JP2001087222A - Electronic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to perform preparations such as inputting data of a patient or setting up even when an electronic endoscope is not connected to a processor device. SOLUTION: This electronic endoscope apparatus has the electronic scope 12 in which a CCD 15 and a clock generator 22 to drive the CCD are mounted. In addition, an auxiliary clock generator 34 and a clock selecting circuit 35 are mounted in the processor device 14 of the apparatus. When a microcomputer 36 judges that the electronic scope 12 is not connected to the processor device 14, a clock signal outputted from the auxiliary clock generator 34 is selected by the clock selecting circuit 35. Accordingly, the processor device 14 can input data of a patient, or the like, by itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope device, and more particularly to an electronic endoscope having a clock generator and a processor device for processing an image signal based on a clock signal output from the electronic endoscope. The present invention relates to a configuration of an endoscope apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus.
At its tip is a CCD (Charge Coupl)
ed Device) 2 is arranged. Further, a first signal for reading an image signal (video signal) from the CCD 2 and performing processing such as amplification and gamma correction on the read video signal.
A signal processing circuit 3 and a clock generator (or synchronization signal generating circuit) 4 are provided. Based on the clock signal generated by the generator 4, signal reading from the CCD 2 and processing of the read video signal are performed. Done.

[0003] Such an electronic scope 1 is configured to be connected to a processor device 5, and in this processor device 5, a second signal for further performing a color conversion process or the like on a video signal output from the electronic scope 1. Processing circuit 6,
There are provided a character mixing circuit 7 for adding various data relating to the patient, radiography, etc. to the video signal, and an output circuit 8 for performing output processing. Further, a microcomputer 9 for controlling the above circuits and a keyboard 10 for inputting data are provided.
Based on the control of the microcomputer 9, the data of the patient or the photographing input from the keyboard 10 is input to the character mixing circuit 7.
Is mixed with the video signal.

The video signal from the output circuit 8 is supplied to a television monitor or the like, and an object to be observed is displayed on the monitor, whereby observation of an affected part or the like or treatment or surgery while viewing the screen is performed. It can be carried out.

[0005]

However, in the electronic endoscope apparatus, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the processor apparatus 5 also performs signal processing using the clock signal generated on the electronic scope 1 side. Unless the electronic scope 1 is connected, there is a disadvantage that preparations such as input of patient data and the like and setup of the processor device 5 cannot be performed.

That is, in examination, treatment, and surgery using an endoscope, it is necessary to input various data such as patient data and to complete setup including monitor adjustment and the like in advance. However, when the electronic scope 1 is being cleaned, or when a designated one among a plurality or different electronic scopes 1 is used, the electronic scope 1 may not be prepared on the spot. In such a situation, the above preparation cannot be performed quickly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to prepare for input of patient data and the like and preparation for setup even when an electronic endoscope is not connected to a processor device. To provide an electronic endoscope apparatus which can perform the above.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects an electronic endoscope provided with a clock generator to a processor device, in which the output from the clock generator is output. In an electronic endoscope apparatus that inputs a clock signal and executes image signal processing, the processor device includes an auxiliary clock generator that is separate from the electronic endoscope-side clock generator, and the electronic endoscope. A determination unit for determining whether or not the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor device, and when the determination unit determines that the electronic endoscope is not connected, a clock signal output from the auxiliary clock generator is used. Control as described above.

According to the above configuration, when the microcomputer or the like determines that the electronic endoscope is not connected, the auxiliary clock generator on the processor device side is selectively used and based on the clock signal output from the generator. To enable various functions on the processor device side. Therefore, even without an electronic endoscope, input of patient data and the like from a keyboard and the like, setup of monitor adjustment, and the like can be performed, and preparation for an endoscope inspection and the like can be smoothly performed.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. This apparatus comprises an electronic scope (electronic endoscope) 12 having a light source device 13 and a processor device 14. Connect to. First, the electronic scope 12
Has a CCD 15 disposed at the distal end thereof via an objective optical system, a CCD drive circuit 16 for driving the CCD 15 is provided, and a light guide 17 is provided for irradiating light from the distal end. , This light guide 17
Is connected to the light source device 13 in which a light source and a light amount aperture are arranged.

The CCD 15 has a correlated double sampling (CDS-Correlated Double Sampling) circuit 18,
A / D (analog / digital) converter 19, digital video processor (DVP-Digital Video Processor)
20 are arranged. In the DVP 20, a luminance signal (Y) and a color difference signal (C) are formed by digital processing on an image signal (video signal) output from the CCD 15, and image processing such as amplification, white balance, and gamma correction is performed. Is done.

A microcomputer 21 for controlling the above circuits and a clock generator (or synchronization signal generation circuit) 22 for generating a clock signal and a synchronizing signal are provided. The microcomputer 21 operates based on the clock signal. The clock signal and the synchronization signal obtained by the clock generator 22 are supplied to each circuit and output to the processor device 14.

On the other hand, in the processor device 14, a mirror circuit 25 for inverting the image left and right, an outline emphasizing circuit (enhancer) 26, and a luminance signal (Y) and a color difference signal (C) are
A color conversion circuit 27 for converting signals into (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals, a character mixing circuit 28 for mixing characters such as patient data and imaging data, and a D / A converter 29A are provided. The analog video signal output (OutA) from the D / A converter 29A is supplied to a personal computer monitor or the like.

In addition, the apparatus can output images not only to the personal computer monitor but also to a television monitor or an RGB monitor. The output of the character mixing circuit 28 to an RGB monitor (OutB) is provided at a subsequent stage. A D / A converter 29B is provided, and (output Out)
For C), an encoder 31 for converting an RGB signal into a Y signal and a C signal and a D / A converter 29C are provided, each of which has an output terminal.

The processor device 14 includes:
The same auxiliary clock generator (synchronous signal generation circuit) 34 as the clock generator 22 on the electronic scope 12 side, the output of the auxiliary clock generator 34 and the clock generator 22
Clock selection circuit 35 for selecting any one of the above outputs, a microcomputer 36 for overall control of each circuit, and a memory 3 for storing characters and programs such as patient data or imaging data.
7. A keyboard 38 is provided.

The microcomputer 36 communicates with the microcomputer 21 based on the clock signal input from the clock generator 22 when the electronic scope 12 is connected and the power of the processor device 14 is turned on. The type of the electronic scope 12 and the like are specified, and necessary setup at the time of startup is performed. At this time, the connection state of the electronic scope 12 is determined by determining whether or not the clock signal is input (or whether or not communication is possible), and thereby the clock selection circuit 3 is determined.
5 is switched and controlled. That is, when it is determined that the electronic scope 12 is not connected, the clock selection circuit 35 selects the clock signal output from the auxiliary clock generator 34. Note that the determination of the connection state can also be made by a mechanical or optical switch structure or the like disposed on the connection connector between the electronic scope 12 and the processor device 14.

The microcomputer 36 includes a keyboard 3
The data relating to the patient and the photographing inputted from 8 are stored in the memory 37, and these character signals are output to the character mixing circuit 28.

The embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be described below with reference to FIG. First, when the power of the processor device 14 is turned on, it is determined in step 101 in FIG. 2 whether or not a scope is connected. In the case of YES, the operation is performed by a clock signal on the scope 12 side in step 102. That is, the clock selection circuit 35 is set to select the output from the clock generator 22 in the normal state, and keeps the state as it is.

On the other hand, for example, there is no clock signal input,
When the determination in step 101 is NO, in step 103, switching control is performed so that the clock selection circuit 35 selects the output of the auxiliary clock generator 34. Therefore, even when the electronic scope 12 is not connected,
Since the processor device 14 is set up and data can be input, preparations for endoscopy, treatment, and the like can be quickly performed regardless of the presence of the electronic scope 12.

In such an electronic endoscope apparatus, the video signal obtained by the CCD 15 at the tip of the electronic scope 12 is sampled by the CDS circuit 18 and
After various processes such as gamma correction and white balance are performed by the DVP 20, the signals are supplied to the processor device 14 as a Y (luminance) signal and a C (color) signal. In the processor device 14, the video signal is horizontally inverted by a mirror circuit 25 and subjected to an outline emphasizing process by an outline emphasizing circuit 26.
Conversion to a GB signal is performed.

Thereafter, the character mixing circuit 28 mixes the RGB video signal with the previously input character signal of the data of the patient and the photographing, etc., and the video signal thus formed. (output
OutA) is supplied to a personal computer monitor or the like via the D / A converter 29A. The RGB video signal (output Ou)
tB) is supplied to an RGB monitor or the like, and the Y, C signal and ENC signal (output OutC) are supplied to a television monitor or the like.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An auxiliary clock generator is also provided in the processor device separately from the clock generator on the electronic endoscope side, and it is determined whether or not the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor device, and the electronic endoscope is connected. When the electronic endoscope is not connected to the processor device, input and set-up of patient data and the like can be performed, and inspection and treatment of the endoscope can be performed even when the electronic endoscope is not connected to the processor device. Preparation can be performed quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,12 ... Electronic scope, 5,14 ... Processor device, 4,22 ... Clock generator, 7,28 ... Character mixing circuit, 9,21,36 ... Microcomputer, 34 ... Auxiliary clock generator, 35 ... Clock selection circuit , 37 ... memory.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 GA02 GA05 GA11 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 JJ17 NN05 SS11 SS30 5C054 AA01 CA04 CC03 EB01 EC00 HA12

Claims (1)

[Claims] An electronic endoscope provided with a clock generator is connected to a processor device, and the processor device receives a clock signal output from the clock generator and executes image signal processing. In the apparatus, the processor device includes an auxiliary clock generator that is separate from the electronic endoscope-side clock generator, and a determination unit that determines whether the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor device. An electronic endoscope device, wherein when the determination means determines that the electronic endoscope is not connected, the clock signal output from the auxiliary clock generator is used.