JP2003204932A - Endoscopic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscopic imaging system which can sufficiently perform a pseudo color correction or a highly bright coloring prevention even when a combination is different. <P>SOLUTION: A camera with a built-in CCD or an electronic endoscope is selectively connected, and a color separation is performed for an input imaging signal. Then, the pseudo color correction at the edge section is performed by a pseudo color correction circuit 54. In addition, a suppressing level for a chroma signal is changed by a chroma suppressing circuit 59 in response to the characteristics of the CCD and the lamp of a light source device which are actually used, through a CPU 63. Thus, even when a camera head or an electronic endoscope wherein the kind of the CCD is different is selectively connected, the generation of a pseudo color and a highly bright coloring can be prevented from occurring effectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope image pickup system for performing an endoscopic examination with an electronic endoscope or the like having an image pickup device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in medical fields and industrial fields. In addition, recently, an electronic endoscope having a built-in solid-state image sensor or a television camera external endoscope having a television camera having a solid-state image sensor incorporated in an optical endoscope is externally mounted (mounted), By using a camera control unit (or video processor) that performs signal processing for the image sensor, it is easy to display the endoscopic image captured by the solid-state image sensor on the monitor and record the image as necessary. The endoscope imaging system or the electronic endoscope system that can be used is widely adopted. As the prior art, for example, JP-A 1-218194 and JP-A 9-16338.
5, JP-A 2000-115760.

In a system using a solid-state image pickup device incorporated in (a camera head of) an electronic endoscope or a television camera, in principle, a phenomenon called false color in which a false color is attached to an outline portion of an image or high brightness is generated. A phenomenon called high brightness coloring in which a part is colored occurs. In the related art, such a problem is corrected by a process such as a false color correction circuit or chroma suppressor as disclosed in JP-A-1-218194 and JP-A-9-163385 so that these phenomena are reduced. I was going.

[0004]

However, this phenomenon of false color or high-intensity coloring has a generation level depending on the number and size of pixels of the solid-state image pickup element and the characteristics of the color filter attached to the front surface of the solid-state image pickup element. change. The level also changes depending on the type of lamp used in the light source device that supplies the illumination light.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-115760, in an electronic endoscope system using a plurality of types of solid-state image pickup devices and light source lamps, the level of the false color correction circuit and the chroma suppress process is constant. If the processing is performed at the level, the effect may not be sufficiently obtained depending on the combination of the solid-state imaging device and the light source lamp.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and even if the characteristics of the solid-state image pickup element are different, false color correction and high-intensity coloration prevention can be sufficiently performed and a good image output can be achieved. An object is to provide an endoscopic imaging system that can be obtained. It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic imaging system capable of sufficiently performing false color correction and prevention of high-luminance coloring even when the combination of the solid-state imaging device and the light source lamp is different and obtaining a good video output. .

[0007]

A first image pickup means having a predetermined characteristic for picking up a subject image, and a first image pickup means for generating a first identification information set uniquely to the first image pickup means. Identification information generating means, the first imaging means, and the first
First identification information generating means for capturing an endoscopic image
Endoscope image pickup means, a second image pickup means having a predetermined characteristic different from that of the first image pickup means and picking up a subject image, and a second image pickup means uniquely set to the second image pickup means. A second identification information generating means for generating identification information, the second imaging means and the second identification information generating means,
A second endoscopic image capturing means for capturing an endoscopic image and a detachable portion to which the first endoscopic image capturing means or the second endoscopic image capturing means is detachably connected, and the detachable portion. The output signal of the image pickup means included in the first endoscope image pickup means or the second endoscope image pickup means to be mounted is input, and the signal level of the chroma signal extracted from the output signal is suppressed to a predetermined level. And a discriminating unit that discriminates the identification information generated by the identification information generating unit included in the first endoscope image capturing unit or the second endoscope image capturing unit attached to the detachable unit. Suppression level control means for controlling the suppression level of the signal level of the chroma signal by the suppression means based on the identification information determined by the means,
By including the above, even when the endoscope image pickup means having different characteristics of the solid-state image pickup element is connected, the identification information is discriminated and the suppressing means is controlled, so that the false color correction and the high-luminance coloring prevention can be performed. I am able to do it enough.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an endoscope imaging system of one embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a signal processing circuit provided in a signal connector. 3, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the video signal processing circuit of the CCU, FIG. 4 shows the circuit configuration of the CCD power supply circuit, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the false color correction circuit, and FIG.
FIG. 7 shows the structure of the chroma suppressor circuit, FIG. 7 shows the structure of the chroma suppress circuit, and FIG.

An endoscope imaging system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a television camera equipped with an optical endoscope 2 and a television camera 3 equipped with a (first) imaging means. The attached endoscope 4A, the electronic endoscope 4B incorporating the (second) image pickup means, the television camera external endoscope 4A (the optical endoscope 2 thereof), or the electronic endoscope 4B is optional. The light source device 5 that supplies illumination light by being connected to the television, and the television camera external endoscope 4A (of the television camera 3) or the electronic endoscope 4B are selectively connected to each other, so that the endoscope A camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) 6 that appropriately performs signal processing for the image pickup means built in the camera, and a video signal output from the CCU 6 that is connected to the CCU 6 and is input by the image pickup means. View endoscopic image It consists of a television monitor 7 for that. In FIG. 1, only one light source device 5 is shown, but it is also possible to use another light source device (having different emission characteristics).

The optical endoscope 2 is, for example, a hard and elongated insertion portion 11 which is inserted into a body cavity, a grip portion 12 which is provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 11 and is gripped, and the grip portion 12. The eyepiece portion 13 is provided at the rear end, and the grip portion 12 is provided with the light guide base portion 14. The base end of the light guide cable 15 is connected to the light guide base portion 14, and the light guide base protruding from the light source connector 16 at the end thereof is detachably connected to the light source device 5.

A light guide 17 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 11, and a lamp 18 of the light source device 5 is provided.
The white illumination light is supplied from the light guide cable 15 through the light guide cable 15, and the illumination light transmitted from the tip end surface of the light guide 17 is emitted to illuminate a subject such as a diseased part in the body cavity.
An objective lens 21 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 11 and forms an image of a subject illuminated by illumination light.

The image formed by the objective lens 21 is inserted into the insertion portion 11
The signal is transmitted to the rear by a relay lens system 22 arranged in the inside or the like, and passes through an eyepiece lens provided in the eyepiece section 13, a camera adapter 23 attached to the eyepiece section 13 or an imaging lens provided in the camera head 24. A solid-state image sensor arranged at an image forming position, specifically a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD)
An image is formed on 25a and photoelectrically converted. This CCD 25a
A color filter for optically color-separating is arranged on the image pickup surface.

A camera cable 26, through which a signal line is inserted, extends from a camera head 24 mounted on the eyepiece 13 via a camera adapter 23, and a signal connector 27a provided at the end of the camera cable 26 is detachable from the CCU 6. Connected by. C
The CD 25a is connected to a signal processing circuit 28a provided in the signal connector 27a via a signal line.

The output signal of the CCD 25a is the C
The signal is amplified by a buffer amplifier 29a provided in the camera head 24 near the CD 25a and input to the signal processing circuit 28a.

By connecting the signal connector 27a to the CCU 6, the signal processing for the signal picked up by the CCD 25a is processed by the signal processing circuit 28a in the signal connector 27a and the video signal processing circuit 30 in the CCU 6 to be standard. Such a video signal is generated and output to the television monitor 7, and the subject image captured by the CCD 25a is displayed as an endoscopic image on the monitor screen.

The electronic endoscope 4B includes, for example, a flexible and elongated insertion portion 31, an operation portion 32 provided at the rear end thereof for performing a bending operation and the like, and a universal end of which the base end extends from the operation portion 32. A cable 33, a light source connector 34 provided at an end of the universal cable 33, a scope cable 35 having a base end connected to a side portion of the light source connector 34, and a signal connector 27b provided at an end of the scope cable 35. Composed of and.

A light guide 36 is inserted into the insertion portion 31, and the rear end of the light guide 36 serves as a light guide base protruding from the light source connector 34 at the end of the universal cable 33.
The illumination light of the lamp 18 of the light source device 5 is supplied through the condenser lens. Then, this illumination light is emitted from the front end surface of the light guide 36 and illuminates the subject.

An objective lens 37 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 31 to form an image of an illuminated subject. At the image forming position, for example, a CCD 25b is arranged as a solid-state image sensor. A color filter that optically performs color separation is arranged on the image pickup surface of the CCD 25b.

The CCD 25b is connected to a signal processing circuit 28b provided in the signal connector 27b through a signal line inserted in the insertion portion 31, the universal cable 33, and the scope cable 35.

By connecting the signal connector 27b to the CCU 6, the signal processing for the signal picked up by the CCD 25b is processed by the signal processing circuit 28b in the signal connector 27b and the video signal processing circuit 30 in the CCU 6. Then, a standard video signal is generated and output to the television monitor 7, and the subject image captured by the CCD 25b is displayed on the monitor screen as an endoscopic image.

The output signal of the CCD 25b is the CC
Buffer amplifier 29 provided at the tip of the insertion section near D25b
It is buffered and amplified by b and input to the signal processing circuit 28b in the signal connector 27b.

In the light source device 5, there is provided a lamp information generation circuit 38 for generating lamp information for determining the light emission characteristic of the lamp 18 incorporated in the light source device 5, and the lamp information is sent to the communication interface 39. The communication cable 40 is connected to the communication interface 39 via the communication interface 39 to be transmitted to the video signal processing circuit 30 in the CCU 6. Instead of the lamp information generating circuit 38, the light source device 5 may generate identification information unique to the light source device 5 and identify the lamp information or the light emission characteristic used in the light source device from the identification information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the signal processing circuit 28i in the signal connector 27i (i = a or b). Timing generator (abbreviated as TG in Fig. 2)
41i is a drive signal for the CCD 25i (horizontal transfer signal φH,
Reset signal φR, vertical transfer signal φV), of which, for example, horizontal transfer signal φH and reset signal φR are supplied to the CCD 25i through the driver 42i, and vertical transfer signal φV is supplied to the CCD 25i without passing through the driver 42i. Supply.

When a drive signal is applied to the CCD 25i, photoelectrically converted signal charges are read out and output as an image pickup signal. The image pickup signal is current-amplified by a buffer amplifier 29i, and then is stored in a signal processing circuit 28i. The video signal processing circuit 30 of the CCU 6 is amplified by the provided amplifier 43.
Entered in.

The timing generator 41 is supplied with a clock signal and horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals from the CCU 6,
A drive signal for driving the CCD 25i is generated in synchronization with the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals.

The image pickup signal output from the CCD 25i is amplified by the amplifier 43, then input to the video signal processing circuit 30 of the CCU 6, and the sampling signal S output from the timing generator 41 as described later.
Using Ha, Shb, and ADCK, a signal component extraction operation and an A / D conversion operation are performed.

In the present embodiment, the timing generator 41i as the drive signal generating means for driving the image pickup means (specifically, the CCD 25a or 25b) is provided with the endoscope 4.
By providing the A or 4B side (on the side of the endoscope image pickup means), even if the number of pixels of the CCD 25i is different, CC
The configuration on the U6 side can be simplified.

That is, the timing generator is set to CCU.
If installed inside 6, the CCD built into the connected endoscope
Since the CCU 6 has to generate the drive signal according to the number of pixels of, the timing generator in the CCU 6 needs to have the functions of the timing generators 41a and 41b described above, and the number of endoscopes connected increases. Then, the burden becomes large. In addition, there is a drawback that it cannot be applied to a new endoscope adopting a CCD having a different number of pixels developed after CCU6.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the timing generator 41i corresponding to the CCD 25i built therein is prepared on the side of each endoscope, the CCU 6 for signal processing can be used almost in common. That is, the timing generator 41i generates a drive signal corresponding to the number of pixels of the CCD 25i in synchronization with the synchronization signal from the CCU 6. In the present embodiment, description has been made on the case of two CCDs 25a and 25b having different types, specifically, the number of pixels, photoelectric conversion characteristics, etc., but it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of CCDs to three or more. It can also be used for new endoscopes that have developed CCDs with different numbers of pixels.

In this embodiment, CCDs 2 of different types are used.
5i so that the signal processing circuit 2
8i is provided with a scope ID generation circuit 44i (which generates unique identification information of the endoscope 4A or the endoscope 4B). Further, in the present embodiment, a solid-state image sensor, specifically, a supply voltage adjusting resistor 45i to each CCD 25i is provided, and it is possible to cope with a case where the power supply voltage of the CCD 25i is different.

In the present embodiment, the identification information of the endoscope by the scope ID generation circuit 44i is used to determine the type of image pickup means used in the endoscope, that is, the CCD 25i.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the video signal processing circuit 30. The CDS circuit 51 is a circuit that performs correlated double sampling of the image pickup signal obtained from the amplifier 43, and sampling signals SHa and SHb used for sampling are supplied from a timing generator 41i in the signal processing circuit 28i. And CCD25
Even when the number of pixels of i is different, the signal component is extracted (and the baseband signal is generated) from the image pickup signal corresponding to the number of pixels.

The signal subjected to the correlated double sampling in the CDS circuit 51 is converted into a digital signal in the A / D conversion circuit 52. Also in this case, the timing generator 41i
The analog signal is appropriately A / D according to the number of pixels by the A / D conversion clock signal ADCK supplied from
The converted digital signal is supplied to the color separation circuit 53.

The color separation circuit 53 separates the input image pickup signal into a luminance signal (Y) and a chroma signal (C). The color-separated Y signal and C signal are input to the false color correction circuit 54,
The false color correction circuit 54 corrects the false color suppression.

After that, the edge enhancement processing is carried out by the enhance circuit 55, and then it is supplied to the RGB matrix circuit 56, and the Y and C signals are converted into RGB signals of the three primary colors. The RGB signals are subjected to white balance processing by the white balance circuit 57 and then supplied to the gamma circuit 58.

The output signal of the gamma circuit 58 is input to a chroma suppress circuit 59 that appropriately suppresses the level of the chroma signal, and after the chroma signal is suppressed in the high-luminance portion, it is sent to the D / A conversion circuit 60. Converted into analog three primary color signals. The analog three-primary-color signal is input to the encoder 61, converted into a video signal that can be displayed on the television monitor 7, and then output to the television monitor 7.

The video signal processing circuit 30 further includes these processing circuits and a synchronization signal generator (SSG) 62 for supplying a synchronization signal and a clock signal to the timing generator 41i in the signal processing circuit 28i. , C for controlling the false color correction circuit 54 and the chroma suppress circuit 59
And PU63.

CCD information from the scope ID generating circuit 44 in the signal processing circuit 28i and lamp information from the light source device 5 are input to the CPU 63. Then, the operations of the false color correction circuit 54 and the chroma suppressor circuit 59 are controlled according to these pieces of information.

Further, in the video signal processing circuit 30, a CCD power supply circuit 64 as a solid-state image pickup device power supply means is also provided. Then, a drive voltage suitable for the CCD 25i is supplied according to the type of the CCD 25i.

In this embodiment, a pseudo color correction circuit 54 and a chroma suppress circuit 59 are provided in the video signal processing system, and the pseudo color correction circuit 54 discriminates the edge portion of the luminance signal as described below, At the edge portion, correction is performed to suppress coloring at the edge portion (contour portion) by suppressing the level of the chroma signal in accordance with the characteristics of the CCD 25i and the light emission characteristic of the lamp 18, and the chroma suppress circuit 59 performs the correction of the luminance signal. On the high brightness level side, the chroma signal is suppressed according to the characteristics of the CCD 25i and the light emission characteristics of the lamp 18, so that false colors and false colors are generated even when the characteristics of the CCD 25i and the light emission characteristics of the illumination light of the light source device 5 are different. Prevent coloring,
The feature is that an endoscopic image is displayed in a faithful color tone.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The CCD 25a provided in the television camera external endoscope 4A (camera head 24) and the CCD 25b provided in the electronic endoscope 4B are different from each other in the number of pixels, size, supplied voltage level, and the like. Therefore, in the scope ID generation circuit 44i, the scope I of the endoscope 4A or 4B is
The D information is notified to the video signal processing circuit 30 of the CCU 6.

The CPU 63 in the video signal processing circuit 30 receives the scope ID information, and uses the information stored in a look-up table or the like (not shown) for the scope I.
The CCD used in the endoscope corresponding to the D information
25i is discriminated. The scope ID generation circuit 44i
Instead of the above, a CCD information generating circuit for generating information of the CCD 25i may be used. Further, the CCD supply voltage adjusting resistor 45i is changed from the CCU 6 to the CCD by changing the resistance value.
The power supply voltage supplied to 25i can be adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the details of the CCD power supply circuit 64. A regulator 71 and a reference resistor 72 having one end connected to the output terminal of the regulator 71 are provided in the CCD power supply circuit 64. The regulator 71 is a circuit whose output voltage can be adjusted by the resistance ratio of the reference resistor 72 and the CCD supply voltage adjusting resistor 45i.

For example, the power supply voltage of the CCD 25a used in the camera head 24 is Va, the power supply voltage of the CCD 25b used in the electronic endoscope 4B is Vb, and the CCD supply voltage adjustment resistor 45a in the camera head 24 is The resistance value is Ra, and the adjustment resistance in the electronic endoscope 4B is Rb.

When the resistance value of the reference resistor 72 is Rs, the following relationship is established. Va = k * Rs / Ra Vb = k * Rs / Rb Therefore, by appropriately selecting the adjustment resistor Ri according to the CCD 25i, the CCU 6 automatically supplies the power supply voltage appropriate to the CCD 25i of the endoscope connected to the endoscope. Is supplied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the false color correction circuit 54. The input Y signal is input to the edge discrimination circuit 74 and discriminates the edge portion of the luminance. When it is determined that the luminance is an edge portion, the edge portion signal is supplied to the suppression circuit 75 configured by, for example, a multiplier, and processed so as to reduce (suppress) the level of the C signal in that portion.

That is, by increasing the suppression level of the chroma signal at the edge portion where the luminance signal in the video signal changes abruptly, the occurrence of false color at the edge portion is suppressed.

At this time, the suppression level is supplied from the CPU 63. Further, the CPU 63 uses the scope ID generation circuit 4
The type of CCD 25i is determined based on the information sent from 4i, and an appropriate suppression level is supplied to the suppression circuit 75 according to the light emission characteristics of the lamp 18.

In this way, even if the characteristics of the CCD 25i are different due to the type of the CCD 25i, the CC
The false color correction is appropriately performed according to the characteristics of D25i to reduce or eliminate the phenomenon that the false color is generated in the contour portion of the image.
It enables faithful color reproduction.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the details of the edge discrimination circuit 75. The Y signal is input to the subtractor 81 and also to the subtractor 81 via the 1-pixel delay circuit 82 that delays by 1 pixel, and the subtracter 81 obtains the level difference between the adjacent pixels by these output signals.

The signal of this level difference is input to the comparison circuit 83 and compared with a threshold value given by the CPU 63 to determine whether or not the corresponding portion is an edge portion. This threshold value is the information of the CCD 25i obtained from the identification information of the scope ID by the CPU 63 and the lamp 18 of the light source device 5.
It is set appropriately based on the information in. The Y signal passes through the edge determination circuit 75 and directly enhances the enhancement circuit 55.
It is also designed to be input to.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the chroma suppressor circuit 59. The input RGB signal is converted into a luminance signal (Y) and a chroma signal (C) by an RGB-Y / C conversion circuit 91 that converts RGB into a Y / C signal. The converted Y signal is input to the chroma suppression level setting circuit 92.

The chroma suppression level setting circuit 92 sets the suppression level of the chroma signal from the input Y signal.
Then, this suppression level is output to the suppression circuit 93 composed of, for example, a multiplier and multiplied by the chroma signal (C) to suppress the chroma signal (note that the chroma suppression level setting circuit 92 is composed of a multiplier. The suppression level output to the suppression circuit 93 described above actually reduces the suppression of the chroma signal as the value increases.

Specifically, the high-level side of the Y signal is detected, and the high-level side suppresses the level of the chroma signal according to the characteristics of the CCD 25i and the like, thereby preventing the phenomenon of high brightness coloring.

The relationship between the Y signal and the chroma suppression level is as shown by a or b in FIG. That is, the Y signal does not perform chroma suppression at a level sufficiently lower than the saturation level (the suppression level is 1), but when the level exceeds a certain level, the chroma suppression is increased according to the characteristics of the CCD 25i or the like. (The suppression level decreases from 1).

In this case, the CPU 63 uses the scope ID
CCD2 obtained based on the information sent from the generation circuit 44i
This relationship is adjusted based on the type information of 5i and the lamp information obtained by communication with the light source device 5.

For example, a CC built in the camera head 24
In the case where the high-intensity coloring in the case of D25a is less likely to occur than the high-intensity coloring in the case of the CCD 25b built in the electronic endoscope 4B, when the camera head 24 is connected to the CCU 6, for example, Although the chroma signal is suppressed in the relationship shown in FIG. 8A, it is suppressed in the relationship shown in FIG. 8B when the electronic endoscope 4B is connected.

By doing so, the CCD 25i
It is possible to effectively prevent high-brightness coloring depending on characteristics such as. The C and Y signals that have undergone the suppression processing are reconverted into RGB signals by the Y / C-RGB conversion circuit 94 and output to the circuit on the subsequent stage side.

This embodiment has the following effects. With the above configuration, even when the camera head 24 and the electronic endoscope 4B using different types of solid-state image pickup devices are connected, the false color correction level and the chroma suppress level are suitable for the characteristics of the solid-state image pickup device. Since the level is automatically adjusted, it is possible to appropriately prevent the false color generated in the contour portion and the coloring from occurring in the high-luminance portion, and perform faithful color reproduction.

Further, since the information on the type of the lamp 18 used in the light source device 5 is obtained through the communication with the light source device 5, even if any lamp 18 is used, the light emission characteristic of the lamp 18 is obtained. Depending on, the level of false color correction and chroma suppress can be corrected properly.

As described in the specification, the signal processing circuit 28i shown in FIG. 2 generates the scope ID. However, the characteristic information of the CCD 25i may be generated. When a scope ID is generated, CC
U6 or the video signal processing circuit 30 side obtains characteristic information of the corresponding CCD 25i from the scope ID information, or generates control data such as a suppression level and a threshold value for controlling the operations of the false color correction circuit 54 and the chroma suppress circuit 59. A control signal data storage means such as a ROM may be provided.

Further, in FIG. 1, the description has been made in the case of the television camera external endoscope 4A and the electronic endoscope 4B, but other combinations can also be applied.

[Additional Notes] 1. In an endoscopic imaging system including a video signal processing device capable of selectively connecting a plurality of types of camera heads or electronic endoscopes, and a light source device that supplies illumination light to the camera heads or electronic endoscopes, An endoscopic imaging system characterized in that a level for suppressing a chroma component in a video signal is changed according to a type of an electronic endoscope or a camera head. 2. The endoscopic imaging system according to appendix 1, wherein the level to be suppressed is controlled according to the level of a luminance signal in the video signal.

3. The endoscope imaging system according to appendix 2, wherein the suppression level of the chroma signal is changed stepwise when the luminance signal exceeds a specified value. 4. The endoscope imaging system according to appendix 3, wherein the specified value of the luminance signal is changed according to the type of the camera head or the electronic endoscope. 5. The endoscope imaging system according to appendix 3, wherein the chroma suppression level that is changed stepwise is changed according to the type of the camera head or the electronic endoscope.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5) It is possible to reduce the coloring phenomenon that appears in the high-brightness portion of the image, which the prior art has, and to connect a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes or camera heads having different solid-state image pickup devices. Also, the effect of reducing false color and high-luminance coloring can always be obtained properly.

6. The endoscope imaging system according to appendix 1, wherein the suppression level of the chroma signal is increased at the contour portion where the luminance signal in the video signal changes abruptly. 7. The endoscopic imaging is characterized in that the contour portion is discriminated by a level difference of a luminance signal between adjacent pixels, and a threshold value of the level difference is changed according to a type of a camera head or an electronic endoscope. system. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 6 and 7) It is possible to reduce the coloring phenomenon that appears in the edge portion on the image that the conventional technique has, and always properly operate even if a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes or camera heads having different solid-state image pickup devices are connected. The effect of reducing false color can be obtained.

8. The endoscope imaging system according to appendix 1, wherein the suppression level of the chroma signal is changed according to the type of lamp of the light source device. (Effect of Supplementary Note 8) In addition to the above effects, it is possible to always obtain appropriate effects of reducing high-luminance coloring and reducing false color in combination with any light source device using a lamp.

9. Endoscopes each equipped with a different type of solid-state image sensor and equipped with identification information generating means including the type or characteristic information of each solid-state image sensor are detachably mounted, and an image is output in response to an output signal from the solid-state image sensor. In a signal processing device for an endoscope that generates a video signal that can be displayed on a display means, a suppression level of a chroma signal according to a characteristic of a solid-state image pickup means provided in the endoscope according to a connected endoscope. A signal processing apparatus for an endoscope, characterized in that a chroma suppressing means for changing the signal is provided.

10. In Supplementary Note 9, information on the light emission characteristics of the lamp used in the light source device is further input from the light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope, and the suppression level by the chroma suppression means is controlled by the information. Is characterized by. 11. In Appendix 9 or 10, the chroma suppressing unit has a function of a false color correction circuit that suppresses a chroma signal at an edge portion of a luminance signal and a chroma suppress circuit that suppresses a chroma signal on a high luminance side. Is characterized by.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, even in the case of a combination in which the characteristics of the solid-state image pickup device and the light emission characteristics of the light source device are different, it is possible to properly prevent the occurrence of false color and high-intensity coloring, and to faithfully Endoscopic images can be reproduced and displayed in color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing circuit provided in a signal connector.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CCU video signal processing circuit.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a CCD power supply circuit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a false color correction circuit.

6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the edge determination circuit of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a chroma suppressor circuit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a characteristic example of performing chroma suppression by CCD type information and lamp information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Endoscopic imaging system 2 ... Optical endoscope 3 ... TV camera 4A ... Endoscope attached to TV camera 4B ... Electronic endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... CCU 7 ... TV monitor 11 ... insertion part 13 ... Eyepiece 15 ... Light guide cable 16 ... Light source connector 18 ... Lamp 21, 37 ... Objective lens 22 ... Relay lens system 24 ... Camera head 25a, 25b ... CCD 26 ... Camera cable 27a, 27b ... Signal connector 28a, 28b ... Signal processing circuit 29a, 29b ... Buffer amplifier 30 ... Video signal processing circuit 38 ... Lamp information generating circuit 41a, 41b ... TG 44a, 44b ... Scope ID generation circuit 54 ... False color correction circuit 59 ... Chroma suppressor circuit 63 ... CPU

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H040 CA04 GA01 GA02 GA06 GA11                 4C061 BB01 CC06 JJ18 LL01 MM05                       NN05 SS09 SS21 TT03 TT12                       TT13 WW07                 5C065 AA04 BB13 BB48 CC01 EE03                       GG23 GG32                 5C066 AA01 CA09 EA05 EC12 GA01                       GA02 JA01 KA12 KE03 KM02                       KP06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first image pickup unit having a predetermined characteristic for picking up an image of a subject, and a first identification information generation unit for generating first identification information set uniquely to the first image pickup unit. Means, a first imaging means and a first identification information generating means, and a first endoscopic image capturing means for capturing an endoscopic image; and a predetermined characteristic different from the first imaging means. A second image pickup means for picking up a subject image, a second identification information generation means for generating second identification information set uniquely to the second image pickup means, and the second image pickup Means and the second identification information generating means, and a second endoscope image capturing means for capturing an endoscope image; the first endoscope image capturing means or the second endoscope image capturing means. And a first endoscopic image pick-up attached to the detachable unit. An output signal of an image pickup unit included in the stage or the second endoscopic image pickup unit is input, and a suppression unit that suppresses a signal level of a chroma signal extracted from the output signal to a predetermined level, and is attached to the attachment / detachment unit. Based on the identification information determined by the determination means, the determination means determining the identification information generated by the identification information generation means included in the first endoscope image capturing means or the second endoscope image capturing means A suppression level control means for controlling a suppression level of the signal level of the chroma signal by the suppression means, and the endoscope imaging system. 2. The suppression level control means includes the identification information discriminated by the discrimination means, and an image captured by the first endoscope image capturing device or the second endoscope image capturing means attached to the attachment / detachment section. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the suppression level of the signal level of the chroma signal by the suppression unit is controlled based on the luminance information of the output signal of the unit. 3. A first light emitting means for emitting a first illumination light having a predetermined characteristic, and a first light emitting means for generating first light emitting means identification information set uniquely to the first light emitting means. A first light source unit having a light emitting unit identification information generating unit, the first light source unit and the first light emitting unit identification information generating unit, and outputting illumination light for illuminating a subject; Second light emitting means for emitting a predetermined second illumination light having a characteristic different from that of the light source means, and second light emission for generating second light emitting means identification information set uniquely to the second light emitting means. Second light source means for outputting the illumination light for illuminating the subject, and means for generating the means identification information generating means, the second light emitting means and the second light emitting means identification information generating means, and predetermined characteristics. A first image pickup means for picking up a subject image of the subject, A first imaging means identification information generating means for generating first imaging means identification information uniquely set to the first imaging means, the first imaging means and the first imaging means identification information generating means A first endoscopic image capturing means for capturing an endoscopic image, and a second image capturing means for capturing a subject image of the subject, which has predetermined characteristics different from those of the first image capturing means. A second imaging means identification information generating means for generating second imaging means identification information uniquely set to the second imaging means, the second imaging means and the second imaging means identification information generation A second endoscope image capturing means for capturing an endoscope image, and a detachable unit to which the first endoscope image capturing means or the second endoscope image capturing means is detachably connected. And the first light source means or the second light source means is connected Output signals of the connecting unit and the image pickup unit included in the first endoscope image pickup unit or the second endoscope image pickup unit attached to the attachment / detachment unit are input, and a chroma signal extracted from the output signal is input. Suppressing means for suppressing the signal level, and image pickup means identification information generated by the image pickup means identification information generating means included in the first endoscope image pickup means or the second endoscope image pickup means attached to the attachment / detachment section. First discriminating means for discriminating, and the first light source means or the second light source means connected to the connecting portion.
Second discriminating means for discriminating the light emitting means identifying information generated by the light emitting means identifying information generating means of the light source means, the image sensing means identifying information discriminated by the first discriminating means, and the second discriminating means. And a suppression level control means for controlling the suppression level of the signal level of the chroma signal by the suppression means based on the light emitting means identification information.