JP2002119469A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which an effective light adjusting means can be operated independently on the type of an imaging device. SOLUTION: A CCU(camera control unit) 5 is composed of a CCD driver 11 to discriminate if an electronic shutter function exists in a CCD built in a camera head to be connected or not, a front panel 15 to make setting for adjusting dimming by an electronic shutter dimmer means in the CCD driver 11, and a CCU side CPU 13 to make the setting on the front panel 15 effective based on result of discrimination by the CCD driver 11. A light source device 6 is composed of a dimmer circuit 24 to control a diaphragm 23, a front panel 26 to make setting for adjusting dimming by the dimmer circuit 24, and a light source side CPU 25 to make the setting on the front panel 26 effective based on information of the CCD received through a communication wire 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an endoscope apparatus characterized by a brightness control portion of a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscope apparatuses have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields. The endoscope apparatus diagnoses a diseased part or the like in a body cavity without incision by inserting an elongated insertion part into the body cavity, or performs a treatment by inserting a treatment tool as necessary. be able to.

In this endoscope apparatus, illumination light supplied from a light source device for generating illumination light is transmitted by a light guide to illuminate a subject such as the inside of a living body from an illumination window at a distal end side of an insertion portion. The endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus captures the illuminated subject image from the objective optical system at the distal end of the insertion section, transmits the captured image to a handpiece-side eyepiece section by a transmission means such as an image guide, and transmits the image to the eyepiece. The optical system enables magnification observation.

Recently, a television camera detachably attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope, and a camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as a camera control unit) for processing signals from a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD built in the television camera. Below, CC
U) and an endoscope apparatus, an optical image of the illuminated object is captured by a solid-state image sensor in the television camera to obtain an electrical image, and the electrical signal is processed by the CCU. Electronic endoscope devices for displaying on a monitor or the like have also been widely used.

[0005] Such a conventional endoscope apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-257911 and 10-19223.
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2 (1994), two types of dimming methods, which are roughly classified as dimming methods described below, have been mixed.

The endoscope apparatus described in the former (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-257911) extracts a luminance signal from a video signal from a television camera, and compares the luminance signal with a reference value prepared separately. There has been proposed a device having a dimming method for operating the aperture blade so that the reference signal and the luminance signal match according to the result. That is, automatic dimming is performed so that the brightness of the monitor matches the reference value. Then, by varying the reference value, automatic light adjustment is performed so that the screen has the brightness desired by the user. In the endoscope apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-257911, a luminance signal is extracted from a video signal.
There is also a method in which a luminance signal is extracted on the CU side and then input to the light source device in the form of a luminance signal.

[0007] The latter (JP-A-10-192232)
As for the endoscope device described in (1), a dimming method in which the CCU controls all of the devices has been proposed. This means that the CCU side can control the aperture blades by outputting a dimming signal while detecting the position signal of the aperture blades in the light source device on the CCU side. The automatic light control is basically performed by an electronic shutter on the CCU side as described below. First, the CCU outputs a dimming signal so that the position of the diaphragm blade is fixed substantially at the center. Next, in this state, light control is performed by an electronic shutter. The target value of this electronic shutter is C
Brightness desired by the user is set by a dimming level adjusting means provided on the CU side. When the operating range of the electronic shutter is about to be exceeded, the amount of light is adjusted so that the aperture blade is slightly moved to always enter the operating range of the electronic shutter. For this reason, the amount of illumination light supplied is always kept to the minimum necessary.

[0008]

The former (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-25 / 1990)
No. 7911), the variable means of the reference signal for light control is the light source device side, and the latter (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-192).
No. 232), the variable means of the reference signal for dimming becomes effective on the CCU side. Therefore,
The endoscope described in the former (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-257911) and the latter (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-192232) need to use different variable means depending on the dimming method. For this reason, the endoscope device described in the former (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-257911) and the latter (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-192232) is one of the dimming adjustment means existing on both the light source device side and the CCU side. There is a need to more easily inform the user which adjustment means is more effective.

When the adjustment on the CCU side is effective, the operability is good because the adjustment means can be adjusted by the switch provided on the camera head, but the adjustment on the light source device side is effective. In this case, the operability was not good because the operation was performed using a switch provided on the light source device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus capable of operating a more effective dimming adjustment means without regard to the type of imaging apparatus. With the goal.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a light source device having a stop means for adjusting illumination light from a light source and a light control means for controlling the stop means. An imaging device that converts a subject image illuminated with the illumination light from the light source device into an electric signal; and an image processing device that drives and controls the imaging device and performs signal processing on the electric signal from the imaging device. In the endoscope apparatus, an identification unit for identifying the presence or absence of a charge accumulation variable unit provided in the imaging device, and an image processing side brightness setting unit for performing setting for adjusting the charge accumulation variable unit of the imaging device Image processing side control means for controlling the image processing side brightness setting means, light source side brightness setting means for making settings for adjusting the dimming means of the light source device, and light source side brightness setting means Control Light source side control means, and communication means for communicating between the image processing side control means and the light source side control means, wherein the determination result of the identification means is processed by the image processing through the communication means. Transmitting from the side control unit to the light source side control unit, and controlling the image processing side brightness setting unit and the light source side brightness setting unit according to the presence or absence of the charge accumulation variable unit of the imaging device. I have. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus according to the first aspect, when an imaging device having the charge accumulation varying unit is connected to the image processing device, the image processing of the image processing device is performed. The setting by the side brightness setting means is made valid, and the setting by the light source side brightness setting means of the light source device is made invalid. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus according to the first aspect, when an image pickup apparatus that does not have the charge accumulation varying unit is connected to the image processing apparatus, The setting by the light source side brightness setting means is made valid, and the setting by the image processing side brightness setting means of the image processing apparatus is made invalid. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an endoscope apparatus capable of operating the more effective dimming adjustment unit without worrying about the type of the imaging apparatus.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an insertion section 2a is inserted into a body cavity, and an optical image of a subject such as an affected part is converted to an operation section 2
b incorporates a rigid endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 2 for transmitting light to an eyepiece 2c provided above and a CCD 3a having an electronic shutter function, and is mounted on the eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2. A camera head 3 that can be freely mounted and a CCD 4a that does not have an electronic shutter function are built in. The camera head 3 is selectively connected to the eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2.
A camera head 4 that can be freely attached to the camera head, a CCU 5 that performs signal processing on imaging signals obtained by the camera heads 3 and 4, a light source device 6 that supplies illumination light to the endoscope 2, And a monitor 7 for displaying a subject image based on the signal-processed video signal. In the figure, a camera head 3 having a built-in CCD 3a having an electronic shutter function is attached to an eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2.

The endoscope 2 is supplied with illumination light from the light source device 5 by detachably connecting a light guide cable 2d extending from the side of the operation portion 2c to the light source device 5. . This illumination light is transmitted to the distal end side of the insertion section 2a, and illuminates the subject through an illumination window (not shown). The illuminated object image is taken in through an observation window (not shown) provided on the distal end surface of the insertion section 2 and transmitted to the eyepiece 2c by light guide means (not shown) such as a relay lens. ing.

The CCD 3a having the electronic shutter function
Is provided with a connector 8a detachably connectable to the CCU 5 at the end of the signal cable 8. On the other hand, the camera head 4 incorporating the CCD 4a without the electronic shutter function is provided with a connector 9a detachably connectable to the CCU 5 at the end of the signal cable 9.

The CCU 5 has a connector receiving portion 10 to which the connector 8a or 9a of the camera head 3 or 4 can be detachably connected. For example, the endoscope 2
The camera head 3 is detachably attached to the eyepiece 2c of the camera, and the connector 8a of the camera head 3 is connected to the CCU 5
Is detachably connected to the connector receiving portion 10. Then
The optical image of the subject transmitted to the eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2 is captured by the CCD 3a in the camera head 3 and converted into an image signal. This image pickup signal is subjected to signal processing by the CCU 5 to become a video signal, so that a subject image can be observed on the monitor 7.

Next, the configurations of the CCU 5 and the light source device 6 will be described. The CCU 5 discriminates the type of the CCD 3a or 4a of the camera head 3 or 4 connected to the connector receiving portion 10, and based on the discrimination result, controls the CCD driver 11 for driving and controlling the CCD according to the type of the CCD. Provided.

The CCD driver 11 includes a processing circuit (not shown) for driving and controlling the CCD 3a having an electronic shutter function, and a CCD having no electronic shutter function.
4a. That is, the processing circuit that drives and controls the CCD 3a having the electronic shutter function has an electronic shutter dimming unit that performs dimming control of the electronic shutter function.

The CCD driver 11 is provided with a CC
Based on the result of determining the type of D3a or 4a, one of these processing circuits is selected and the CC is selected.
D is driven and controlled.

The CCD driver 11 obtains an image signal from the CCD 3a or 4a via the connector receiving portion 10 and outputs the image signal to the video signal processing circuit 12. At the same time, the CCD driver 1
Reference numeral 1 indicates that information on the CCD is output to the CCU-side CPU 13 based on the result of discriminating the type of the CCD 3a or 4a.

The video signal processing circuit 12 generates a standard video signal from the input image signal. This video signal is output to the monitor 7 and displays a subject image (endoscopic image) on the display surface of the monitor 7. Further, the video signal processing circuit 12 generates a brightness signal corresponding to the brightness of the endoscope image based on the imaging signal, and outputs the brightness signal to the light source device 6.
Output to

The CCU-side CPU 13 transmits the information of the CCD to the light source-side CPU of the light source device 6 via a communication line 14 as described later. By this operation,
Information on the type of CCD can be shared between the CCU 5 and the light source device 6.

Also, the CCU-side CPU 13
Front panel 15 on the CCU side for making settings for adjusting the dimming by the electronic shutter dimming means of the CD driver 11
It is connected to the. The CCU-side CPU 13 is a CCD
Of the connector receiving portion 1 of the CCU 5 based on the information of
When the CCD built in the camera head connected to 0 has an electronic shutter function, the setting on the front panel 15 is validated.

The set value set on the front panel 15 is transmitted via the CCU-side CPU 13 to the CCD.
The electronic shutter is transmitted to the electronic shutter light adjusting means of the driver 11, and the electronic shutter of the CCD 3a is adjusted by the set value.

When the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the CCU side, the front panel 15 displays, for example, “EXPO” on a display unit (not shown) provided on the front panel 15.
Thus, characters such as "SER" are displayed. Thus, the front panel 15 can notify the user that the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the CCU side.

The front panel 15 performs various settings such as setting of a brightness target value and selection of a dimming mode of automatic dimming or manual dimming by pressing a plurality of switches (not shown). It is possible. The front panel 15 includes an indicator (not shown) for displaying a dimming level of the electronic shutter, a dimming mode, and the like.

Next, the configuration of the light source device 6 will be described. The light source device 6 includes a light source lamp 21 that emits illumination light, a lamp power supply 22 that supplies power to the light source lamp 21, a diaphragm blade (hereinafter, diaphragm) 23 that adjusts the amount of illumination light of the light source lamp 21. A light control circuit 24 for controlling the aperture 23, and a light source side CPU for controlling the light control circuit 24 based on the information of the CCD received via the communication line 14.
25.

The light source side CPU 25 is provided with the light control circuit 2
4 is connected to the front panel 26 on the light source side for making settings for adjusting the dimming. The light source side CPU 25
When the CCD built in the camera head connected to the connector receiving portion 10 of the CCU 5 does not have an electronic shutter function based on the received CCD information, the front panel 26 Enable the setting of.

The set value set on the front panel 26 is transmitted to the dimming circuit 24 via the light source side CPU 25, and the dimming in the dimming circuit 24 is adjusted by the set value. It has become.

The dimming circuit 24 drives the diaphragm 23 so that the brightness signal output from the video signal processing circuit 12 of the CCU 5 matches the set value set on the front panel 26. Has become.

When the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the light source side, the front panel 26 displays, for example, “BRIGH” on a display unit (not shown) provided on the front panel 26.
A character such as "TNESS" is displayed. Thereby, the front panel 26 can notify the user that the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the light source side.

The front panel 26 is provided with the C
By pressing a plurality of switches (not shown) similarly to the front panel 15 of the CU 5, various settings such as setting of a brightness target value and selection of a dimming mode of automatic dimming or manual dimming can be performed. It is possible. Further, the front panel 26 includes an indicator (not shown) for displaying a dimming level of the diaphragm, a dimming mode, and the like.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, a camera head 4 having a built-in CCD 4a having no electronic shutter function is attached to the eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2, and a connector 9a is connected to the CCU.
5 and connected to the connector receiving portion 10 for endoscopic inspection.

Then, the CCD driver 11 determines that the CCD 4a of the camera head 4 to be connected is a CCD having no electronic shutter function, and drives and controls the CCD 4a according to the result of the determination. The CCD driver 11 obtains an image signal from the CCD 4 a via the connector receiving section 10 and outputs the image signal to the video signal processing circuit 12. At the same time, the CCD driver 11 outputs information on the CCD to the CCU-side CPU 13 based on the result of the determination, and shares information on the type of the CCD with the light source device 6.

The video signal processing circuit 12 processes the image pickup signal from the CCD 4a, outputs the video signal to the monitor 7, and displays the subject image (endoscope image). At the same time, the video signal processing circuit 12 outputs a brightness signal generated by the imaging signal to the dimming circuit 24 of the light source device 6.

At this time, the CCU-side CPU 13 invalidates the adjustment on the front panel 15 based on the received CCD information and simultaneously turns off characters such as “EXPOSER” on the display unit provided on the front panel 15. . The CCU-side CPU 13 also turns off indicators such as a dimming level and a dimming mode.

On the other hand, the light source side CPU 25
Based on the information of D, the setting on the front panel 26 is validated, and at the same time, characters such as "BRIGHTNESS" on the display unit provided on the front panel 26 are turned on. Thus, the user is notified that the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the light source side. Further, the light source side CPU 25 also turns on indicators such as a dimming level and a dimming mode at this time.

The set value set on the front panel 26 is transmitted to the light control circuit 24 via the light source side CPU 25.
Sent to The dimming circuit 24 drives the diaphragm 23 so that the brightness signal output from the video signal processing circuit 12 of the CCU 5 matches the set value.

Next, from this state, the camera head 3 incorporating the CCD 3a having an electronic shutter function is attached to the eyepiece 2c of the endoscope 2, and the connector 8a is connected to the connector receiving section 10 of the CCU 5 to perform the endoscope. Perform a microscopy.

Then, the CCD driver 11 determines that the CCD 3a of the camera head 3 to be connected is a CCD having an electronic shutter function, and controls the driving of the CCD 3a according to the result of the determination. CCD driver 11
Obtains an image signal from the CCD 3 a via the connector receiving section 10 and outputs the image signal to the video signal processing circuit 12. At the same time, the CCD driver 11 outputs information on the CCD to the CCU-side CPU 13 based on the result of the determination, and shares information on the type of the CCD with the light source device 6.

The video signal processing circuit 12 processes the image signal from the CCD 3a, outputs the video signal to the monitor 7, and displays the subject image (endoscope image). At the same time, the video signal processing circuit 12 outputs a brightness signal generated by the imaging signal to the dimming circuit 24 of the light source device 6.

At this time, the CCU-side CPU 13 validates the settings on the front panel 15 based on the received CCD information, and simultaneously turns on characters such as “EXPOSER” on a display unit provided on the front panel 15. . This notifies the user that the adjustment of the dimming level is effective on the CCU side. Also, the CCU-side CPU 13
Indicators such as a dimming level and a dimming mode are also turned on.

The set values set on the front panel 15 are transmitted to the CCD driver 11 via the CPU 13 on the CCU side. The CCD driver 11 adjusts the electronic shutter of the CCD 3a so as to match the set value.

On the other hand, the light source side CPU 25
Based on the information of D, the adjustment on the front panel 26 is invalidated, and at the same time, characters such as “BRIGHTNESS” on the display unit provided on the front panel 26 are turned off. The light source side CPU 25 also turns off indicators such as the dimming level and the dimming mode at this time. At this time,
The position of the stop 13 of the light source device 6 is fixed substantially at the center.

As a result, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
Can be operated by turning on only the front panel for which the adjustment of the dimming level is effective depending on the type of CCD connected to the CCU 5, so that the user can adjust the dimming level without hesitation.

The CCU 5 also has a function of intentionally turning off the electronic shutter function even when the CCDa 3 having the electronic shutter function is connected. When the user turns off the electronic shutter function, the light control level needs to be adjusted by the light source device 6. For this reason, CC
U5 notifies the light source device 6 of the fact that the electronic shutter function is turned off to the light source device 6 via the communication line 14, so that the same operation as in the case where the electronic shutter function is not provided can be performed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. In the second embodiment, the setting means for each dimming level described in the first embodiment can be operated by pressing a switch provided on the camera head.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that the description will be omitted, and the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment has a CCU 5 attached to the camera heads 3 and 4.
A switch 31 that can operate the front panel 15 or the front panel 26 of the light source device 6 is provided.

When the switch 31 is pressed, information on the operation is input from the connector 8a or 9a to the CCU-side CPU 13 via the connector receiving section 10. When the camera head 3 having the built-in CCD 3a having the electronic shutter function is connected as described in the first embodiment, the front panel 1 of the CCU 5 is connected.
Since the adjustment of the dimming level at 5 is effective, the switch 3
The operation is performed so that the CCU-side CPU 13 can set the dimming level on the front panel 15 in response to the pressing operation of 1. At this time, since the adjustment on the front panel 26 of the light source device 6 is invalid, the switch 31 does not operate when pressed.

Here, conventionally, the switches provided on the camera head are limited to the functions of the CCU 5, such as white balance, AGC, and dimming level adjusting means. Since only one switch of the camera head is provided, these functions are used after performing the assignment operation according to the user's preference. In FIG. 2, one switch 31 is provided for the camera heads 3 and 4, but two or more switches 31 may be provided.

In the second embodiment, since the communication means (communication line 14) from the CCU 5 to the light source device 6 is provided, in addition to the information on the type of CCD, the switch information of the camera head is also transmitted at the same time. Can be adjusted on the front panel 26 of the light source device 6 by the switch 31 even in the case of the CCD 4a having no electronic shutter function.

That is, C having no electronic shutter function
When the camera head 4 incorporating the CD 4a is connected, since the adjustment of the dimming level on the front panel 26 of the light source device 6 is effective, the switch 31 transmitted through the communication line 14 is pressed. In response, the light source-side CPU 25 operates so that the dimming level on the front panel 26 can be set. At this time, since the adjustment on the front panel 15 of the CCU 5 is invalid, there is no particular operation when the switch 31 is pressed. As a result, the endoscope device 30 according to the second embodiment has an effect that the operability is improved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. The conventional endoscope apparatus detects the state of attachment of the light guide cable 2d to the light source device 6, and performs light reduction by the stop 13 of the light source device 6 when not attached so that unnecessary light is not emitted. Was. For this reason, when the light guide cable 2d is not connected to the light source device, the conventional endoscope device is dimmed and thus can prevent glare and the like. When the light guide and the camera head are removed from the mirror, a sufficient amount of light does not enter the camera head. Therefore, it is determined that the automatic light control is dark, and the aperture 13 is fully opened.

In the third embodiment, when the user performs dimming, for example, when exchanging the endoscope, the dimming is forcibly performed by pressing a switch provided on the light source device 6, and the light is again emitted. A function is provided to return to normal operation when the switch is pressed. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope device 40 of the third embodiment is configured by providing a standby mode switch 41 on the front panel 26 of the light source device 6.

When the standby mode switch 41 is pressed, the information from this operation is transmitted to the light source CPU.
25. When the light source side CPU 25 recognizes this standby mode, it enters a standby mode described below.

When the light source CPU 25 enters the standby mode, the light control circuit 24 outputs the stop 13
Is dimmed by forcibly closing. This continues until the operation of the standby mode switch 41 is performed again. Then, when the standby mode switch 41 is operated again, the dimming circuit 24 returns to the normal operation by the standby mode signal 26.

As a result, the endoscope apparatus 40 according to the third embodiment can be dimmed by the user operating the standby mode switch 41, so that, for example, when the endoscope 2 is replaced. The light from the light guide cable 2d can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

Incidentally, the conventional endoscope apparatus uses two types of light guides. One is one that can withstand 100% of the emitted light of the lamp (hereinafter, high brightness mode), and the other is one that can withstand only about 50% of the emitted light (hereinafter, normal mode).

As described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-245534 previously filed by the present applicant, the conventional endoscope apparatus can adjust the operating range of the diaphragm blades by adjusting the operating range of the above two types. Light guide was enabled. That is, when the conventional endoscope apparatus is connected to the light guide in the high-brightness mode, the light emitted from the lamp is reduced by 100% by using the entire operation range of the diaphragm blade from fully closed to fully open.
% Used.

On the other hand, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, when the light guide in the normal mode is connected, for example, the operating range of the diaphragm blade is limited to a half range between the fully closed state and the fully opened state, so that the light emitted from the lamp is reduced by 50%. Only about% was used.

At this time, the endoscope apparatus regulates the operating range of the diaphragm blade by the first reference voltage determined by the resistance constant during automatic light control, while the CPU controls the CPU during manual light control. The restriction of the operating range of the diaphragm blade is defined by the second reference voltage output from the control circuit.

For this reason, the limited range when the light guide is connected in the normal mode may be slightly shifted depending on the dimming mode. Therefore, it has been desired to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of defining the limitation of the operation range of the aperture blade for both automatic light control and manual light control regardless of the light control mode of the light guide.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example of the configuration of an endoscope apparatus capable of defining the limitation of the operation range of the diaphragm blade will be described. FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a configuration example of the endoscope apparatus capable of defining the restriction of the operation range of the diaphragm blade.

As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope apparatus 50 is a rigid endoscope that inserts an insertion portion 51a into a body cavity and transmits an optical image of a subject such as an affected part to an eyepiece 51c provided above the operation portion 51b. A camera head 52 having a built-in endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 51 and a CCD 52a, which can be freely attached to the eyepiece 51c of the endoscope 51, and imaging obtained by the camera head 52 CCU5 for signal processing
3 and a light source device 54 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 51
And a monitor 55 for displaying a subject image based on the video signal processed by the CCU 53.

The CCU 53 is a CCD driver 6 for driving and controlling the CCD 52a of the camera head 52 to be connected.
1 and CC input through the CCD driver 61.
The image signal from the D 52 a is signal-processed to generate a standard image signal, and the image signal is processed by the image signal processing circuit 62 output to the monitor 55 and the image signal from the CCD 52 a input through the CCD driver 61. A brightness extraction circuit 63 that extracts an image brightness signal corresponding to the brightness of the endoscope image and outputs the image brightness signal to the light source device 54
It is composed of The light source device 54 can be connected to two types of light guides, a high brightness mode and a normal mode.

In this embodiment, a predetermined reference voltage is provided in order to regulate the MAX light amount of the light source described later, and a position signal proportional to the position of the diaphragm blade is compared with the reference signal. When the blade is about to open, the aperture blade is fixed at the position of the reference voltage, and the reference voltage can be selected in either automatic light control or manual light control. In this case, the maximum light quantity of the light source in the normal mode is configured to be the same.

That is, the light source device 54 includes a light source lamp 71 that emits illumination light, a lamp power supply 72 that supplies power to the light source lamp 71, and a diaphragm blade (hereinafter, referred to as a light source lamp 71) that adjusts the amount of illumination light of the light source lamp 71. , An aperture) 73, an aperture driver 74 for driving the aperture 73, an aperture position detection unit 75 for detecting the aperture position of the aperture 73, and a front panel for inputting a brightness setting value for setting a desired brightness. A panel 76 and a CPU 77 for generating a signal such as a mode signal from the brightness setting value input on the front panel 76.
A D / A converter 78 for D / A converting the digital brightness set value from the CPU 77 into an analog signal;
A divider 79 that divides the analog brightness set value converted by the A converter 78 and the image brightness signal output from the brightness extraction circuit 63 of the CCU 53 to output an automatic light control signal by automatic light control. And an automatic / manual change-over switch 81 for switching between an automatic light control signal from the divider 79 and a manual light control signal manually and outputting the signal to the aperture driver 74.
And an analog brightness set value from the D / A converter 78 and an aperture fixed reference voltage V for fixing the aperture 73 to a predetermined fixed aperture. It comprises a manual light control / normal mode changeover switch 82 for outputting, and a mode control section 83 for controlling the automatic / manual changeover switch 81 and the manual light control / normal mode changeover switch 82.

The light source device 54 has four patterns of dimming modes by a combination of automatic / manual dimming and on / off of the high-brightness mode. Next, each of the dimming modes of the light source device 54 will be described.

Automatic light control ON and high brightness mode ON The mode control unit 83 includes an automatic / manual light control switch 81
Is fixed to the a side, and the image brightness signal from the CCU 53 is
The aperture 73 is driven by an automatic light control signal obtained by dividing the brightness setting value set on the front panel 76, and automatic light control is performed.

Automatic dimming on and high brightness mode off The mode control unit 83 first sets the changeover switch 81 to a side,
The automatic light control is performed by fixing the manual light control / normal mode switch 82 to the d side. Then, the mode control unit 83 compares the aperture position signal from the aperture position detection unit 75 with the aperture fixed reference voltage V, and when the aperture 73 tries to open from the position set by this reference voltage V, The changeover switch 81 is switched to the b side, and the aperture 73 is fixed at a position set on the d side of the changeover switch 82. Next, the mode control unit 83
When the automatic light control signal is monitored and the aperture 73 is closed by a predetermined amount or more, that is, when the image brightness signal becomes brighter by a certain amount or more than the brightness setting value, the changeover switch 81 is turned on. The control is returned to the side a, and the operation of the automatic light control is restarted. By repeating this operation, the mode control unit 83 operates for automatic light control in the case of closing from the fixed aperture reference voltage V, and does not open any more when trying to open from the fixed aperture reference voltage V. It operates and can suppress the maximum output light quantity.

Manual light control ON and high brightness mode ON The mode control unit 83 fixes the changeover switch 81 to the b side and the changeover switch 82 to the c side, and performs manual light control only by the brightness setting value.

Manual light control ON and high brightness mode OFF The mode control unit 83 first fixes the changeover switch 81 to the b-side and the changeover switch 82 to the c-side. At times, manual light control is performed according to the brightness setting value. Here, when the brightness setting value is on the side that is higher than the aperture fixed reference voltage V, the mode control unit 83 switches the changeover switch 82 to the d side, and fixes the aperture 73 at the position set on the d side of the changeover switch 82. I do. Then, when the brightness setting value is set on the side closer to the aperture fixed reference voltage, the mode control unit 83 returns the changeover switch 82 to the c side, and performs manual light control using the brightness setting value. By repeating this operation, the mode control unit 83 limits the operation range of the aperture 73 for manual light control with the fully closed to fixed aperture reference voltage V.

As a result, the endoscope device 50 of this embodiment is
Since both the automatic light control and the manual light control are specified by the fixed reference voltage V, the fully open position of the diaphragm 73 when the high brightness mode is off can be specified regardless of the light control mode.

[Supplementary Notes] (Supplementary Note 1) A light source device having a stop means for adjusting the illumination light from the light source, a dimming means for controlling the stop means, and illumination with the illumination light from the light source device An endoscope apparatus including: an imaging device that converts a subject image into an electric signal; and an image processing device that drives and controls the imaging device and performs signal processing on an electric signal from the imaging device. An identification means for identifying the presence or absence of the charge accumulation variable means, an image processing-side brightness setting means for making settings for adjusting the charge accumulation variable means of the imaging device, and controlling the image processing-side brightness setting means. Image processing side control means, light source side brightness setting means for performing settings for adjusting the dimming means of the light source device, light source side control means for controlling the light source side brightness setting means, and the image processing side control Communication means for communicating between a stage and the light source side control means, and transmitting the determination result of the identification means from the image processing side control means to the light source side control means via the communication means. An endoscope apparatus wherein the image processing side brightness setting unit and the light source side brightness setting unit are controlled in accordance with the presence or absence of the charge accumulation varying unit of the imaging device.

(Additional Item 2) When an image pickup device having the charge accumulation varying means is connected to the image processing device,
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the setting by the image processing side brightness setting unit of the image processing device is made valid, and the setting by the light source side brightness setting unit of the light source device is made invalid. 3. apparatus.

(Additional Item 3) When an image pickup device not having the charge accumulation varying means is connected to the image processing device, the setting of the light source side brightness setting means of the light source device is made effective, and 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting by the image processing side brightness setting means of the image processing apparatus is invalidated.

(Supplementary Note 4) By pressing a switch provided on the image pickup apparatus, the setting is made on the image processing side brightness setting means or the light source side brightness setting means which is valid. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

(Supplementary note 5) The light control device is set to a standby mode by pressing a switch provided on the light source device, and the diaphragm means is fully closed to perform dimming. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

(Supplementary note 6) The light-adjusting means is set to a standby mode by pressing a switch provided in the image pickup apparatus, and the aperture means is fully closed to perform dimming. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

(Supplementary Note 7) Of the image processing side brightness setting means or the light source side brightness setting means, the setting display of the disabled one is turned off, and the setting display of the enabled one is turned off. Is turned on. Additional item 2 or 3
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

(Supplementary Item 8) A light source device having aperture means for adjusting the illumination light from the light source, and a diaphragm driving means for driving the aperture means, and a subject image illuminated with the illumination light from the light source apparatus is converted into an electric signal. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an imaging device that converts the image signal into an image signal; and an image processing device that drives and controls the imaging device and performs signal processing on an electric signal from the imaging device. Signal extracting means for extracting the aperture, aperture position detecting means for detecting the aperture position of the aperture means, brightness setting means for setting a predetermined brightness setting value, and brightness setting from the brightness setting means A comparator for comparing the value with the brightness signal from the brightness signal extracting means to generate a dimming signal; and a diaphragm for fixing the brightness setting value from the brightness setting means and the diaphragm means. Fixed reference A first switching means for switching between a signal and a signal, a second switching means for switching between the output of the first switching means and a dimming signal of the comparator, the first switching means and the second switching means. Switching control means for controlling
An endoscope apparatus comprising:

(Additional Item 9) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 8, wherein the endoscope apparatus has a dimming mode in which the second switching means is fixed to the output side of the comparator.

(Supplementary note 10) The first switching means is fixed to the fixed aperture reference signal side, and the comparison result obtained by comparing the output of the aperture position detecting means with the fixed aperture reference signal is obtained by comparing 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second switching means is controlled by the dimming signal of the comparator.

(Additional Item 11) A mode is provided in which the first switching means is fixed to the brightness setting means side and the second switching means is fixed to the output side of the first switching means. 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

(Additional Item 12) The second switching means is fixed to the output side of the first switching means, and the first switching means is determined based on a result of comparison between the brightness setting means and the aperture fixed reference signal. 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the switching means is controlled.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope apparatus capable of operating the more effective dimming adjustment means without regard to the type of the imaging apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a configuration example of an endoscope apparatus capable of defining a restriction on an operation range of an aperture blade;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 2c ... Eyepiece 2d ... Light guide cable 3, 4 ... Camera head 3a, 4a ... CCD 5 ... CCU (Camera control unit) 6 ... Light source device 8a, 9a ... Connector 10 ... Connector receiving portion 11 ... CCD driver 12 ... Video signal processing circuit 13 ... CCU side CPU (image processing side control means) 14 ... communication line (communication means) 15 ... Front panel (image processing side brightness setting means) 21 ... Light source Lamp 23 ... Aperture (aperture blade) 24 ... Dimming circuit 25 ... Light source side CPU (light source side control means) 26 ... Front panel (light source side brightness setting means)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 18, 2000 (2000.10.
18)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0044

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

On the other hand, the light source side CPU 25
Based on the information of D, the adjustment on the front panel 26 is invalidated, and at the same time, characters such as “BRIGHTNESS” on the display unit provided on the front panel 26 are turned off. The light source side CPU 25 also turns off indicators such as the dimming level and the dimming mode at this time. At this time,
The position of the stop 23 of the light source device 6 is fixed substantially at the center.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0054

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. The conventional endoscope device detects the state of attachment of the light guide cable 2d to the light source device 6, and performs light reduction by the stop 23 of the light source device 6 when it is not attached so that unnecessary light is not emitted. Was. For this reason, when the light guide cable 2d is not connected to the light source device, the conventional endoscope device is dimmed and thus can prevent glare and the like. when removing the light guide or the camera head from the mirror, a sufficient amount of light to the camera head is not fit, stop automatic light is determined to dark
23 had been fully opened.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0058

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0058] When the light source side CPU25 enters standby mode, the standby output from the light source side CPU25
The dimming circuit 24 performs dimming by forcibly closing the aperture 23 according to the mode signal . This continues until the operation of the standby mode switch 41 is performed again. When the standby mode switch 41 is operated again, the dimming circuit 24 returns to the normal operation by the standby mode signal .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 3

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 MF term (Reference) 2H040 BA09 CA04 CA10 DA02 GA01 GA11 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 FF01 GG01 JJ11 LL01 NN01 PP12 QQ09 RR02 RR15 5C022 AA09 AB15 AC01 AC12 AC42 5C054 AA05 CA04 CB02 CC02 CC07 FC04 FF02 HA12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light source device having a stop means for adjusting illumination light from a light source, and a dimming means for controlling the stop means, and a subject image illuminated by the illumination light from the light source apparatus is converted into an electric signal. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an imaging device that performs conversion; and an image processing device that drives and controls the imaging device and performs signal processing on an electric signal from the imaging device. Identification means for identifying the presence or absence; image processing-side brightness setting means for performing settings for adjusting the charge accumulation variable means of the imaging device; and image processing-side control means for controlling the image processing-side brightness setting means. A light source-side brightness setting unit that performs settings for adjusting a dimming unit of the light source device; a light source-side control unit that controls the light source-side brightness setting unit; the image processing-side control unit and the light source side System A communication unit for communicating with the control unit; transmitting a determination result of the identification unit from the image processing side control unit to the light source side control unit via the communication unit; An endoscope apparatus wherein the image processing side brightness setting means and the light source side brightness setting means are controlled in accordance with the presence or absence of the charge accumulation varying means. 2. When the image processing apparatus is connected to an image pickup apparatus having the charge storage variable means, the setting by the image processing side brightness setting means of the image processing apparatus is made valid,
2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting by the light source side brightness setting means of the light source device is invalidated. 3. When the image processing apparatus is connected to an image pickup apparatus that does not have the charge storage variable means, the setting of the light source side brightness setting means of the light source device is enabled, and the image processing apparatus 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting by the image processing side brightness setting means is invalidated.