JP2002136478A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which an independent board itself and also a plurality of boards to be interconnected are efficiently inspected by a common inspection device. SOLUTION: Test signal connectors 18a and 18b for inputting/outputting a test signal are respectively arranged in a mother board 11 as a basic board on which an IC 14b and 14a are mounted to perform a basic video processing and in a first function extending board 12 on which an IC 15 is mounted to perform a function extending processing, so that an inspection is respectively and independently performed in the both boards 11 and 12. Other boards are made to be freely attachably/detachably connected by extension connectors 17a and 17b, the return signal of the test signal used for the inspection of an IC 14a, etc., is transmitted to the side of the board which is connected by three- state buffer 19a, etc., in accordance with board connection and, then, the return signal through the IC of the connected board is made to be finally returned to the output part of the test signal connector 18a in the mother board 11. An output signal from the output part is examined, so that the inspection is easily performed by the common inspection device even when the plurality of boards are interconnected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus which can easily inspect a board constituting a video signal processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields. Recently, using an electronic endoscope provided with an image pickup device or an electronic endoscope equipped with a TV camera having a built-in image pickup device in an optical endoscope, the image pickup signal picked up by the image pickup device is converted into a video signal. 2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope apparatus that performs signal processing by a processing apparatus and displays an endoscope image on a monitor has been widely used.

[0003] For example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-336189, a video signal processing apparatus is connected to a basic video processing board for performing predetermined basic processing on an imaging signal, and is detachably connected to the basic video processing board. On the other hand, there has been proposed an apparatus which can be reduced in cost by being configured with an expansion processing board for performing predetermined expansion processing.

[0004]

In a conventional endoscope apparatus, when inspecting the operation of a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted on a board in a manufacturing process of a product, a test protocol corresponding to the function of each board is used. There is a drawback that many equipments are required for the inspection because it is necessary to prepare an inspection apparatus. In addition, since a plurality of substrates are used in combination, it is necessary to perform an inspection of each substrate alone and an inspection in a state where the plurality of substrates are connected, and there is a disadvantage that manufacturing efficiency is poor.

[0005] In order to solve this disadvantage, for example, IEEE 1
According to a general-purpose test protocol specified in 149, a method of providing a signal input / output connector on a board and inspecting board operation is generally performed. According to this inspection method, a test signal from a test signal input section to a test signal output section is connected to a semiconductor integrated circuit on a substrate in a chain shape, and a test signal input / output section is connected from an external inspection apparatus such as a PC. By transmitting / receiving the test data via the PC, it is possible to inspect the operation and the mounting state of the board.

However, in this case, although the inspection efficiency in the inspection of the substrate alone is improved, the entire operation of a device having a configuration in which a plurality of substrates can be arbitrarily connected like the conventional endoscope apparatus is inspected. There was a drawback that I could not do things.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the inspection of a single substrate and the inspection of a state in which a plurality of substrates are connected are performed by a common inspection device, so that the number of facilities can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of improving manufacturing efficiency.

[0008]

A basic video processing board for performing predetermined basic processing on an imaging signal obtained by an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject, and the imaging video signal is detachably connected to the basic video processing board. A test signal is input to a first device to be inspected mounted on the basic image processing substrate in order to perform an operation test in an endoscope apparatus provided with an extension processing substrate for performing a predetermined extension process on the device. And a first return test signal output from the first device under test by the normal operation of the first device under test mounted on the basic video processing board. A second return test signal output from the second device under test by the normal operation of the second device under test is transmitted to the mounted second device under test and to the basic video processing board. Contact Means, switching means for switching between the first return test signal and the second return test signal in accordance with the connection state of the connection means, and an output unit for outputting the test signal output to the switching means to the outside By having, the case where the basic video processing board is single,
It can be easily performed by a common inspection device when the extended processing board is connected to the basic video processing board.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a video signal processing circuit in the video signal processing device, FIG. 4 shows a connection configuration between a motherboard and an extension board of the video signal processing device, and FIG. A modified example will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 2 having a built-in imaging means and used for endoscopic diagnosis or endoscopy. The electronic endoscope 2 is detachably connected to the light source device 3 for supplying illumination light, and the electronic endoscope 2 is detachably connected to perform signal processing on imaging means built in the electronic endoscope. It comprises a video signal processing device 4 and a TV monitor 5 that displays an endoscope image captured by the imaging means by receiving a standard video signal generated by the video signal processing device 4.

The electronic endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 6 to be inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 7 having a large width provided at a rear end of the insertion portion 6, and a base end from the operation portion 7. The universal cord 8 has an extended end, and the end of the universal cord 8 is branched into two and a connector 9a provided at one end where the light guide is inserted is connected to the light source device 3, A connector 9 b provided at the other end through which the signal line connected to the imaging means is inserted is connected to the video signal processing device 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video signal processing device 4
A motherboard 11 as a basic (video processing) board for performing basic processing of an imaging signal, a first function expansion board 12 for performing image processing on a video signal input as an expansion function, and a not-shown image for recording a still image Second provided with recording means
And a function expansion board 13.

The motherboard 11 is provided with semiconductor integrated circuits (hereinafter, ICs) 14a and 14b corresponding to the IEEE 1149 test protocol for performing video signal processing, and the similar ICs 15 and 16 are also provided on the function expansion boards 12 and 13, respectively. Have been.

Each board is provided with an extension connector 17a, 17
The conductive connection is made by b and 17c. Specifically, the first function expansion board 12 is detachably connected to the motherboard 11 by an expansion connector 17a.
2 is provided with a second function expansion board 1 by an expansion connector 17b.
3 is detachably connected. Further, a third function expansion board (not shown) is detachably connected to the second function expansion board 13 by an expansion connector 17c.

The extension connectors 17a, 17b, 17
c has the same structure. Therefore, instead of connecting the first function expansion board 12 to the motherboard 11, a second function expansion board 13 or the like can be connected. Test signal connectors 18a, 18b, 1
8c are provided. In addition, expansion connector 1
The test signals 7a, 17b, and 17c are connected so as to be able to input and output a test signal and a video signal and a synchronization signal (not shown).

Each of the ICs 14a, 14b, 15, 16 has a test signal input terminal A, a test signal output terminal B,
It has an input terminal C for a reference signal such as a clock and a reset signal necessary for the test. The test signal is connected in a chain as shown in the figure, and the reference signal is applied to each IC via a buffer 20. They are connected in common so that they can be connected.

Further, a 3-state buffer 19 serving as a switching means for switching the connection order of test signals is provided on each substrate.
a, 19b, and 19c are provided, respectively, and the expansion connectors 17a, 17b, and 17c are each provided with a terminal D for determining whether or not the next function expansion board is connected.

The terminal D is connected to a three-state buffer 19i (i =
a, b, c) is connected to a control terminal for turning ON / OFF between the input and output, and if the next substrate is not connected, the control terminal is at H level by a pull-up resistor (input and output are ON),
When the next substrate is connected, the terminal D is electrically connected to the ground level, whereby the control terminal of the three-state buffer 19i is set to the L level, and the input and output are turned OFF (equal to).

Therefore, each board of the mother board 11, the function expansion boards 12 and 13 can independently input and output a test signal from the test signal connector 18i to inspect an IC as a device to be inspected mounted on the board. . For example, in the motherboard 11 as a board, the test signal connector 1
A test signal is input from 8i and the return test signal passed through the ICs 14b and 14a can be inspected by examining the signal output from the test signal connector 18a via the three-state buffer 19a.

If the next board is connected to the basic board (motherboard 11), the I
The return test signal of C14b, 14a is
IC transmitted from a to the next board side and mounted on the next board
To form a connection means for returning the return test signal of the IC to the basic board side, and examining the signal output from the output section of the test signal connector 18a of the basic board to check the combination state. It is possible to check whether the operation is normal or not.

Therefore, the basic substrate (motherboard 11)
The output terminal of the test signal connector 18a passes through the ICs 14b and 14a of the board when the board is used alone (first
When the extension board is connected, the (first) return test signal is transmitted to the I of the extension board.
The second return test signal input to C will return.
In other words, since the inspection can be performed with the common input / output connection state of the test signal when the extension board is not connected and when the extension board is connected, the inspection is easy.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a single board is used, a test signal can be input / output from the test signal connector 18i provided on the board to check the operation state easily. If the next board (specifically, the first function expansion board 12 is connected to the motherboard 11) is turned off, the input / output of the three-state buffer 19a is turned off, and the board returns from the expansion connector 17a to the next board. A test signal is transmitted, cascadedly input to an IC mounted on the next board, and finally a return test signal from a (last) board to which the next board is not connected is used as a basic board. The test signal is returned to the test signal connector 18a of the (motherboard 11) and output from the common output section so that the test can be easily performed even when the extension board is connected.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The electronic endoscope 2 guides the illumination light emitted by the light source device 3, emits the light through an illumination optical system (not shown) provided at the tip of the insertion section 6, and illuminates the subject. The object image is converted into an image signal by an objective optical system disposed at the tip of the insertion section 6 and a solid-state image sensor disposed at an image forming position thereof, and transmitted to the video signal processing device 4. The video signal processing device 4 performs a process of generating a video signal for the imaging signal, outputs the generated video signal to the TV monitor 5, and displays an endoscope image on a display surface thereof.

A test signal for performing a board operation test is as follows:
In the case of the inspection of each substrate alone, the transmission is performed as follows. For motherboard 11: test signal connector 18a → I
C14b → IC14a → 3-state buffer 19a → test signal connector 18a. In the case of the first function expansion board 12, the test signal connector 18b → IC15 → test signal connector 18b.

In the case of the second function expansion board 13: test signal connector 18c → IC 16 → test signal connector 18
c. As a result, the test signal connector 18a or 18
By connecting an external device such as a personal computer (abbreviated as a PC) or the like to the c (for example, as an inspection device) and transmitting and receiving a test signal, the operation inspection of the substrate alone can be easily performed.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the first extension board 12, and the first extension board 1
In the case where the second expansion board 13 is connected to the second expansion board 3, the three-state buffers 19a to 19c as switching means operate (the three-state buffers 19a and 19b have an OF between inputs and outputs).
F, the 3-state buffer 19c is ON between input and output),
It looks like this:

Test signal connector 18a → C14b → I
C14a → IC15 → IC16 → 3-state buffer 1
9c → test signal connector 18a. As a result, the test signal connector 18a is connected to the test signal connector 18a (common as in the case of the board alone).
By connecting an external device and transmitting and receiving a test signal, an operation test in a combined state can be easily performed.
Therefore, even with a small number of (inspection) facilities, a common external device can easily and efficiently perform an inspection even in a state where a plurality of substrates are connected as well as a single substrate, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

It should be noted that since the IEEE 1149 test protocol is not directly related to the gist of this specification,
As the test protocol, another protocol different from IEEE1149 may be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a video processing circuit of the video signal processing device 4 according to the present embodiment. The motherboard 11 includes a pre-processing circuit 21, an isolation circuit 22a, and a DSP circuit 2 that constitute a video signal processing circuit.
3, output circuit 24, and (second) isolation 2
2b and an SSG circuit 26 are provided.

The first function expansion board 12 is provided with an image processing circuit 27 and a mask signal conversion circuit 28, and the second function expansion board 13 is provided with an image recording circuit 29. Then, the extension connectors 17a, 17b
, The video signal and the timing signal are connected in a chain.

Next, the operation of the video signal processing device 4 will be described. The imaging signal obtained from the electronic endoscope 2 is sampled by the pre-processing circuit 21 and then subjected to A / D conversion. Then, the DSP is connected via the isolation circuit 22a.
The signal is input to the circuit 23, subjected to basic video signal processing such as Y / C separation, matrix conversion, and white balance, and transmitted to the function expansion board 12.

The SSG circuit 26 creates various timing signals necessary for video processing and a mask signal indicating an invalid image pickup area, and supplies them to the motherboard 11 and the function expansion boards 12 and 13, respectively.

Here, the image processing circuit 27 of the function expansion board 12 performs the input 3 × 3 filter processing. At this time, signal processing is performed using the above-described mask signal so as not to perform filter processing on the boundary between the effective imaging region and the invalid imaging region. Further, the mask signal conversion circuit 28 converts the mask area transmitted to the next block into an area smaller by one pixel in all directions than the timing of the input signal, and outputs it to the function expansion board 13.

Then, the video recording circuit 29 uses the converted mask signal to blank the video and records the invalid imaging area as a black level on a recording medium (not shown). Then, the same signal is transmitted from the function expansion board 13 to the motherboard 11, and is output to the TV monitor 5 via the output circuit 24.

FIG. 4 shows a connection configuration between the motherboard 11 and the function expansion boards 12 and 13 of the video signal processing device 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown, the connection form is a motherboard 11, function expansion boards 12, 13 and an expansion connector 1.
7a, 17b and a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter FP)
C) 31 and a substrate support rod 32,
The length of the PC 31 is longer than the substrate support rod 32.

Next, the operation of the connection mode in this embodiment will be described. The distance between the substrates (the length A in the figure) is determined by the length of the substrate support rod 32. That is, when the housing of the video signal processing apparatus 4 is large, the board spacing is set wide by increasing the length of the board support rod 32 in order to enhance heat dissipation from the board. The distance between the substrates is reduced by shortening the substrate support rods 32.

FIG. 5 shows a connection form between the motherboard 11 and the function expansion boards 12 and 13 of the video signal processing device 4 according to the modification. As shown, the connection form is a motherboard 11, function expansion boards 12, 13 and an expansion connector 1.
7a, 17b and a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter FP)
C) 31 and a substrate support rod 32.

In this modification, the function expansion substrate 1
2 and 13 are further integrated and miniaturized. The connection form is such that the function expansion boards 12 and 13 are connected to the motherboard 1.
1 are arranged in parallel above. The operation of this modification is almost the same as that of FIG.

This embodiment has the following effects. In the configuration of the present embodiment, since the three-state buffer as the test signal switching means is provided, the motherboard 11 of the video signal processing device 4 and the various function expansion boards 12 and 13 can be used independently by using one inspection facility. Since the operation test described above and the inspection in a state where each substrate is combined can be performed, there is an effect that the manufacturing efficiency can be improved with a small number of facilities.

Since the test signal connectors 18a to 18c of the motherboard 11 can be connected from the outside of the housing of the video signal processing device 4 as shown in FIG. 2, the combination can be inspected without opening the housing. This has the effect of further improving the manufacturing efficiency. Further, since the mask signal conversion circuit 28 is provided on the function expansion board 12, there is an effect that the boundary between the invalid imaging area and the effective imaging area can be clearly recorded.

Further, the mother board 11 and the function expansion board 1
The connection modes 2 and 13 have a high degree of freedom and can be accommodated in a small housing size even when a plurality of functional boards are connected, so that a multifunctional and compact endoscope imaging apparatus can be provided. Has an effect.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

An endoscope device 41 according to the second embodiment comprises an electronic endoscope 2, a TV camera 42, a light source device 43, a video signal processing device 44, and a TV monitor 5. Each of the TV cameras 42 has a video signal processing device 44
It is configured to be detachably connected to.

The video signal processing device 44 includes a pre-processing circuit 21, an isolation circuit 22a, and a DSP circuit 2.
3, output circuit 24, SSG circuit 26, isolation circuit 22b, brightness detection circuit 45, pattern control circuit 46,
An imaging section detection circuit 47, a mask size detection circuit 48, and a minimum value storage circuit 49 are provided, and each is connected as shown in FIG.

The light source device 43 has an aperture driving circuit 5
1 and an aperture 52 are provided. The aperture control circuit 46 and the aperture drive circuit 51 are connected to an external cable 53.
It is a configuration connected by. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The operation of the endoscope device 41 in combination with the electronic endoscope 2 and the operation of the video signal processing device 44 are the same as those in the first embodiment. TV camera 42
Is provided with a solid-state image sensor and an imaging optical system (not shown), and is attached to an eyepiece of an optical endoscope such as a fiberscope (not shown) to observe a subject image. The illumination light of the subject is supplied directly from the light source device 43 to the optical endoscope.

Here, the brightness control of the object operates as follows. The DSP circuit 23 supplies the luminance signal of the subject to the brightness detection circuit 45 and the mask size detection circuit 48. Further, the imaging unit detection circuit 47 supplies an imaging unit determination signal corresponding to the type of the imaging unit to the brightness detection circuit 45, the mask size detection circuit 48, and the minimum value storage circuit 49.

When the image pickup unit is the TV camera 42, the mask size detection circuit 48 performs the same mask detection as in the conventional example based on the image pickup unit discrimination signal, and outputs an output corresponding to the detected mask size as brightness detection. It is supplied to the circuit 45. Further, the minimum value storage circuit 49 supplies the minimum value of the mask size for each imaging unit stored in advance to the brightness detection circuit 45. The brightness detection circuit 45 detects the brightness of the subject from these inputs in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S1, the luminance signal of the object is integrated, and in step S2, the condition is branched based on the image pickup section discrimination signal. Step S3 when the imaging unit is the TV camera 42
At a, the output value (mask size) of the mask size detection circuit 48 and the output value (minimum value) of the minimum value storage circuit 49 are compared.

If the output value (mask size) of the mask size detection circuit 48 is larger than the output value (minimum value) of the minimum value storage circuit 49, the mask size of the output value of the mask size detection circuit 48 is determined in step S4a. If not, the process proceeds to step S4b, where the minimum mask size is determined, and the process proceeds to step S5.

On the other hand, when the image pickup unit is the electronic endoscope 2, the mask size is determined to be the minimum value in step S3b, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the average value of the brightness of the subject is detected by dividing the integral value obtained in step S1 by the mask size.

The output of the brightness detection circuit 45 obtained as described above is input to the aperture control circuit 46, subjected to a lag-lead filter process, converted into a brightness control value of the light source device 43, and transmitted via the cable 53. The light is input to the aperture driving circuit 51 of the light source device 43. The light source device 43 compares the input signal to the aperture driving circuit 51 with a reference signal corresponding to a case of appropriate brightness to create a driving signal, and drives the aperture 52 to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light source device 43. Control.

This embodiment has the following effects. In the endoscope device 41 of the present embodiment, the optimal brightness detection can be always performed regardless of whether the TV camera 42 is connected to the imaging unit or the electronic endoscope 2 is connected. This has the effect that the brightness of the displayed image can always be properly adjusted.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a structure of a video signal processing device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows a structure of a circuit block formed by a motherboard.

As shown in FIG. 8, the video signal processing device 60 according to the third embodiment has a lower end fixed to a plurality of locations on the upper surface of a metal chassis 61 constituting, for example, a bottom portion of the housing, and has an upper end. Standing support rods 62A, 62B, 6
A motherboard 63 provided with a support rod fixing hole 63a (only one is specifically shown in FIG. 8) at its upper end is fixed by 2C, and this motherboard 63 can be fixed in parallel with the surface of the chassis 61. . This motherboard 6
An extension connector 64 is provided on the upper surface of the third substrate.

The mother board 63 is provided with a first function expansion board 66 for extending functions via a plurality of support rods 65A and 65B.
The extension connector 67 provided on the bottom side of the motherboard 6
3 and is electrically connected to the extension connector 64 on the upper surface of the substrate.

An expansion connector 68 is provided on the upper surface of the first function expansion substrate 67. The first function expansion board 67 includes a plurality of support rods 69A, 69B.
A second function expansion board 70 for expanding the function via the second function expansion board 70 is attached. The expansion connector 71 provided on the bottom side of the second function expansion board 70 is fitted with the expansion connector 68 on the upper surface of the first expansion board 66. And are electrically connected.

An expansion connector 72 is provided on the upper surface of the second function expansion substrate 70. Here, the extension connectors 67 and 68 and 71 and 72 are disposed at the same position on the front and back of each of the function extension boards 66 and 70. The extension connectors 67 and 71 are provided at the same position, and the extension connectors 68 and 72 are also provided at the same position.

The support rods 65A, 65B and 69A, 69
The positions of the fixing holes 66a and 70a for attaching B are also the same on both the function expansion boards 66 and 70. (In FIG. 8, only the fixing hole 66a for the support rod 65A and the fixing hole 70a for the support rod 69A are cross-sectioned. As shown in the figure, the fixing holes 66a, 7b for the support rods 65B, 69B are shown.
0a has the same structure).

The extension boards 66 and 70 have the same board size, and support rods 65A and 65B and 69A,
69B has the same structure. For example, a screw hole is formed at one end (lower end), and a screw portion is formed at the other end (upper end). Also, in the motherboard 63, the structure of the portion where the function expansion boards 66 or 70 are stacked is the same as that of the function expansion boards 66 or 70.

That is, the positions of the plurality of fixing holes 63 a through which the threaded portions of the plurality of support bars 62 A and 62 B pass through the mother board 63 are determined, for example, by the fixing holes 66 of the first extension board 66.
a, and the attachment position of the extension connector 64 (with respect to the plurality of fixing holes 63 a) is the first extension board 6.
6 is the same as the mounting position of the expansion connector 68 (with respect to the plurality of fixing holes 66a).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG.
3, a support rod 65 having a screw hole on the support rod 62
A, 65B, and a first function expansion board 6
6, the extension connector 67 faces the position of the extension connector 64 and is in a state in which the extension connector 67 can be fitted and connected. The same operation as when the first function extension board 66 is attached, the second extension board 70 is attached. It can also be mounted so as to be stacked.

Further, the second function expansion board 70 can be mounted on the motherboard 63, and the first function expansion board 66 can be mounted thereon. That is, the two extension boards 66 and 70 can be attached by almost the same operation without considering the attachment order of the first and second extension boards 66 and 70.

In the case of a substrate on which no substrate is laminated (the second function expansion substrate 70 in FIG. 8), the threaded portions at the upper ends of the support rods 69A and 69B passing through the fixing holes 70a are nuts 7 respectively.
Fixed at 3. Also, in the motherboard 63,
The screw portion at the upper end of the support rod 62 </ b> C where the substrate is not laminated is fixed with a nut 73.

Further, in this embodiment, the motherboard 6
3, one end of a cable 74 for transmitting a brightness control signal (for driving the aperture driving circuit 51) to an external light source device (not shown) (for example, the light source device 43 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6) is a connector 75 The cable 74
Is connected to a connector 77 for external connection of a rear panel 76 of the housing.

In this case, the cable 74 is arranged along the chassis 61, and at this time, the shield 78 (FIG. 8) which is actively connected to the chassis 61 by, for example, welding.
(A hatched portion) is inserted to achieve a sufficient shielding function. Side plates are provided on both sides of the chassis 61, a front panel 79 is provided on the front side, and the chassis 6
A top cover 80 is provided on the upper surface facing 1, and a box-shaped housing is formed.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of the motherboard 63. The mother boat 63 includes a pre-processing circuit 82 connected to an imaging unit such as an electronic endoscope via a connector 81, an isolation circuit 83a for insulating an output signal of the pre-processing circuit 82, and an isolation circuit 83 DSP circuit 84 to which the signal passed through is input
And an output circuit 85 to which an output signal of the DSP circuit 84 is input, and an SSG circuit 8 for generating various timing signals.
6. The video signal output from the output circuit 85 is input to the TV monitor via the connector 89.

Various timing signals of the SSG circuit 86 pass through the isolation circuit 83b and the preprocess circuit 82
Is applied to The output signal of the DSP circuit 86 is input to a brightness detection circuit 87, and a signal that detects the brightness of the subject is output to an aperture control circuit 88 via an isolation circuit 83c.

The output signal of the aperture control circuit 88 is applied to the connector 77 via the cable 74,
The light is sent to the light source device via a cable (not shown) connected to the light source 7, and is used for opening and closing the aperture inside the light source device. The light amount of the illumination is adjusted so that the subject image displayed on the TV monitor has an appropriate brightness. Control.

In this embodiment, the brightness detection circuit 87 and the aperture control circuit 88 are electrically separated by an isolation 83c, and the aperture control circuit 88 is connected to the ground of the secondary circuit or the primary circuit. The circuit ground (ground) is a floating patient circuit.

The present embodiment having such a structure has the same operation as the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, when the first function expansion board 66 and the second function expansion board 70 are mounted as shown in FIG. 8, the size of the function expansion boards 66 and 70 is the same. And expansion connectors 67, 68, 7
Since the positions of 1, 72 are the same on the front and back, the assembling work can be simplified. That is, the first extension boards 66 and 70 are mounted on the motherboard 63 via the support rods 65A and the like,
The function expansion board 7 is further placed on the same position in the same operation.
Assembling can be easily performed by sequentially laminating 0 and 66.

Further, since the cable 74 is shielded by using the shield 78 which is actively electrically connected to the chassis 61, the cable 74 constituting the patient circuit can be effectively shielded and radiated to the surroundings. Electromagnetic noise can be reduced, and intrusion of electromagnetic noise from the outside can be reduced.

Therefore, the present embodiment has the following effects. According to the present embodiment, the arrangement of the extension connector 67 and the like of the video signal processing device 60 is set to the same position on the front and back, and the board size is the same, so that it can be simply laminated on the motherboard 63 when assembling, This has the effect of improving the assemblability. In addition, since the shield means is configured by using the shield 78 which is actively electrically connected to the chassis 61, the cable 74 constituting the patient circuit can be effectively shielded, and radiation and intrusion of electromagnetic noise can be prevented. It can be reduced effectively.

The board sizes of the function expansion boards 66 and 70 are not limited to those having the same size. For example, it is assumed that one in the vertical or horizontal direction is the same and the other in the horizontal or vertical direction is different in size. Is also good. In this case, the larger functional expansion board is placed on the lower side of the rear panel 7.
6 and the like, it is necessary to connect one end of the cable to the function expansion connector for function expansion and to connect the other end to the cable connector of the function expansion board. You may make it easy also after lamination | stacking of an expansion board.

[Appendix] A basic video processing board that performs a predetermined basic processing on an image signal obtained by an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject; and an extension that is detachably connected to the basic video processing board and performs a predetermined expansion process on the image signal. In an endoscope apparatus including a processing board, an input unit for inputting a test signal to a first device under test mounted on the basic video processing board, for performing an operation test,
The first return test signal output from the first device under test by the normal operation of the first device under test mounted on the basic image processing board is used to transfer the first return test signal from the second device under test mounted on the extended process board. Connecting means for transmitting a second return test signal output from the second device under test by a normal operation of the second device under test to the basic image processing board while transmitting the signal to the test device; Switching means for switching between the first return test signal and the second return test signal in accordance with the connection state of the means; and an output unit for outputting the test signal output to the switching means to the outside. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that:

1. An electronic endoscope, and an endoscope imaging apparatus including a video signal processing apparatus that processes an imaging signal output from the electronic endoscope, wherein the video signal processing apparatus includes:
It consists of a basic video signal processing board and multiple function expansion boards,
A test signal input / output section for performing an operation test of the board is provided on each of the basic video processing board and the function expansion board, and the test signal is conductively connected to a connection section between the basic video processing board and the function expansion board. An endoscope imaging apparatus, further comprising switching means for switching a connection path of the test signal according to a connection state between the basic video processing board and the function expansion board.

(Operation of Supplementary Note 1) When an operation test of the basic video processing board and the function expansion board alone is performed, an external device such as a PC is connected to a test signal input / output unit provided on each board. For example, an operation test is performed by using a test signal defined in IEEE1149. Further, in a state where a plurality of substrates are connected, the connection path of the test signal is switched by the switching means such that all of the semiconductor integrated circuits of the combined substrates are connected in a chain, and one of the test signal input / output units is connected. An operation test in a combined state is performed from an external device using one. (Effect of Supplementary Note 1) Since the operation inspection of the substrate alone and the operation inspection of the combined state of a plurality of substrates can be performed by the same device such as an external PC, the endoscope imaging device can be efficiently manufactured with a small number of facilities. It has the effect that it becomes possible to do.

2. An electronic endoscope, and an endoscope imaging apparatus including a video signal processing apparatus that processes an imaging signal output from the electronic endoscope, wherein the video signal processing apparatus includes:
It consists of a basic video signal processing board and multiple function expansion boards,
An area signal indicating an area to be subjected to image processing is conductively connected between the basic video processing board and the function expansion board, and an area signal conversion means for converting the timing of the area signal is provided on the function expansion board. An endoscope imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned. (Problem of Supplementary Note 2) In the conventional example, since the total number of pixels of the solid-state imaging device used for the electronic endoscope is small, the display is performed by masking with a mask area shown by oblique lines in FIG. It has become. The mask signal indicating the invalid imaging region is formed by the logical product of the two types of signals of the vertical mask signal and the horizontal mask signal shown in FIG. The state is fixed at the black level.

Here, when performing video signal processing using a 3 × 3 spatial filter shown in FIG. 11 on a video signal having such an invalid imaging area, the center pixel indicated by oblique lines in FIG. In order to perform an operation using eight peripheral pixels, FIG.
Since the pixels indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 12 in which the B portion of FIG. 12 is enlarged, that is, the pixels adjacent to the boundary C between the invalid imaging region and the effective imaging region, any one of eight pixels becomes the invalid imaging region. There is a disadvantage that the processing is not performed and the boundary of the image becomes unclear. When this is applied to a conventional function-enhancing endoscope imaging apparatus and input to a function-expansion board having a recording function for recording a filtered image as a still image, blanking is performed according to the mask signal. Since recording is performed, there is a disadvantage that an image with a blurred boundary is recorded.

(Purpose of Supplementary Note 2) When a video signal picked up by a solid-state image pickup device having a small number of pixels is filtered,
Provided is an endoscope imaging apparatus capable of clearly recording an image of a boundary between an effective imaging area and an invalid imaging area. (Operation of Supplementary Note 2) The area signal conversion means converts the signal into an area signal matching the video signal to be transmitted to the next stage, and blanks the video signal with the area signal to perform image recording processing. (Effect of Supplementary Note 2) There is an effect that a boundary between an effective imaging region and an invalid imaging region of an image of an electronic endoscope having a small number of pixels can be clearly recorded.

3. An electronic endoscope, and an endoscope imaging apparatus including a video signal processing apparatus that processes an imaging signal output from the electronic endoscope, wherein the video signal processing apparatus includes:
It consists of a basic video signal processing board and multiple function expansion boards,
An endoscope imaging apparatus, wherein the basic video processing board and the function expansion board are electrically connected by a flexible wiring member.

(Problem of Appendix 3) In the conventional method of connecting the motherboard and the function expansion board of the endoscope imaging apparatus, the size of the board and the position of the connection connector are fixed, so that there is no flexibility in connection. There were drawbacks. In addition, in order to increase the number of functions of the conventional video signal processing device, it is necessary to connect a plurality of function expansion boards. (Purpose of Supplementary Note 3) An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional and small-sized endoscope image pickup apparatus which has an increased degree of freedom of connection of an extension board. (Function of Supplementary Note 3) A plurality of function expansion boards are connected by a flexible wiring material. (Effect of Supplementary Note 3) Since the degree of freedom in the connection form of the function expansion board is increased, it is possible to provide a multifunctional and small-sized endoscope imaging apparatus.

4. Several types of electronic endoscopes with a built-in solid-state image sensor at the tip of the insertion section, and an optical image of the subject transmitted from the endoscope that is detachably attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope with the solid-state image sensor Endoscope imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of types of TV cameras, and an image signal processing apparatus which detachably connects the electronic endoscope or the TV camera and processes an imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device. And
A mask detection unit configured to detect a subject region in the video signal processing device according to a signal level of the imaging signal; a minimum region storage unit configured to store a preset minimum region of the subject region; An endoscope imaging apparatus, comprising: a brightness detection unit that detects the brightness of an endoscope image according to an output of a minimum area storage unit.

(Conventional Techniques in Supplementary Notes 4 and 5) JP-B-7-08
9178 (JP-A-63-155117). (Problem of Supplementary Note 4) In the conventional method of detecting an effective imaging area in an endoscope imaging apparatus using a TV camera, when an image of a large bright and dark object is imaged, if the dark portion exceeds a threshold, the effective imaging area is regarded as an effective object area. Is also determined to be an invalid area, so that brightness detection may not be performed properly. (Purpose of Supplementary Note 4) An endoscope imaging apparatus capable of appropriately controlling brightness of a display image by appropriately performing brightness detection when an image of a subject having large brightness is dark and dark. (Operation of Supplementary Note 4) The effective imaging area detected by the mask detection means is compared with the output of the minimum area storage means. If mask detection> minimum area, the effective imaging area is set as the output value of the mask detection means, and the mask detection <minimum. In the case of an area, the effective imaging area is set as the output value of the minimum area storage unit. The brightness of the subject is detected by dividing the integral value of the luminance signal of the entire screen by the number of pixels of the effective imaging area.

5. Several types of electronic endoscopes with a built-in solid-state image sensor at the tip of the insertion section, and an optical image of the subject transmitted from the endoscope that is detachably attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope with the solid-state image sensor Endoscope imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of types of TV cameras, and an image signal processing apparatus which detachably connects the electronic endoscope or the TV camera and processes an imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device. And
5. The image signal processing device, wherein: a determination unit for determining the type of the electronic endoscope and the TV camera; and an operation of the brightness detection unit is switched based on a determination result of the determination unit. The endoscope imaging device according to claim 1.

(Problem of Appendix 5) Video signal processing of an endoscope imaging apparatus which can be connected to either an electronic endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device at the distal end of the insertion section or the TV camera according to claim 4. In the device, when a TV camera is connected, there is a problem similar to the fourth aspect. When an electronic endoscope is connected, the effective imaging area is the entire solid-state imaging device, unlike a TV camera. That is, unlike the TV camera, the size of the effective imaging area does not depend on the eyepiece magnification of various endoscopes or the imaging magnification of the optical adapter. In this case, there is no need to detect the effective imaging area as in the conventional example. (Purpose of Supplementary Note 5) In an endoscope imaging apparatus to which an electronic endoscope or a TV camera is detachably connected, it is possible to appropriately perform brightness control of a display image by appropriately performing brightness detection. Provision of an endoscope imaging device. (Operation of Supplementary Note 5) The determining means determines whether an electronic endoscope or a TV camera is connected to the video signal processing device. When the electronic endoscope is connected, the brightness of the object is detected by dividing the integral value of the luminance signal of all the pixels of the solid-state imaging device by the total number of pixels of the solid-state imaging device. When the TV camera is connected, the brightness of the subject is detected by the same operation as in claim 4. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 4 and 5) In an endoscope imaging apparatus that can use an electronic endoscope and a TV camera, there is an effect that it is possible to appropriately control the brightness of an endoscope image displayed on a monitor. .

[0088]

【The invention's effect】

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, a basic video processing board for performing a predetermined basic process on an image signal obtained by an image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject, and the basic video processing board is detachably attached to the basic video processing board. And a first processing target mounted on the basic video processing board for performing an operation test in an endoscope apparatus comprising: And an input unit for inputting a test signal to the first image processing device, and a first device to be inspected mounted on the basic image processing substrate is operated by the normal operation of the first device.
The first return test signal output from the device under test is transmitted to the second device under test mounted on the extended processing board, and the second device under test operates normally due to the normal operation of the second device under test. Connecting means for transmitting a second return test signal output from a test element to the basic image processing board; and a first return test signal and a second return test signal according to a connection state of the connection means. Switching means, and an output unit for outputting the test signal output to the switching means to the outside, so that the basic video processing board is independent and the extended video processing board is connected to the basic video processing board. This can be easily performed with common inspection equipment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing circuit in the video signal processing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection form between a motherboard and an extension board of the video signal processing device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of detecting the brightness of a subject.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a motherboard in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which masking processing and display are performed in a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram in which a central pixel is subjected to arithmetic processing by eight surrounding pixels.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating that the boundary of an image becomes unclear at the boundary between an invalid imaging region and an effective imaging region.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Video signal processing apparatus 5 ... TV monitor 6 ... Insertion part 7 ... Operation part 8 ... Universal cord 9a, 9b ... Connector 11 ... Motherboard 12 ... First Function expansion board 13 ... second function expansion board 14a, 14b ... semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) 15, 16 ... IC 17a, 17b, 17c ... expansion connector 18a, 18b, 18c ... test signal connector 19a, 19b, 19c ... 3-state buffer 21 ... Preprocessing circuit 22a, 22b ... Isolation circuit 23 ... DSP 24 ... Output circuit 26 ... SSG circuit 27 ... Image processing circuit 28 ... Mask signal conversion circuit 29 ... Image recording circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Tashiro 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Noboru Kusamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Tsunagawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuyuki Saito 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H040 AA01 BA00 DA21 GA10 GA12 4C061 AA00 AA29 BB00 CC06 DD00 GG01 JJ17 LL01 NN01 NN05 PP12 RR02 RR15 SS11 SS23 TT01 TT04 VV06 WW01

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A basic video processing board for performing predetermined basic processing on an imaging signal obtained by an imaging unit for capturing an image of a subject, and a detachable connection to the basic video processing board, and a predetermined processing for the imaging signal. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an expansion processing board for performing an expansion processing; an input for inputting a test signal to a first device under test mounted on the basic video processing board in order to perform an operation test; And a first return test signal output from the first device under test by a normal operation of the first device under test mounted on the basic video processing board. Connection means for transmitting the second return test signal output from the second device under test by normal operation of the second device under test to the basic image processing board while transmitting the signal to the second device under test; The said Switching means for switching between the first return test signal and the second return test signal in accordance with the connection state of the connection means; and an output unit for outputting the test signal output to the switching means to the outside. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that: