JP2000155271A - Picture recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly retrieve a picture recorded. SOLUTION: A picture recorder 7 is constituted of a ROM 40 and a RAM 41, a CPU 42 controlling a device, an A/D converter 4 converting an analog video signal into a digital picture data, a picture memory 44 storing a picture data, a data compression circuit 45 compressing the picture data, an MO drive 46 storing the picture data compressed or the like in an MO 46a, an SCSI controller 47 controlling the MO drive 46, a sensor I/F 48 connected to a detecting means informing the start or end of an endoscope inspection, a display control circuit 49 outputting a video signal from the picture data to a monitor and a switch 50 instructing the recording and reproducing of the picture data to the MO 46a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus having a feature in an endoscope image recording processing portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image recording apparatus which converts a television video signal into a digital signal and records the digital signal on a recording medium. 2. Description of the Related Art Many image recording apparatuses of this type record on a removable recording medium, particularly a magneto-optical disk (hereinafter, referred to as MO) so that they can be reproduced by a personal computer arranged at a favorite place. In recent years, as the capacity of a recording medium such as an MO has increased, the number of images that can be recorded on one recording medium has increased dramatically.

[0003] For example, even in the case of performing an examination using an endoscope such as a cystoscope in the urology department in the medical field, an image of the endoscope is digitally recorded as a still image using these image recording devices, and the image is recorded. Is used for informed consent. However, in order for a doctor to find an image to be reproduced, it is necessary to check each image in the storage medium, which takes a very long time.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-219468 discloses a field memory for image retrieval, a write address generator and a read address generator for the field memory,
A still image recording apparatus has been disclosed in which a reduced image is created from an image recorded at the time of reproduction, and a plurality of reduced screens are reproduced on one screen to improve the image search efficiency.

[0005]

However, in the structure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-219468, when creating an index image, it is necessary to repeat the operation of reading recorded image data and creating a reduced image for the number of displayed images. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to display an index.

In order to reduce the time required for the index display, a reduced image for the index is created in advance at the time of recording and is recorded together with the original image, and when displaying the index, a plurality of the reduced images are read out and displayed. There is a way to do that. However, in this method, the recording time is extended by the process of creating the reduced screen for the index and the recording of the reduced screen for the index during recording.

As another method for retrieving an image, there is a method in which a patient ID can be input for each examination so that an image can be retrieved using the ID. However, in practice, the examination time is particularly short. In the urology department where there are many patients to be inspected a day, it is troublesome to input the ID of the patient.
After all, the actual situation is that the image is recorded without inserting the ID. Further, even if the patient's ID is entered, the search by the ID can be performed only by the recorded device. For example, when a general personal computer is used to view an image like oneself, it is difficult to find the desired image. There are also problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image recording apparatus capable of quickly searching for a recorded image.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, wherein a recording instruction for instructing recording of the endoscope image is provided. Means, an endoscope image recording means for recording the endoscope image according to a recording instruction of the recording instruction means, and a non-observation signal output means for outputting a non-observation signal corresponding to non-observation of the endoscope, A non-observation processing unit configured to perform processing on the image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording unit in accordance with the non-observation signal.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the non-observation processing means performs processing on the image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording means in accordance with the non-observation signal. This makes it possible to quickly search for a recorded image.

[0011]

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

FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope inspection system, and FIG. 2 is an external view showing an external appearance of a camera holder of FIG. ,
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the camera holder of FIG. 2 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a directory structure diagram showing a management status of image data in the image recording apparatus of FIG.

(Construction) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope inspection system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to connect an endoscope 2 that is inserted into a patient's body to obtain an image of a subject and an endoscope 2. A TV camera 3 which is detachably attached to the eye and captures an image obtained by the endoscope 2, and a signal processing device which photoelectrically converts the TV camera 3 to process an electric signal of the subject which is captured and generates a video signal 4 and
A light source 6 that emits illumination light supplied to the endoscope 2 via a light guide cable 5 to illuminate the inside of the patient;
An image recording device 7 for recording a video signal generated by the signal processing device 4, a monitor 8 for displaying a video signal from the signal processing device 4 or the image recording device 7, a mount 9 for mounting each device; Consists of

Here, a camera holder 20 for holding the TV camera 3 between inspections is fixed to the upper side surface of the gantry 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera holder 20
It comprises an arm 21 extending from the column of the gantry 9 and a camera holding part 22 which is provided integrally with the tip of the arm 21 and which detachably holds the TV camera 3. The camera holding unit 22 is a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis in the vertical direction and having a C-shaped cross section having elasticity in a direction in which the inner diameter increases. When the cylindrical lens barrel 23 of the TV camera 3 is inserted into the camera holder 22, the inner diameter of the camera holder 22 is elastically deformed.
The lens barrel 3 is made slightly smaller than the lens barrel 23 so as to be biased and held.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the camera holder 20 cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the camera holder 22, a current is supplied to the inner diameter of the camera holder 22. A light emitting LED 24 is embedded. Further, a photoelectric element 25 for detecting light of the LED 24 and outputting an electric signal is embedded at a position facing the LED 24.

That is, when the inspection is completed and the TV camera 3 is placed in the camera holder 20, the photoelectric element 25
The detection can be performed by the light not reaching the ED 24, and the camera holder 20 as a whole constitutes a detection unit 26 for detecting the end of the inspection.

The cables 27a and 27b connected to the LED 24 and the photoelectric element 25 extend from the side surface of the arm 21 to the outside of the camera holder 20 through the camera holding portion 22 and the groove 28 provided inside the arm 21. Returning to FIG. 1, the signal code 29 is inserted and connected to the image recording device 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image recording device 7 has a ROM 40 in which software for activation is stored, a RAM 41 used for a work area and the like, and a software stored in the ROM 40 for the image recording device 7. C to control
PU (control unit) 42, A / D converter 43 for converting an analog video signal from signal processing device 4 into digital image data, image memory 44 for storing image data, and data for compressing image data A compression circuit 45; an MO drive 46 for storing image data and the like compressed by the data compression circuit 45 in an MO (magneto-optical disk) 46a;
A SCSI controller 47 for controlling the O drive 46, a cable 27a connected to the detecting means 26,
27b is connected to the sensor interface (sensor I /
F) 48, a display control circuit 49 for outputting a video signal from the image data to the monitor 8, and a switch 50 for instructing recording / reproduction of image data to / from the MO 46a.

The above-mentioned ROM 40, RAM 41, CPU 4
2, image memory 44, data compression circuit 45, sensor I /
The F48, the SCSI controller 47, the display control device 49, and the switch 50 are connected to each other by a bus line 51.

The A / D converter 43 is connected to the signal processing device 4 via a video cable (not shown).
Further, the A / D converter 43 is connected to an image memory 44. Then, the video signal input from the signal processing device 4 via a video cable (not shown) is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 43 and stored in the image memory 44.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 7 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the power of the image recording apparatus 7 is turned on, a step S1 as a start-up process is started, and the CPU 42 executes software in the ROM 40.

In step S2, a directory consisting of dates is automatically created. All image data taken on the same day are stored in this date directory. Thereafter, in step S3, the CPU 42 starts monitoring whether or not the TV camera 3 is in the camera holder 20 based on a signal sent via the sensor I / F 48. That is, when the TV camera 3 is inside the camera holder 20, the detection unit 26 outputs “1”, and when the TV camera 3 is not inside the camera holder 20, it outputs “0”. The CPU 42 determines whether the inspection has been started.

In step S3, the detecting means 26
If "0" is output, the CPU 42 recognizes that the inspection has been started, and shifts the processing to step S4.

In step S4, a patient directory for storing the images recorded in this examination is created under the date directory (see FIG. 6).
U42 enters a standby state.

Here, in the standby state, the detecting means 26
Since “0” is continuously output, the TV camera 3 is detached from the camera holder 20, and the TV camera 3 is attached to the endoscope and the inspection is being performed. Is output until the CPU 42 recognizes the end of the test.

In the image recording apparatus 7 in the standby state, the TV
Since the image of the endoscope 2 captured by the camera 3 is converted into high-speed image data by the A / D converter 43 and recorded in the image memory 44, the image is captured almost in real time.

When the operator presses a recording switch among the switches 50 in the standby state, the switch 50 issues a recording command via the bus line 51 to the CPU 50 in step S6.
The CPU 42 detects this and performs an image recording process in the next step S7.

In step S7, the CPU 42 transfers the image data stored in the image memory 44 to the data compression circuit 45, and performs compression processing in the data compression circuit 45.
Create compressed image data. Then, the CPU 42 writes the compressed image data in the RAM 41, transfers the compressed image data to the MO drive 46 via the bus line 51, and records the compressed image data in the patient directory of the MO 46a by the file management method shown in FIG. Completes the recording operation, returns to step S5, and again puts the CPU 42 into a standby state.

When the operator finishes the examination and holds the TV camera 3 on the camera holder 20, the detecting means 26
"1" is output with respect to 2. When detecting the signal in step S5, the CPU 42 regards the end of the inspection and performs the processes from step S8 onward in the standby state.

In step S8, the CPU 42 converts the image captured in the current inspection from the MO to the R via the bus line 51.
Transferred to the AM 41, the CPU 42 repeats the operation of creating reduced image data, and creates an index image in which reduced images of a plurality of images are pasted on one image. The created index image is transferred from the RAM 41 to the MO 46a via the bus line 51 and recorded.

Next, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the operator has pressed the reproduction switch among the switches 50 in step S9, and if it is determined that there is no reproduction command from the switch 50 (the reproduction switch has not been pressed). Determines in step S10 whether the output of the detecting means 26 is "0", and if the output of the detecting means 26 is "0", determines that the next inspection has been started and returns to step S4, where the output of the detecting means 26 If is not "0", the process returns to step S9, and each process is repeated.

Since the processing in step S8 is performed every time each inspection is completed, the processing performed in step S8 is only processing for the number of images recorded in one inspection, and processing is performed in a short time. Ends. Further, since step S8 is performed as soon as the operator finishes the inspection, the process is completed sufficiently while the operator is washing dirty hands during the inspection.

When the operator presses a reproduction switch among the switches 50 during the repetition of the processing of steps S9 and S10, the switch 50 outputs an index reproduction command to the CPU 42 via the bus line 51, and the C
The PU 42 detects this in step S9, and performs the image reproduction processing in step S11 and subsequent steps.

At step S11, the CPU 42
The index reproduction image data stored in 6a is sent to the image memory 44 via the bus line 51, and the index image is displayed on the monitor 8. At this time, the index image is displayed only in a short time because only the index image that has already been recorded as the data amount of one image is called.

In this state, when the operator selects one of the index images, the CPU 42 recognizes the address of the image in step S12, and transfers the image data to the MO4.
The image is transferred from 6a to the image memory 44, the image is displayed on the monitor 8 on the full screen, and the process returns to step S9.

In this state, when the reproduction switch is pressed again, the image reproduction processing from step S11 is repeated.
If the reproduction switch is not pressed again and the output of the detection means 26 becomes "0" in step S10, the process returns to step S4 where a patient directory is created.

(Effects) As described above, in the image recording apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment, when an operator wants to view an image to be viewed from among the recorded images using the index display, the index image is quickly displayed. Therefore, it is possible to instantly find an image to be viewed.

Also, a directory is automatically created for each date,
Also, to create and record a directory for each patient,
When an image recorded by the image recording device 7 of the present embodiment is reproduced on a personal computer or the like, the user can immediately find out which directory contains the image he / she wants to see, so that the image can be found immediately.

In this embodiment, the MO 46
a is a storage medium, but is not limited to MO.
Other storage media such as a CD-R and Zip may be used. Further, as the detecting means 26 in the present embodiment, an LED
Although the sensor 24 and the photoelectric element 25 have been disclosed, a sensor using a piezoelectric element may be used as the sensor.

Furthermore, a method of automatically creating a directory of image data and managing the image data by filing the directory therein has been disclosed. However, information such as a date is automatically added to a header of the image data to enable a search. You may do it.

FIGS. 7 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an image recording apparatus.
FIG. 8 is an external view showing the external appearance of a camera holder which constitutes a detecting means for notifying the CPU of FIG. 7 of the start or end of the endoscopic inspection, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image recording apparatus of FIG.

Since the second 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.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 7, in the image recording apparatus 7a of the present embodiment, a built-in hard disk drive 61 is connected to the SCSI controller 47 in addition to the MO drive 46.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the camera holder 20a is slightly above the upper end of the TV camera 3 with the TV camera 3 mounted thereon, above the arm 21 and the camera holding portion 22. A disc-shaped eave 62 is provided at a position corresponding to the base with the base fixed to the gantry 9. The surface (lower surface) of the eave 62 on the TV camera 3 side is painted green.

The green paint painted on the surface of the eaves 62 on the TV camera 3 side, and the TV camera 3 taking an image of the green paint.
Detection means 26 by the CPU 42 for identifying the imaging signal of
In the present embodiment, the camera holding section 22 is not provided with the LED 24 and the photoelectric element 25. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 7a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the image recording device 7a is turned on,
Step S1, which is a startup process, is started, and step S2 is started.
Automatically creates a date directory. Thereafter, in step S3, the CPU 42 starts to monitor whether or not the TV camera 3 is in the camera holder 20 by a video signal as described below.

That is, in the present embodiment, the TV
When the camera 3 is held by the camera holder 20, the TV camera 3 captures an image of the lower surface of the eaves 62. Since the eaves 62 are painted green, which is hardly found in the body, when the eaves 62 are inside the camera holder 20, the number of green signals increases as a video signal. In the present embodiment, the CPU 42 compares the video signals in the image memory 44, and when a green signal of a certain reference or more is input, the TV 42
It recognizes that the camera 3 is in the camera holder 20 and has not been inspected.

That is, the camera holder 20 and the CPU 42 of the image recording device 7 function as the detecting means 26, and function to output "1" as a detection signal when no inspection is performed.

When the state changes from an unexamined state to an unexamined state, that is, when the detecting means 26 outputs "0", a step S21 for displaying a comment prompting the input of the patient ID is executed, and a step S22 is executed. And patient ID
Judge whether or not is input.

When the patient ID is input, step S23 is executed, and a directory of the patient ID is created. If no input is made within a predetermined time, step S4 is executed, and the apparatus automatically determines a directory name and creates a directory.

As a result, all the images recorded in this inspection are recorded in those directories.

When the directory is created, step S
Proceeding to 5, the CPU 42 enters a standby state as in the first embodiment. The standby state is continued until the detecting means 26 outputs "1", that is, the CPU 42 recognizes that the inspection has been completed.

In the standby state, the operator operates the switch 50
When the recording switch is pressed, a recording operation similar to that of the first embodiment is performed in steps S6 and S7. However,
In the present embodiment, in step S7, the compressed image data is not recorded on the MO 46a, but is recorded on the hard disk 61 having a higher recording speed.

When the operator finishes the examination and holds the TV camera 3 on the camera holder 20, the C is determined in step S5.
The PU 42 detects the end of the inspection, and performs the processing from step S24.

In step S24, the CPU 42 sends the compressed image data recorded in the inspection from the hard disk 61 to the R.
Transfer to the AM 41 via the bus line 51,
The image is transferred from the M41 to the MO drive 46. Thereby, the image data is stored in the hard disk 61 built in the apparatus.
To the removable MO 46a. At this time, index image data is created from the image data read into the RAM 41, and is recorded in the MO 46a. Subsequent operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Effects) As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, there is no need to connect the detecting means 26 and the image recording device 7, so that the setting is easy and the inspection is performed. Since the image data is stored in a hard disk 61 built in a device having a high writing speed for recording images, the recording time is short, and images can be recorded continuously.

The image once recorded on the hard disk 61 is automatically transferred to the MO 46a which is widely used and has high versatility and is easy to carry, and is recorded. You can view the images on a personal computer at

In the present embodiment, the built-in hard disk 61 is disclosed as a medium having a high recording speed for temporarily recording an image. However, the transfer speed is lower than that of an MO, such as a semiconductor memory such as a silicon disk having a higher recording speed. A similar effect can be obtained by using a built-in recording medium in a fast device. Further, the removable recording medium may be a floppy disk or the like, and is not limited to the MO. Further, the detecting means 26 may be configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a detecting means for notifying the start or end of an endoscopic examination according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

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.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 10, the detecting means 26 in the present embodiment comprises a plate-shaped pressure sensor 71 which can be installed on an examination table 70. When the patient is not on the examination table 70, that is, when the pressure sensor 71 is not receiving the pressure, "0" is output when the pressure sensor 71 is receiving the pressure. "1" is output.

The first transmitting the output from the pressure sensor 71
The signal cable 72 extends, and the light source 6 is connected to the other end. The light source 6 has a function of turning off the power when the pressure sensor 71 outputs “1” to prevent the lamp of the light source 6 from being turned on uselessly.

A second signal cable 73 for transmitting the output of the pressure sensor 71 from the light source 6 to the image recording device 7 is connected. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation) Image recording apparatus 7 of the present embodiment
Receives the signal from the second signal cable 73, determines the inspection state, and performs the same operation as in the first embodiment.

However, in the image recording apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment, in step S8 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the index image is created, the index image data of the image recorded in the inspection is created. At the same time
In the case where the past inspection image data is deleted and a part of the index image data has a missing part, an operation of re-creating the index image by filling the missing part of the image data so that the image is not lost is performed. .

(Effects) As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the detecting means 26
Since the pressure sensor 71 is installed on the camera 0, the inspection state can be easily determined.
Even when used in combination with, index images can be displayed quickly. Further, since there is no missing part in the index image, it is possible to search for the image effectively.

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) In an image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, a recording instruction means for instructing recording of the endoscope image, and the recording instruction Endoscope image recording means for recording the endoscope image in response to a recording instruction of the means, non-observation signal output means for outputting a non-observation signal corresponding to non-observation of the endoscope, A non-observation processing means for performing processing on the image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording means.

(Additional Item 2) The endoscope image recording means is
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data processed by the non-observation processing unit is recorded.

(Additional Item 3) In an image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, recording instruction means for instructing recording of the endoscope image, and recording of the recording instruction means Endoscope image recording means for recording the endoscope image in accordance with an instruction; non-observation signal output means for outputting a non-observation signal corresponding to non-observation of the endoscope; A non-observation processing unit that performs processing on image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording unit; and a processing data recording unit that records image data processed by the non-observation processing unit. An image recording apparatus characterized in that:

(Additional Item 4) In an image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, recording instruction means for instructing recording of the endoscope image, and recording of the recording instruction means An endoscope image recording unit that records the endoscope image in accordance with an instruction, a non-observation signal output unit that detects when the endoscope is not used and outputs a non-observation signal, and according to the non-observation signal. A non-observation processing unit that performs processing on image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording unit.

(Additional Item 5) The endoscope image recording means may include:
The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data processed by the non-observation processing unit is recorded.

(Additional Item 6) In an image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, recording instruction means for instructing recording of the endoscope image, and recording of the recording instruction means An endoscope image recording unit that records the endoscope image in accordance with an instruction, a non-observation signal output unit that detects when the endoscope is not used and outputs a non-observation signal, and according to the non-observation signal. A non-observation processing unit that performs processing on image data of the endoscope image recorded in the endoscope image recording unit, and a processing data recording unit that records image data processed by the non-observation processing unit An image recording apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 7) Signal input means for converting a video signal output from an endoscope or a TV camera into a digital signal at the time of endoscopic examination using an endoscope, and recording the digital signal as image data Recording means, and an image recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling the apparatus,
A detection unit that automatically detects the start or end of the endoscopic examination, wherein the control unit receives a detection signal from the detection unit and changes the data in the recording unit, or An image recording apparatus for controlling an apparatus to change data to be recorded.

(Additional Item 8) The image recording apparatus according to additional item 7, wherein the detection means is provided on a camera holder capable of detachably holding the endoscope or the TV camera.

(Additional Item 9) The image recording apparatus according to additional item 7 or 8, wherein the change of the data in the recording means by the control means is the creation of a directory.

(Additional Item 10) The change of the data in the recording means by the control means is performed by creating an index image in which a plurality of reduced images of a plurality of images in the recording means are pasted to one image area. Additional item 7 characterized in that
10. The image recording device according to any one of items 1 to 9.

(Additional Item 11) The additional item 7 is characterized in that the change of data in the recording unit or the change of data to be recorded by the control unit is addition of information to a header portion of the image data. Or the image recording device according to 8.

(Additional Item 12) The recording means comprises a plurality of storage media, and the data change in the recording means by the control means is performed by moving data from at least one of the recording media to another of the recording media. 12. The image recording apparatus according to any one of items 7 to 11, wherein

(Additional Item 13) An image according to Additional Item 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of storage media is a built-in recording medium having a high recording speed, and at least one is a removable storage medium. Recording device.

[0083]

As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the non-observation processing means processes the endoscope image data recorded in the endoscope image recording means in response to the non-observation signal. Since the processing is performed, there is an effect that the recorded image can be searched quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the external appearance of the camera holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a section when the camera holder of FIG. 2 is cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a directory structure diagram showing a management state of image data in the image recording apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing the external appearance of a camera holder which constitutes a detecting means for notifying the CPU of FIG. 7 of the start or end of the endoscope inspection.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a detection unit for notifying start or end of an endoscopic examination according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope inspection system 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... TV camera 4 ... Signal processing device 5 ... Light guide cable 6 ... Light source 7 ... Image recording device 8 ... Monitor 9 ... Stand 20 ... Camera holder 21 ... Arm 22 ... Camera Holder 23 ... Barrel 24 ... LED 25 ... Photoelectric element 26 ... Detecting means 27a, 27b ... Cable 28 ... Groove 29 ... Signal code 40 ... ROM 41 ... RAM 42 ... CPU 43 ... A / D converter 44 ... Image memory 45 ... Data compression circuit 46 ... MO drive 46a ... MO 47 ... SCSI controller 48 ... Sensor I / F 49 ... Display control circuit 50 ... Switch 51 ... Bus line

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of endoscope images obtained by using an endoscope, comprising: a recording instruction unit for instructing recording of the endoscope image; Endoscope image recording means for recording the endoscope image, non-observation signal output means for outputting a non-observation signal corresponding to non-observation of the endoscope, and recording the endoscope image according to the non-observation signal Non-observation processing means for processing the image data of the endoscope image recorded in the means.