JP2002006235A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope which is an electronic endoscope to display the character information based on character information signals together with a subject image on a monitor device by superposing the character information signals on video signals and is constituted in such a manner that the display position in displaying the character information on the monitor device can be arbitrarily changed on a user side. SOLUTION: The electronic endoscope device has a scope 10 which has an image pickup sensor 26 for photoelectrically converting the subject image to image signals, an image signal processing unit 12 which forms the video signals from the image signals and the monitor device 16 which displays the subject image in accordance with the resultant image signals. A character information signal superposing means 36 superposes the character information signals on the video signals and displays the character information based on the character information signals together with the subject image on the monitor device. A display position changing means (Figure 17) changes the display position in displaying the character information on the monitor device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scope having an image sensor for photoelectrically converting an optical image into an image signal, an image signal processing unit for appropriately processing the image signal to generate a video signal, and an image signal processing unit. A monitor device for displaying the optical image based on the video signal obtained by the signal processing unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in the above-mentioned scope (electronic endoscope), a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) is used as an imaging sensor, and the scope is flexible. Configured as a sex conduit. The imaging sensor is provided at the distal end of the scope in combination with the objective lens system, and a light guide composed of an optical fiber bundle is inserted through the insertion portion of the scope.
The proximal end of the scope is detachably connected to the image signal processing unit, so that the image signal processing unit can be shared with various types of scopes.

When the scope is connected to the image signal processing unit, the image sensor is connected to an image signal processing circuit in the image signal processing unit, and the light guide is optically connected to a lighting device in the image signal processing unit. . When the scope is inserted into a patient's body cavity, the front of the objective lens system at the distal end thereof is illuminated with light emitted from the light guide,
At this time, a subject taken by the objective lens system is optically formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the subject image is photoelectrically changed to an analog image signal for one frame by the image sensor. 1 from the image sensor at predetermined time intervals
Analog image signals for frames are sequentially read and sent to an image signal processing circuit in the image signal processing unit.
The image signal is appropriately processed by an image signal processing circuit and then output as a video signal to a monitor device, where a subject image is displayed on the monitor device based on the video signal.

In an electronic endoscope apparatus, not only a subject image is usually displayed on a monitor apparatus, but also various character information and the like are displayed. For example, information about a patient who has been diagnosed by the electronic endoscope device, that is, the patient name, gender, ID number, and the like, as well as the name of a doctor who is performing a diagnosis with the electronic endoscope device, a medical examination, etc. Is also displayed. Such character information is indispensable information in recent years in that a part of a moving image obtained by an electronic endoscope apparatus is taken as a still image into an image processing computer to construct a filing system. It has become. Thus, the character information display control circuit is incorporated in the image signal processing unit of the electronic endoscope device, and the character information signal is superimposed on the video signal through the character information display control circuit, whereby the monitor device and the subject image are displayed together. Character information is displayed.

In general, the number of pixels of an image sensor used in an electronic endoscope is smaller than the number of pixels of a normal image sensor for a TV. The subject image, that is, the endoscope image is displayed on only a part of the display screen of the monitor device. However, when the video signal is generated by the image signal processing circuit in the image signal processing unit, the video signal is generated over the entire display screen of the monitor device, and the video signal is generated in an area other than the display area of the endoscope image. Are pedestal levels. Therefore, in the electronic endoscope apparatus, usually, the various character information described above is performed in an area other than the display area of the endoscope image.
That is, an area other than the endoscope image and the display area is used as a character display area.

[0006]

In recent years, interpolation processing has been performed on an image signal obtained from an image sensor of an electronic endoscope to increase the number of pixels, whereby an endoscope image can be displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor device. The display has been done. Also, CC
Due to the increase in the density of solid-state imaging devices such as D, a small imaging sensor having hundreds of thousands of pixels has been developed even for a small imaging sensor used in an electronic endoscope. It is possible to display an endoscope image on the entire display screen of the monitor device using only the image signal.

[0007] When the endoscope image is displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor device, the character information is inevitably superimposed on the endoscope image. In this case, conventionally, the display position of each character information is determined at the design stage of the electronic endoscope apparatus, and the display position of each character information is fixed.
Of course, the display position of each character information can be determined according to the request of the user, but the display position of the character information once determined cannot be changed by the user, and thereafter the character information display position is changed. Therefore, the display position of the character information must be reset on the manufacturing side of the electronic endoscope apparatus.

On the other hand, when the electronic endoscope apparatus is shared by many doctors, it may be desired to change the display position of the character information by each doctor. It is practically impossible to change the display position of the electronic endoscope apparatus on the manufacturing side.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a scope having an image sensor for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, an image signal processing unit for appropriately processing the image signal to generate a video signal, and an image signal processing unit. A monitor device for displaying a subject image based on the video signal obtained by the processing unit, and superimposing a character information signal on the video signal to display the character information based on the character information signal together with the subject image on the monitor device. By providing an electronic endoscope device configured as described above, a display position when displaying character information on a monitor device can be arbitrarily changed on the user side by providing the electronic endoscope device. is there.

[0010]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention generates a video signal by appropriately processing an image sensor for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal. It comprises an image signal processing unit and a monitor device for displaying a subject image based on the video signal obtained by the image signal processing unit. According to the present invention, in such an electronic endoscope device, a character information signal superimposing unit that superimposes a character information signal on a video signal and displays character information based on the character information signal together with a subject image on a monitor device, A display position changing means for changing a display position when the character information is displayed on the monitor device is provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, display position change data storage means for storing display position change data when the display position of character information is changed by the display position changing means is provided. Can be Further, a display selection means for selecting whether or not the character information should be displayed on the monitor device may be provided. In this case, display selection data when the display selection of the character information is selected by the display selection means is stored. It is preferable to provide display selection data storage means.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown an entire electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a scope 10 formed of a flexible conduit, and an image signal processing unit 12 called a processor. The proximal end of the scope 10 is attached to and detached from the image signal processing unit 12 through a connector 14. It can be connected freely. That is, the scope 10 includes various scopes, for example, a bronchial scope and a digestive endoscope (esophageal scope, stomach scope, large intestine scope, etc.), and the image signal processing unit 12 is shared by the various scopes.

Provided at the distal end of the scope 10 is an image sensor comprising a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD device. This image sensor is combined with an objective lens system, and the image sensor is connected to the image signal processing unit 12 by the scope 10. At the time of connection, it is connected to an image signal processing circuit provided in the image signal processing unit 12. A light guide consisting of a bundle of fiber optics is passed through the scope 10, the distal end of which extends to the distal end of the scope 10, while the proximal end of the light guide is connected to the image signal processing unit 12. Is optically connected to a lighting device provided in the image signal processing unit 12 when the scope 10 is connected.

When the scope 10 is inserted into the body cavity of the patient, the front of the objective lens system at the distal end thereof is illuminated with the light emitted from the light guide. At this time, the subject photographed by the objective lens system receives light from the image sensor. An image is formed on the surface as a subject image, that is, an endoscope image, and the endoscope image is photoelectrically converted into an analog image signal for one frame by an image sensor. One frame of the analog image signal is sequentially read from the image sensor at predetermined time intervals, sent to the image signal processing circuit in the image signal processing unit 12, where it is appropriately processed, and then converted into a video signal as a video signal. And an endoscope image is displayed on the display screen based on the video signal. As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 18 is connected to the image signal processing unit 12, and various instruction signals, various data, and the like are transmitted to the image signal processing unit 12 by operating the keyboard 18 as described later. Is entered for Further, a front panel 20 is provided at an appropriate location on the wall surface of the housing of the image signal processing unit 12.
The power supply ON / OFF switch of the image signal processing unit 12 and other various switches are provided on the front panel 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the entire system of the electronic endoscope apparatus is schematically shown as a block diagram. As shown in FIG. 1, the image signal processing unit 12 includes a system controller 22.
Is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. That is,
The system computer 22 includes a central processing unit (C)
PU), programs for executing various routines,
A read-only memory (ROM) for storing constants and the like, and a writable / readable memory (R) for temporarily storing data and the like.
AM), an input / output interface (I / O), and the like, and the overall operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus is controlled by the system controller 22.

In FIG. 2, the above-described image sensor provided at the distal end of the scope 10 is indicated by reference numeral 24,
The above-described light guide provided in the scope 10 is shown as a dashed-dotted line with reference numeral 26, and in the same figure, the above-mentioned illumination device provided in the image signal processing unit 12 is generally denoted by reference numeral 28. , And the above-described image signal processing circuit provided in the image signal processing unit 12 is denoted by reference numeral 30.

The illumination device 28 includes a white light source lamp 28A.
A lamp power supply circuit 28B for supplying power to the white light source lamp 28A, a diaphragm 28C incorporated in the white light source lamp 28A, an operation of the lamp power supply circuit 28B and the diaphragm 28.
And an illumination control circuit 28D for controlling the aperture operation of C. As the white light source lamp 28A, for example, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like is used, and the lamp power supply circuit 28B is configured to output a predetermined high voltage necessary for lighting such a white light source lamp. The lamp power supply circuit 28B itself is supplied with power from a commercial power supply circuit. The diaphragm 28C includes an opening for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the illumination light source lamp 28A, and an actuator for changing the diameter of the opening. The illumination control circuit 28D is operated under the control of the system controller 22, whereby the on / off control of the white light source lamp and the operation of the actuator of the diaphragm 28C are controlled by the lamp power supply circuit 28B.

It has already been mentioned that the proximal end of the light guide 23 is optically connected to the illuminating device 28 in the image signal processing unit 12 when the scope 10 is connected to the image signal processing unit 12. Generally speaking,
A light guide plug is attached to the proximal end of the light guide 23, and this light guide plug is connected to the housing of the image signal processing unit 12 when the scope 10 is connected to the image signal processing unit 12. The light guide plug is inserted into the adapter.
8C is optically connected to the aperture of 8C via a suitable condenser lens (not shown), so that white light from the white light source lamp 28A is guided to the distal end of the scope 10, and the front of the distal end is illuminated. Will be done.

As shown in FIG. 2, a CCD driver 32 is incorporated in the connector 14 of the scope 10. When the scope 10 is connected to the image signal processing unit 12, the image sensor 26 receives the image signal via the CCD driver 32. It is connected to the processing circuit 30. In the present embodiment, the image sensor 26
Is capable of taking a subject image as a color image, and photoelectrically converts the subject image as, for example, three primary color analog pixel signals of red, green and blue. The three primary color analog pixel signals for one frame that have been converted into light sources by the image sensor 26 are sequentially read out by the CCD driver 32 and sent to the image signal processing circuit 30. Image sensor 26
Are sequentially processed by the image signal processing circuit 30, and then output to the monitor device 16 as analog color video signals.

The processing of the three primary color analog pixel signals in the image signal processing circuit 30 is performed at a predetermined timing. Therefore, a timing controller 34 is provided in the image signal processing unit 12. The timing controller 34 is operated under the control of the system controller 22. Clock pulses of various frequencies are generated from the timing controller 34, and the three primary color analog pixel signals are processed according to the clock pulses.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the image signal processing circuit 30 includes an image processing circuit 30 ₁ ,
Digital (A / D) converter 30 ₂₀ and frame memory 3
0 ₃ is provided. Three primary color analog pixel signals sequentially sent from the image sensor 26 is first input to the image processing circuit 30 _1, where appropriate image processing, for example, subjected to gamma correction processing, white balance processing, and the like. Then, A / D
Once written to the frame memory 30 ₃ by the transducer 30 ₂ is converted into three primary color digital pixel signal. A / D conversion in the analog / digital (A / D) converter 30 ₂ is carried out in accordance with a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency outputted from the timing controller 32, and also writes the three primary color digital pixel signal of the frame memory 30 ₃ This is performed according to a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency output from the timing controller 32.

The _three primary color digital pixel signals once written to the frame memory 303 are simultaneously converted into a red digital pixel signal (R), a green digital pixel signal (G) and a blue digital pixel signal (B) at a predetermined timing. 30 ₃ read from the reading of each color of the digital pixel signal at this time is the timing controller 32
This is performed according to a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency output from. In the present embodiment, a composite synchronization signal (Syn) is added to the green digital pixel signal (G), and the composite synchronization signal is obtained from the timing controller 34. In short, in the present embodiment, the _three primary color digital pixel signals are read from the frame memory 303 as digital component video signals (R, G + Syn, B).

As shown in FIG. 3, the image signal processing circuit 30
Has three more digital / analog (D / A) converters 3
0R, 30G and 30B, and their D / A
Switching circuit 40 ₄ is interposed between the transducer and the frame memory 30 _3. Switch circuit 30 ₄ is caused to turn on / off under the control of the system controller 22. When the switch circuit 30 ₄ is turned on, the D /
The A converter converts the digital component video signal (R, G
+ Syn, B) is converted to an analog signal. That is, analog component video signals are output from the D / A converters 30R, 30G, and 30B and sent to the monitor device 16, where the analog component video signals (R, G + Sy) are output.
n, B), an endoscope image is displayed. As is clear from FIG. 3, each D / A converter (30R, 30G, 30
The D / A conversion processing in B) is also performed by the timing controller 34.
This is performed according to a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency output from.

It should be noted, when the switch circuit 30 ₄ is turned off, D / A converters 30R, digital component video signals (R, G + Syn, B ) to 30G and 30B output is interrupted, the monitor unit 16 at this time Is not displayed.

In order to display character information on an endoscope image on the display screen of the monitor device 16, a character information display circuit 36 is provided in the image signal processing unit 12, and this character information display circuit 36 It is operated under the control of. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the character information display circuit (character generator) 36 includes a control circuit 38 and a character ROM 40.
Is configured as a microcomputer, in which a video RAM 42 is provided.

When the character code data is written to a predetermined address of the video RAM 42, the control circuit 38 outputs the character code data to the character ROM 40. In the character ROM 40, a character pattern signal corresponding to the character code data is generated, and this character pattern signal is sent to the control circuit 38, where it is converted into a red character pattern signal component, a green character pattern signal component, and a blue character pattern signal component. Divided. Character pattern signal components of the primary colors is output to the signal line from the switch circuit 30 ₄ of the image signal processing circuit 30 at a predetermined timing. Therefore, when the switch circuit 30 ₄ is turned on, the character pattern signal component since it is superimposed on the respective signal components of the digital component video signal, the on endoscopic images of the display screen of the monitor device 16 is character information Is displayed. On the other hand, when the switch circuit 30 ₄ is turned off, the display screen of the monitor device 16 only character information is displayed.

The output of the character pattern signal component from the control circuit 38 to the image signal processing circuit 30 is periodically performed according to a clock pulse of a predetermined frequency output from the timing controller 34. The output timing of the clock pulse is It is determined by the address when the character code data corresponding to the pattern signal component is stored in the video RAM 42. Of course, the display position of the character information on the display screen of the monitor device 16 is determined according to the output timing of the clock pulse, that is, the output timing of the character pattern signal component. Has a relationship corresponding to each other with the display position of the character information. In short, when the character code data is stored at a predetermined address of the video RAM 42, character information corresponding to the character code data is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen of the monitor device 16 according to the predetermined address.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the system controller 22 is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erased).
A non-volatile memory 44 such as an “able programable read only memory” is provided. The non-volatile memory 44 stores character code data to be output to the video RAM 42. And read out and written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the nonvolatile memory 44 includes a monitor display memory area MR, a list display memory area LR, and ten display item selection memory areas IR ₁ to IR _10. And ten display position selecting memory areas PR ₁ to PR ₁₀ . Addresses corresponding to all addresses of the video RAM 42 are set in the monitor display memory area MR, and character code data corresponding to character information to be displayed on the monitor device 16 is stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR. After
The character code data is read by the system controller 22 and written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example of a normal display screen of the monitor device 16 is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, "NAME:", "ID:",
“AGE:”, “TYPE:”, “COMMEN”
T: ”,“ SEX: ”,“ FACILITY: ”,“ D
r: "," 99/09/25 "and" 10: 50: 3
1 "is displayed on the monitor device 16 together with the endoscope image. At this time, each of the character code data corresponding to the character information is written not only at a predetermined address of the video RAM 42 but also in the monitor display memory of the nonvolatile memory 44. It is also stored at a predetermined address in the area MR.

Here, various types of character information illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described. Character information "NAME:" is fixed character information indicating a patient name. After the fixed character information, for example, as shown in FIG. The patient name “TAKAHASHHI” is displayed as variable character information. The character information “ID:” is fixed character information indicating the ID number of the patient, and after the fixed character information, for example, an ID number “006” is displayed as variable character information. The character information “AGE:” is fixed character information indicating the age of the patient, and after this fixed character information, for example, the age “25” is displayed as variable character information. The character information "TYPE:" is the scope 10 to be used.
Is fixed character information indicating the type of the character. If the scope 10 is, for example, a gastric scope, "GA" is added after the fixed character information.
“STRO” is displayed as variable character information.The character information “COMMENT:” is fixed character information indicating a medical review at the time of medical examination by the electronic endoscope apparatus, and a diagnostic review writing area (“. ) Is displayed as variable character information. Character information “SEX:”
Is fixed character information indicating the gender of the patient. If the patient is a male, for example, "F" indicating a man is displayed as variable character information after the fixed character information, and if the patient is a female, After the fixed character information, "M" representing a woman is displayed as variable character information. Character information "FACIL
"ITY:" is fixed character information indicating a hospital name. After the fixed character information, for example, the hospital name "ASAHI CLI"
“NIC” is displayed as variable character information.The character information “Dr:” is fixed character information indicating the name of a doctor handled by the electronic endoscope apparatus. After the fixed character information, for example, the name of the doctor “ HAYASH "is displayed as variable character information.

As described above, display of variable character information is performed by an assistant such as a nurse inputting character code data via the keyboard 18. A cursor indicated by reference numeral 46 blinks on the normal display screen of the monitor device 16 as shown in FIG. That is, in the example shown in FIG.
E: ", and in this state, the patient name" T
When character code data corresponding to AKAHASHI "is input to the system controller 22 by operating a character input key on the keyboard 18, the system controller 2
2, the character code data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44
Is stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR, and is written therefrom to a corresponding address of the video RAM 42, whereby "TAKAHASHHI" is displayed on the normal display screen of the monitor device 16 as shown in FIG. . By appropriately operating the four shift keys provided on the keyboard 18, that is, the upper shift key 48U, the lower shift key 48D, the left shift key 48L, and the right shift key 48R (FIG. 1), the cursor 46 can be fixed character information "ID:", " AGE: ”,“ TYPE: ”,“ SE ”
X: ”, etc., and thus can be moved to positions adjacent to each other. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the variable character information“ 006 ”,“ 25 ”can be moved in the same manner as in the case of the variable character information“ TAKAHASHI ”. "," GASTRO ",
“F” and the like are displayed following the respective fixed character information.

The character (number) information "99/09/25" and "10:50:31" displayed on the normal display screen of the monitor device 16 are variable character information indicating the date and time, respectively. Numeric code data corresponding to the variable character information is output from the system controller 22 based on a built-in clock in the system controller 22,
After being stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR, it is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42. The individual numeric code data corresponding to the variable character information is updated according to a built-in clock in the system controller 22.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, 70 characters and 50 characters are displayed on the display screen of the monitor device 16 in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the XY coordinate system is set, the display position of the first character of each character information can be represented by the XY coordinates. For example, the top position of the fixed character information "NAME" The display position of the character “N” is represented by XY coordinates (00; 49), and the leading character “9” of the date “99/09/25” can be represented by XY coordinates (62; 49). Such XY coordinates of the first character of each character information are associated with the address of the character code data of the first character, and such a correspondence is provided in the system controller 22 as a one-dimensional map.

The arrangement of the character information as shown in FIG. 5 is standardized, and the arrangement of the character information can be arbitrarily changed according to the preference of the user (doctor) of the electronic endoscope. It is also possible to arbitrarily select whether or not to display individual character information.
Furthermore, the display position data of the character information set by each doctor and the display selection data of the character information selected by each doctor are stored in the nonvolatile memory 4 for each doctor.
4 is stored. Therefore, when each doctor uses the electronic endoscope, the display of the character information is performed according to the preference of the doctor. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the electronic endoscope is shared by ten doctors, and the display position data set by each doctor is used as address data together with character code data corresponding to the character information for display position selection. It is no memory area PR ₁ is stored in one of the PR _10, the flag data in the individual display selected data selected by the doctor display item selection memory area corresponding to the display position data (IR ₁ ~IR ₁₀₎ Is stored as
For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the doctor name “HAYA
When the doctor specified by “SHI” sets the display position data of the character information, the display position data is stored in the display position selection memory area PR ₁ as address data together with the character code data corresponding to the character information, and the display selected data selected by the physician are stored in the display item selection memory area IR ₁ corresponding to the display position selected memory region PR ₁ as flag data.

[0037] In summary, in the display example of the character information shown in FIG. 5, when the character code data corresponding to each character information is read from the display position selected memory area PR _1, the address data at the same time When the character code data is read and stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area RM, the predetermined address is determined based on the address data. Of course, as already mentioned,
When the character code data is stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR, the character code data is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42. Thus, individual character information is displayed at a predetermined display position on the monitor device 16, as shown in FIG.

The display switching function of the display screen of the monitor device 16 to one of the function keys on the keyboard 18 is provided, the function keys are indicated by reference numerals 50 ₁ in FIG. 1. When such a function key or display switching key 50 ₁ is depressed,
The display screen of the monitor device 16 is switched from a normal display screen as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to a first character information display screen as shown in FIG. An endoscope image is not displayed on the first character information display screen, but only character information as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Character code data corresponding to these character information is stored in the list display memory area of the nonvolatile memory 44. Stored in LR.

Referring to FIG. 8, a list display memory area LR is schematically shown, and this list display memory area LR is divided into a character code data storage area LRC and a selection flag data write area LRF. Character code data corresponding to individual character information as shown in FIG. 7 is stored together with address data in the character code data storage area LRC, and ten selection flags SF ₁ to SF ₁₀ are stored in the selection flag data writing area LRF. Stored as flag data.

[0040] When the display switching key 50 ₁ is pressed, the video RAM42 is temporarily cleared, then the character code data from the character code data storage area LRC to is read out with the address data, then the character code data is the address data Is stored at a predetermined address of the monitor display memory area MR, and then the character code data is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42.
Thus, on the display screen of the monitor device 16, that is, the first character information display screen, the character information corresponding to the character code data is displayed at a predetermined position as shown in FIG.

On the first character information display screen shown in FIG. 7, the names of doctors registered to share the electronic endoscope are displayed as a list. Character information "DOCTOR LIST"
And “1.” to “10.” are fixed character information,
Character information "HAYASHI", "AKIZ"
AWA "," HARADA "," NINOMIYA ",
“NAMIKI”, “KOBAYASHHI” and “IS
HIMURA "is variable character information. In the present embodiment, ten doctor names can be registered on the first character information display screen. In the example shown in FIG. 7, seven doctors are registered. In short, the fixed character information "1. "To" 10. "Represents the registration number of the doctor, and the registration number" 1. "To" 7. The registered doctor names are "HAYASHHI", "AKIZAWA", and "HA
RADA "," NINOMIYA "," NAMIK "
I "," KOBAYASHI "and" ISHIMUR "
A "and the registration number" 8. "To" 10. "Is unregistered.

On the first character information display screen shown in FIG.
A registered doctor name is selected, and this selection is made by moving the cursor 46 below the registered doctor name. That is, the movement of the cursor 46 is controlled by the up / down shift keys 48U and 4
The operation is performed by pressing the 8D, whereby one of the registered doctor names is selected.

The ten selection flags SF ₁ to SF ₁₀ stored in the selection flag data writing area LRF of the list display memory area LR have registration numbers “1.” to “1”.
0. "Correspond to the registered doctor name by moving the cursor 46 (i.e., registration number) is selected, the flag data only selection flag corresponding to the registration number (SF ₁ - SF _10)" given 1 " is, for all other selection flags (SF ₁ - SF ₁₀₎ is given flag data "0". for example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, only the selection flag SF ₁ is "1", the other Selection flag SF ₂
To SF ₁₀ is "0", the cursor 46 is moved to the "AKIZAWA" from the registered doctor name "HAYASHI", select only flag SF ₂ are set to "1", other selection flags SF _1, SF ₃ Or SF ₁₀ is “0”
It is said.

Selection flag SF₁Or SF_TenIs non-volatile
Display item selection memory area IR of memory 44₁Or I
R_TenAnd a display position selection menu.
Moly area PR₁Or PR_TenOf each
As a result, the display screen of the monitor device 16 is changed to the normal display screen.
Character that should be displayed on the normal display screen when it is set as a face
Information display selection and text information display position
It is made according to preference. In the example shown in FIG.
Since the user name “HAYASHHI” has been selected (SF₁
= 1), the display screen of the monitor device 16 is the first character information table
When the display returns to the normal display screen, the normal display
The display of the character information on the screen is the display item of the nonvolatile memory 44.
Eye selection memory area IR₁Display selection data stored in
And display position selection memory area PR₁Display position stored in
This is performed based on the location data. Of course, for example, the registrant
If the name “NAMIKI” is selected, the selection flag S
F _FiveIs set to "1" and the sentence on the normal display screen
Character information is displayed in the display item selection memory area IR._FiveStored in
Display selection data and display position selection memory area PR
_FiveThis is performed based on the display position data stored in.

The return from the first character information display screen of the monitor device 16 to the normal display screen is performed by pressing a function key 50 ₂ (FIG. 1) provided with a screen return function.

On the first character information display screen shown in FIG. 7, addition, change and deletion of the registered doctor name are also performed. Such addition, change and deletion of the registered doctor name are provided on the keyboard 18. Up and down shift keys 48U and 48
This is performed by operating the D and character input keys.

When additionally registering a new doctor name in the registered doctor name list shown in FIG.
The then depressed to move the cursor 46 to the registered number "8." from the registered number "1" (of course, the selection flag SF ₈ this time is "1"), where for example a new doctor name "NAKAMURA" Is input by operating the keyboard 18, the character code data is input to the character code data storage area LCR of the list display memory area LR by the system controller 22.
(FIG. 8), and the character code data is also written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42, whereby the new registered doctor is added to the registration number "8." of the first character information display screen. The name “NAKAMURA” is additionally displayed.

Further, in the registered doctor name list shown in FIG. 7, the registered doctor name “HARDA” is changed to another doctor name “TANA”, for example.
When changing to “KA”, the cursor 46 is moved to the registration number “1. "To the registration number" 3. (Of course, at this time, the selection flag SF ₃ becomes “1”). Then, when the character code data corresponding to the doctor name “TANAKA” is input by operating the keyboard 18, the character code data is stored in the system controller 22. The predetermined address of the character code data storage area LRC (FIG. 8) (ie,
The character code data is overwritten and stored at the storage address of the character code data corresponding to "HARADA", and then the character code data is also overwritten at the corresponding address of the video RAM 42, whereby the registration number of the first character information display screen is set. The display of the registered doctor name in “3.” is changed from “HARA” to “TANA”.
KA ".

To delete, for example, the registered doctor name "ISHIMURA" from the registered doctor name list shown in FIG. 7, the cursor 46 is moved from the registration number "1." to the registration number "7." SF ₇ becomes “1”), and when the registered doctor name “ISHIMURA” is deleted by operating the keyboard 18, “ISHIMUR” is deleted.
The character code data corresponding to A ″ is deleted from the corresponding address in the character code data storage area LRC (FIG. 8) and is also deleted from the corresponding address in the video RAM 42,
Thus, the registration number “7.” on the first character information display screen is displayed.
Is deleted from the registered doctor name "ISHIMURA".

[0050] When the display screen of the monitor device 16 is the first character information display screen as shown in FIG. 7, when the display switching key 50 ₁ is pressed, the monitor device 16 display screen first From the character information display screen, the second
Is switched to the character information display screen. The endoscope image is not displayed on the second character information display screen, only character information as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Character code data corresponding to these character information is stored in the display item selection memory of the nonvolatile memory 44. It is no area IR ₁ is stored in each of the IR _10.

Referring to FIG. 10, one of the display item selection memory areas IR ₁ to IR ₁₀ is schematically shown. As shown in FIG. ₁₀ , each display item selection memory area (IR ₁₎
~IR ₁₀₎ is divided into the character code data storage area IRC and selection flag data writing area IRF. Character code data corresponding to individual character information as shown in FIG. 9 is stored together with address data in the character code data storage area IRC, and ON / OFF flags F _NA , F _ID , F _AG , F _TY ,
F _CO , F _SE , F _FA , F _Dr , F _DA and F _TI are stored as flag data.

[0052] When the display screen of the monitor device 16 is first displayed in a state where there is a text display screen selection keys 50 ₁ as shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the video RAM42 is temporarily cleared, then the display Item selection memory area IR ₁
Or any of the character code data storage areas I of IR ₁₀
The character code data is read out from the RC together with the address data, and the character code data is stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR based on the address data.
M42 is written to the corresponding address. Thus, the character information corresponding to the character code data is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen of the monitor device 16, that is, the second character information display screen. For example, when the registered doctor name “HAYASHI” is selected on the first character information display screen shown in FIG. 7 (SF ₁ = 1), the display screen of the monitor device 16 is changed to the first display screen.
When the text information display screen is switched to the second character information display screen, stores display text information in the second character information display screen on the character code data storage area IRC display item selection memory area IR ₁ This is performed based on the input character code data and the address data. Of course, if the registered doctor name “KOBAYASHI” is selected (SF ₆ = 1), the display of the character information on the second character information display screen is performed by the character code of the display item selection memory area IR ₆ . This is based on the character code data and its address data stored in the data storage area IRC.

On the second character information display screen shown in FIG.
When the display screen of the monitor device 16 is a normal display screen, selection of character information to be displayed on the normal display screen is performed. Such selection of character information is performed based on a doctor's instruction specified by the registered doctor's name. FIG. 9 shows an example in which a doctor specified by the registered doctor name “HAYASHHI” is selected (SF ₁ =
1).

As is apparent from FIG.
Character information “NAME”, “ID”, “A” to be displayed together with the endoscope image when the display screen of
GE, TYPE, COMMENT, SE
“X / X”, “FACILITY” and “Dr”, “ON / OFF” is displayed, and the date (99
/ 09/25) and “ON / OFF” are displayed corresponding to the character information “DATE” and “TIME” respectively meaning time (10:50:31). On the other hand, character information “NAME”, “ID”, “AGE”,
“TYPE”, “COMMENT”, “SEX”, “F”
ACILITY ”,“ DATE ”and“ TIME ”are ON / OFF flags F _NA , F _ID , F _AG , F _TY ,
Corresponding to F _CO , F _SE , F _FA , F _Dr , F _DA and F _TI .

As shown in FIG. 9, a cursor 46 blinks at "ON / OFF", and the cursor 46 moves left and right between "ON" and "OFF" by pressing the left and right shift keys 48L and 48R. In addition, when the up / down shift keys 48U and 48D are pressed, they are moved up and down along a column of "ON / OFF". In the present embodiment, “ON” and “O” of each “ON / OFF” display
FF "is displayed at a high density, and the other is displayed at a low density.

For example, when the character information "NAME" is displayed on the normal display screen, the cursor 46 is moved to the "ON" side of the "ON / OFF" display as shown in the example of FIG. In this state, the execution key 52 on the keyboard 18 is
When (FIG. 1) is pressed, the “ON” display becomes high density and the “OFF” display becomes low density. At this time, the ON / OFF flag F _NA corresponding to the character information “NAME” is displayed.
Is given "1", and the display of the character information "NAME" on the normal display screen is determined. Of course, on the contrary, the cursor 4 is positioned on the “OFF” side of the “ON / OFF” display.
When the execution key 52 on the keyboard 18 is pressed in this state, the "OFF" display becomes high density, and the "ON" display becomes low density. At this time, the display corresponds to the character information "NAME". “0” is given to the ON / OFF flag F _NA thus determined, and the non-display of the character information “NAME” on the normal display screen is determined. In this way, whether or not other character information should be displayed on the normal display screen is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since all the character information is displayed, on the second character information display screen shown in FIG. "1" for the OFF flag (F _{NA to} F _TI )
Is given.

[0057] When the monitor device 16 of the display screen is the second character information display screen and functional state key or screen return key 50 ₂ as shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, the monitor device 16
Is immediately returned from the second character information display screen to the normal display screen (FIG. 5). At this time, the display of the character information on the normal display screen is turned on / off as described above.
It depends on the flag data (“1” or “0”) given to the FF flags (F _{NA to} F _TI ).

[0058] monitoring device when the 16 display screen is the second character information display screen as shown in FIG. 9, the display when switching key 50 ₁ is further pressed, the monitor screen of the device 16 and the second Is switched to the third character information display screen as shown in FIG. The endoscope image is not displayed on the third character information display screen, only character information as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. Character code data corresponding to these character information is stored in the display position selection memory of the nonvolatile memory 44. It is no region PR ₁ is stored in each of PR _10.

Referring to FIG. 12, one of display position selecting memory regions PR ₁ to PR ₁₀ is schematically shown. As shown in FIG. 12, each display position selecting memory region (PR ₁₎
To PR ₁₀₎ is divided into the character code data storage area PRC and address / code data write area PRA. Character code data corresponding to individual character information as shown in FIG. 11 is stored together with address data in the character code data storage area PRC, and character information to be displayed on the normal display screen is stored in the address / code data writing area PRA. Character data CD _NA , CD _ID , CD _AG ,
CD _TY , CD _CO , CD _SE , CD _FA , CD _Dr , CD _DA, and CD _TI indicate the display position data of each character information, that is, address data AD _NA , AD _ID , AD _AG , AD _TY , AD _CO ,
Stored together with AD _SE , AD _FA , AD _Dr , AD _DA and AD _TI .

[0060] When the display screen of the monitor device 16 display switching key 50 ₁ in a second state in which there is a text display screen as shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, the video RAM42 is temporarily cleared, then the display Position selection memory area PR ₁
One of character code data storage area P of the through PR ₁₀
The character code data is read out from the RC together with the address data, and the character code data is stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR based on the address data.
M42 is written to the corresponding address. Thus, the character information corresponding to the character code data is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen of the monitor device 16, that is, the third character information display screen. For example, when the registered doctor name “HAYASHHI” is selected on the first character information display screen shown in FIG. 7 (SF ₁ = 1), the display screen of the monitor device 16 is displayed on the second character information display screen.
Is switched from the text display screen (FIG. 9) to the third character information display screen, the display of character information in the second character information display screen is display position character code data stored in the selected memory area PR ₁ This is performed based on the character code data stored in the area PRC and its address data. Of course, if the registered doctor name “KOBAYASHI” is selected (SF ₆ = 1), the display of the character information on the third character information display screen is performed in the display position selection memory area P.
It will be based on the character code data and address data stored in the character code data storage area PRC of R _6.

In the third character information display screen shown in FIG. 11, when the display screen of the monitor device 16 is the normal display screen, the display position of the character information displayed on the normal display screen is selected. . Such selection of the display position of the character information is performed based on the preference and demand of the doctor specified by the registered doctor name. In FIG. 11, the registered doctor name "H"
An example is shown in which a doctor specified by “HAYASHI” is selected (SF ₁ = 1).

As in the case of the second character information display screen shown in FIG. 9, the third character information display screen shown in FIG.
Character information “NAME” to be displayed together with the endoscope image when the display screen of the monitor device 16 is set to the normal display screen,
“ID”, “AGE”, “TYPE”, “COMMNE”
T "," SEX "," FACILITY "and" Dr "
The XY coordinate input section is displayed corresponding to each of, and the date (99/09/25) and time (10: 50: 3) are displayed.
The XY coordinate input section is also displayed for each of the character information "DATE" and "TIME", which mean each of 1). As is apparent from FIG. 11, each XY coordinate input unit includes an X coordinate value input unit and a Y coordinate value input unit.

The character information "NAME", "ID", and "AG" displayed on the third character information display screen shown in FIG.
E ”,“ TYPE ”,“ COMMENT ”,“ SE ”
X "," FCAILITY "," DATE "and" TI
ME ”is character code data CD _NA , CD _ID ,
CD _AG , CD _TY , CD _CO , CD _SE , CD _FA , CD _Dr , C
The XY coordinate values corresponding to D _DA and CD _TI and corresponding to the respective character information and indicated in the XY coordinate input unit are address data AD _NA , AD _ID , AD _AG , AD _TY , A
They correspond to D _CO , AD _SE , AD _FA , AD _Dr , AD _DA and AD _TI respectively. For example, the character information "NAME" corresponds to the character code data CD _NA , and the address data AD _NA thereof corresponds to the XY coordinate value (00; 49). When the character code data CD _NA is read to display the character information “NAME” on the normal display screen, the character code data CD _NA is stored in the monitor display memory of the nonvolatile memory 44 based on the address data AD _NA. The character code data _CDNA is stored at a predetermined address in the area MR, and then written to the video RAM 42 at the corresponding address. Thus, the character information “NAME” is displayed at the display position as shown in FIG. 5 on the normal display screen. That, XY coordinates of the first character of the character information "NAME" is XY coordinate values corresponding to the address data AD _NA; a (00 49).

The XY coordinate values of each character information shown in FIG. 11 correspond to the respective display positions of the character information illustrated in FIG. As described above, the display positions of the character information displayed on the normal display screen of FIG. 5 are standardized, and the display positions of the respective character information correspond to the XY coordinate values shown in FIG. Has become. That is, each of the XY coordinate values shown in FIG. 11 is a so-called default value for the display position of the corresponding character information. By changing such a default value, the display position of character information on the normal display screen can be arbitrarily changed.

When the display screen of the monitor device 16 is switched from the second character information display screen shown in FIG. 9 to the third character information display screen, the cursor 46 is moved to the XY coordinate input section as shown in FIG. The cursor 46 is displayed blinking, and the cursor 46 is moved left and right between the X coordinate value input section and the Y coordinate value input section by pressing the left and right shift keys 48L and 48R, and is moved by pressing the up and down shift keys 48U and 48D.
It moves up and down along the columns of the Y coordinate input section.

As shown in FIG. 11, when character code data, that is, numeric code data is input from the keyboard 18 in a state where the cursor 46 is blinking in the X coordinate value input section of the character information "NAME", code data by the system controller 22 of the display position selected memory region PR ₁ character code data storage area PRC (Fig. 1
2) is stored at a predetermined address, and then the numerical code data is also written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42, whereby a numerical value corresponding to the numerical code data is displayed in the X coordinate value input section of the character information "NAME". Is done.
Here, if the Y coordinate value of the Y coordinate value input section of the character information “NAME” is also changed, the cursor 46 is moved to the Y coordinate value input section, and the Y coordinate value is input in a similar manner. Is displayed on the Y coordinate value input section.

After the changed values of the X coordinate value input section and the Y coordinate value input section of the character information "NAME" are determined, the keyboard 1
Pressing the execution key 52 on 8 (FIG. 1), the XY coordinate value is taken into the system controller 22, where it is converted to address data by a one-dimensional map as described above, the address data display position as the address data AD _NA is overwritten on the address / code data write area PRA selected memory area PR _1.

In the same manner as described above, the display position data of other character information, that is, address data (AD
_{ID to} AD _TI ) can also be changed, and thus the display position of individual character information on the normal display screen can be arbitrarily changed.

[0069] In this embodiment, when the display screen of the monitor device 16 is the third character information display screen as shown in FIG. 11, any of the display switching key 50 ₁ and the screen returns keyboard 50 ₂ When the button is pressed, the display screen of the monitor device 16 is returned to the normal display screen.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a flowchart of a display switching monitoring routine executed by the system controller 22. The display switching monitoring routine is configured as a time interruption routine that is repeatedly executed, for example, every 10 ms.
The second power ON / OFF switch is turned on, and the initialization is completed by the system controller 22.

At step 1301, it is determined whether or not the flag F1 is "0". The flag F1 is for indicating whether or not the display screen of the monitor device 16 has been switched from the normal display screen as shown in FIG. 5 to the first character information display screen as shown in FIG. F1 is “0” in the initialization processing of the system controller 22
It is said. When a F1 = 0, the process proceeds to step 1302, where whether the display change-over switch 50 ₁ is pressed is determined. When depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ is not confirmed, the routine temporarily ends. Then 10ms
Although the routine at every elapse executed, as long as the display switching switch 50 ₁ is not depressed, no progress in any way. In short, in step 1302, whether the display change-over switch 50 ₁ is pressed is monitored every 10 ms.

At step 1302, the display changeover switch 50
_When the press of ₁ is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1303, where the video RAM 42 is cleared. Then, in step 1304, the switching circuit 30 ₄ is turned off, this output video signal from the image signal processing circuit 30 is interrupted by. Subsequently, at step 1305, the flag F
1 is rewritten from "0" to "1", thereby instructing the monitor device 16 to switch from the normal display screen to the first character information display screen.

At step 1306, it is determined whether or not the flag F2 is "0". The flag F2 is for indicating whether the display screen of the monitor device 16 has been switched from the first character information display screen as shown in FIG. 7 to the second character information display screen as shown in FIG. Yes,
This flag F2 is set to "0" in the initialization processing of the system controller 22. When F2 = 0, step 1
Proceeding to 308, a list display processing routine is executed, whereby the first display screen of the monitor device 16 is changed from the normal display screen.
Is switched to the character information display screen. The list display processing routine will be described later in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0074] After the list display processing routine is executed in step 1307, proceeds to step 1308, where whether the display change-over switch 50 ₁ is pressed is determined. When depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ is not confirmed, skip to step 1318, where whether the screen return switch 50 ₂ is pressed is determined. When the screen return switch 50 _{and second} depressing is not confirmed, the routine temporarily ends. Thereafter, the present routine is repeated every 10ms course, as long as any of the depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ and the screen return switch 50 ₂ is not confirmed, a list display processing routine is repeatedly executed (F
1 = 1, F2 = 0).

At step 1308, the display changeover switch 50
_If the press of ₁ is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1309, where the video RAM 42 is cleared. Next, in step 1310, the flag F2 is rewritten from "0" to "1", thereby instructing the monitor device 16 to switch from the first character information display screen to the second character information display screen. Subsequently, in step 1311, it is determined whether the flag F3 is “0”. The flag F3 is for indicating whether or not the display screen of the monitor device 16 has been switched from the second character information display screen as shown in FIG. 9 to the third character information display screen as shown in FIG. The flag F3 is set to "0" in the processing performed by the system controller 22. When F3 = 0, the process proceeds to step 1312, where a display item selection processing routine is executed, whereby the monitor device 16 switches from the second character information display screen to the third character information display screen. The display item selection processing routine is shown in FIG.
This will be described later in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0076] After the display item selecting process routine is executed in step 1312, proceeds to step 1313, where whether the display change-over switch 50 ₁ is pressed is determined. When depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ is not confirmed, skip to step 1318, where whether the screen return switch 50 ₂ is pressed is determined. When the screen return switch 50 _{and second} depressing is not confirmed, the routine temporarily ends. Thereafter, the present routine is repeated every 10ms course, as long as any of the depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ and the screen return switch 50 ₂ is not confirmed, the display item selecting process routine is repeatedly executed (F1 = 1, F2 = 1, F3 = 0).

At step 1313, the display changeover switch 50
_When the press of ₁ is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1314, where the video RAM 42 is cleared. Next, at step 1315, the flag F3 is rewritten from "0" to "1", thereby instructing the monitor device 16 to switch from the second character information display screen to the third character information display screen. Subsequently, at step 1316, a display position selection processing routine is executed, in which the monitor device 16 is switched from the second character information display screen to the third character information display screen. The display position selection processing routine will be described later in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0078] After the display item selecting process routine is executed in step 1316, proceeds to step 1317, where whether the display switching step 50 ₁ is pressed is determined. When depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1318, where whether the screen return switch 50 ₂ is pressed is determined. When the screen return switch 50 _{and second} depressing is not confirmed, the routine temporarily ends. Thereafter, the present routine is repeated every 10ms course, as long as any of the depression of the display changeover switch 50 ₁ and the screen return switch 50 ₂ is not confirmed, the display position selecting process routine is repeatedly executed (F1 = 1,
F2 = 1, F3 = 1).

At step 1317, the display changeover switch 50
_{If one} of the pressing has been confirmed, or if the screen return switch 50 _{and second} depressing is confirmed in step 1318, the process to return to the normal display screen a display screen of the monitor device 16 in step 1319 and subsequent steps.

[0080] That is, in step 1319, first, the video RAM42 is cleared, then the switch circuit 30 ₄ is turned on at step 1320, thereby the output video signal from the image signal processing circuit 30 is resumed. In step 1321, whether the given flag data "1" in which the selection flag of the selected flags SF ₁ to SF ₁₀ stored in the selected flag data writing area LRF list display memory area LR of the non-volatile memory 44 Then, in step 1322, the display screen of the monitor device 16 is returned to the normal display screen based on the search result. For example, the search in step 1321, selected when it is found flag SF ₁ is "1", selection flag data writing area IRF to the stored ON / OFF flag of the display item selection memory area IR ₁ (F _NA ~ F _TI ) and character code data (CD _{NA to} CD _TI ) and address data (AD _{NA to} AD _TI ) stored in the address / code data writing area PRA of the display position selection memory area PR ₁ based on: Monitor device 16
The individual character information is displayed together with the endoscope image at the respective display positions on the normal display screen.

More specifically, for example, ON / OF
If the F flag F _NA is “1”, the character code data CD _NA corresponding to the ON / OFF flag F _NA is displayed together with the address data AD _NA in the display position selection memory area PR _1.
Is read from the address / code data write area PRA, stored in a predetermined address of the monitor display memory region MR on the basis of the address data AD _NA, then the character code data CD _NA is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42. Thus, the character information “NAME” corresponding to the character code data CD _NA is the address data AD _NA
Is displayed at a predetermined position on the normal display screen of the monitor device 16 in accordance with. On the other hand, if the ON / OFF flag F _NA is “0”, reading of the character code data CD _NA corresponding to the ON / OFF flag F _NA is prohibited, so that the character information “NAME” is Not displayed on the display screen. Of course, for other character information, if the corresponding ON / OFF flag (F _{NA to} F _TI ) is “1”, the predetermined information on the normal display screen of the monitor device 16 is displayed in the same manner as the character information “NAME”. Displayed at the location.

When the return of the monitor device 16 to the normal display screen is completed in step 1322, the flags F1, F2 and F3 are returned to "0" in step 1323. Thereafter, this routine is executed every 10ms course, switching of the display screen by pressing the display switch 50 ₁ is monitored (step 1302).

[0083] Note that the display screen diagram are also monitoring device when the display screen of the monitor device 16 display the return switch 50 ₂ is pressed in a state of being the first character information display screen as shown in FIG. 7 even when the screen return switch 50 ₂ is pressed in a state of being the second character information display screen as shown in 9, step 1319 and subsequent screen return is executed.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown a flowchart of a list display processing routine executed in step 1307 of the above-described display switching monitoring routine.

In step 1501, the nonvolatile memory 4
4, character code data is read from the character code data storage area LRC of the list display memory area LR and stored at a predetermined address of the monitor display memory area MR;
Next, the character code data is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42, thereby changing the display screen of the monitor device 16 from the normal display screen as shown in FIGS.
Is switched to the first character information display screen shown in FIG.

In step 1502, the nonvolatile memory 4
The selection flags SF ₁ to S stored in the selection flag data write area LRF of the list display memory area LR of _{No. 4}
Flag data in any selection flag of the F ₁₀ "1"
Is searched for. Then, Step 1
In 503, the cursor 46 blinks at a predetermined position on the first character information display screen based on the search result. That is, in the normal display screen illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,
Since the display of character information are those corresponding to the doctor name "HAYASHI", it will be given only to the "1" selection flag SF ₁ of the selection flag SF ₁ to SF _10, this time the cursor 46 It is blinking under the doctor name "HAYASHI" corresponding to the selection flag SF _1.

In step 1504, the up / down shift key 4
The pressing operation of 8U and 48D is monitored. If the operation of pressing the up / down shift keys 48U and 48D is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1505, where the cursor 46 is moved in accordance with the operation of pressing the up / down shift keys 48U and 48D on the first character information display screen. The selection flags SF ₁ to S in accordance with the movement of 46
Rewrite flag data F ₁₀ is performed. That is, for example,
When the cursor 46 is assumed to be moved from the doctor name "HAYASHI" until the doctor name "NAMIKI", doctor name "NAMIKI" to be given only to "1" selection flag SF ₅ corresponding, the other selection flag is set to "0 Is given.

At step 1507, it is monitored whether or not character code data is input by operating the keyboard 18. That is, it is monitored whether the keyboard 18 has been operated in accordance with addition, change, and deletion of the registered doctor name to the registered doctor name list. If the operation of the keyboard 18 accompanying the addition, change, or deletion of the registered doctor name is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1508, where the character code data storage area LR of the list display memory area LR
The addition, change, and deletion processing of the character code data in C is executed. Thereafter, the list display processing routine ends once and returns to the display switching monitoring routine shown in FIGS.

In step 1504, the up / down shift key 48U
If none of the pressing operations of and 48D is confirmed, the process skips from step 1504 to step 1507. If the operation of the keyboard 18 associated with addition, change and deletion of the registered doctor name is not confirmed at step 1507, 13 and 14 bypassing 1508
The process returns to the display switching monitoring routine.

[0090] Incidentally, the list display processing routine shown in FIG. 15, the display changeover switch 50 ₁ and the screen return switch 5
0 As long as none ₂ is not pressed, is repeatedly executed every 10ms has elapsed.

Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown a flowchart of a display item selection processing routine executed in step 1312 of the display switching monitoring routine of FIGS.

In step 1601, the nonvolatile memory 4
The selection flags SF ₁ to S stored in the selection flag data write area LRF of the list display memory area LR of _{No. 4}
Flag data in any selection flag of the F ₁₀ "1"
Is searched for. Then, Step 1
At 602, switching from the first character information display screen to the second character information display screen is performed based on the search result. That is, for example, when the selection flag SF ₁ is "1", display item selection memory area IR ₁ from the character code data storage area IRC and character code data is read, a prescribed address of the monitor display memory region MR And the character code data is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42.
Is switched from the first character information display screen shown in FIG. 7 to the second character information display screen shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step 1603, the cursor 46 is displayed blinking at the initial position shown on the second character information display screen in FIG.

In step 1604, the up / down shift key 4
Pressing operations of 8U and 48D and left and right shift keys 48L and 48R are monitored. If it is confirmed that any one of these shift keys is pressed, the process proceeds to step 1605, and the cursor 46 is moved on the second character information display screen according to any one of the shift keys 48U, 48D, 48L, and 48R. .

At step 1606, it is monitored whether or not the execution key 52 on the keyboard 18 has been pressed.
When the pressing operation of the execution key 52 is confirmed,
In step 07, the display density on the side of the “ON / OFF” selected by the cursor 46 is set high.
Next, in step 1608, the corresponding “ON / OF”
If the side of the “F” selected by the cursor 46 is “ON”, the corresponding ON / OFF flag (F _NA to F _NA
TI ) is set to "1", and if the side of the corresponding "ON / OFF" selected by the cursor 46 is "OFF", the corresponding ON / OFF flag (F _{NA to} F _TI )
Is set to “0”. Thereafter, the list display processing routine ends once and returns to the display switching monitoring routine shown in FIGS.

At step 1604, the shift key 48U,
If none of the pressing operations of 8D, 48L and 48R is confirmed, steps 1604 to 1606 are performed.
If the pressing operation of the execution key 52 is not confirmed in step 1606, the process returns to the display switching monitoring routine of FIGS. 13 and 14 bypassing steps 1607 and 1608.

[0096] The display item selecting process routine shown in FIG. 16, as long as none of the display change-over switches 50 ₁ and screen return switch 50 ₂ is not pressed, is repeatedly executed every 10ms has elapsed.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a flowchart of the display position selection processing routine executed in step 1316 of the display switching monitoring routine of FIGS. 13 and 14.

In step 1701, the nonvolatile memory 4
The selection flags SF ₁ to S stored in the selection flag data write area LRF of the list display memory area LR of _{No. 4}
Flag data in any selection flag of the F ₁₀ "1"
Is searched for. Then, Step 1
At 702, switching from the second character information display screen to the third character information display screen is performed based on the search result. That is, for example, when the selection flag SF ₁ is "1", the character code data storage area PRC display position selected memory area PR ₁ is read out character code data, the predetermined address of the monitor display memory region MR And then the character code data is written to the corresponding address of the video RAM 42.
Is switched from the second character information display screen shown in FIG. 9 to the third character information display screen shown in FIG.
Subsequently, at step 1703, the cursor 46 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
At the initial position shown on the second character information display screen, that is, at the X coordinate value input section of the XY coordinate input section corresponding to the character information "NAME".

In step 1704, the up / down shift key 4
Pressing operations of 8U and 48D and left and right shift keys 48L and 48R are monitored. If it is confirmed that any one of these shift keys has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 1705, and the cursor 46 is moved on the third character information display screen according to any one of the shift keys 48U, 48D, 48L, and 48R. .

At step 1706, the pressing operation of the numeric input keys on the keyboard 16 is monitored. When the press operation of the numeric input key is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 1707,
Therefore, the numeric code data input by pressing the numeric input key is stored in the corresponding display position selection memory area (PR ₁ to PR ₁ ).
PR ₁₀ ) is stored in the character code data storage area PRC. At this time, the numeric code data is also stored at a predetermined address in the monitor display memory area MR.
The numerical value corresponding to the numerical code data is written as a coordinate value on the X coordinate value input unit or the Y coordinate value input unit designated by the cursor 46. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the cursor 46 is moved to the XY coordinate input section corresponding to the character information "NAME".
Assuming that numeric code data is input while the coordinate value input unit is blinking, numerical display "00" of the X coordinate value input unit is replaced with a numerical value corresponding to the numeric code data.

In step 1708, it is monitored whether or not the execution key 52 on the keyboard 18 has been pressed.
If the pressing operation of the execution key 52 is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 17.
Advances to 09, where X coordinate value and Y coordinate value of the XY coordinate input unit, which is indicated by the cursor 46 is converted into address data in the system controller 22, the address data display position selected memory area (PR ₁ to PR ₁₀ ) Is replaced with the corresponding address data (AD _{NA to} AD _TI ) in the address / code data storage area PRA.

At step 1704, the shift key 48U,
If none of the pressing operations of 8D, 48L and 48R is confirmed, steps 1704 to 1706 are executed.
Skip to step 1706 and execute key 52
If the pressing operation of is not confirmed, step 1708
If the operation of pressing the execution key 52 is not confirmed in step 1708, the process returns to the display switching monitoring routine of FIGS. 13 and 14 bypassing step 1709.

[0103] The display position selection processing routine shown in FIG. 17, as long as none of the display change-over switches 50 ₁ and screen return switch 50 ₂ is not pressed, it is repeatedly executed every 10ms has elapsed.

As mentioned in the introduction to this specification, the present invention is particularly useful when the endoscope image is displayed entirely on the display screen of the monitor device, however, the display screen of the monitor device is useful. It should be understood that the present invention can be applied to a case where an endoscopic image is partially displayed.

[0105]

As is apparent from the above description, in the electronic endoscope device according to the present invention, the display positions of various character information on the normal display screen of the monitor device can be changed according to the needs and preferences of each doctor. In addition to being able to change, it is also possible to select whether or not to display various types of character information, so that each doctor can be given the best use environment for the electronic endoscope apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an entire electronic endoscope apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram showing a part of the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually showing the inside of the nonvolatile memory shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a normal display screen of the monitor device shown in FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which variable character information is displayed on a normal display screen of the monitor device shown in FIG.

7 is a schematic diagram when the display screen of the monitor device shown in FIG. 5 is switched from a normal display screen to a first character information display screen.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram conceptually showing the inside of a list display memory area of the nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 4;

9 is a schematic diagram when the monitor device shown in FIG. 7 is switched from a first character information display screen to a second character information display screen.

10 is a block diagram conceptually showing the inside of a display item selection memory area of the nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 4;

11 is a schematic diagram when the monitor device shown in FIG. 9 is switched from a second character information display screen to a third character information display screen.

12 is a block diagram conceptually showing the inside of a display position selecting memory area of the nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a part of a flowchart of a display switching monitoring routine executed by the system controller shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 14 is the remaining part of the flowchart of the display switching monitoring routine executed by the system controller shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a list display processing routine executed as a subroutine in the display switching monitoring routine shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a display item selection processing routine executed as a subroutine in the display switching monitoring routine shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a display position selection processing routine executed as a subroutine in the display switching monitoring routine shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 Monitor Device 18 Keyboard 22 System Controller 24 Image Sensor 30 Image Signal Processing Circuit 34 Timing Controller 36 Character Information Display Circuit 38 Control Circuit 40 Character ROM 42 Video RAM 44 Nonvolatile Memory 46 Cursor

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 2H040 AA01 BA00 EA00 GA02 GA10 GA12 4C061 CC06 DD03 LL02 NN05 NN07 WW10 WW14 YY02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A scope having an image sensor for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, an image signal processing unit for appropriately processing the image signal to generate a video signal, and the image signal processing unit. An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: a monitor that displays the subject image based on the video signal; and a character information signal superimposed on the video signal, and character information based on the character information signal is displayed together with the subject image. An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: a character information signal superimposing means for displaying on the monitor device; and a display position changing means for changing a display position when the character information is displayed on the monitor device. 2. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display position change data storage unit that stores display position change data when the display position of the character information is changed by the display position change unit. An electronic endoscope apparatus characterized in that: 3. The electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising a display selection unit that selects whether or not the character information should be displayed on the monitor device. Endoscope device. 4. The electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein display selection data for storing display selection data when the display selection means performs display selection of the character information. An electronic endoscope apparatus provided with data storage means.