JP2011110281A - Electronic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope apparatus for easily confirming the situation of a subject at a current moment while defining which region of an original image is magnified to obtain the magnified still image. <P>SOLUTION: A moving image 52, the magnified still image 54, and a normal still image 56 are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 80 of the electronic endoscope apparatus. The normal still image 56 is a subject image based on the moving image 52, and the magnified still image 54 is a subject image where a part of the normal still image 56 is magnified. The magnification percentage of the magnified still image 54 is adjusted by the operation of a magnification button. As a magnification display frame 60 is smaller, the magnification percentage of the magnified still image 54 is larger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a subject image.

  In endoscopic observation using an electronic endoscope apparatus, an imaging element receives reflected light of illumination light emitted toward a subject, and an image signal is generated. The image signal thus generated is processed by the processor, and the subject image is displayed on the monitor.

  Generally, a moving image is displayed on the monitor of the electronic endoscope apparatus. A still image in which a part of the subject is enlarged may be generated and displayed in accordance with an instruction from a user who is observing the moving image. In addition, as an example of image display in an electronic endoscope apparatus, it is known that an enlarged moving image and a moving image before enlargement are simultaneously displayed on a monitor, and switching between a moving image and a still image is performed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 05-337077 A

  As described above, when a still image in which a part of a subject is enlarged is displayed during observation of a moving image, it is difficult to determine which region of the subject the enlarged still image corresponds to at the time of shooting. Can be. This is because a moving image of a subject that changes constantly is displayed together with an enlarged still image, and the moving image does not always indicate the subject at the time of generating a still image.

  Further, as in the example of Patent Document 1, when a plurality of moving images are simultaneously displayed on a monitor, for example, an important subject such as an affected part cannot be observed as a still image. Furthermore, when a plurality of still images are displayed at the same time by switching the moving images, the current subject cannot be observed with the real-time moving images and cannot be compared with the still images.

  It is an object of the present invention to realize an electronic endoscope apparatus that makes it possible to easily check the current state of a subject while clarifying what region of the original image the enlarged still image is enlarged from. To do.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is an endoscope apparatus including an image display unit that displays a subject image. The image display unit includes a moving image, a normal still image based on the moving image, and a normal still image. An enlarged still image with an enlarged portion can be displayed at the same time.

  In a normal still image, it is preferable that a first index indicating a range of an enlarged region that is enlarged as an enlarged still image is displayed. In this case, it is more preferable that the second index corresponding to the first index is displayed in the moving image. In addition, in a plurality of normal still images displayed at different timings, it is preferable that a first index having the same position, shape, and size can be displayed.

  The endoscope apparatus further includes an instruction member for instructing the display of the normal still image. When the display of the normal still image is instructed by the operation of the instruction member, the endoscope device is displayed immediately before the instruction is given. It is preferable that the index is displayed again. In addition, when display of a normal still image is instructed by operating the pointing member, it is preferable that a new normal still image based on a moving image when the pointing member is operated is displayed.

  In the endoscope apparatus, it is preferable that the range of the enlarged region of the normal still image that is enlarged as the enlarged still image can be adjusted. The moving image is preferably a real-time subject image.

  It is desirable that the endoscope apparatus further includes image generation means for generating a subject image. In this case, it is preferable that the image generation means generates a magnified still image by enlarging the normal still image by electronic zoom. In the normal still image, the first index indicating the range of the magnified area that is magnified as the magnified still image is displayed, and the image generation means performs the magnification still according to the size of the first index. Preferably, an image is generated. The enlarged still image is preferably displayed larger than the normal still image and the moving image.

  The image display unit of the present invention is an image display unit of an endoscope apparatus that displays a subject image, and includes a moving image, a normal still image based on the moving image, and an enlarged still image in which a part of the normal still image is enlarged. Can be displayed simultaneously.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to clarify an enlarged region of an original image of an enlarged still image and realize an electronic endoscope apparatus that can easily grasp the current state of a subject. it can.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus in a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image display routine of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the moving image and still image which are displayed on a display screen. It is a figure which illustrates the moving image displayed on a display screen, a still image, and a normal still image. It is a figure which illustrates the expansion still image in which a part of normal still image was expanded. It is a figure which illustrates the expansion still image from which the range of the expansion area was changed. It is a figure which illustrates the new subject image from which a subject differs. It is a figure which illustrates a to-be-photographed image when the expansion still image mode in 2nd Embodiment is set. It is a figure which illustrates the to-be-photographed image of the state in which the expansion still image mode in 2nd Embodiment is not set.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus 10 (endoscope apparatus) includes a scope 20, a processor 40, and a monitor 80. The scope 20 is detachably attached to the processor 40. A CCD 24 (image generating means) is provided at the tip of the scope 20. Illumination light is emitted from the tip of the scope 20 to the subject. An image signal is generated by the CCD 24 that receives reflected light from the subject.

  The image signal thus generated is subjected to amplification processing and the like in a processing circuit (not shown) of the scope 20. Thereafter, the image signal is sent to the signal processing circuit 42 of the processor 40. In the signal processing circuit 42, a moving image generation unit 44, a still image generation unit 46, and an image memory 48 are provided.

  In the moving image generation unit 44, the image signal is converted into a video signal such as an NTSC signal under the control of the control circuit 41, and moving image data is generated. The generated moving image data is sent from the moving image generation unit 44 to the display circuit 50. In the display circuit 50, AD conversion processing or the like is performed on the moving image data as necessary. This moving image data is sent to the monitor 80, and the moving image is displayed in real time on the display screen 84 as an analog video or a digital video.

  The moving image data is also transmitted from the moving image generating unit 44 to the image memory 48 and stored in the image memory 48. When the reproduction mode for reproducing the subject image after the imaging process is set, the moving image data stored in the image memory 48 is transferred via the moving image generation unit 44 and the display circuit 50 under the control of the control circuit 41. Sent to the monitor 80. As a result, the moving image stored in the processor 40 is reproduced on the display screen 84. The image memory 48 is provided for generating a still image, and moving image data is transmitted to and stored in an external memory (not shown).

  In addition, predetermined moving image data is read from the image memory 48 by an instruction signal transmitted from the control circuit 41 and sent to the still image generation unit 46. Still image data is generated by the still image generation unit 46 based on the moving image data.

  The still image generation unit 46 is provided with an enlarged image processing unit 47. In the enlarged image processing unit 47, a part of the still image based on the still image data is enlarged by electronic zoom. In this way, a still image obtained by enlarging the original still image is generated. Hereinafter, the still image before being enlarged is called a normal still image, and the enlarged still image is called an enlarged still image.

  The normal still image and the enlarged still image are sent to the monitor 80 via the moving image generation unit 44 and the display circuit 50 as necessary, and are displayed on the display screen 84. The normal still image and the enlarged still image can also be stored in the image memory 48 and an external memory (not shown). When stored in the image memory 48, they are reproduced by an instruction signal from the control unit 41.

  The scope 20 includes an operation unit 22 for causing the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 to execute various processes according to instructions from the user. In the operation unit 22, a freeze button 25, an enlarge button 26, and a cross key 27 are provided on the surface of the scope 20. These instruction members in the operation unit 22 are used for generating, displaying, and the like of normal still images and enlarged still images, as will be described later.

  As described above, in the signal processing circuit 42 (image generating means), a moving image is generated based on the image signal from the CCD 24, and a normal still image or an enlarged still image based on the moving image is generated according to an instruction from the user. Is done. These generated subject images can be displayed on the monitor 80 (image display means / image display unit).

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an image display routine in the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. 3 to 7 are diagrams schematically showing display examples of the subject image on the monitor 80 in the present embodiment.

  The image display routine starts when the user instructs display of the subject image. At this time, on the display screen 84 of the monitor 80, for example, only a moving image (not shown) indicating the subject is displayed in real time. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the freeze button 25 (see FIG. 1 / instruction member) for instructing generation and display of a still image is pressed. If it is determined in step S12 that the freeze button 25 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the moving image 52 and the still image 55 are simultaneously displayed on the display screen 84 (see FIG. 3). The moving image 52 is a real-time image that has been displayed before the freeze button 25 is pressed in step S <b> 12, and the image size is reduced by pressing the freeze button 25. That is, the moving image 52 is displayed in the small first sub-region 85 at the upper right end of the display screen 84, and the still image 55 is displayed in the large main region 86 at the center of the display screen 84. Note that such image superimposition processing is executed in the signal processing circuit 42 under the control of the control unit 41.

  In FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, images having the same alphabet shown in each area of the display screen 84 are images of the same subject. Images having different alphabets are images of subjects that change over time in alphabetical order. The image is illustrated. Since FIG. 3 illustrates the monitor 80 at the moment when the freeze button 25 is pressed, the subject included in the still image 55 and the subject included in the real-time moving image 52 are the same.

  In step S16 following step S14, it is determined whether or not the enlarge button 26 (see FIG. 1) has been pressed. If it is determined that the enlarge button 26 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18, and if not, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S18, the enlarged still image mode is set. In the enlarged still image mode, first, in addition to the moving image 52 and the still image 55, the normal still image 56 is displayed in the second sub area 87 (see FIG. 4), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  As illustrated, the still image 55 and the normal still image 56 show the same subject A, and are similar still images. Nevertheless, the normal still image 56 is newly displayed because it is possible to easily determine what area of the normal still image 56 the enlarged still image displayed later in the main area 86 is enlarged. It is to make it. For this reason, the normal still image 56 shows a rectangular enlarged display frame 60 (first index) indicating the range of an area that is enlarged as an enlarged still image (hereinafter referred to as an enlarged area). The enlarged display frame 60 is superimposed on the normal still image 56 by reading the initial value of the coordinate information recorded in the image memory 48.

  In FIG. 4, the enlarged display frame 60 is displayed near the outline of the normal still image 56. This is because the image displayed in the main area 86 is substantially the same image as the normal still image 56 as described above, and the subject A is not enlarged.

  In step S20, it is determined again whether or not the enlarge button 26 (see FIG. 1) has been pressed. If it is determined that the enlarge button 26 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the enlarged still image 54 obtained by enlarging a part of the normal still image 56 is displayed in the main area 86 (see FIG. 5), and the process proceeds to step S24. As described above, in this embodiment, the moving image 52, the normal still image 56 based on the moving image 52, and the enlarged still image 54 in which a part of the normal still image 56 is enlarged are displayed at the same time.

  At this time, the enlarged still image 54 is displayed in the main area 86, and the moving image 52 and the normal still image 56 are displayed in the first and second sub areas 85 and 87 that are smaller than the main area 86. For this reason, for example, the enlarged still image 54 including an important subject such as a newly discovered affected part is displayed larger than the moving image 52 and the normal still image 56. The first sub region 85 and the second sub region 87 have the same shape.

  The enlargement ratio of the enlarged still image 54 can be adjusted by operating the enlargement button 26. That is, by operating the enlargement button 26, the size of the enlargement display frame 60 is changed, and the enlargement ratio in the enlargement still image 54 is adjusted accordingly. The smaller the enlarged display frame 60 is, the larger the enlargement ratio of the enlarged still image 54 is. This is because the size of the main area 86 where the enlarged still image 54 is displayed is constant. As described above, the enlarged still image 54 is generated by enlarging the enlargement area at an enlargement rate corresponding to the size of the enlargement display frame 60.

  The enlargement ratio (the size of the enlarged display frame 60) of the enlarged still image 54 can be adjusted in step S20 or in a state where the enlarged still image 54 is already displayed as illustrated in FIG. In the latter case, the enlarged still image 54 is switched immediately as the enlargement ratio is changed. Note that the size of the enlarged display frame 60 is adjusted while the shape remains constant.

  The position of the enlarged display frame 60 is also variable. In step S24, it is determined whether or not the cross key 27 (see FIG. 1) has been operated. If it is determined that the cross key 27 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the enlarged display frame 60 moves up, down, left, and right according to the operation of the cross key 27, and the process proceeds to step S28.

  As a result, the range of the enlarged region of the normal still image 56 is changed to the upper part of the subject A, for example, while being slightly lower right than the center of the subject A in FIG. 5 (see FIG. 6). Thus, in the present embodiment, the position and size of the enlarged display frame 60, that is, the enlarged range of the normal still image 56 can be adjusted. Information on the position and size of the enlarged display frame 60 in the normal still image 56 (coordinate information for specifying the enlarged display frame 60 in the image) is stored in the image memory 48 (see FIG. 1) as needed. .

  In step S28, it is determined whether or not a capture button (not shown) has been pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S30, the normal still image 56 including the moving image 52, the enlarged still image 54, and the enlarged display frame 60 that are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 80 when the capture button is pressed is displayed in the image memory 48 (FIG. 1). And the process proceeds to step S32. Note that the saving of the three subject images by pressing the capture button may be performed at other timings. Further, the above-described images may be individually saved in accordance with the operation of the same or a plurality of different capture buttons.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the freeze button 25 (see FIG. 1) for instructing display of a still image has been pressed. If it is determined that the freeze button 25 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, it is determined whether or not the pressing of the freeze button 25 in step S32 is a long press for a predetermined time or more. If it is determined that the press is a long press, the process returns to step S14, and a short press shorter than the predetermined time is performed. If it is determined that, the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, a new subject image that is different from the subject image of FIG. 6 that was already displayed when the freeze button 25 was last pressed (step S32) is displayed (see FIG. 7). move on. Among the new subject images, in the real-time moving image 52 showing the latest subject, the subject is changed from D to E due to the movement of the scope 20 in the body cavity, for example.

  In the new subject image of FIG. 7, a new normal still image in which the subject D is the same as the moving image 52 (see FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as the immediately preceding moving image) when the freeze button 25 is last pressed. 56 is displayed. As described above, the new normal still image 56 based on the immediately preceding moving image has the same shape and the same size as the normal still image 56 (see FIG. 6) when the freeze button 25 is last pressed. The enlarged display frame 60 is displayed again.

  Such display of the same enlarged display frame 60 is possible because information indicating the position of the past enlarged display frame 60 and the like is stored in the image memory 48. Note that the information of the enlarged display frame 60 stored in the image memory 48 is automatically overwritten as described above. Here, in accordance with a user instruction, information regarding the predetermined enlarged display frame 60 displayed when the instruction is issued may be stored and read out independently.

  As described above, the enlarged display frames 60 having the same position, shape, and size can be displayed even in a plurality of normal still images 56 displayed at different timings (that is, before and after updating of the display content). Enables easy endoscopic observation. This is because, for example, even for a subject whose shape changes, such as a peristaltic large intestine, it is possible to easily generate and display a plurality of enlarged still images 54 having the same enlargement ratio at a predetermined part. In addition, when a good enlarged still image 54 cannot be obtained due to large blurring or the like, the enlarged still image 54 can be easily regenerated under the same setting conditions.

  In step S38, it is determined whether or not the end of the enlarged still image mode has been instructed by, for example, pressing and holding the enlarge button 26 (see FIG. 1). If it is determined that the end of the enlarged still image mode is not instructed, the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end of the enlarged still image mode has been instructed, only the moving image 52 and the still image 55 are displayed on the display screen 84 (see FIG. 3), and the image display routine ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the enlarged still image 54 obtained by enlarging a part of the normal still image 56 is displayed simultaneously with the normal still image 56 (see FIGS. 5 to 7 and the like). It can be easily determined which area is enlarged. Furthermore, since not only the enlarged still image 54 and the normal still image 56 but also the real-time moving image 52 showing the latest subject can be displayed at the same time, the subject in the already generated still image and the current time included in the moving image are displayed. You can compare the subject with

  Next, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating subject image display when the enlarged still image mode is set in the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a moving image and a subject image obtained by enlarging a part of the moving image in a state where the enlarged still image mode is not set.

  In the present embodiment, not only the first enlarged display frame 61 (first index) corresponding to the enlarged display frame 60 (see FIGS. 4 to 7 and the like) of the first embodiment, but also the second image in the moving image 52. The point that the enlarged display frame 62 (second index) is displayed is different from the first embodiment. The position and size of the second enlarged display frame 62 in the moving image 52 are equal to the position and size of the first enlarged display frame 61 in the normal still image 56.

  As described above, when the second enlarged display frame 62 corresponding to the first enlarged display frame 61 is displayed together, the moving image 52, the normal still image 56, and the enlarged still image 54 are simultaneously displayed. The enlarged region in the normal still image 56 and the region corresponding to the enlarged region in the real-time moving image 52 can be simultaneously compared. Accordingly, the subject in the normal still image 56 generated in advance and the subject in the latest moving image 52 corresponding to the current still image can be compared on the same monitor 80, and more efficient endoscopic observation is possible. become.

  In the present embodiment, in the state where the normal still image 56 is not displayed (see FIG. 9), the moving image 52 and the enlarged moving image in which the region surrounded by the second enlarged display frame 62 in the moving image 52 is enlarged. The image 58 can be displayed simultaneously. For this reason, when the enlarged still image 54 is generated and displayed at the present time, it is possible to always and surely know what subject is included in the enlarged still image 54.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the subject image is displayed so as to enable more efficient endoscopic observation than in the first embodiment.

  The display of the subject image and the enlarged display frame is not limited to any embodiment. For example, instead of the enlarged display frames 60 to 62, only an index that partially shows the outline of the area to be enlarged may be displayed. Further, the enlarged display frames 60 to 62 may have a shape other than a rectangle, and may be variable according to a user instruction. The colors of the enlarged display frames 60 to 62 may be adjustable.

  Further, regarding the display screen 84, it is preferable that the main area 86 is the largest and the first and second sub-areas 85 and 87 are smaller than this, but it is not limited to this. The shape of each area included in the display screen 84 may be other than the illustrated rectangle. Even if the size and shape of the first sub-region 85 and the second sub-region 87 are not equal to each other, the first enlarged display frame 61 and the second enlarged display frame 62 correspond to each other in both regions. It is displayed at the position to be.

10 Electronic Endoscope Device (Endoscope Device)
24 CCD (image generation means)
25 Freeze button (indicator)
42 Signal processing circuit (image generating means)
60 Enlarged display frame (first index)
61 First enlarged display frame (first index)
62 Second enlarged display frame (second index)
80 Monitor (image display means / image display unit)

Claims (11)

An endoscope apparatus provided with image display means for displaying a subject image,
An endoscope apparatus characterized in that the image display means can simultaneously display a moving image, a normal still image based on the moving image, and an enlarged still image in which a part of the normal still image is enlarged. .   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first index indicating a range of an enlarged area that is enlarged as the enlarged still image is displayed in the normal still image.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a second index corresponding to the first index is displayed in the moving image.   The internal vision according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first index having the same position, shape, and size can be displayed in the plurality of normal still images displayed at different timings. Mirror device.   The display device further includes an instruction member for instructing display of the normal still image, and when the display of the normal still image is instructed by operation of the instruction member, the first indicator displayed immediately before the instruction is given The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein is displayed again.   An instruction member for instructing display of the normal still image is further provided, and when the display of the normal still image is instructed by operation of the instruction member, the instruction image is based on the moving image when the instruction member is operated. 6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a new normal still image is displayed.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a range of an enlarged region of the normal still image that is enlarged as the enlarged still image is adjustable.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image generation unit configured to generate the subject image.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image generation unit generates the enlarged still image by enlarging the normal still image with an electronic zoom.   In the normal still image, a first index indicating a range of an enlarged area that is magnified as the enlarged still image is displayed, and the image generation unit performs an enlargement ratio according to the size of the first index. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the enlarged still image is generated. An image display unit of an endoscope apparatus that displays a subject image,
An endoscope apparatus characterized in that the image display unit can simultaneously display a moving image, a normal still image based on the moving image, and an enlarged still image in which a part of the normal still image is enlarged. Image display section.

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