JP2000342533A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a video signal of a satisfactory picture even when plural pieces of characteristic information give influence on the picture of the video signal by the individual difference between endoscopes. SOLUTION: A nonvolatile memory 19 provided for a endoscope stores characteristic information concerning an image pickup device and the signal cable of the endoscope. A video processor 33 controls each part of a video processor in accordance with this characteristic information to correct the wavelength of a driving signal for driving the image pickup device and an image pickup signal obtained by the image pickup device. At this time, since plural pieces of characteristic information concerning the individual difference between endoscopes are stored in the memory 19, a video signal of a satisfactory picture can be obtained even when the plural pieces of characteristic information give influence on the picture of the video signal by the individual difference between the endoscopes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device provided in an endoscope, which picks up an image of a subject, applies image signal processing to an image signal obtained by the image pickup device, and converts a video signal containing the image of the subject into an image signal. The present invention relates to an endoscope device to be obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an elongated endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity to observe, for example, a gastrointestinal tract such as an esophagus, a stomach, a small intestine, or a large intestine, or a trachea such as a lung. 2. Description of the Related Art A medical endoscope apparatus capable of performing various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a medical instrument is widely used. Also, in the industrial field, industrial endoscope devices capable of observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants, and the like are used.

[0003] Such an endoscope apparatus includes, for example, an endoscope in which an insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity or a duct and an imaging device captures a subject image to obtain an imaging signal, and an illumination device for illuminating the endoscope. A light source device that provides light, a driving circuit that is electrically connected to the imaging device via a signal cable, generates a driving signal for driving the imaging device, and performs video signal processing on the imaging signal obtained by the imaging device. A video processor provided with a video signal processing circuit for obtaining a video signal including a subject image, and a monitor device for displaying a video signal obtained by the video processor. The imaging device is provided, for example, at the distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and generally includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (charge coupled device).

The insertion portion of the endoscope has various lengths depending on the application. For example, the insertion portion of the endoscope for observing the large intestine is about 2 m, for example, whereas the endoscope for bronchial observation is used. There is a difference that the length of the insertion part is about 70 cm.
As described above, since the length of the insertion portion varies depending on the type of endoscope, when the imaging device is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, the length of the signal cable connecting the imaging signal and the video processor is reduced. Depends on the type. Then, due to the difference in the signal cable length, a difference occurs between the waveform of the drive signal supplied from the video processor to the imaging device and the waveform of the imaging signal supplied from the imaging device to the video processor.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 3-114433.
In the issue, fixed information indicating the type of endoscope is held by the endoscope, the information indicating the type of endoscope is read by a video processor, and provided in a drive circuit according to the type of endoscope. A means for adjusting the waveform of a drive signal supplied to the imaging apparatus by switching the matching circuit provided is shown. Also, the signal cable length is detected from the phase difference between the phase of the drive signal output from the video processor to the signal cable and the phase of the imaging signal input from the signal cable to the video processor, and the output is determined according to the signal cable length. There is generally known means for controlling the amplitude of a driving signal to be dynamically adjusted so that the waveform of the driving signal supplied to the imaging apparatus can be dynamically adjusted.

[0006]

However, in the conventional configuration in which the driving waveform is adjusted according to the type of endoscope as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-114433, the signal cable cannot be repaired due to, for example, disconnection. If the signal cable length differs despite the same endoscope type, such as becoming shorter each time it is superimposed, a difference occurs in the waveform of the drive signal given from the video processor to the imaging device, There is a problem that image quality is deteriorated in a video signal obtained by a video processor. In the conventional configuration in which the waveform of the drive signal is adjusted according to the length of the signal cable, if there is a difference in characteristics other than the length of the signal cable, for example, a conductor resistance value or a characteristic impedance, the signal cable length is the same. However, there is a problem in that the waveforms of the drive signal supplied from the video processor to the imaging device and the waveform of the imaging signal supplied from the imaging device to the video processor are different, and the video signal obtained by the video processor deteriorates in image quality. In addition, depending on the type of the imaging device, for example, two types of imaging signals corresponding to each of the odd-numbered line and the even-numbered line are output from separate output terminals. In this type of imaging device, the gain characteristics of each output terminal are different. The level of the image signal obtained from each output terminal is different due to the difference in the linearity characteristics and the linearity characteristics. When a video signal obtained by combining these two signals is projected, stripes appear on the display image and the image quality deteriorates. There was a problem. As described above, the image quality deterioration of the video signal obtained by the video processor is caused by various parameters related to the imaging device and the signal cable. As in the related art, simply correcting the waveform of the drive signal by a single parameter requires Image quality degradation could not be sufficiently suppressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object the case where a plurality of pieces of characteristic information on an imaging device and a signal cable affect the image quality of a video signal due to individual differences in endoscopes. Even if there is, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of appropriately correcting the waveforms of a drive signal and an imaging signal and obtaining a video signal of good image quality.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention captures a subject image with an image pickup device provided in the endoscope, and transmits the image of the subject via the signal cable from the image pickup device. In an endoscope apparatus that performs video signal processing on a transmitted imaging signal to obtain a video signal including the subject image,
A driving circuit that drives the imaging device through the signal cable, a video signal processing circuit that performs the video signal processing on an imaging signal obtained through the signal cable, and the imaging device that is provided in the endoscope. Characteristic information holding means for rewritably holding and outputting a plurality of characteristic information indicating at least one characteristic of the signal cable; the drive circuit and the video signal according to the characteristic information output from the characteristic information holding means And a control means for changing at least one of the operations of the processing circuit.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing circuit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to a drive circuit, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a nonvolatile memory and a video processor control circuit.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an endoscope 2 which is inserted into a body cavity to obtain an image of a subject to obtain an image signal, and to the endoscope 2. A light source device 3 that emits illumination light to be supplied; a video processor 4 that performs image signal processing on an image signal obtained by the endoscope 2 to obtain an image signal that can be displayed on a monitor; and an image obtained by the video processor 4 A monitor device 5 for displaying a signal is provided.

The endoscope 2 includes, for example, an elongated insertion portion 11 to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 12 provided continuously to a base end side of the insertion portion 11, and holding and operating the endoscope 2. Endoscope 2
A light guide 13 that penetrates through the inside and has one end extending from, for example, a side portion of the operation unit 12 and connected to the light source device 3, and guiding illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 to the tip of the insertion unit 11; Provided at the tip of the insertion portion 11,
A light distribution optical system 14 for distributing the illumination light guided by the light guide 13 toward a subject, an objective optical system 15 provided at the tip of the insertion section 11 for forming a subject image, and the objective optical system A CCD 16 (charge-coupled device), which is a solid-state imaging device as an imaging device that obtains an imaging signal by imaging a subject image,
A buffer 17 for amplifying the imaging signal obtained in step 6, and an end inserted in the endoscope 2, for example, the operation unit 12.
A video signal transmitted from the buffer 17 to the video processor 4 or a drive signal from the video processor 4 to the CCD 16. Signal cable 18 whose characteristic impedance is, for example, 43Ω
And an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory 19 formed of, for example, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing characteristic information on the CCD 16 and the signal cable 18. The CCD 1
Numeral 6 is provided with two systems of image signal output terminals for separately outputting the image signals of the odd lines and the image signals of the even lines.
, And are given to the video processor 4, respectively.

The light source device 3 includes, for example, a lamp 21 that is a light source that emits white light, a condensing optical system 22 that is provided in an illumination light path and condenses illumination light to a light incident end of the light guide 13, An aperture mechanism 23 provided in the optical path and adjusting the amount of illumination light, an aperture control circuit 24 for driving and controlling the aperture mechanism 23, and, for example, three optical filters having different transmission colors are sequentially rotated in the illumination optical path by rotating. A rotary filter 25 to be inserted, a motor 26 for rotating the rotary filter 25, and a rotary filter control circuit 27 for controlling the rotary filter 25 by driving the motor 26.
And a light source device control circuit 28 that controls at least the aperture control circuit 24 and the rotary filter control circuit 27 and controls each part of the light source device 3. The rotary filter 25 sequentially transmits, for example, red, green, and blue illumination light, so that the light source device 3 emits illumination light in which red, green, and blue are sequentially switched in a time-division manner, so-called plane-sequential light. Has become. In response to the surface sequential light, the CCD 16 sequentially captures subject images corresponding to red, green, and blue illumination light in a time-division manner.

The video processor 4 includes the CCD 1
6, a drive circuit 31 for generating a drive signal for controlling the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 16 and an image pickup signal obtained from the CCD 16 via a buffer 17 and a signal cable 18; And a video processor control circuit 33 that controls at least the drive circuit 31 and the video signal processing circuit 32. The video processor control circuit 33 transmits a control signal to and from the light source device control circuit 28 of the light source device 3 so that the drive circuit 31 And the operation timing of the video signal processing circuit 32 is controlled.

The video signal processing circuit 32 performs a video signal process on the input image signal in a state where each color component is time-divisionally divided, and a video signal obtained by the signal processing circuit 34. And a synchronizing circuit 35 for spatially dividing and synchronizing the video signal of each color component included in the video signal, and a video signal obtained by the synchronizing circuit 35, and each color component is synchronized. It is configured to include a signal processing circuit 36 that performs video signal processing in the state and obtains a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing circuit 34
Is used to amplify two input imaging signals, respectively.
System preamplifier 41 and the two systems preamplifier 41
A two-system CDS circuit 42 that performs a CDS (correlated double sampling) process on the image pickup signal output from each of the above-described units and removes reset noise to extract a video signal component.
A two-system clamp circuit 43 for clamping and stabilizing a signal level in an OB (optical black) period with respect to a video signal obtained by the two-system CDS circuit 42; A / D conversion circuits 44 for converting the video signals respectively obtained from the analog signals from analog signals to digital signals,
The two video couplers 45 that receive the video signals obtained by the / D conversion circuit 44 and output the video signals while being electrically insulated, and the video signals that are output from the two photocouplers 45 respectively. A linearity correction circuit 46 for performing linearity correction; a synthesizing circuit 47 for synthesizing video signals obtained by the two systems of linearity correction circuits 46; and a white signal for the video signal obtained by the synthesizing circuit 47. A white balance correction circuit 48 for performing a balance correction process; a color tone adjustment circuit 49 for performing a color tone adjustment process on a video signal obtained by the white balance correction circuit 48;
Correction circuit 5 for performing gamma correction on the video signal obtained by
0, and a contour emphasizing circuit 51 for performing a contour emphasizing process on the video signal obtained by the γ correction circuit. Note that, in the field of medical endoscope devices, a circuit closer to the endoscope 2 that is electrically insulated by the photocoupler 45 is called a patient circuit, and the photocoupler 45 electrically connects the patient circuit to the patient circuit. A circuit that is electrically isolated is called a secondary circuit. The linearity correction circuit 46 includes the CC
D16 is a circuit for correcting non-linearity of each of the two output terminals of D16, and is constituted by, for example, a storage element for storing a lookup table. When an input signal level is input as an address, the output signal level is output as data. It has become so.

The synchronizing circuit 35 receives a video signal from the signal processing circuit 34, and spatially divides the signals of the respective color components superimposed by time division. For example, the system is provided with, for example, three synchronization image memories 62 for inputting video signals of red, green, and blue color components, respectively, buffering and synchronizing the readout timings of the video signals of the respective color components. Each synchronizing image memory 62 includes two image memories 63 for buffering and storing video signals for one frame, respectively.
A selector 64 for selecting an image memory 63 of the two image memories 63 into which a video signal is to be written, and an image memory 63 of the two image memories 63 for reading a video signal
And a selector 65 for selecting the two image memories 63
Is alternately switched between writing and reading for each frame, so that writing and reading of the video signal can be smoothly performed.

The signal processing circuit 36 stores a video signal supplied from the synchronization circuit 35 for one frame at a timing of a control signal supplied from the video processor control circuit 33 to obtain a still image. A memory 71 and, under the control of the video processor 33, output any one of a moving image signal and a still image signal output from the image memory 71 for holding a still image. Selector 72 to select
And a video signal drive circuit 73 that converts the video signal supplied from the selector 72 into a video signal format that can be displayed on a monitor and outputs the video signal with an output impedance of, for example, 75Ω. The still image holding image memory 71 includes, for example, three image memories 74 for storing one frame for each video signal of each color component. The video processor control circuit 33 controls the still image holding image memory 71 and the selector 72 in accordance with a signal timing from an input means (not shown) for inputting an image freeze instruction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the driving circuit 31 comprises:
SSG 81 for generating a drive signal including a horizontal transfer pulse φH and a vertical transfer pulse φV for driving the CCD 16
(Synchronous signal generator; synchronizing signal generation circuit) and a GCA 82 (gain control unit) for amplifying the drive signal output from the SSG in accordance with the gain value specified by the video processor control circuit 33.
An amplifier; a gain control amplifier circuit); a buffer 83 for amplifying a drive signal output from the GCA 82; and a buffer 8 according to an instruction from the video processor 33.
3 is provided with a matching circuit 84 for shaping the waveform of the drive signal output from 3 and outputting the shaped signal. The matching circuit 84 is output from, for example, three waveform shaping circuits 85 having different waveform shaping characteristics, and one of the three waveform shaping circuits 85 in response to an instruction from the video processor 33. And a selector 86 for selecting and outputting a drive signal to be output.

Two types of imaging signals output from the CCD 16 via the buffer 17 are applied to the signal cable 18 via an output resistor 87 of, for example, 43Ω provided in the endoscope 2. The two image pickup signals transmitted to the video processor 4 by the signal cable 18 are terminated by, for example, a 43Ω terminating resistor 88 provided in the video processor 4, and provided to the video signal processing circuit 32. Has become.

As shown in FIG. 4, the nonvolatile memory 1
Reference numeral 9 includes, for example, a storage area for storing cable characteristic information indicating characteristics of the signal cable 18 and a storage area for storing imaging element characteristic information indicating characteristics of the CCD 16. The cable characteristic information includes, for example, a characteristic impedance value expressed in (Ω) units of the signal cable 18 and a cable conductor resistance value expressed in (Ω / m) units of a conductor resistance value per unit length of the signal cable 18. And a cable length of the signal cable 18 expressed in (m) units. The image sensor characteristic information is, for example, the CC
CCD representing the actual gain of the terminal for outputting the imaging signal of the odd line of D16 in the unit of (%) with respect to the standard value
An odd line output terminal gain, a CCD even line output terminal gain representing the actual gain of a terminal for outputting an image signal of an even line of the CCD 16 with respect to a standard value in a unit of (%); Are included in the data.

The video processor control circuit 33 includes a timing control circuit 91 for controlling the operation timing of each section of the video processor 4 and a matching circuit 84 for the matching circuit 84 in accordance with the cable characteristic impedance value stored in the nonvolatile memory 19. A matching circuit selection control circuit 92 for controlling the selector 86;
A GCA control circuit 93 for controlling a gain value of the GCA 82 in accordance with a cable characteristic impedance value stored in the nonvolatile memory 19; a cable conductor resistance value, a cable length, and a CCD odd line output terminal stored in the nonvolatile memory 19. A preamplifier control circuit 94 for controlling the respective gains of the two preamplifiers 41 in accordance with the gain and the value of the CCD even line output terminal gain, and a linearity correction data stored in the nonvolatile memory 19, A linearity correction control circuit 95 for controlling the respective correction characteristics of the two systems of linearity correction circuits 46 is provided.

The preamplifier control circuit 94 includes a cable resistance value calculation circuit 94a for calculating a cable resistance value from a cable conductor resistance value and a cable length, and a cable resistance value obtained by the cable resistance value calculation circuit 94a and the output resistance value. A voltage dividing ratio is calculated from the resistance value of the terminating resistor 87 and the resistance value of the terminating resistor 88, and a voltage dividing ratio calculating circuit 94b for calculating a gain value in accordance with the voltage dividing ratio. Line output terminal gain and C
The apparatus is provided with a CCD output terminal gain correction circuit 94c that obtains a gain value for each of the two preamplifiers 41 by correcting each with the CD even line output terminal gain.

The matching circuit selection control circuit 92 and the GCA control circuit 93 are provided, for example, when the cable characteristic impedance value is less than 41 Ω,
The gain value of the waveform shaping circuit 85 and the gain value of the GCA 82 selected by the selector 86 of the matching circuit 84 are respectively switched between a case of less than Ω and a case of 45 Ω or more.

The linearity correction data stored in the nonvolatile memory 19 is, for example, data set in a look-up table of the linearity correction circuit 46, and is read from the nonvolatile memory 19 by the linearity correction control circuit 95. Is output to the linearity correction circuit 46.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In using the endoscope apparatus 1, first, characteristic information is set in the nonvolatile memory 19 of the endoscope 2. As shown in Table 1, for example, the characteristic information is set according to the type of the endoscope 2 used, that is, the endoscope 2 used.
Different combinations of values are set according to the characteristics of the CCD 16 and the signal cable 18. Among the setting examples of the characteristic information shown in Table 1, when looking at the cable length, for example, the endoscope for bronchial observation has a shorter insertion part length than the endoscope for large intestine observation, and has a history of repair due to disconnection. The colonoscopy endoscope is set shorter than the colonoscopy endoscope which has no repair history. At this time, since the nonvolatile memory 19 is rewritable, the storage content can be changed when the characteristic information changes, and since the nonvolatile memory 19 is nonvolatile, after storing the characteristic information, When the endoscope 2 is used next time, resetting is unnecessary.

[0026]

[Table 1] When the endoscope apparatus 1 is started in a state where the endoscope 2 is connected to the video processor 4, the characteristic information set in the nonvolatile memory 19 of the endoscope 2 is transmitted to the video processor 4.
To the video processor control circuit 33. Then, the video processor control circuit 33 controls the selector 86 of the matching circuit 84 to select the waveform shaping circuit 85 according to the given characteristic information, gives the gain value to the GCA 82, and gives the gain value to the preamplifier 41. , The linearity correction circuit 46 is supplied with linearity correction data.

At this time, the gain value given to the preamplifier 41 is determined by the preamplifier control circuit 9 of the processor control circuit 33.
In the calculation of 4, the cable resistance value is first obtained by the cable resistance value calculation circuit 94a according to (Equation 1). For example, the cable resistance values of the endoscope for observing the large intestine and the endoscope for observing the bronchus shown in Table 1 are values shown in (Equation 2) and (Equation 3), respectively. Then, the partial pressure ratio calculating circuit 94b calculates the partial pressure ratio according to (Equation 3). Here, when the output resistance value and the terminal resistance value are each 43 (Ω), the partial pressure ratio of the endoscope for observing the large intestine and the endoscope for observing the bronchus shown in Table 1 is represented by (Equation 5).
And (Equation 6). Here, for example, when the gain value when the endoscope for colon observation shown in Table 1 is connected is set as the reference value of the gain value, the gain when the endoscope for bronchial observation shown in Table 1 is connected. The value is a value obtained by multiplying the reference value by the correction coefficient shown in (Equation 7). The gain value obtained by the voltage division ratio calculation circuit 94b is corrected by the CCD output terminal gain correction circuit 94c according to the values of the CCD odd line output terminal gain and the CCD even line output terminal gain, and is applied to the two preamplifiers 41. Can be

Cable resistance = Cable conductor resistance × Cable length (Equation 1) Cable resistance = 1.30 × 4.50 = 5.85 (Ω) (Equation 2) Cable resistance = 1.20 × 3.000 = 3.60 (Ω) (Equation 3) Voltage division ratio = Terminal resistance value / (Output resistance value + Cable resistance value + Terminal resistance value) (Equation 4) Voltage division ratio = 43 / (43 + 5.85 + 43) = 0.468 (Equation 5) Voltage division ratio = 43 / (43 + 3.60 + 43) = 0.480 (Equation 6) Correction coefficient = 0.468 / 0.480 = 0.975 (Equation 7) And SSG81 The drive signal generated in the step (a) is gain-controlled by the GCA 82 to which an appropriate gain value is given, amplified by the buffer 83, shaped by the matching circuit 84 selected by the appropriate waveform shaping circuit 85, and connected to the signal cable 18. Transmit and CC D16. At this time, even if the characteristics of the signal cable 18 differ depending on the endoscope 2 to be used, a drive signal having an appropriate waveform is supplied to the CCD 1.
Given to 6.

Then, the CCD driven by the driving signal
Reference numeral 16 denotes a photoelectric conversion of the subject image and outputs two systems of image pickup signals, which are amplified by the buffer 17 and
The signal is transmitted to the video signal processing circuit 32 of the video processor 4 via the signal cable 18, amplified by the preamplifier 41 having an appropriate gain value set, and the video signal component is extracted by the CDS circuit 42. The video signal output from the CDS circuit 42 has its black level corrected during the OB period by the clamp circuit 43, is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 44, and is electrically insulated by the photocoupler 45. The video signals transmitted to the circuit and subjected to linearity correction by the linearity correction circuit 46 and output from the two systems of linearity correction circuits 46 are combined by the combining circuit 47. This combining circuit 47
The video signal output from is adjusted by the white balance correction circuit 48 for white balance, and the color tone adjustment circuit 4
The color tone is adjusted by 9, the γ is corrected by the γ correction circuit 50, the outline is emphasized by the outline emphasis circuit 51, and supplied to the synchronization circuit 35. In this synchronization circuit 35,
The video signal of each color component superimposed by time division included in the given video signal is spatially divided by the selector 61 and supplied to the synchronization image memory 62 for each color component. The readout timing of the video signal of each color component is synchronized. This synchronization circuit 35
The video signal synchronized at the time is supplied to the signal processing circuit 36, passes through the selector 72, is converted by the video signal driving circuit 73 into a video signal in a format that can be displayed on the monitor, and is supplied to the monitor device 5. Then, even when a plurality of characteristic information on the CCD 16 and the signal cable 18 of the connected endoscope 2 affect the image quality of the video signal, the waveforms of the drive signal and the imaging signal are appropriately corrected, and the monitor device , A subject image of good image quality is projected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of pieces of characteristic information on the image pickup device and the signal cable affect the image quality of the video signal due to the individual difference of the endoscope, the drive is performed. The effect is obtained that the waveforms of the signal and the imaging signal are appropriately corrected, and a video signal of good image quality is obtained. Further, even when a plurality of systems of imaging signals are output from the imaging device, it is possible to individually and appropriately correct the imaging signals of each system. In addition, it is possible to correct variations in linearity caused by individual differences of the imaging devices.

Further, even when the characteristic information of the same endoscope is changed, the drive signal and the imaging signal can be appropriately corrected by changing the setting contents of the nonvolatile memory.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 6 is an image characteristic detecting circuit. , A block diagram showing a configuration of a video processor control circuit and an endoscope control circuit, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second endoscope, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third endoscope, FIG.
Is a block diagram showing a configuration of the fourth endoscope, and FIG. 10 is a time chart showing an operation of a serial signal transmitted from the video processor to the endoscope. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, an endoscope apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.
1), the first endoscope 102a and the second endoscope 10 in which one of the endoscopes is selectively used.
2b, third endoscope 102c, fourth endoscope 102d
And a light source device 103 provided in place of the light source device 3 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and a light source device 103 provided in place of the video processor 4 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. Video processor 104.

The light source device 103 has substantially the same configuration as the light source device 3 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). However, the light source device control circuit 28 of the first embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment.
A light source device control circuit 121 is provided instead of (see FIG. 1). The light source device control circuit 121 has all the functions of the light source device control circuit 28 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and further outputs stop position information indicating the stop position of the stop mechanism 23 to the stop control circuit. 24, and has a function of giving the aperture position information to the video processor 104. Here, the aperture position information includes, for example, a state as to whether or not the aperture dimming operation by the aperture mechanism 23 is possible, a state as to whether or not the aperture mechanism 23 is fully opened, The information includes information indicating whether or not the aperture mechanism 23 is in the fully closed state.

The video processor 104 includes the first
The drive circuit 31 configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the video signal processing circuit 32 configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the characteristics of the video signal processed by the video signal A video characteristic detection circuit 131 for detecting video characteristic information to be indicated, a foot switch 132 connected to the video processor 104 for inputting an operation instruction to the video processor 104, and a video processor control circuit 33 ( 1 is provided in place of the video processor control circuit 133 provided instead.

The first endoscope 102a has all the functions of the endoscope 2 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). A pedestal 112 that is installed movably in the axial direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 11, and a wire 11 that penetrates the insertion portion 11 and pulls the pedestal 112 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 11.
3 and, for example, the wire 1
13 for pulling the insertion portion 13 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 11
And a motor control circuit 1 for driving and controlling the motor 114
15 and endoscope control data to be described later used to control the endoscope 102a.
And an endoscope control circuit 111 for obtaining endoscope control data to the motor control circuit 115 from the video processor control circuit 133. The pedestal 11
2, the wire 113, the motor 114, and the motor control circuit 115,
It is controlled by endoscope control data from the endoscope control circuit 111.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image characteristic detecting circuit 131 includes an average value detecting filter 141 and a maximum value detecting filter 141 for obtaining an average signal level and a maximum signal level of the video signal output from the white balance correction circuit 48, respectively. A circuit 142 and a sharpness detection circuit 143 for obtaining the sharpness of the video signal output from the gamma correction circuit 50 are provided.

The video processor control circuit 133 includes:
Video processor control circuit 33 of the first embodiment
And further collects endoscope control data used for controlling the endoscope 102a from the video processor 104 and the light source device 103, and converts the endoscope control data into a vertical transfer pulse φV. It comprises a parallel / serial conversion circuit 151 which synchronously converts a parallel signal into a serial signal of a predetermined signal format and transmits the serial signal to the endoscope. Here, the endoscope control data is, for example,
Sharpness information A8 to A1 obtained by the sharpness detection circuit 143 and represented by, for example, an 8-bit digital signal, and maximum signal level information obtained by the maximum value detection circuit 142 and represented by, for example, an 8-bit digital signal B8 to B1, and average signal level information C8 to C1 obtained by the average detection filter 141 and represented by, for example, an 8-bit digital signal.
From the aperture control circuit 24 to the light source device control circuit 1
21, the aperture position information D2 to D1 represented by, for example, a 2-bit digital signal, and the open / close state of the foot switch 132, and the footswitch state information E1 represented by, for example, a 1-bit digital signal. including.

The endoscope control circuit 111 samples a serial signal supplied from the video processor control circuit 133 with a vertical transfer pulse φV included in a drive signal, and obtains a serial / parallel signal for obtaining endoscope control data of a parallel signal. The configuration includes a parallel conversion circuit 152.

The motor control circuit 115 refers to the sharpness information A8 to A1 of the endoscope control data obtained by the endoscope control circuit 111, and sets the motor 114 so that this value becomes the maximum value. By controlling the driving of the camera, automatic focus adjustment is performed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second endoscope 102b
Has all the functions of the endoscope 2 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and further has the same function as the endoscope control circuit 111 of the first endoscope 102a (see FIG. 5). Endoscope control circuit 111, objective optical system 15 and CCD 1
6, a variable focus lens 1 which is controlled by an electric signal and adjusts the focus using a difference in the refractive index of the liquid crystal.
61, and a lens control circuit 162 that outputs a drive pulse for driving and controlling the varifocal lens 161 based on the endoscope control data obtained by the endoscope control circuit 111. The lens control circuit 162 constitutes an automatic focus adjustment unit.

The lens control circuit 162 refers to the sharpness information A8 to A1 of the endoscope control data obtained by the endoscope control circuit 111, and sets the variable focus so that this value becomes the maximum value. By driving and controlling the lens 161,
Automatic focus adjustment is performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the third endoscope 102c
Has all the functions of the endoscope 2 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and further has the same function as the endoscope control circuit 111 of the first endoscope 102a (see FIG. 5). The endoscope control circuit 111 is provided between the objective optical system 15 and the CCD, and is provided between the objective optical system 15 and the CCD. An aperture control circuit 172 for controlling the drive of the aperture mechanism 171 based on the endoscope control data is provided.

The aperture control circuit 172 monitors the foot switch state information E1, and every time the foot switch 132 is closed, one of the maximum signal level information B8 to B1 and the average signal level information C8 to C1 is output. The level information is alternately selected and referred to, and the opening and closing of the aperture mechanism 171 is controlled so that the value of the selected signal level information falls within a predetermined range.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fourth endoscope 102d
Has all the functions of the endoscope 2 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and further has the same function as the endoscope control circuit 111 of the first endoscope 102a (see FIG. 5). The configured endoscope control circuit 111 and the CCD 16 of the first embodiment
(See FIG. 1), a CCD 181 which is provided in place of the sensitivity and is controlled by an electric signal, and a sensitivity control circuit 18 which outputs a control pulse for controlling the sensitivity of the CCD 181
2 is provided.

The sensitivity control circuit 182 refers to the aperture position information D2 to D1 and, for example, when the aperture position of the aperture mechanism 23 of the light source device 103 is fully open, the CC
The control is performed so that the sensitivity of the D181 is increased, and when the aperture position is in the fully closed state, the sensitivity of the CCD 181 is controlled to be reduced.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the description of the operation common to the operation of the first embodiment will be omitted. Endoscopes 102a, 10
When the endoscope apparatus 101 is started in a state where the endoscopes 2b, 102c, and 102d are selectively connected to the video processor 104, the video processor control circuit 133 causes the video characteristic detection circuit 131, the foot switch 132, and the light source Endoscope control data is collected from the device control circuit 121, and the collected endoscope control data is synchronized with the vertical transfer pulse φV by a parallel / serial conversion circuit 151 as shown in FIG. To a serial signal
This serial signal is transmitted to the endoscope control circuit 111.
At this time, the endoscopes 102a, 102b, 102c, 10
Regardless of which 2d is connected to the video processor 104, a serial signal of the same signal format is provided from the video processor control circuit 133 to the endoscope control circuit 111.

Then, the motor control circuit 115, the lens control circuit 162, the aperture control circuit 172, and the sensitivity control circuit 18
Reference numeral 2 controls the endoscopes 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d using signals used for control among the endoscope control data obtained by the endoscope control circuit 111.

In the embodiment described above, the first
The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, regardless of which endoscope is connected to the video processor, the endoscope control data given to the endoscope from the video processor has the same predetermined content and the same predetermined content. Since the video processor is transmitted in the signal format, the video processor does not need to transmit different control data for each endoscope, and the circuit size of the video processor is reduced and the cost is reduced. Also, for example, when a new endoscope is developed, by configuring the endoscope control data from the video processor in the predetermined signal format, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the video processor. , Expandability is improved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to connect an endoscope provided with various different types of imaging adjustment means to the video signal processing device, thereby improving expandability and reducing cost. Is obtained.

The endoscope control data transmitted from the video processor 104 to the endoscope is not limited to the contents described in the present embodiment. For example, histogram data representing the luminance component distribution of the video signal may be included in the endoscope control data. At this time, the histogram data can be used, for example, to control a diaphragm mechanism provided in the endoscope.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the endoscope devices 1, 1
Each circuit constituting 01 may be implemented not only by a hardware circuit, but also by a microprocessor operated by a program and a storage element storing the program. Further, for example, the number of the image memories 63 constituting the synchronization image memory 62 is not necessarily two, but may be one. At this time, the image memory 63
May be configured with, for example, a two-port memory. [Supplementary Note] (Supplementary item 1-1) The subject image is captured by an imaging device provided in an endoscope, and an image signal transmitted from the imaging device via a signal cable is subjected to video signal processing. An endoscope apparatus that obtains a video signal including: a driving circuit that drives the imaging device via the signal cable; and a video signal processing circuit that performs the video signal processing on an imaging signal obtained via the signal cable. A characteristic information storage unit provided in the endoscope and configured to rewritably retain and output a plurality of characteristic information indicating at least one characteristic of the imaging device and the signal cable; and output from the characteristic information storage unit. An endoscope apparatus comprising: control means for changing at least one of the drive circuit and the video signal processing circuit in accordance with characteristic information.

(Additional Item 1-2) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, the characteristic information includes information indicating a length of the signal cable.

(Additional Item 1-3) In the endoscope apparatus according to additional item 1-1, the characteristic information includes information representing a characteristic impedance of the signal cable.

(Additional Item 1-4) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, the characteristic information includes information indicating a conductor resistance value of the signal cable.

(Additional Item 1-5) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, the characteristic information includes information indicating an output gain of an image signal output terminal of the image pickup device.

(Additional Item 1-6) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, further comprising a waveform shaping circuit provided in the drive circuit for shaping a waveform of a signal for driving the imaging device. The control means controls at least characteristics of the waveform shaping circuit.

(Additional Item 1-7) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, further comprising: a gain control circuit provided in the drive circuit for adjusting a gain of a signal for driving the imaging device. The control means controls at least the gain of the gain control circuit.

(Additional Item 1-8) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the preamplifier circuit is provided in the video signal processing circuit and amplifies the image pickup signal input from the signal cable. And the control means controls at least a gain of the preamplifier circuit.

(Additional Item 1-9) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, further comprising a correction circuit provided in the video signal processing circuit for correcting a linear characteristic of the image pickup signal, The means controls at least a characteristic of the correction circuit.

(Additional item 2-1) An image of a subject is taken by an image pickup device provided in the endoscope, and an image signal obtained by the image pickup device is subjected to video signal processing by a video signal processing device to form the image of the subject. In an endoscope apparatus for obtaining a video signal including, means for detecting at least characteristic information including at least characteristics of a video signal processed by the video signal processing apparatus, provided in the video signal processing apparatus, a predetermined transmission procedure Means for outputting the characteristic information to the endoscope, provided in the endoscope, receives the characteristic information according to the predetermined transmission procedure, and operates the endoscope according to the obtained characteristic information. An endoscope apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling.

(Additional Item 2-2) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, the control means performs at least a focus adjustment of the imaging device.

(Additional Item 2-3) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, the control means adjusts at least the sensitivity of the imaging device.

(Additional Item 2-4) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, the control unit adjusts the aperture of at least the imaging device.

(Additional Item 2-5) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, wherein a light source device for supplying illumination light to the endoscope, and Aperture adjusting means for adjusting the aperture, wherein the characteristic information includes state information of the aperture adjusting means.

(Additional Item 2-6) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1 further comprising a switch, wherein the characteristic information is
The status information of the switch is included.

(Conventional technology and problems according to Supplementary Item 2-1) For an endoscope provided with an imaging device, focus adjustment is performed by moving an objective lens or the imaging device forward and backward using, for example, a motor or a piezoelectric actuator. The present invention relates to imaging devices such as a focus adjustment mechanism that performs focusing, a focus adjustment mechanism that performs focus adjustment by providing a variable focus lens in an optical path of a subject image, an aperture mechanism that performs aperture adjustment, and an imaging device that has a sensitivity adjustment function. Various types of imaging adjustment means for making adjustments are often provided. And these imaging adjustment means are generally
It is configured to operate based on a control signal from a video processor (video signal processing device).

However, when a plurality of endoscopes connected to the video processor are provided with different types of imaging adjustment means, or even when the same type of imaging adjustment means is used, for example, different types of motors or piezoelectric actuators are used. In the case where the imaging adjustment means constituted by the above is provided, all the control means for controlling the plurality of different types of imaging adjustment means are provided in the video processor, and the circuit scale of the video processor becomes large. There is a problem that the cost increases. Further, there is a problem that an endoscope provided with an imaging adjustment unit that is not supported by a video processor cannot be connected to the video processor and has poor expandability.

The endoscope apparatus according to the additional item 2-1 has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to connect an endoscope provided with various different types of image pickup adjusting means to a video signal processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus which can be connected to the endoscope, thereby improving the expandability and reducing the cost.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even when a plurality of pieces of characteristic information on the image pickup device and the signal cable affect the image quality of the video signal due to individual differences in the endoscope, the waveforms of the drive signal and the image pickup signal are appropriately corrected, and the image of good image quality is obtained. The effect of obtaining a signal is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video signal processing circuit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration related to a driving circuit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a nonvolatile memory and a video processor control circuit.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video characteristic detection circuit, a video processor control circuit, and an endoscope control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second endoscope.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth endoscope.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of a serial signal transmitted from the video processor to the endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 4 ... Video processor 16 ... CCD 18 ... Signal cable 19 ... Non-volatile memory 31 ... Drive circuit 32 ... Video signal processing circuit 33 ... Video processor control circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 BA06 BA11 CA04 CA10 CA22 DA12 DA22 DA43 GA02 GA05 GA06 GA10 GA12 4C061 AA01 AA02 AA03 AA04 BB01 CC06 DD03 JJ19 LL02 MM02 NN01 NN03 RR02 RR04 RR24 SS09 TT03 UU03

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image pickup device provided in an endoscope picks up an image of a subject, performs image signal processing on an image pickup signal transmitted from the image pickup device via a signal cable, and generates a video signal including the image of the object. A driving circuit for driving the imaging device via the signal cable; a video signal processing circuit for performing the video signal processing on an imaging signal obtained via the signal cable; and the endoscope. A plurality of characteristic information indicating at least one of the characteristics of the image pickup device and the signal cable, the characteristic information holding unit rewritably holding and outputting the plurality of characteristic information, according to the characteristic information output from the characteristic information holding unit. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to change at least one of the driving circuit and the video signal processing circuit.