extension slot. An endoscope device provided with a terminal for outputting a signal such as a video signal to the extension unit and a terminal for inputting the signal from the extension unit.

(Additional Item 2) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein a microprocessor for controlling each part of the endoscope apparatus, and the microprocessor and the expansion unit provided in the expansion slot are provided. A terminal for transmitting a signal for performing communication between the first and second microprocessors, wherein the first microprocessor identifies a mounting state of whether the expansion slot is mounted and a type of the expansion slot, and Each part of the endoscope apparatus is controlled according to the state and the type.

(Appendix 3) In an endoscope apparatus to which an extension unit for expanding the function of the endoscope apparatus is detachably attached, an extension slot in which the extension unit is detachably attached, and an extension slot of the endoscope apparatus. A microprocessor for controlling each unit, and a terminal provided in the expansion slot for transmitting a signal for performing communication between the microprocessor and the expansion unit, wherein the microprocessor has the expansion slot. An endoscope apparatus comprising: identifying an attached state of whether or not the card is attached and a type of the expansion slot, and controlling each unit of the endoscope apparatus according to the attached state and the type.

(Additional Item 4) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Items 1 and 2, further comprising a video signal processing circuit for performing video signal processing, wherein the extension unit includes at least the video signal processing circuit. Extend functionality.

(Additional Item 5) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 4, the signal such as the video signal includes a video signal.

(Additional Item 6) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 5, the video signal includes a digital video signal.

(Additional Item 7) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional item 6, the digital video signal is represented by “Y: U: V =
4: 2: 2 "digital video signal.

(Additional Item 8) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional item 6, the sampling frequency of the digital video signal is 13.5 MHz.

(Additional Item 9) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 6, further comprising an image pickup device for picking up a subject image,
The sampling frequency of the digital video signal is a fundamental frequency of a drive signal for driving the image pickup device or a frequency approximately half of the fundamental frequency.

(Additional Item 10) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional item 4, the video signal processing circuit is provided in the endoscope.

(Additional Item 11) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 4, the extension unit includes a storage element that stores a video signal.

(Additional Item 12) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional item 11, the storage element is used for freezing a video signal.

(Additional Item 13) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional items 1 to 3, the expansion slot is provided in the light source device.

(Additional Item 14) The endoscope apparatus according to additional items 1 to 3, wherein the extension unit is a communication unit for transmitting a video signal or the like obtained by the endoscope device through a communication line. A control circuit was provided.

(Additional Item 15) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 14, the communication line is a communication line conforming to IEEE1394.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By bidirectionally inputting / outputting an extension unit that expands the function of the endoscope device and a signal of any format, the function can be expanded in the middle of the processing of the endoscope device, reducing unnecessary circuits, The effect that cost reduction and miniaturization can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an extension unit that outputs a video signal through an IEEE1394 interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 25 ... Video signal processing circuit 71 ... Expansion unit 72 ... Expansion slot 74, 75, 76 ... Terminal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 BA11 CA04 DA03 GA02 GA05 GA10 GA12 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 GG01 JJ11 LL02 5C022 AA09 AC69 5C054 AA01 AA05 CA04 CC03 EA01 EA05 EB02 EB05 GA04 HA12

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus to which an extension unit for extending the function of the endoscope apparatus is detachably attached, an extension slot for detachably attaching the extension unit, a video signal provided in the extension slot, and the like. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a terminal for outputting the signal of the extension unit to the extension unit; and a terminal for inputting the signal from the extension unit.