JP3230636B2 - Automatic adjustment device for signal processing device for endoscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope signal processor for automatically adjusting a signal in an endoscope signal processing apparatus to which an electronic endoscope or an external camera of the endoscope is connected. The present invention relates to an automatic adjustment device for a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe an organ in the body cavity, and if necessary,
2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope capable of performing various medical treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel is widely used.

[0003] Boilers, gas turbine engines,
2. Description of the Related Art Industrial endoscopes are widely used for observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of pipes of chemical plants and the bodies of automobile engines and the like.

Further, various types of electronic endoscopes using a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) as an imaging means have been used. The electronic endoscope is used in combination with a video processor that performs processing on an electric signal photoelectrically converted by the solid-state imaging device and generates a video signal to be displayed on a monitor, for example.

The adjustment of a signal processing circuit and the like built in a video processor for an electronic endoscope is performed, for example, as follows. That is, an electronic endoscope is connected to a video processor, and a pattern image or the like for adjusting a television camera is captured by the electronic endoscope. Then, the level of the signal output by the imaging is measured, and a variable resistor or the like provided in the signal processing circuit is adjusted so that the measured value becomes a preset value.

[0006]

Since the above-described series of operations are performed by humans, the adjustments may not be accurately performed due to human errors or variations among operators.
Also, with the top lid of the video processor case removed, place an oscilloscope probe etc.
To perform the measurement while applying, when implementing a variable resistor for adjusting the circuit board, or have limited the implementation place during the measurement, the probe is brought into contact with the portions which are not intended, risk of shorting the circuit There is.

In addition, when the number of variable resistors for adjustment provided in the circuit increases, the number of adjustment points also increases, so that it takes a very long time to adjust.

Further, at the time of adjustment, an image pickup signal of a test pattern whose level has been adjusted according to a certain standard is input to the video processor, but the influence of external light, the change over time of the image pickup device of the connected electronic endoscope, and the like. There is no guarantee that a constant level signal will always be input due to variations in the adjustment of the test pattern signal.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has as its object to provide a uniform and accurate signal that is not affected by external light or the like during adjustment of a signal from an endoscope signal processing device. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic adjustment device of a signal processing device for an endoscope which can easily be automatically adjusted.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electronic endoscope equipped with a solid-state imaging device or an external camera connected to an optical fiber endoscope and equipped with a solid-state imaging device. A drive unit for generating a drive signal for driving the solid-state imaging device; and a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on an imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device. An automatic adjustment device used in a signal processing device for an endoscope, wherein solid-state imaging is performed using the drive signal supplied from the drive unit.
Test signal generating means for generating a test signal simulating an output signal of an element, and signal adjusting means included in the signal processing means and performing predetermined adjustment on an image signal output from the solid-state image sensor or the test signal When the target value or reference value set in advance, the signal processing comparing the test signals processed by means, set value given to said predetermined adjustment in the signal adjusting means based on the result of the comparison And a means for storing a set value given from the control means to the signal adjusting means .

[0011]

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram relating to an automatic adjustment device of the endoscope signal processing device of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 designates a video processor as an endoscope signal processing device, which can be detachably connected to an electronic endoscope 31 equipped with a solid-state imaging device 32 shown in FIG. I have. The video processor 1 processes a signal of a subject image photoelectrically converted by the solid-state imaging device 32 and displays the signal on, for example, a monitor or supplies a signal to an image recording apparatus. The video processor 1 may be connected not only to the electronic endoscope 31 but also to an external camera (not shown) that can be connected to the eyepiece of the optical fiber endoscope.

The video processor 1 converts an image signal processed by the video processor 1 into a standard video signal, and a scope connector 2 for inputting an image signal of the solid-state image sensor 32 to the video processor 1. It has a signal processing means 4 and a connector 3 for outputting the video signal outside the video processor 1. The video processor 1 outputs the video signal to an external monitor, for example, via the output connector 3.

The connectors 2 and 3 may be provided separately in the video processor 1 or may be the same connector. Further, in the case where the connector 2 and the connector 3 are separately provided in the video processor 1, the connector 3 is connected to the video processor 1
If the external processor provided in the video processor 1 is a connector for a monitor or the like (not shown), a connector dedicated to adjustment need not be provided in the video processor 1 again.

The signal processing means 4 of the video processor 1
Is a signal adjusting means 5 together with various processing circuits (not shown).
And a storage element 6 as storage means. The signal adjusting means 5 can adjust the level of an input signal, that is, the level of the imaging signal, by controlling, for example, the gain of the data from the storage element 6.

The video processor 1 has a solid-state image sensor drive signal generation circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a drive signal generation circuit 7) for generating a drive signal for the solid-state image sensor 32. The solid-state imaging device drive signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit 7 is output to the outside of the video processor via the scope connector 2. The drive signal is usually supplied to the solid-state imaging device 32 of the endoscope. An imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 32 is supplied to an imaging signal processing circuit 4 of the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2, passes through the signal adjusting means 5, and is output from the video processor 1 via the output connector 3. Is output to

On the other hand, at the time of inspection, the solid-state imaging device drive signal is supplied to a test signal generator (hereinafter referred to as OSG) 8 provided outside the video processor.

The OSG 8 is driven by the solid-state image pickup device drive signal and generates a desired test signal. The test signal is supplied to the imaging signal processing circuit 4 of the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2, passes through the signal adjusting means 5, and is output to the outside of the video processor 1 via the output connector 3. Has become.

The imaging signal or test signal output via the output connector 3 is supplied to a personal computer 9 as control means.

The personal computer 9 compares a target value or a reference value with the test signal, and sets and changes the set value of the signal adjusting means 5 based on the comparison result and outputs the set value. I have. The set value is input to the signal adjusting unit 5 via the input connector 29. When the level of the imaging signal matches a target value or a reference value, the set value is stored in the storage element 6.

Next, the adjustment of the level of the video signal output of the video processor will be described with reference to a specific example.

FIGS. 2 and 3 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram including a configuration relating to automatic adjustment of the output level of the video signal of the video processor. FIG. 3 is related to the output level adjustment of the video signal. It is a flowchart.

The video processor 1 has a signal processing section 10 shown in FIG.
The signal processing unit 10 receives the imaging signal of the solid-state imaging device 32, performs various processes such as γ correction,
A signal processing circuit 11 for outputting G and B signals; and R, G and B signals of the signal processing circuit 11
It has an encoder 13 for converting the signal into a signal and outputting the signal, electronic volume controls 12a and 12b as signal adjusting means, and 75Ω drivers 14a, 14b and 14c as line drivers for performing impedance matching with the output stage. I have.

The electronic volume 12a is interposed and connected between the signal processing circuit 11 and the encoder 13. The output of the electronic volume 12a is connected to the encoder 13 and is output to the outside via the 75Ω driver 14c.
The Y / C signal of the encoder 13 is supplied to a 75Ω driver 14a via the electronic volume 12b. NTS of the encoder 13
The C signal is supplied to the 75Ω driver 14b .

The 75Ω drivers 14a, 14b, 14
Each output c is connected to the personal computer 9 via a monitor output connector 16 and an A / D converter 17 provided outside.

The personal computer 9 includes the O
It is connected to the SG 8 by a communication line and also to the E2 PROM 15 provided in the signal processing unit 10. The E2 PROM 15 is connected to the gain control terminals of the electronic volumes 12a and 12b. In addition, about the same composition and operation as the conceptual diagram of FIG.
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In the above configuration, during normal use, an imaging signal of the electronic endoscope 31 equipped with the solid-state imaging device 32 is input to the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2.

The image pickup signal is processed into R, G, B signals by a signal processing circuit 11 of a signal processing unit 10 in the video processor 1, and a Y / C signal and an NT signal are processed by an encoder 13.
Converted to SC signal. The Y / C signal passes through the 75Ω driver 14a, the NTSC signal passes through the 75Ω driver 14b, and the R, G, B signals that do not pass through the encoder 13 pass through the 75Ω driver 14c, and are output to the outside of the video processor 1 through the monitor output connector 16. Is output. At this time, after the R, G, and B signals are output from the signal processing circuit 11, and before the Y and C signals are input to the 75Ω driver 14a, the electronic volume elements 12a and 12b respectively control the amplitude levels of the signals. Adjustments are made. At the time of adjustment, a test signal from the OSG 8 in the video processor 1 is transmitted to the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2.
Is input to

The OSG 8 is connected to the drive signal generation circuit 7.
From the video processor 1 through the scope connector 2 from the video processor 1
It is. The OSG 8 can output a plurality of test patterns, for example, a color bar, 100% white, and the like, as the test signal, and selects and outputs one type of test pattern according to a command from the personal computer 9.

Hereinafter, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The procedure for adjusting the amplitude of each signal will be described.

First, in step S1, 100% white is selected as a test signal output from the OSG 8. The test signal is output from the monitor output connector 16 after passing through the signal processing unit 10 of the video processor 1, and is subjected to A / D conversion.
A / D conversion is performed by the device 17 . In step S2, the personal computer 9 detects the amplitude level of the R signal among the R, G, and B signals. The amplitude level of the detected signal and the target value 714 mV of the amplitude level of the R, G, B composite signal are stored in the personal computer 9.
The gain control signal adjusted on the basis of the comparison result is sent via the E2 PROM 15 to the electronic volume 12.
a to the gain control terminal. That is, step S
As shown in FIG. 3, the gain control signal is changed by the personal computer 9 and applied.

In the personal computer 9, R
The amplitude level of the signal is detected, and if it matches the target value 1VP-P in step S4, the value of the gain control signal at the time of matching is stored in the E2 PROM 15 built in the processor 1 in step S5. If they do not match, the adjustment is repeated.

After the adjustment of the R signal is completed,
The adjustment of the amplitude levels of the signal and the B signal is performed similarly (steps S6 and S7).

When the adjustment of the R, G, B signals is completed,
Next, the Y and C signals are adjusted. Using the personal computer 9, in step S8, an amplitude level from the blanking level of the Y signal to the maximum level of the signal is detected and compared with a target value of 714 mV. In step S9, the electronic volume 12b is determined according to the difference. The gain control signal to be applied to the gain control terminal is changed. In step S10, Y
The amplitude level of the signal is detected, and the target value 714 m
If V is equal to V, the value of the gain control signal at this time is stored in the E2 PROM 15
To save.

Subsequently, the level of the amplitude of the C signal is adjusted.
Using the personal computer 9, the amplitude level of the burst of the C signal is detected in step S12, and in step S1
In step 3, the gain control signal to be applied to the gain control terminal of the electronic volume 12b is changed according to the difference from the target value of 286 mV. In step S14, the amplitude level of the C signal is detected again, and when the amplitude level matches the target value of 286 mV,
In step S15, the value of the gain control signal is stored in the EEPROM 15 incorporated in the processor 1.

In the present embodiment, a test signal is input to the signal processor 10 of the video processor 1 and the video processor 1
A series of adjustment operations of comparing the signal output from the controller with the target value, changing and setting the set value given to the electronic volume so as to match the target value, and storing the set value at the time of the match in the E2 PROM 15 are performed. It can be done automatically.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an adjustment (test) signal which is not affected by external light or the like is applied at the time of adjustment, so that accurate adjustment can be performed. It is possible to prevent occurrence and variation due to operators. For this reason, in this embodiment, the signal can be automatically and always uniformly adjusted, and the cost can be reduced. Further, in this embodiment, since the adjustment can be performed without opening the upper cover of the casing of the video processor, the restriction on the mounting of the substrate of the signal processing circuit in the video processor can be reduced.

4 to 6 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a block diagram including a configuration for automatically adjusting an automatic dimming circuit, and FIG. 4 (b) is a light source device and the like. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an automatic light control circuit, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to automatic adjustment of automatic light control.

The video processor 1 shown in FIG.
It has a patient circuit 18 and a secondary circuit 21 as signal processing means.

In the video processor 1 shown in FIG. 4, during normal use, as shown in FIG. 4B, an electronic endoscope 31 equipped with the solid-state image pickup device 32 and a light source device 33 are connected to a scope connector 2. To connect through. The light source device 33 includes a light source (not shown) that supplies illumination light to the endoscope 31, a stop (not shown) that adjusts the light amount of the illumination light by an automatic dimming signal sent from the video processor 1, and a driving mechanism thereof. Have.

Further, the video processor 1 shown in FIG.
The personal computer 9 is connected via the SG 8 and the A / D converter 17.

The patient circuit 18 receives the test signal of the OSG 8 or the image signal of the solid-state image sensor 32 and amplifies the same. The amount of illumination light of the light source device 33 is determined based on the output of the preamplifier 19. An automatic dimming circuit 20 for generating an automatic dimming signal for adjustment. Further, the patient circuit 18 has the drive signal generation circuit 7 as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The secondary circuit 21 receives the output of the preamplifier 19 via an isolation means (not shown) and removes noise such as 1 / f generated by the solid-state imaging device 32. A conversion circuit 23 for performing various processing after A / D conversion of the output of the CDS circuit 22 and further performing D / A conversion; and a Y / C signal and And an encoder 13 for generating an NTSC signal.

In the above configuration, during normal use, the electronic endoscope 31 equipped with the solid-state imaging device 32 and the light source device 33 are connected via the scope connector 2. The imaging signal from the solid-state imaging device 32 is transmitted to the scope connector 2
Is input to the preamplifier 19 of the patient circuit 18 in the video processor 1, and the output is divided into two. One output is sent to the secondary circuit 21 via an isolation means (not shown), and the CDS circuit 22 and the conversion circuit 2
After being processed by the signal 3, the signal is output to the outside of the video processor 1 via the output connector 3.

The other of the branch outputs of the preamplifier 19 is input to the automatic light control circuit 20.
The automatic light control circuit 20 detects the brightness of the imaging signal and outputs an automatic light control signal according to the brightness. The automatic light control signal is transmitted to the light source device 33 via the scope connector 2.
Sent to In the light source device 33, the aperture is adjusted according to the automatic light control signal, and the amount of emitted light is automatically controlled so that the brightness of the imaging signal of the solid-state imaging device 32 is optimized.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the automatic light control circuit.
This automatic dimming circuit 20 includes a resistor R1 and a capacitor C
1 and a clamp circuit 25 comprising a capacitor C2, a transistor Tr1 and an amplifier IC1.
An integration circuit 26, a reset switch SW1,
Amplifier 27, capacitors C3 and C4, resistors R2 and R
3, a filter 28 comprising R4 and a diode D1,
And an electronic volume 12 as signal adjusting means. The automatic light control circuit 20 receives the adjustment signal from the personal computer 9 and controls the E2 PRO.
M15. The output of the E2 PROM 15 is supplied to the amplifier IC1 of the clamp circuit 25 via the D / A converter 30, and the electronic volume 1
2 gain control terminal.

The capacitor C2 of the clamp circuit 25
Are arranged in series with the output of the LPF 24, the output side of which is connected to the input of the integration circuit 26, and the collector of the transistor Tr1 is connected.
The emitter of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the output of the amplifier IC1 forming a buffer, and the output of the D / A converter 30 is connected to the non-inverting input of the amplifier IC1. A clamp pulse is applied to the base of the transistor Tr1. The amplifier I
The C1 and D / A converter 30 constitute a signal adjusting means.

The image pickup signal output from the preamplifier 19 is first band-limited by a low-pass filter (LPF) 24 in the automatic dimming circuit 20, and then is subjected to optical black (hereinafter referred to as OB). The part is clamped by the clamp circuit 25 so as to be a reference. The integration circuit 26 integrates the image signal for one screen to obtain
The brightness of one screen of the imaging signal is detected. After the detected brightness signal passes through the amplifier 27, it is passed through the filter 28 so as not to cause hunting.
2 and output as an automatic light control signal. The gain of the electronic volume 12 can be determined by obtaining the amount of light necessary to obtain the optimal brightness of the image signal. The switch SW1 is turned on for each screen by a switching signal, thereby discharging the electric charge charged in the integrating circuit 26 and resetting it.

Since the OB portion of the image pickup signal is black, it is necessary to adjust the clamp level to the black level. Further, it is necessary to adjust the gain of the electronic volume 12 for gain adjustment in order to obtain the optimum light amount.

At the time of adjustment, a drive signal generation circuit 7 in the video processor 1 outputs a drive signal of the solid-state image sensor to the outside of the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2. The test signal from the OSG 8 driven by the drive signal is input to the video processor 1 via the scope connector 2.

Hereinafter, the adjustment of the automatic light control circuit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, a procedure for adjusting the clamp level and the gain of the gain adjusting electronic volume will be described.

First, in step S21, a black signal is selected as a test signal of the OSG 8 input to the video processor 1. At this time, the automatic light control signal output from the scope connector 2 of the video processor 1 is subjected to A / D conversion, and in step S22, the personal computer 9 controls the level of the OB part and the level of the video signal part in the automatic light control signal. Are respectively detected. In this case, since the reference black signal is input, the level of the video signal section and the OB section is set to the same black level in step S23.
Then, the level of the clamp is changed by changing the voltage applied to the emitter of the transistor Tr1 of the clamp circuit 25 via the D / A converter 30 .

If the level of the OB section and the level of the video signal match in step S24, then in step S25, E2
The value of the clamp level is stored in the PROM 15. If they do not match, the adjustment is performed again.

When the adjustment of the clamp level is completed, the gain of the electronic volume 12 is adjusted next.

This time, in step S26, the test signal of the OSG 8 input to the video processor 1 is selected to be 50% white. At this time, the A / D converted automatic light control signal output from the scope connector 2 of the video processor 1 is:
In step S27, the computer 9 detects the level of the video signal portion. When 50% white is input in advance, the amount of light required to obtain the optimal brightness is obtained,
The required value of the automatic light control signal is calculated from the amount of light,
The value of the automatic light control signal is set as a target value.

The level of the automatic light control signal is detected, compared with the target value, and the gain control signal applied to the gain control terminal of the electronic volume 12 is changed according to the difference (step S2).
8).

If the level of the automatic light control signal matches the target value in step S29, the value of the gain control signal is stored in the E2 PROM 15 in step S30. If they do not match, the adjustment is performed again.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is an effect that the signal of the endoscope signal processor is not affected by external light or the like at the time of adjustment, and uniform, accurate and easily automatic adjustment can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram relating to an automatic adjustment device of an endoscope signal processing device, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of switching of an endoscope.

FIGS. 2 and 3 relate to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram including a configuration relating to automatic adjustment of an output level of a video signal of a video processor.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to output level adjustment of a video signal.

FIGS. 4 to 6 relate to a second embodiment, and FIGS.
FIG. 2A is a block diagram including a configuration for automatically adjusting an automatic light control circuit, and FIG.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an automatic dimming circuit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to automatic adjustment of automatic light control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video processor for electronic endoscopes 2 ... Scope connector 3 ... Output connector 4 ... Signal processing means 5 ... Signal adjustment means 6 ... Storage element 7 ... Solid-state imaging device drive signal generation circuit 8 ... Test signal generation apparatus 9 ... Personal computer 31 ... Endoscope 32 ... Solid-state image sensor

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An electronic endoscope on which a solid-state imaging device is mounted,
Or a drive unit that is connected to the optical fiber endoscope and has a connector to which an external camera equipped with the solid-state imaging device is detachably attached, and further generates a drive signal for driving the solid-state imaging device; An automatic adjustment device for an endoscope signal processing device used in an endoscope signal processing device having signal processing means for performing signal processing on an imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device, Solid using the drive signal supplied from the drive means
Test signal generating means for generating a test signal imitating an output signal of an image sensor ; signal adjustment included in the signal processing means and performing predetermined adjustment on an image signal output from the solid-state image sensor or the test signal comparing means, and the target value or reference value set in advance, and the test signals processed by said signal processing means, are provided to the predetermined adjustment in the signal adjusting means based on the result of the comparison set and a control means for a value to a variable-setting, automatic adjustment device for an endoscope signal processing apparatus characterized by comprising a means for storing the set values given to the signal adjustment unit from the control unit.