JPH10165363A - Endoscopic image pickup signal processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To designate a precise light measuring area to perform an optimum image pickup signal processing by detecting the image area showing an endoscopic image on the basis of the signal level of the image pickup signal, and changing the processing state of the image pickup signal according to the detection. SOLUTION: When a white balance instruction switch 41 is ON, a TV signal 32 is transferred to an automatic gain circuit 34 after subjected to white balance processing, and also transferred to a comparator 36. The comparator 36 extracts the display area of the endoscopic image by comparing the TV signal 32 with a reference signal 35, and stores it in a light measuring area memory circuit 38. It is transferred as a light measuring area signal 37 to a sample hold circuit 39 and the automatic gain circuit 34. In the sample hold circuit 39, the dc level signal of the TV signal 32 is detected only in the display area of the endoscopic image, and transferred as EE signal 42 through a buffer 40 to the diaphragm control circuit 14 of a light source device 5. A diaphragm 13 is opened and closed according to the level of the EE signal 42 to control the light to be emitted from a lamp 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging signal processing apparatus for an endoscope, and more particularly, to an endoscope having a detection portion for detecting an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image in an endoscope imaging signal. The present invention relates to a mirror imaging signal processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope apparatus is capable of observing a part that cannot be directly viewed, such as in a body cavity, and is widely used for observation and treatment mainly in the medical field. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electronic endoscope device that converts a subject image into an electric signal by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD and enables observation on a monitor is becoming widespread.

An electronic endoscope is connected to a light source device that irradiates light to an observation site and a signal processing device that converts a signal of the solid-state imaging device into a TV signal. The level is adjusted by detecting the level. When the detected level is higher than a certain set value, the light amount is reduced, and when the detected level is lower, the light amount is controlled to be increased.

Accordingly, an image having a constant brightness can be formed by this light quantity control. As another method for generating an image having a constant brightness, there is a method of detecting the level of the TV signal and varying the amplification factor of the TV signal according to the detected level.

The display of the electronic endoscope image on the monitor is not displayed on the entire monitor screen, but is displayed on a part of the monitor screen as shown by a display area 101 in a hatched portion in FIG. When the level of the TV signal is detected, if the level is detected in the entire area of the monitor screen, the average brightness including the area 102 other than the endoscope screen is obtained, and accurate light quantity control cannot be performed. Hereinafter, it is necessary to specify the photometry area) and perform the detection only in the endoscope screen display area.

However, in the electronic endoscope apparatus, various types of electronic endoscopes suitable for a site to be observed are prepared, and for example, the diameter of the insertion section of the electronic endoscope is different. The difference in the diameter of the insertion portion may cause a difference in the display area. In other words, if the diameter of the insertion section is to be reduced as much as possible, the CCD cannot be attached to the tip of the insertion section. For example, an object image guided by glass fiber or the like can be transferred to the CCD by an endoscope operation section with a relatively large space. The method of taking an image is taken.

At this time, the area where the subject image is picked up by the CCD is not limited to all the pixels of the CCD, but is arbitrary depending on the number of glass fibers and the magnification of a zoom lens provided between the glass fibers and the CCD. As described above, since the display area 101 is arbitrarily different depending on the electronic endoscope used, the photometric area cannot be determined centrally in the signal processing device.

Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-296190, an ID indicating the type of the electronic endoscope is provided in the electronic endoscope.
A number is provided, a photometric area corresponding to the display area of the electronic endoscope is prepared in advance in the signal processing circuit, and the type of the electronic endoscope connected by the ID number is detected, and the electronic endoscope is detected. An apparatus for selecting a photometric area corresponding to an endoscope is disclosed.

[0009]

However, in the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, it is necessary to provide a means for generating a signal indicating the type of the electronic endoscope to be connected for each electronic endoscope. Since the selectable photometric area needs to be set in advance, it can be operated only in combination with a limited electronic endoscope device, and in combination with any electronic endoscope having a different display area, There is a problem that it is difficult to specify an accurate photometry area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and designates an accurate photometric area for an arbitrary electronic endoscope having a different display area, and optimally processes an endoscope image pickup signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging signal processing device for an endoscope that can be used.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope imaging signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope imaging signal obtained by an imaging means. An endoscope image region detection unit that detects an endoscope image region representing an endoscope image in the endoscope image signal based on a signal level of the imaging signal, and responds to the detection of the endoscope image region detection unit. Signal processing state changing means for changing the processing state of the endoscope imaging signal.

In the endoscope imaging signal processing apparatus according to the present invention,
The endoscope image region detection unit detects an endoscope image region representing an endoscope image in the endoscope imaging signal based on a signal level of the endoscope imaging signal, and the signal processing state changing unit By changing the processing state of the endoscope image signal in accordance with the detection of the endoscope image area detecting means, an accurate photometric area is specified for any electronic endoscope having a different display area, and To process the endoscope image pickup signal.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a configuration showing a configuration of an automatic gain circuit of FIG. FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a solid-state image pickup device, for example, a CCD 3 at a distal end of an insertion section 2 to be inserted into a body cavity, and picks up an image of a subject. An endoscope 4, a light source device 5 that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 4, and an endoscope imaging signal processing device that processes an imaging signal of a subject obtained by the electronic endoscope 4. A signal processing device 6 is provided. Note that the electronic endoscope 4 may be either a flexible endoscope or a rigid endoscope.

The signal processing device 6 is connected with a monitor 7 for inputting an image signal from the signal processing device 6 and displaying a subject image. The signal is processed by the device 6 and displayed on the monitor 7.

The light source device 5 includes a lamp 1 that emits illumination light.
An aperture 13 for dimming the illumination light and emitting the light to an incident end face of a light guide 12 inserted through the electronic endoscope 4;
An aperture control circuit 14 controls the dimming by driving the aperture 13.

The light guide 12 passes through a universal cord (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 4 and the inside of the insertion portion 2, and the illumination light emitted from the light guide 12 at the incident end face is The light is transmitted by an illumination optical system (not shown) provided at the distal end of the insertion section 2 and is directed toward an object (not shown).

On the other hand, the image of the object (not shown) irradiated with the illumination light is formed on the image forming surface of the CCD 3 by an objective lens system (not shown) provided at the tip of the insertion section 2,
The optical image is photoelectrically converted by D3 and output to the signal processing device 6 via a universal code (not shown) as an imaging signal.

The signal processing device 6 includes a preamplifier 31 for amplifying an image pickup signal from the CCD 3 and a video signal processing circuit 33 for performing signal processing such as white balance processing on the image pickup signal via the preamplifier 31 and outputting a TV signal 32. An automatic gain circuit 34 for performing automatic gain control on the TV signal 32 from the video signal processing circuit 33;
3 as a means for detecting an endoscope image area for comparing the TV signal 32 from
A photometric area storage circuit 38 for storing a comparison output of the comparator 36 as a photometric area signal 37 to be described later; and a sample hold as a signal processing state changing means for holding the DC level of the TV signal 32 in the display area of the endoscope image. Circuit 39, and the output of the sample-and-hold circuit 39 is supplied via the buffer 40 to the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5.
Is output to Here, the sample hold circuit 39 includes a switch SW1, a resistor R1, and a capacitor C1.

The automatic gain circuit 34 and the sample-and-hold circuit 39 respectively control the TV of the display area of the endoscope image based on the photometric area signal 37 as described later.
The automatic gain control is performed on the signal 32, and the DC level of the TV signal 32 in the display area of the endoscope image is held.

When, for example, a white balance instruction switch 41 provided on an operation panel (not shown) of the signal processing device 6 is turned on, the white balance processing is performed by the video signal processing circuit 33 and the photometric area storage circuit 38 Then, the comparison output of the comparator 36 is stored as a photometry area signal 37.

At this time, the photometric area signal 37 is output from the photometric area storage circuit 38 to the automatic gain circuit 34 and the sample and hold circuit 39, and the automatic gain circuit 34 outputs the photometric area designated by the photometric area signal 37 as described later. To detect the brightness, and based on the brightness, the TV signal 3
The sample and hold circuit 39 performs brightness control in the photometry area specified by the photometry area signal 37 (that is, the DC level of the TV signal 32 of the endoscope image in the specified photometry area). Is to be held.

That is, the white balance instruction switch 4
In response to the ON signal of 1, the video signal processing circuit 33 performs white balance processing and stores the photometric area signal 37 in the photometric area storage circuit 38. Then, the automatic gain circuit 34 performs automatic gain control on the TV signal 32 based on the brightness in the photometry area designated by the photometry area signal 37,
Then, the brightness is held in the photometry area designated by the photometry area signal 37, and the EE signal 42
Is output to the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic gain circuit 34
The TV signal 32 is composed of an amplifier 51, a resistor R2, a capacitor C2, a comparator 52, and a target value generation circuit 53.
Gain-controlled TV signal 32 based on
Switch S to obtain the control voltage 54
The data is transmitted to W2. On the other hand, the gain-controlled TV signal 32 is transmitted to the monitor 7 so that the subject image can be observed on the monitor 7.

Next, the operation of the embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

In the signal processing device 6, the video signal input from the CCD 3 is amplified by the preamplifier 31 to a predetermined signal level that can be processed by the signal, and then processed into the TV signal 32 by the video processing circuit 33.

The white balance instruction switch 41 is turned on.
Then, the TV signal 32 is white-balanced by the video signal processing circuit 33 and then transmitted to the automatic gain circuit 34. At the same time, the TV signal 32 from the video signal processing circuit 33 is transmitted to the comparator 36, 36
Extracts the display area of the endoscope image by comparing the TV signal 32 with the reference signal 35 and stores it in the photometric area storage circuit 38. Then, the photometric area storage circuit 38 transmits the stored display area of the endoscope image as a photometric area signal 37 to the switch SW1 in the sample and hold circuit 39 and the automatic gain circuit 34.

Here, based on FIG.
6 will be described in detail.

The designation of the photometric area in the present embodiment is performed at the same time as the video signal processing circuit 33 performs white balance on the video signal, so that the subject at that time is limited to white, as shown in FIG. In addition, the endoscope image signal level 61 has a uniform value near 60 IRE (in normal use, the target value of the brightness of the automatic light control is around 60 IRE).

Although the area other than the endoscope image is completely dark, it may have a certain level depending on the type of the signal processing device 6. The dark level is called a pedestal level 62, which is usually 7.5 IRE at maximum.

In consideration of the above, the comparator 36
The reference signal level 63 of the reference signal 35 at 7.5
The display area of the endoscope image is extracted by comparing the reference signal level 63 with the TV signal 32 by the comparator 36.

That is, the photometric area signal 37 is at a high level in the display area of the endoscope image and at a low level in areas other than the display area of the endoscope image.

The data of the photometry area signal 37 is transmitted to the photometry area storage circuit 38 and stored in the photometry area storage circuit 38 at the timing when the white balance instruction switch 41 is pressed. The data stored in the photometry area storage circuit 38 is then transmitted to the white balance instruction switch 4.
It is held until 1 is pressed, and is transmitted to the automatic gain circuit 34 and the sample and hold circuit 39.

Since the setting of the white balance by the video signal processing circuit 33 is performed every time the electronic endoscope 4 is replaced, the specification of the photometric area can be set for each electronic endoscope used.

In the automatic gain circuit 34, the input TV signal 32 is input to the amplifier 51 as shown in FIG.
The gain is controlled based on the control voltage 54. The gain-controlled TV signal 32 is transmitted to the monitor 7 so that the subject image can be observed on the monitor 7. At the same time, the gain-controlled TV signal 32 is
4 is transmitted to the switch SW2 in order to obtain 4.

Here, a method of extracting the control voltage 54 will be described in detail.

The switch SW2 is connected to the photometric area storage circuit 3
8 is controlled by the photometric area signal 37 which is the output of the TV signal 32, and is closed in the display area of the endoscope image (the level of the photometric area signal 37 = high level) by the photometric area signal 37, and the TV signal 32 whose gain is controlled by the amplifier 51. Is sampled and held by the capacitor C2. In addition, other than the display area of the endoscope image (the level of the photometry area signal 37 = low level)
Is open, and the level held by the capacitor C2 is held.

As described above, in the automatic gain circuit 34, the level of the TV signal 32 is detected only in the display area of the endoscope image, and is converted into a DC signal. This DC signal is supplied to the comparator 52
And the target value 5 set by the target value generation circuit 53.
Compared to 5. That is, when the level of the DC signal is the target value 5
If it is larger than 5, lower the gain of the amplifier 51,
When the level of the DC signal is smaller than the target value 55, the control voltage 54 is increased so as to increase the gain of the amplifier 51.
Works.

As described above, by controlling the gain of the amplifier 51 by the control voltage 54, it becomes possible to form an endoscope image of appropriate brightness on the monitor 7.

On the other hand, in the sample and hold circuit 39, the switch SW1 in the circuit is closed in the display area of the endoscope image (the level of the photometric area signal 37 = high level) by the output of the photometric area storage circuit 38, and the switch SW1 is closed. The level of the TV signal 32 input to SW1 is sampled and held by the capacitor C1.

The switch SW1 is opened by the output of the photometric area storage circuit 38, except for the display area of the endoscope image (the level of the photometric area signal 37 = low level), and holds the level held by the capacitor C1. I do.

As described above, in the sample and hold circuit 39, as for the level of the TV signal 32, the DC signal is detected only in the display area of the endoscope image.

Then, the detected DC signal is transmitted as an EE signal 42 to the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5 via the buffer 40. The aperture control circuit 14 opens and closes the aperture 13 according to the level of the EE signal 42 and controls the light emitted from the lamp 11.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the display area of the endoscope image is detected by the comparator 36 and the photometric area storage circuit 38, and the brightness of the display area of the endoscope image is detected by the automatic gain circuit 34. Since the gain of the amplifier 51 is controlled by the control voltage 54, an endoscope image with appropriate brightness can be formed on the monitor 7.

Further, the brightness of the display area of the endoscope image is detected by the sample and hold circuit 39 to generate an EE signal 42, and the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5 transmits the EE signal 42 to a certain set value. When the level is high, the aperture 13 is controlled so as to decrease the light amount, and when the level of the EE signal 42 is low, the aperture 13 is controlled so as to increase the light amount.

The light whose light amount has been controlled is applied to the subject through the light guide 12, and an endoscope image having appropriate brightness can be formed by this light amount control.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a signal processing device. FIG. 5 shows the operation of the high luminance detection circuit of FIG. The second embodiment, which is a timing chart to be described, is almost the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the course of the endoscopic procedure, a treatment tool such as forceps may be picked up on the endoscope image. The forceps in the endoscopic image have high brightness because they are imaged at a near point. When the automatic gain circuit 34 is operated in this state, the high intensity of the forceps is adjusted to an appropriate amount, and a portion imaged at a distant point such as a stomach wall becomes dark. Therefore, when the forceps are imaged, it is necessary to exclude the forceps portion from the photometric area.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
From the switch SW2 of the automatic gain circuit 34 and the switch SW1 of the sample and hold circuit 39.
The output of a high-brightness detection circuit 72, which will be described later, is input to the AND circuit 70 via an inverter circuit 71. The detection signal 73 from the high-brightness detection circuit 72 is also output to the switch SW2 of the automatic gain circuit 34 And a switch SW1 of the sample and hold circuit 39.

The high brightness detection circuit 72 includes a filter 74 including a resistor R3 and a capacitor C3,
7 that compares the output of the video processing circuit 33 with the output of
And 5.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, in the high-brightness detection circuit 72, first, R3, C3
The high-luminance portion having a width equal to or less than a specific width is removed by the filter 74 constituted by the step (3). Next, the output of the video processing circuit 33 and the output of the filter 74 are compared by a comparator 75, and only the high-luminance component removed by the filter 74 is extracted to generate a detection signal 73.
Is output to the inverter circuit 71. Here, the photometric area signal 37 has the width of the display area of the endoscope image shown in FIG. )
As shown in the figure, the signal is the width of the display area of the endoscope image display area, for example, the display area of the forceps portion. Then, a logical sum of the detection signal 73 via the inverter circuit 71 and the photometry area signal 37 is obtained by the AND circuit 70, thereby obtaining the signal shown in FIG.
Are output from the AND circuit 70 to the sample-and-hold circuit 39 and the automatic gain circuit 34.

In the sample and hold circuit 39, the output of the AND circuit 70 based on the detection signal 73 (FIG. 5)
According to (c)), only the high luminance component of the video signal processing circuit 33 is removed by the switch SW1, the luminance level is held by the capacitor C1, and is output as the EE signal.
The EE signal 42 is transmitted to the light source device 5 and the aperture 13 is adjusted so that the output of the video processing circuit 33 reaches an appropriate luminance level.
Is controlled.

In the automatic gain circuit 34, the TV
The signal 32 has its high luminance component removed by the output of the AND circuit 70 based on the detection signal 73 (FIG. 5C), and is held by the capacitor C2. The output of the capacitor C2 is compared with a target value 55 which is an output of the target value generation circuit 53,
It is used as a control voltage 54 for controlling the gain of the amplifier 51.

Therefore, if the brightness level of the TV signal 32 is darker than the target value 55, the automatic gain circuit 34
1 and the luminance level of the TV signal 32 becomes the target value 5
If it is brighter than 5, the gain of the amplifier 51 is lowered, so that T
The V signal 32 works to have an appropriate luminance level.

Other functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

For example, the sample and hold circuit 39 and the automatic gain circuit 34 detect
If detection is performed independently of each other, the detection accuracy of the same high luminance component cannot be obtained because the signals to be detected are different. For this reason, the gain of the amplifier 51 becomes too high, and noise is conspicuous, and conversely, the gain is too low, and the far point becomes dark.

However, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, in order to remove only the high luminance component from the same detection signal 73 obtained by the high luminance detection circuit 72, a forceps or the like is used. Even if a high-brightness subject is captured, the TV signal 32 having appropriate brightness can be obtained by the automatic gain circuit 34 and the sample hold circuit 39.

FIGS. 6 and 7 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope device of FIG.

Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

A photometric method for detecting the level of a TV signal is as follows.
Conventionally, there are average photometry and peak photometry, which are appropriately switched depending on the observation site.

In the average photometry, the aperture control circuit 14 as the light amount control means and the automatic gain circuit 34 as the gain control means are controlled by a signal obtained by averaging the entire endoscope screen. When both a bright part and a dark part are present, an operation is performed so that an intermediate portion between the bright part and the dark part has appropriate brightness.

On the other hand, the peak photometry is a signal that detects the brightest part in the endoscope screen, and is a diaphragm control circuit 14 as a light quantity control means and an automatic gain circuit 3 as a gain control means.
Similarly, when both the bright part and the dark part are present in the endoscope screen to control step 4, the operation is performed so that the bright part has an appropriate brightness.

However, it is impossible to make the dark area an appropriate brightness only by the average photometry and the peak photometry described above.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a dark portion is set to an appropriate brightness.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the TV signal 32 from the video signal processing circuit 33 is divided into an average detection circuit 81, a peak detection circuit 82, and a spot detection circuit 83.
The average detection circuit 81 detects the entire endoscope image so as to average it, and the peak detection circuit 82 detects the brightest part in the endoscope image so as to detect it.
Further, the spot detection circuit 83 detects only the photometric area frame display portion in the endoscope image in the monitor image shown in FIG. 7D, for example.

One of the outputs of the average detection circuit 81, the peak detection circuit 82, and the spot detection circuit 83 is selected by a switch SW4 according to a signal from a photometric changeover switch 84 provided on an operation panel (not shown). The automatic gain circuit 34 and the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5 are supplied as EE signals 42 via buffers 85 and 86.
Is transmitted to

When the spot detection circuit 83 is selected by the photometry changeover switch 84, the photometry area frame signal 87
, And a photometric area generating circuit 90 that generates a photometric area signal 89 corresponding to the display of the photometric area frame and outputs the signal to the spot detection circuit 83.

When the spot detection circuit 83 is selected by the photometry changeover switch 84, the photometry area generation circuit 9
0 generates a photometric area signal 89 corresponding to the photometric area frame display and outputs it to the spot detection circuit 83. The spot detection circuit 83 detects the TV signal corresponding to the photometric area frame display and automatically outputs the TV signal via the buffers 85 and 86. The gain circuit 34 and the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5 are controlled. Further, the TV signal 32 from the automatic gain circuit 34 and the photometric area frame signal 87 are synthesized by the image synthesis circuit 91, and
The image shown in (d) is displayed.

The photometric area frame may be always displayed on the monitor 7 or may be displayed for a specific time.

Here, in this embodiment, the selection status of the average photometry, the peak photometry and the spot photometry is displayed on the endoscope screen so that it can be easily checked, and a sound is generated when the photometry is switched. For example, the frequency of the sound is increased when switching to the average metering, the frequency of the sound is decreased when switching to the peak metering, or the sound is lengthened when switching to the spot metering, so that the setting status can be confirmed by the sound. In order to prevent an operation error, a technique has been adopted.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, a specific circuit operation of the spot detection circuit 83 will be described.

In the photometric area generating circuit 90, FIG.
A photometric area signal 89 corresponding to the photometric area frame display shown in FIG.
(FIG. 7B) is generated. Then, the spot detection circuit 83 outputs the TV signal 32 (FIG.
7A is detected, the signal shown in FIG. 7C is detected and converted into a DC signal, and the DC signal is converted through buffers 85 and 86 into the automatic gain circuit 34 and the aperture control circuit 14 of the light source device 5.
And control.

Therefore, even when both the light and dark areas exist as described above, the TV signal 32 is detected only in the dark area if the light metering area frame display is matched with the dark area, so that the average and peak metering cannot be performed. It is possible to optimize the brightness of the dark part, which was possible.

As described above, in this embodiment, the spot, photometry using the spot detection circuit 83 is added to the conventional average photometry and peak photometry to optimize the brightness of the dark, bright, and intermediate portions. To make things possible.

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) In an endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope image signal obtained by an imaging means, the endoscope is controlled based on a signal level of the endoscope image signal. An endoscope image area detecting means for detecting an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image in the mirror imaging signal, and a processing state of the endoscope image signal according to the detection of the endoscope image area detecting means. An endoscope imaging signal processing apparatus, comprising: a signal processing state changing unit for changing the state.

(Additional Item 2) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the signal processing state changing means changes an operation state of a circuit for adjusting a gain of the endoscope image pickup signal. Mirror imaging signal processing device.

(Supplementary Note 3) The signal processing state changing means changes an operation state of a dimming signal output circuit that generates a dimming signal based on the endoscope image pickup signal. Item 2. An imaging signal processing device for an endoscope according to Item 1.

(Additional Item 4) In an endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope image signal obtained by an image pickup means, a white balance adjustment operation of an endoscope image obtained by the endoscope image signal is performed. An endoscope image area detecting means for detecting an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image in the endoscope image signal based on a signal level of the endoscope image signal; A signal processing state changing means for changing a processing state of the endoscope imaging signal in accordance with detection by a mirror image area detecting means.

(Additional Item 5) In an endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope image signal obtained by an image pickup means, the white balance of an endoscope image obtained by the endoscope image signal is adjusted. White balance adjustment instruction means for instructing, and an endoscope representing an endoscope image in the endoscope image imaging signal based on a signal level of the endoscope image imaging signal in response to an adjustment instruction of the white balance adjustment instruction means. An endoscope image region detecting unit that detects an image region; and a signal processing state changing unit that changes a processing state of the endoscope imaging signal according to the detection of the endoscope image region detecting unit. An imaging signal processing device for an endoscope, which is characterized by the following.

(Additional Item 6) In an endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing endoscope image signals obtained by the image pickup means, wherein a plurality of types of endoscopes provided with image pickup means are detachably connected. An endoscope image area for detecting an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image in the endoscope image signal based on a signal level of the endoscope image signal according to the connected endoscope; An endoscope image signal processing device comprising: a detection unit; and a signal processing state changing unit that changes a processing state of the endoscope image signal in accordance with the detection of the endoscope image region detection unit. apparatus.

(Appendix 7) In an endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope image signal obtained by an image pickup means, an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image in the endoscope image signal is provided. Area designation means for designating a predetermined area within, average detection means for averaging and detecting the endoscope imaging signal,
Peak detection means for detecting and detecting the maximum level of the endoscope imaging signal, and spot detection means for detecting the endoscope imaging signal in an area designated by the area designation means,
Output selection means for selecting and outputting one of the output of the average detection means, the output of the peak detection means, and the output of the spot detection means, and the imaging of the endoscope according to the output of the output selection means An imaging signal processing device for an endoscope, comprising: signal processing state changing means for changing a processing state of a signal.

[0085]

As described above, according to the imaging signal processing apparatus for an endoscope according to the present invention, the endoscope image area detecting means detects the endoscope imaging signal based on the signal level of the endoscope imaging signal. The signal processing state changing means changes the processing state of the endoscope image signal in accordance with the detection of the endoscope image area detecting means, so that the display area is different. There is an effect that an accurate photometric area can be specified for an arbitrary electronic endoscope, and an endoscope image pickup signal can be optimally processed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the automatic gain circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a signal processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the high luminance detection circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional electronic endoscope device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope device 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... CCD 4 ... Electronic endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... Signal processing device 7 ... Monitor 11 ... Lamp 12 ... Light guide 13 ... Aperture 14 ... Aperture control circuit 31 ... Preamplifier 32 ... TV signal 33 ... Video signal processing circuit 34 ... Automatic gain circuit 35 ... Reference signal 36 ... Comparator 37 ... Photometry area signal 38 ... Photometry area storage circuit 39 ... Sample hold circuit 40 ... Buffer 41 ... White balance instruction switch 42 ... EE signal

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 18, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

By the way, the display of the electronic endoscope image on the monitor is not displayed on the entire monitor screen, but is displayed on a part of the monitor screen as shown by a shaded display area 102 in FIG. When detecting the level of the TV signal, since become a mean brightness of including the area 101 other than the endoscope screen detects the area of the entire monitor screen, it can not be accurately quantity control, the display area 102 area ( Hereinafter, it is necessary to specify the photometry area) and perform the detection only in the endoscope screen display area.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

At this time, the area where the subject image is picked up by the CCD is not limited to all the pixels of the CCD, but is arbitrary depending on the number of glass fibers and the magnification of a zoom lens provided between the glass fibers and the CCD. As described above, since the display area 102 is arbitrarily different depending on the electronic endoscope used, the photometric area is not determined centrally in the signal processing device.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

However, in the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, it is necessary to provide a means for generating a signal indicating the type of the electronic endoscope to be connected for each electronic endoscope. Since the selectable photometry area needs to be set in advance, it can be operated only in combination with a limited electronic endoscope device, and a different display area can be used.
In combination with the electronic endoscope arbitrary that, there is a problem that specify exact metering area becomes difficult.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014] FIGS. 1 to 3 relates to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus. FIG. 2 is configuration diagram of an automatic gain circuit in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is how to extract the display area
It is a figure for demonstrating a method .

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When, for example, a white balance instruction switch 41 provided on an operation panel (not shown) of the signal processing device 6 is turned on, the white balance processing is performed by the video signal processing circuit 33 and the photometric area storage circuit 38 in that store as a photometric area signal 37 the comparison output of the comparator 36.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0032

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In consideration of the above, the comparator 36
The reference signal level 63 of the reference signal 35 at 7.5
Set between 60IRE, by comparing this reference signal level 63 before Symbol TV signal 32 at comparator 36, extracts a display area of the endoscopic image.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0041

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

On the other hand, in the sample and hold circuit 39, the switch SW1 in the circuit is closed in the display area of the endoscope image (the level of the photometric area signal 37 = high level) by the output of the photometric area storage circuit 38, and the switch SW1 is closed. the level of the TV signal 32 is input to SW1 is held in the capacitor C1 while San purine <br/> grayed.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0048

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0048] Figures 4 and 5 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 configuration view of a main part of the signal processing device, Figure 5 illustrates the effect of high luminance detecting circuit shown in FIG 4 It is a timing chart. Since the second embodiment has almost the same configuration as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0059

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0059] However, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, in order to remove only the high luminance component in the same detection signal 73 obtained by the high-luminance detection circuit 72, a forceps or the like Even if a high-luminance subject is photographed, the TV signal 32 of appropriate brightness can be obtained by the automatic gain circuit 34 and the sample hold circuit 39.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0060

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0060] FIGS. 6 and 7 relates to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus, Fig. 7 6
FIG. 4 is a signal waveform diagram in the electronic endoscope device of FIG.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0061

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that
Since the configuration is almost the same, only the differences are explained,
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope image signal processing apparatus for processing an endoscope image signal obtained by an image pickup means, wherein an endoscope image signal in the endoscope image signal based on a signal level of the endoscope image signal. Endoscope image area detection means for detecting an endoscope image area representing an endoscope image, and signal processing state change for changing a processing state of the endoscope imaging signal in response to detection by the endoscope image area detection means And an endoscope imaging signal processing apparatus.