JP2000358242A - Endoscope image pickup system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope image pickup system that can display a picture from a digital image recorder on a display means through the same output path without the need for addition of a D/A converter circuit and an analog circuit. SOLUTION: An image pickup device 7 receives a signal photographed by a CCD 6 of a television camera 3, an A/D converter circuit 29 converts the signal into a digital signal, a signal changeover section 35 outputs the digital video signal that is processed to a post-stage D/A converter circuit 35 of a post-stage and a monitor 8 displays the signal as a live picture, the signal changeover section 35 outputs the digital signal to a digital image recorder 11 through an interconnection cable 10 connected to a digital video output terminal that is a 2-way transmission line, and an image according section 45 records the signal on a recording medium. In the case of reproducing a recorded picture, the digital video signal of the reproduced picture is given to the signal changeover section 35 of the image pickup device 7 via the 2-way transmission line being the interconnection cable 10 and the digital video signal is outputted to a D/A converter circuit 36 of the post-stage and the monitor 8 displays the reproduced picture via the same output path as the live picture.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope image pickup system for displaying an endoscope image picked up by an endoscope image pickup means on a display means and recording the image on a digital image recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-47085, by providing a digital image recording device in an endoscope imaging system, a captured still image is compressed as digital data as it is and a PC card or the like is used. Recording on a storage medium is performed. Also, JP-A-11-470
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 86, there is an endoscope imaging apparatus that detects a connection state of a PC card and performs various processes.

[0003]

However, in order to reproduce and view the recorded image, it is necessary to connect a recording medium such as a recorded PC card or smart media to a personal computer. Alternatively, in order to output to a TV monitor as a display means, a processing circuit for converting a digital signal into an analog video signal for a TV monitor, such as a D / A conversion circuit, must be added to the digital image recording apparatus.

[0004] Even in this case, the digital image recording device is not connected and the digital image recording device is connected.
The output path to the V monitor changes, and TV changes due to changes in the signal processing system, settings, circuit constants, etc. in the output path.
Since the image quality when displayed on the monitor changes, an adjustment operation or the like is required to solve the problem.

Further, adding a processing circuit for converting a digital signal into an analog video signal for a TV monitor, such as a D / A conversion circuit, in a digital image recording apparatus has also increased the cost.

[0006] In addition to the fact that the reproduced image cannot be easily viewed in this manner, and whether or not the digital image recording apparatus is correctly connected, it is difficult for the user to use the PC.
There was no easy way to confirm whether the recording was properly performed on a recording medium such as a card or a smart media.

Further, it has been difficult to avoid an abnormal state in which a still image does not disappear from the monitor due to a switch failure or the like.

Further, during recording on a recording medium such as a PC card or a smart media, the next recording cannot be performed, so that a still image cannot be recorded continuously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a D / A conversion circuit and an analog circuit for outputting to a display means without connecting to a personal computer or for a digital image recording apparatus. It is a first object of the present invention to provide an endoscope imaging system capable of displaying an image such as a still image or a reproduced image from a digital image recording device on a display unit along the same output path without performing the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope imaging system capable of displaying a reproduced image from a digital image recording apparatus on a common display means with a simple configuration. Also,
To provide an endoscope imaging system capable of detecting connection between an imaging device and a digital image recording device and performing various settings and operations only when the connection is detected, thereby preventing a setting problem. Is also aimed at.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope imaging system capable of releasing a reproduced image when detection becomes invalid, such as when the power is turned off or a cable is disconnected. It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope imaging system that enables continuous recording by providing a memory capable of storing a plurality of still images in an imaging device or a digital image recording device.

[0012]

An endoscope provided with an imaging means, a digital image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium and outputting a first digital video signal of a reproduced image. , For an output signal from the imaging means,
An endoscope imaging device that enables a second digital video signal generated through an A / D conversion circuit to be output to the digital image recording device, and outputs an analog video signal generated through the D / A conversion circuit from an output end; A display means for displaying an analog video signal output from an output end of the endoscope imaging apparatus, wherein the A / D conversion circuit and the D / A in the endoscope imaging apparatus are provided.
A signal switching circuit for switching between the second digital video signal and the first digital video signal from the digital image recording device and outputting the signal to a subsequent stage between the conversion circuit and the digital image recording device It is possible to output an image from the digital image recording device to the display device through the same output path for outputting an image captured by the imaging device without adding a D / A conversion circuit and an analog circuit for outputting the display device to the display device. I have to.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an endoscope imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a signal configuration of the digital video output terminal of the first embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a bidirectional conversion of a digital video signal, FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a signal switching unit, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an internal operation of the signal switching unit when a digital video signal is output; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the internal operation of the signal switching unit when a digital video signal is input, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing unit during image recording and image reproduction. Shows an example of display of a live image and a reproduced image on a monitor.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope imaging system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a television camera 3 and an optical endoscope 2 (abbreviated as a scope) for observing the inside of a body cavity or the like.
TV camera external endoscope 4 equipped with
An endoscope imaging device (or signal) that performs signal processing on a signal captured by a light source device 5 that supplies illumination light to a CCD and a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 6 as a solid-state imaging device built in the television camera 3. Processing device) 7 and a standard video signal generated by the endoscope imaging device (hereinafter simply referred to as an imaging device) 7 are input to display an endoscopic image corresponding to the video signal. And a digital image recording device 11 that is detachably connected via a connection cable 10 to a digital video output terminal 9 provided on the imaging device 7 for outputting a digital video signal, and that records and reproduces images. Is done.

The scope 2 is, for example, a rigid endoscope such as a laparoscope used at the time of surgery in the field of surgery. The scope 2 is provided with a rigid and elongated insertion portion 13 and a rear end of the insertion portion 13. It has a gripper 14 for gripping, and an eyepiece 15 provided at the rear end of the gripper 14.

A base end of a light guide cable 16 is connected to a light guide base of the grip portion 14 of the scope 2, and a light guide connector at the end of the light guide cable 16 is detachably connected to the light source device 5.

In the light source device 5, a lamp 17 as a light source is provided.
The white light generated by the lighting of the lamp 17 is condensed by the condenser lens 18 and supplied to the end face of the light guide connector as illumination light. This illumination light is supplied to the light guide in the scope 2 via the light guide in the light guide cable 16 and is emitted from the light guide distal end surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 13 by the light guide, so that the affected part in the abdominal cavity, etc. To illuminate the subject.

An objective lens is attached to the observation window at the distal end of the insertion section 13 and forms an optical image of a subject illuminated by the objective lens. This optical image is transmitted to the eyepiece unit 15 side by an image guide such as a relay lens system. When the camera head unit 21 of the TV camera 3 is mounted on the eyepiece unit 15, the optical image is formed by an imaging lens or the like. The (transmitted) optical image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 6 arranged at the image position, and is converted into an electric signal by the CCD 6 and is imaged.

The CCD 6 in the camera head 21 is C
A CD drive signal transmission line and a CCD output signal transmission line are connected, and these signal lines are inserted through a camera cable 22 extending from a camera head unit 21, and a connector 23 at the end thereof is detachably attached to the imaging device 7. By connecting
The CCD 6 is electrically connected to the imaging device 7.

The output signal of the CCD 6 is subjected to various kinds of signal processing by the image pickup device 7 to generate a standard video signal. The standard video signal is sent to the monitor 8 and the subject 8 is observed on the display surface of the monitor 8. An image is displayed.

A plurality of remote switches 24 are provided on the outer surface of the camera head section 21. A remote switch transmission line connected to the remote switch 24 is also inserted through the camera cable 22, and the connector 2 at the end thereof is connected.
3 is electrically connected to the imaging device 7 by being detachably connected to the imaging device 7.

By operating each remote switch 24, the functions assigned to the remote switch 24, such as AGC, exposure adjustment, white balance, freeze function, release function, etc., can be performed. .

The image pickup device 7 includes a C
A CD driver 26 is provided.
The CCD drive signal output from the camera cable 22
The signal charge applied to the CCD 6 via the CCD drive signal transmission line therein, photoelectrically converted by the CCD 6, and stored is read out and output as a CCD output signal.

The CCD output signal read from the CCD 6 is transmitted via a CCD output signal transmission line in the camera cable 22 and is input into a preamplifier 27 in the image pickup device 7 to compensate for a loss in cable transmission. After being amplified so that the pre-processing circuit 28 provided in the subsequent stage
Is input to

The preprocess circuit 28 controls the CDS
After performing pre-processing such as (correlated double sampling) processing and S / H (sample and hold) processing, A /
After being input to the D conversion circuit 29 and converted into a digital signal, the Y / C separation circuit 3 at the subsequent stage of the A / D conversion circuit 29
1 is input.

The digital signal input to the Y / C separation circuit 31 is line-sequentially separated and processed into a luminance signal and a color difference signal (color signal), that is, Y, Cr and Cb digital signals of three systems. Thereafter, the data is input to an RGB matrix circuit 32 provided in a subsequent stage. The signal converted into the RGB digital video signal by the RGB matrix circuit 32 is input to a subsequent white balance / black balance adjustment circuit (abbreviated as WB / BB adjustment in FIG. 1) 33, and the white balance / black A predetermined white balance and black balance are adjusted by the balance adjustment circuit 33.

The signal whose white balance and black balance have been adjusted by the white balance / black balance adjustment circuit 33 is input to a digital video processing unit 34 in the subsequent stage, and the digital video processing unit 34 performs enhancement processing, γ. After being subjected to digital processing such as correction processing and character superimposition processing, it is input to a signal switching unit 35 provided at the subsequent stage.

The signal switching section 35 receives a digital video signal (corresponding to a live image) input from the digital video processing section 34 side and a digital video output terminal 9 from the digital image recording apparatus 11 side. And a digital video signal (corresponding to a still image or a reproduced image) input to the D / A conversion circuit 36 provided at the subsequent stage.

In the present embodiment, the digital video output terminal 9 has a structure capable of outputting a digital video signal from the imaging device 7 and inputting a digital video signal from the digital image recording device 11 as described later. ing.
A digital video input terminal 41 of a digital image recording device 11 to be described later has a structure in which a digital video signal is input from the imaging device 7 and a digital video signal can be output from the digital image recording device 11 side.

The signal switching section 35 normally selects a digital video signal from the digital video processing section 34 and outputs it to the D / A conversion circuit 36. In this state, the monitor 8 has CC
The live image (moving image) captured in D6 is displayed.

The digital video signal output from the signal switching section 35 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit 36 at a subsequent stage, and then a post-process circuit 37 provided at a subsequent stage of the D / A conversion circuit 36. Is input to The analog signal input to the post-processing circuit 37 is converted into a standard video signal by the post-processing circuit 37, and is output from the output terminal of the analog video signal to the monitor 8 as display means.

A menu switch 38 is provided on, for example, a front panel of the image pickup device 7, and the menu switch 38 is connected to a CP (in the image pickup device 7) via a signal line.
By operating the menu switch 38 and connected to the U39, the remote switch 24 provided on the camera head unit 21 via the CPU 39 causes the AGC, exposure adjustment, white balance, freeze and release of the digital image recording apparatus 11 to be set. Operations for assigning functions and the like can be performed.

When the remote switch 24 is operated after the menu switch 38 is operated and the functions are assigned, the operation signal is sent to the CPU 3 via a signal line.
9, the CPU 39 sets the menu switch 38
Control to operate the function assigned by the operation.

For example, when a white balance function is assigned to the remote switch 24, the CPU 39 sends a white balance instruction signal to the white balance / black balance adjustment circuit 33 when the remote switch 24 is operated. Adjust the white balance.

When a freeze or release function is assigned to the remote switch 24, when the remote switch 24 is operated, the CPU 39 outputs a signal provided to the digital video output terminal 9 via the signal switching unit 35. A freeze signal 67 or a release signal 66 is sent to the digital image recording apparatus 11 through the transmission line, and the corresponding processing is performed.

The signal switching section 35 includes a selector 51, a bidirectional buffer section 52, and a buffer 53, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, and converts the digital video signal output from the digital video processing section 34 to the selector 51. Via D / A
The digital video input terminal 41 of the digital image recording device 11 is output to the conversion circuit 36 side or to the digital video input terminal 41 of the digital image recording device 11 via the connection cable 10 connected to the digital video output terminal 9 through the buffer 53 a constituting the buffer 53 and the bidirectional buffer unit 52. Output is enabled.

The selector 51 can also output a digital video signal input from the digital image recording device 11 via the buffer 52b constituting the bidirectional buffer unit 52 to the D / A conversion circuit 36. I have to.

As described above, the digital video output terminal 9 and the digital video input terminal 41 of the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 are connected by the connection cable 10, respectively. The signal output from the digital video output terminal 9 is input to the digital image recording device 11 from the digital video input terminal 41 via the connection cable 10. In the digital image recording device 11, a digital video input terminal 41 is connected to an I / F unit 42 as a bidirectional interface unit in the digital image recording device 11.

The I / F section 42 is connected to an image recording section 45 for recording an image via a memory section 43 for storing images and an image processing section 44 for performing image processing. An image can be recorded on a recording medium, such as a PC card 46 or a smart media 47, which is mounted by the user.

The I / F section 42 is provided with a bidirectional buffer section 55 and the like as shown in FIG. 3, and controls the input and output of digital video signals. For example, when a release operation or the like is performed, the digital video input terminal 4
The digital video signal input to the digital image recording device 11 through the first unit 1 is sent to the memory unit 43 through the bidirectional buffer unit 55, and the memory unit 43 stores a temporary image.

In the case of a release operation, the image temporarily stored in the memory unit 43 is read and sent to the image processing unit 44, where the image is converted into a square pixel by the square pixel forming unit 71 as shown in FIG. And the image compression processing in the image compression section 72 is performed and sent to the image recording section 45, where the compressed image is recorded on the recording medium.

This image processing section 44 is used during reproduction, as shown in FIG.
The processing shown in (B), that is, the image expansion processing is performed by the image expansion unit 73, and the processing of converting into a rectangular pixel is performed by the rectangular pixel unit 74, and the processed image is temporarily stored in the memory unit 43. And
When a reproduction (recorded image reproduction) operation is performed, the digital video signal read from the memory unit 43 is transmitted from the digital video input terminal 41 to the imaging device 7 through the bidirectional buffer unit 55 in the I / F unit 42. Output to the side.

A menu switch 48 is provided on, for example, the front panel of the digital image recording apparatus 11, and the menu switch 48 is connected to a control section 49 for performing various controls of the digital image recording apparatus 11. I have. The menu switch 48 is provided with a switch for inputting instructions from the user for freeze, release, recorded image reproduction, cursor movement, and the like. In response to an operation from the menu switch 48, the control unit 49 performs a corresponding control operation. .

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a signal transmission line of the connection cable 10 for connecting the digital video output terminal 9 of the image pickup device 7 and the digital video input terminal 41 of the digital image recording device 11.

That is, the transmission line 61a for transmitting the digital video signal 61 bidirectionally between the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11, and the digital image recording device 1
1, a transmission line 62a for transmitting the reference clock signal 62 and the TV synchronization signal 63, a transmission line 64a for transmitting the signal direction switching signal 64 from the digital image recording device 11 to the imaging device 7, and an image display control signal 65. Transmission line 65a, the digital image recording device 1 from the imaging device 7 side
A transmission line 66a for transmitting a release signal 66 and a transmission line 67a for transmitting a freeze signal 67 are provided on one side. The release signal 66 and the freeze signal 67 are output when they are allocated to the remote switch 24.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the I / F section 42 together with the operation of the control section 49. For example, a release signal 66 from the imaging device 7 is input to the control unit 49 (via the I / F unit 42), or a release instruction signal is input to the control unit 49 by the menu switch 48 of the digital image recording device 11. And this control section 49
Is the signal switching unit 35 of the imaging device 7
To the bidirectional buffer unit 52 and the bidirectional buffer unit 55 of the I / F unit 42,
Switch the input / output direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the signal switching unit 35 has one input terminal of the selector 51 connected to the output terminal of the digital video processing unit 34, and the other input terminal of the selector 51 connected to the bidirectional buffer unit 52. Of the selector 51 and the output terminal of the selector 51 (the input terminal)
Connected through.

The other input terminal of the selector 51 forms a bidirectional buffer section 52 (a first buffer 52a is an input terminal) and a second buffer 52b (the selector 51 is an output terminal). Is connected to the digital video output terminal 9 via the.

Switching of the selector 51 is controlled by an image display control signal 65 so that one of the signals input to the two input terminals is selected and output, and a buffer 53 and a bidirectional buffer unit 52 are selected. The signal to be passed is switched by the signal direction switching signal 64.

When a digital video signal is output from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11, for example, when a release instruction is given, the buffer 53 and the buffer 53 are switched by the signal direction switching signal 64 as shown in FIG. 52
a is set to enable, and the buffer 52b is set to disable.

Then, the selector 51 is selected by the image display control signal 65 so as to pass the digital video signal from the digital video processing unit 34, and the digital video signal is passed through the selector 51 to the D / A conversion circuit 36.
The signal is output to the digital video output terminal 9 through the buffer 53 and the buffer 52a.

When a digital video signal is input from the digital image recording device 11 to the image pickup device 7, the buffer 52 is supplied by the signal direction switching signal 64 as shown in FIG.
a, the buffer 53 is disabled and the buffer 52
b is enabled.

The selector 51 operates the digital image recording apparatus 1 in accordance with an image display control signal 65 generated by the control unit 49 of the digital image recording apparatus 11.
1 and one of two digital video signal inputs from the digital video processing unit 34 is selected and output to the D / A conversion circuit 36, and further output to the monitor 8 via the post-processing circuit 37. Is done.

Although not shown, the bidirectional buffer unit 55 in the digital image recording apparatus 11 has the same configuration as that of the bidirectional buffer unit 52 shown in FIG. The input / output direction is switched, and the signal transmission direction of the digital video signal can be switched by changing the input / output direction of the bidirectional buffer units 55 and 52 to be the same direction.

In the present embodiment, a digital video signal is transmitted from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11 side and from the digital image recording device 11 to the imaging device 7 side by the connection cable 10 between the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11. Is provided in the video signal processing system of the imaging device 7 at the subsequent stage of the A / D conversion circuit 29 and the D / A conversion circuit 36. A signal switching unit 35 is provided at a further upstream side, and the signal switching unit 35 includes a digital video signal corresponding to a live image on the imaging device 7 side and a digital image signal corresponding to a reproduced image or a still image on the digital image recording device 11 side. A video signal is selected and passed through a common video signal processing system (D / A conversion circuit 36 and post-processing circuit 37 in FIG. 1) on the subsequent stage of the signal switching unit 35. It is the distinctive feature that can be output to the motor 8.

When the digital video signal 61 from the digital image recording device 11 is to be displayed on the monitor 8, the digital video signal 61 passes through the signal switching section 35 in the imaging device 7 and is output from the D / D in the imaging device 7. A conversion circuit 36, etc.
The video signal processing system of the image pickup device 7 is used as much as possible in common, and is output to the monitor 8.

For this reason, only by adding a simple circuit of a signal transmission means and a buffer means for transmitting a signal in two directions and a switching means for switching an input signal, an image is picked up by the image pickup means and the signal is processed by the image pickup device 7. The digital video signal of the live image and the digital video signal corresponding to the reproduced image or the still image from the digital image recording device 11 can be displayed on the monitor 8 via a common output path in the imaging device 7. .

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the state of connection as shown in FIG. 1, an image picked up by the CCD 6 of the television camera 3 is displayed as a live image (moving image) on the monitor 8 via the video signal processing system of the image pickup device 7. That is, in this state, the signal switching unit 35
Selects the digital video signal output from the imaging device 7, that is, the digital video processing unit 34, and outputs it to the D / A conversion circuit 36.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 3 (by operating the remote switch 24 in FIG. 1), a release signal 66 (or a freeze signal 67) or a menu switch 48 of the digital image recording apparatus 11 causes a freeze, release, reproduction, etc. Is instructed, the control unit 49 switches the signal direction switching signal 64.

The signal direction switching signal 64 is transmitted to the bidirectional buffer unit 52 provided in the signal switching unit 35 in the imaging device 7.
Is input to the bidirectional buffer unit 55 provided in the I / F unit 42 in the digital image recording apparatus 11, whereby the input / output direction of the digital video signal 61 is switched.

The signal switching section 35 is configured as shown in FIG.
When the digital video signal 61 is output, the buffer 53 and the buffer 52a are enabled and the buffer 52b is disabled by the signal direction switching signal 64 as shown in FIG.

The selector 51 is selected by the image display control signal 65 so as to pass the digital video signal from the digital video processing unit 34, and this digital video signal is passed through the selector 51 to the D / A conversion circuit 36. The image data is output from the digital video output terminal 9 of the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11 through the buffer 53 and the buffer 52a.

Conversely, when a digital video signal is input from the digital image recording device 11 to the image pickup device 7, the buffer 52 is supplied by the signal direction switching signal 64 as shown in FIG.
a, the buffer 53 is disabled and the buffer 52
b is enabled.

The digital video signal 61 input from the digital image recording device 11 to the digital video output terminal 9 is input to the selector 51 through the buffer 52b.

When, for example, the selector 51 is switched to select the digital video signal 61 by the image display control signal 65, the digital video signal 61 is output to the D / A conversion circuit 36 and converted into an analog signal. The signal is converted into a standard video signal via the post-processing circuit 37 and output to the monitor 8.

When a release signal 66 from the remote switch 24 or a release instruction from the menu switch 48 of the digital image recording device 11 is issued, the digital video signal is temporarily stored as a still image in the memory section 43 and is stored in the image processing section 44. As shown in FIG.
Then, the image data is processed into a square pixel and subjected to processing such as image compression (JPEG or the like) by the image compression section 72 and is compressed into a recording medium such as a PC card 46 or a smart media 47 attached to the image recording section 45. A still image is recorded.

To reproduce the image recorded by the image recording section 45, the recorded image is read from the image recording section 45,
As shown in FIG. 7B, the image processing unit 44
3, the image is expanded, and the image is processed into a rectangular pixel by the rectangular pixel forming unit 74. The image is temporarily stored in the memory unit 43. The stored image passes through the I / F unit 42 and Connection cable 1 from digital video input terminal 41 as one still image
0 to the imaging device 7.

Then, the digital image is output from the digital video output terminal 9 of the imaging device 7 to the D / A conversion circuit 36 via the signal switching unit 35, and the reproduced still image is displayed on the monitor 8. As described above, the signal direction of the digital video signal can be bidirectional during image recording and image reproduction.

For example, when a release instruction is issued and an image is recorded, a digital video signal is output from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11, and when the recorded image is reproduced according to the reproduction instruction, a digital video signal is output. The digital video signal 61 is input from the image recording device 11 to the imaging device 7.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a live image 75a picked up by the CCD 6 is displayed on the monitor 8,
By switching the selector 51 according to the image display control signal 65, the still image recorded in the digital image recording device 11 is passed through the D / A conversion circuit 36 and the post-processing circuit 37 provided in the imaging device 7, And a reproduced image 75b of a still image can be displayed as shown in FIG.

Also, by switching the image display control signal 65 for each pixel during the display of the live image 75a,
As shown in FIG. 9, a reproduced image 75b of a still image can be displayed as a small screen in the live image 75a.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a menu of the digital image recording apparatus 11 and characters 76 such as the number of images being recorded can be superimposed on the live image 75a.

When a freeze instruction is given, a digital video signal is output from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11 only while the image is being stored in the memory section 43. The image data is input from 11 to the imaging device 7, the selector 51 is switched, output to the monitor 8, and a still image is displayed.

This embodiment has the following effects. The digital communication between the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 is bidirectional, and the image from the digital image recording device 11 is switched by the selector 51 constituting the signal switching means, so that it passes through the same output path as the live image 75a. The reproduction image 75 b of the still image can be output to the monitor 8.

Thus, the user can display the reproduced image 75 on the monitor 8 without having to take troublesome work such as connecting to a personal computer.
b can also be observed. The D / A conversion circuit 36
And the post-processing circuit 37 to the digital image recording device 11
Since it is not necessary to provide these circuits, it is possible to reduce the cost, and it is not necessary to perform adjustment work such as matching the characteristics when these circuits are provided. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform diagnosis and surgery.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the imaging device 7
The configuration is such that communication of a digital video signal between the digital image recording apparatus 11 and the digital image recording apparatus 11 is controlled using connection detection by connection detection means.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 7
Digital video output terminal 9 and digital image recording device 1
The configuration of the signal transmission line of the connection cable 10 that connects the digital video input terminal 41 of FIG.

The configuration of this signal transmission line is the same as the configuration of the signal transmission line of FIG. 2, and the transmission line 6 for transmitting the connection detection signal 68 from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11.
8a, from the digital image recording device 11 to the imaging device 7,
Transmission line 6 for transmitting output buffer control signal 69
9a is added.

More specifically, a transmission line 61a for transmitting the digital video signal 61 in two directions, a reference clock signal 62 from the imaging device 7 side to the digital image recording device 11 side.
A transmission line 62a for transmitting a TV synchronization signal 63, a transmission line 68a for transmitting a connection detection signal 68, a transmission line 69a for transmitting an output buffer control signal 69 from the digital image recording device 11 to the imaging device 7, A transmission line 64a for transmitting the direction switching signal 64, a transmission line 65a for transmitting the image display control signal 65, a transmission line 66a for transmitting a release signal 66 from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11, and a freeze signal 67. And a transmission line 67a.

In the digital video signal transmitted in two directions described in the first embodiment, the connection detection described below becomes effective, and the output buffer control signal 69
Thus, the operation is performed only when the bidirectional buffer units 52 and 55 are enabled.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the connection detecting means. The connection detection signal 68 shown in FIG. 10 includes, for example, a first connection detection signal 68-1 and a second connection detection signal 68-2, and the first connection detection signal 68-1 and the second connection detection signal 6
The ends of the transmission lines 68-1 a and 68-2 b on the imaging device 7 side are connected to the ground and the power supply terminal Vcc by a pull-down resistor 81 and a pull-up resistor 82, respectively. On the side, it is connected to a power supply terminal Vcc and ground by a pull-up resistor 83 and a pull-down resistor 84, respectively, and is also connected to an input terminal of a connection determination unit 85 provided in the control unit 49.

The connection discriminating section 85 detects connection by a comparator or the like (not shown) based on the signal level of the input terminal. If it is judged that the connection has been detected, the output buffer control signal 69 is determined based on the discrimination result. Is output to the bidirectional buffer units 55 and 52, and the imaging device 7
The digital video signal is transmitted bi-directionally to the CPU 39 provided in the computer.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First
The signal states of the connection detection signal 68-1 and the second connection detection signal 68-2 are connection / disconnection of the connection cable 10 or ON / OFF of the power of the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11.
It changes with FF.

This signal state is stored in the digital image recording device 11.
Is detected by the connection determination unit 85 provided in the camera, and both the power sources of the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 are turned on.
Only when the connection cable 10 is connected, the state of the output buffer control signal 69 is changed so that the bidirectional buffer units 52 and 55 are enabled, and the digital video signal communication operation is performed. .

The output buffer control signal 69
Is input to the CPU 39, and the CPU 39 detects the connection state of the digital image recording apparatus 11. For example, now, the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 1
In a state where the connection of the digital image recording apparatus 1 is disconnected,
When the power supply 1 is turned on, the signal level of the first connection detection signal 68-1 is digitally changed to H by the pull-up resistor 83.

At the same time, the signal level of the second connection detection signal 68-2 is digitally changed to L by the pull-down resistor 84. The connection determination section 85 detects the signal states of the first connection detection signal 68-1 and the second connection detection signal 68-2, and outputs the output buffer control signal 69 to the bidirectional buffer section 5.
Control the signal to disable 2,55 buffers.

Next, when the digital image recording device 11 is connected to the digital video output terminal 9 of the imaging device 7 via the connection cable 10 and the power of the imaging device 7 is turned on, the first connection detection signal 68-1 The signal level is digitally changed to L by the pull-down resistor 81. At the same time, the signal level of the second connection detection signal 68-2 is digitally changed to H by the pull-up resistor 82.

Note that the resistance values of the pull-up resistors 82 and 83 and the pull-down resistors 81 and 84 are determined by the first connection detection signal 68.
-1 and the signal level of the second connection detection signal 68-2 is H
The value can be freely selected within a range where the logic changes from L to H or from L to H.

As described above, the connection judging section 85 detects that the signal states of the first connection detection signal 68-1 and the second connection detection signal 68-2 have changed, and outputs the bidirectional buffer to the output buffer control signal 69. The signal is controlled to enable the buffers of the units 52 and 55.

When the power of the imaging device 7 is turned off or the connection cable 10 is disconnected from this state, the signal level of the first connection detection signal 68-1 is digitally changed to H by the pull-up resistor 83 again. Become. At the same time, the signal level of the second connection detection signal 68-2 is digitally changed to L by the pull-down resistor 84.

The connection determination section 85 detects the signal states of the first connection detection signal 68-1 and the second connection detection signal 68-2, and disables the bidirectional buffer sections 52 and 55 in the output buffer control signal 69. Control the signal so that

When the power of the imaging device 7 is ON and the power of the digital image recording device 11 is OFF, or when the digital image recording device 11 is not connected to the connection cable 10, the output buffer control signal 69 is The bidirectional buffer unit 52 is controlled to be disabled in the imaging device 7.

When the signal switch 35 detects that the connection has been cut off by the output buffer control signal 69, the selector 51 is controlled by the image display control signal 69 so that the live image is displayed on the monitor 8.

In this manner, digital signal communication can be performed only when the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 are powered on and connected by the connection cable 10. Buffer unit 52,
55 electrically shuts off digital communication.

This embodiment has the following effects. The output buffer control signal 69 is perceived by both the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 to determine whether or not the connection is properly established, and various operations and settings can be performed using this. Become.

For example, FIG. 12 shows that the remote switch 24 is
When a function is assigned to a menu screen, a menu screen is superimposed on the monitor 8 to show what the user has selected. In the specific example of FIG. 12A, the switch SW1 of the plurality of switches SW1 and SW2 of the remote switch 24 has a freeze function, and the switch SW2
Indicates that a release function is assigned to each.

In such a case, the CPU 39 looks at the status of the output buffer control signal 69 to know the connection detection state, and only when the connection is made, the remote switch 24 is given a freeze or release function as shown in FIG. Control so that it can be assigned.

When the digital image recording apparatus 11 is not connected or the power of the digital image recording apparatus 11 is turned off, as shown in FIG.
Should not be assigned a freeze or release.

As a result, it is possible for the user to avoid erroneous recording that the digital image recording apparatus 11 is connected in a state where the digital image recording apparatus 11 is not set correctly. Alternatively, when the remote switch 24 is pressed, a message indicating that the setting is not correct may be displayed on the monitor 8.

As shown in FIG. 11, the connection detection signal 68-
Two transmission lines 68-1a, 68-2a for 1, 68-2
Are prepared, the two transmission lines 68-1a,
By arranging 68-2a on the diagonal (most corner) of the connector pins of the connection cable 10, the connection cable 10
Half insertion and oblique insertion can be prevented. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 relates to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining connection detection according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment,
This is a configuration example in which a still image disappears when the connection between the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 is disconnected.

The basic structure and operation of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, but the output buffer control signal 69 is transmitted to the memory 43 of the digital image recording apparatus 11 as shown in FIG. To be entered.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. With the above configuration, the memory 43 is refreshed by the output buffer controller 69 when the connection cable 10 is disconnected or the power of the imaging device 7 is turned off, and the memory 43 is refreshed and stored in the memory 43. Clear the still image that is displayed.

When the connection cable 10 is unplugged or the power of the digital image recording device 11 is turned off, the signal switching section 35 of the imaging device 7 detects that the connection has been cut off by the output buffer control signal 69. Then, the selector 51 switches, and a live image is output to the monitor 8.

The present embodiment has the following effects. As a result, while the playback image is being displayed on the monitor 8,
When the power of the digital image recording device 11 is turned off,
When the connection cable 10 is unplugged, the reproduced image disappears and a live image can be output.

Thus, even when the remote switch 24 breaks down during the display of the reproduced image and the display of the reproduced image cannot be released due to an abnormal state, the user can turn off the power of the digital image recording apparatus 11. This can be avoided by disconnecting the connection cable 10, which is safe.

On the other hand, when the imaging device 7 and the digital image recording device 11 are connected again after the connection has been disconnected once while the reproduced image is being displayed on the monitor 8, a reproduced image not intended by the user is displayed. That is no longer true.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
14 to 17 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of recording a plurality of still images, and FIG. FIG. 16 shows an example of displaying a recording screen on the monitor screen, and FIG. 17 shows a state in which a plurality of reduced images are displayed on the monitor screen.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of still images can be stored in the memory section 43, and the configuration is such that continuous recording is possible. The configuration and operation of the memory unit 43 other than those relating to the configuration are the same as, for example, the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

By operating a release signal 66 from a remote switch 24 provided on the camera head unit 21 and a release switch (not shown) of a menu switch 48 provided on the front panel of the digital image recording apparatus 11, images are sequentially displayed. Are sequentially stored as one-frame still images in the memory unit 43 in the digital image recording apparatus 11 shown in FIG.

The memory unit 43 can temporarily store, for example, eight still images. And this memory unit 4
3 are sent to the image processing unit 44 one by one, and are subjected to image compression such as square pixels or JPEG, and the image recording unit 45 uses the PC card 46 or the smart media 47.
And the like.

As shown in FIG. 15, for example, No. 4 is stored in the image memory for eight sheets in the memory section 43. Numbered from 1 to 8. When recording is started, first, No. The still image is temporarily stored in the first image memory, and the compression process is started. When recording is performed next, the second and third images are sequentially stored in the image memory, and are sequentially compressed and recorded.

In the control unit 49, Nos. Corresponding to the eight image memories are stored. Eight registers from 1 to 8 are prepared. When recording is started, 1 is written to the register, and when recording to the image recording unit 45 is completed, 0 is written to the register.

When a new recording is made, the register is checked by the control unit 49 before writing to the image memory, and if there is an empty image memory (register is 0), it is overwritten. As shown in FIG. 16, a marker corresponding to the number of empty registers may be displayed during recording.

Therefore, by operating the release switch, the images are sequentially stored in the image memory of the memory unit 43 as one-frame still images. When the recording of one still image is completed, the second and third images are sequentially sent from the memory unit 43 to the image processing unit 44, and are recorded by the image recording unit 45.

If nine or more successive release instructions are given, if the recording processing of the first sheet has been completed during that time,
It is stored in the empty memory unit 43. Similarly, the tenth and eleventh sheets are sequentially stored in the empty memory unit 43.
This allows continuous recording.

FIG. 16 shows whether or not recording to the image recording unit 45 has actually been completed so that the recording is not completed normally by the user unplugging the recording medium or turning off the power during recording. Is being recorded on the monitor 8 (REC
ORDING) may be displayed, or an LED provided on the front panel or the like of the digital image recording device 11 may be lit to indicate.

The present embodiment has the following effects. As a result, the user can perform recording almost continuously, so that the next recording cannot be performed until recording on the recording medium such as the PC card 46 is completed. Also,
FIG. 17 shows an example in which nine still images recorded in the image recording unit are reduced and arranged and displayed on one screen.

When recording a still image, the reduced still image is recorded together in a file. When reproduction is instructed, nine reduced still images are continuously read out and arranged on the monitor 8 in the memory unit 43 so as to be reproduced as one image.

The user operates a cursor switch provided on the front panel or the like of the digital image recording apparatus 11 which can be moved up, down, left, and right, so that the user can obtain the information shown in FIG.
7 at the lower right of the nine still images (FILE NAME NO.
234), and if the user tries to select the next FILE, the next FILE (FILE NAMEN) is displayed.
O. 235) or the display screen is updated in units of nine still images.

As described above, the user can easily search for images recorded on the monitor 8 and select one image to be viewed on the screen of each of the nine images with the cursor switch, and use the cursor switch to select the front panel of the digital image recording apparatus 11 or the like. By operating an unspecified play switch provided on the monitor 8, it is possible to reproduce on the monitor 8 in full screen. Note that the memory unit 43 may be provided in the imaging device 7.

In the first embodiment and the like, the connection cable 10 connecting the digital video output terminal 9 of the imaging device 7 and the digital video input terminal 41 of the digital image recording device 11 is connected by a common transmission line 61a. Although the digital video signal is transmitted bidirectionally by switching the signal transmission direction of the bidirectional buffer means provided at both ends, the present invention is not limited to this, and the digital video signal is transmitted from the imaging device 7 to the digital image recording device 11. A transmission line for transmitting a video signal (transmission line for output) and a transmission line for receiving a digital video signal from the digital image recording device 11 (transmission line for input). (A multi-bit digital transmission line) and a signal switching unit 35.
Is a digital video signal from the digital video processing unit 34,
The receiving transmission line is used to switch between the digital image signal input from the digital image recording device 11 and the subsequent D
It may be configured to output to the / A conversion circuit 36.

In the case of such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, cost reduction can be realized without newly providing a D / A conversion circuit or the like in the digital image recording apparatus 11.
A reproduced image can be displayed on the monitor 8 via a common output path (as when a live image is displayed).

In this case, the input end of the digital image recording device 11 to which the digital video signal is input and the output end of the digital image recording device 11 for outputting the digital video signal of the reproduced image to the outside are separately provided. Can also be applied. That is, the present invention can be applied to a case where the input / output configuration of the digital video signal of the digital image recording apparatus is different from that shown in FIG. The signal switching unit 35
The function of manually controlling the function of switching and outputting is also included in the present invention.

Further, for example, the signal switching unit 3 in the imaging device 7
A memory for temporarily storing a still image may be provided in a stage preceding step 5. In this case, when a freeze instruction operation is performed, the signal switching unit 35 prohibits new writing to this memory while outputting a live image,
The image written in the memory before the prohibition of the writing can be repeatedly output to display a still image on the monitor 8. In this case, the control is simpler than when a still image is stored in the memory unit 43 of the digital image recording device 11 and the still image is displayed on a monitor.

In FIG. 1, the case where the endoscope provided with the image pickup means is the television camera external endoscope 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An electronic endoscope provided with an image sensor such as a CCD may be used. In addition, embodiments and the like configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Supplementary Notes] An endoscope provided with an imaging unit, a digital image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium and outputting a first digital video signal of a reproduced image, and an output signal from the imaging unit. On the other hand, the second digital video signal generated through the A / D conversion circuit can be output to the digital image recording apparatus, and the endoscope imaging that outputs the analog video signal generated through the D / A conversion circuit from an output terminal An endoscope imaging system having an apparatus and a display means for displaying an analog video signal output from an output end of the endoscope imaging apparatus, wherein the A / D conversion circuit and the D / D A signal switching circuit for switching between the second digital video signal and the first digital video signal from the digital image recording device side and outputting to the subsequent stage between the A conversion circuit and the A conversion circuit; Endoscopic imaging system characterized in that.

[0130] 2. Imaging means for imaging the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging apparatus for performing signal processing on an image signal from the imaging means, display means for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope imaging apparatus, and an endoscope image And a digital image recording device that enables the endoscope image to be reproduced as an image signal from a recording medium on which the digital image recording device is recorded. An image signal reading unit that reads an endoscope image as an image signal, and controls sending an image signal read from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal to the endoscope imaging apparatus. Control part,
The endoscope imaging apparatus, the signal direction switching signal, the first output path for outputting the image signal obtained by the imaging means to the display means, sent from the digital image recording device An endoscope imaging system, comprising: a signal switching unit that selects a second output path for outputting an image signal to the display unit.

[0131] 3. Imaging means for imaging the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging apparatus for performing signal processing on an image signal from the imaging means, display means for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope imaging apparatus, and the endoscope An endoscope imaging system including a digital image recording device having a recording medium for recording an image obtained by the imaging device, wherein the digital image recording device records an image signal sent from the endoscope imaging device. An image processing unit that performs processing for recording on a medium and reads an image signal from the recording medium; and an endoscope that transmits an image signal read from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal. A control unit for controlling transmission to an imaging device, wherein the endoscope imaging device outputs an image signal obtained by the imaging unit to the display unit according to the signal direction switching signal. And a signal switching unit for selecting a second output path for outputting an image signal transmitted from the digital image recording device to the display means. system.

4. Imaging means for imaging the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging apparatus for performing signal processing on an image signal from the imaging means, display means for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope imaging apparatus, and the endoscope An endoscope imaging system including a digital image recording device having a recording medium for recording an image obtained by the imaging device, wherein the digital image recording device records an image signal sent from the endoscope imaging device. An image processing unit for performing processing for recording on a medium and reading an image signal from the recording medium; receiving an image signal from the endoscope imaging apparatus; and an image signal read from the recording medium and the image signal A control unit for controlling the transmission of a signal direction switching signal to the endoscope imaging device for sending a signal to the endoscope imaging device. Signal switching for selecting a first output path for outputting the image signal obtained in the stage to the display means and a second output path for outputting the image signal sent from the digital image recording device to the display means And an endoscope imaging system.

5. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope imaging device and the digital image recording device are connected by a signal transmission unit that transmits the first and second digital video signals in two directions. 6. The signal transmission means includes a common signal transmission line, a bidirectional buffer provided at both ends of the signal transmission line, and a signal transmission direction of the bidirectional buffer for transmitting the first or second digital video signal. 6. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 5, further comprising: a control unit configured to switch in accordance with the condition.

7. An endoscope including an imaging unit; an endoscope imaging device that performs signal processing on the imaging unit; a display unit that displays a video signal output from the endoscope imaging device; In an endoscope imaging system comprising a digital image recording device that compresses and records the digital image on the recording medium, a digital video output terminal that outputs a digital video signal to the endoscope imaging device, and the digital image that is connected thereto Between the recording device and the bidirectional transmission of the digital video signal, the recorded image of the digital image recording device via a signal switching means through a common output path of the endoscope imaging device, the An endoscope imaging apparatus for reproducing and displaying on a display means.

(Effect of Supplementary Note 7) By thus making bidirectional digital video signal communication between the imaging device and the digital image recording device, the digital image recording device can be connected to the display means without being connected to a personal computer. Even without adding a D / A conversion circuit and an analog processing circuit for outputting, a still image can be output to the display means through the same output path as the image by the imaging means, so that the user can perform diagnosis, after diagnosis, or during surgery. ,
The reproduced image can be viewed immediately on the spot after the operation, and the cost can be reduced because the digital image recording apparatus does not have a D / A conversion circuit and a post-processing circuit for outputting to the display means.

8. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 5, further comprising a connection detection unit configured to detect a connection state between the endoscope imaging device and the digital image recording device. (Effects of Supplementary Note 8) By detecting connection between the imaging device and the digital image recording device and performing various settings and operations only when the connection is detected, the user intends to record due to a setting defect. Can be prevented from being recorded.

9. 6. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 5, wherein the connection detection unit is capable of changing output control and a setting state of the digital video signal. (Effect of Supplementary Note 9) The playback image can be released when the detection becomes invalid such as when the power is turned off or the cable is unplugged, so even if the playback image cannot be released due to a switch failure or the like, an abnormal state occurs. It is safe.

10. 6. The endoscope imaging system according to claim 5, wherein one of the endoscope imaging device and the digital image recording device includes a memory unit for temporarily storing a plurality of still images. (Effect of Supplementary Note 10) By providing a memory unit capable of recording a plurality of still images in an imaging device or a digital image recording device, continuous recording becomes possible.

[0139]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to record an image on a recording medium and output a first digital video signal of a reproduced image, according to the present invention. A digital image recording device, and a second digital video signal generated through an A / D conversion circuit with respect to an output signal from the imaging means, can be output to the digital image recording device, and a D / A conversion circuit An endoscope imaging device that outputs an analog video signal generated through an output end, and an endoscope imaging system that includes a display unit that displays an analog video signal output from an output end of the endoscope imaging device. The A / in the endoscope imaging device
A signal switching circuit for switching between the second digital video signal and the first digital video signal from the digital image recording device side and outputting to the subsequent stage between the D conversion circuit and the D / A conversion circuit; Since the digital image recording apparatus does not need to add a D / A conversion circuit and an analog circuit for outputting the display means to the digital image recording apparatus, the image is displayed on the same output path for outputting the image captured by the imaging apparatus with a simple configuration and at low cost. An image from the digital image recording device can be output to the means.

Imaging means for taking an image of the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging apparatus for processing an image signal from the imaging means, a display means for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope imaging apparatus, A digital image recording device that enables the endoscopic image to be reproduced as an image signal from a recording medium on which the endoscopic image is recorded, wherein the digital image recording device records the endoscopic image on the recording medium. An image signal reading unit that reads out the obtained endoscope image as an image signal; and an image signal read from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal to the endoscope imaging apparatus. And a control unit for controlling the
The endoscope imaging device, by the signal direction switching signal,
A first output path for outputting an image signal obtained by the imaging means to the display means and a second output path for outputting an image signal sent from the digital image recording device to the display means are selected. Signal switching unit,
With a simple configuration, it is possible to display an image signal captured by the image capturing means and an image signal reproduced from the digital image recording device.

An image pickup means for picking up an image of the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope image pickup device for performing signal processing on an image signal from the image pickup means, a display means for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope image pickup device, An endoscope imaging system including a digital image recording device having a recording medium for recording an image obtained by the endoscope imaging device, wherein the digital image recording device includes an image transmitted from the endoscope imaging device. An image processing unit for performing processing for recording a signal on a recording medium and reading an image signal from the recording medium; and an image signal read from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal. A control unit for controlling transmission to an endoscope imaging device, wherein the endoscope imaging device displays an image signal obtained by the imaging means on the display device by the signal direction switching signal. And a signal switching section for selecting a second output path for outputting an image signal sent from the digital image recording apparatus to the display means. With such a configuration, it is possible to display the image signal captured by the imaging unit and the image signal reproduced from the digital image recording device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal configuration of a digital video output terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection cable and the like for making a digital video signal bidirectional.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a signal switching unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an internal operation of a signal switching unit when a digital video signal is output.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an internal operation of a signal switching unit when a digital video signal is input.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the image processing unit during image recording and image reproduction.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of display of a live image and a reproduced image on a monitor.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another example of the display of a live image and a reproduced image on a monitor.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection cable and the like for bidirectionally converting a digital video signal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection detection unit that detects connection between the imaging device and the digital image recording device.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a display example of functions assigned to remote switches on a monitor screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection detecting unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of recording a plurality of still images according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a detecting unit for determining whether the recording is in progress or the recording is completed.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example in which recording is displayed on a monitor screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of reduced images are displayed on a monitor screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope imaging system 2 ... Optical endoscope (scope) 3 ... Television camera 4 ... Television camera external endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... CCD 7 ... Endoscope imaging device 8 ... Monitor 9 ... Digital Video output terminal 10 Connection cable 11 Digital image recording device 13 Insertion section 21 Camera head section 22 Camera cable 24 Remote switch 26 CCD driver 27 Preamplifier 29 A / D conversion circuit 34 Digital image processing section 35 ... Signal switching unit 36 ... D / A conversion circuit 37 ... Post process circuit 39 ... CPU 41 ... Digital video input terminal 42 ... I / F unit 43 ... Memory unit 44 ... Image processing unit 45 ... Image recording unit 46 ... PC card 48 Menu switch 49 Control unit 51 Selector 52 Bidirectional buffer unit 53 Buffer 55 Dual Direction buffer unit 61 Digital video signal 64 Signal direction switching signal 65 Image display control signal 66 Releaser signal 67 Freeze signal

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 13, 1999 (1999.8.1)
3)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, the remote switch 24, when the function of the freeze or release was found allocation, when it operates the remote switch 24 CPU 39 is provided to the digital video output terminal 9 via the signal switching unit 35 The freeze signal 67 or the release signal 66 is sent to the digital image recording apparatus 11 through the signal transmission line, and the corresponding processing is performed.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 GA00 GA10 GA12 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 LL02 NN03 NN05 NN07 SS11 SS14 UU03 WW10 WW18 XX02 YY01 YY12 5C054 CC07 EA07 EB05 EB07 EH07 GA01 GB01 HA12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope provided with an imaging unit, a digital image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium and outputting a first digital video signal of a reproduced image, and the imaging unit A second digital video signal generated through an A / D conversion circuit can be output to the digital image recording apparatus with respect to an output signal from the digital video recorder, and an analog video signal generated through a D / A conversion circuit is output from an output terminal. An endoscope imaging system comprising: an endoscope imaging device that performs the operation; and a display unit that displays an analog video signal output from an output end of the endoscope imaging device. Conversion circuit and D /
A signal switching circuit for switching between the second digital video signal and the first digital video signal from the digital image recording device side and outputting to the subsequent stage between the A conversion circuit and the A conversion circuit. Endoscope imaging system. 2. An imaging device for imaging the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging device for performing signal processing on an image signal from the imaging device, and a display device for displaying a video signal output from the endoscope imaging device. An endoscope imaging system comprising: a digital image recording device that enables the endoscope image to be reproduced as an image signal from a recording medium on which the endoscope image is recorded, wherein the digital image recording device includes the recording medium An image signal reading unit that reads out an endoscope image recorded in the storage medium as an image signal; and sends an image signal read out from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal to the endoscope imaging apparatus. And a control unit for controlling the endoscope imaging device, wherein the endoscope imaging device outputs an image signal obtained by the imaging unit to the display unit according to the signal direction switching signal. An output path;
A signal switching unit that selects a second output path for outputting an image signal sent from the digital image recording device to the display unit. 3. An imaging unit that images the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope imaging device that performs signal processing on an image signal from the imaging unit, and a display unit that displays a video signal output from the endoscope imaging device. An endoscope imaging system comprising: a digital image recording device including a recording medium that records an image obtained by the endoscope imaging device; wherein the digital image recording device transmits from the endoscope imaging device. Processing for recording an image signal to be recorded on a recording medium and an image processing unit for reading the image signal from the recording medium; an image signal read from the recording medium and a signal direction switching signal for sending the image signal A control unit for controlling transmission to the endoscope imaging apparatus, wherein the endoscope imaging apparatus converts the image signal obtained by the imaging unit by the signal direction switching signal. A first output path for outputting to the display means;
A signal switching unit that selects a second output path for outputting an image signal sent from the digital image recording device to the display unit.