JP2002224029A - Endoscope instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope instrument capable of outputting a format of digital animation data output by being switched to a plurality of types. SOLUTION: An 8-bit RGB signal outputted from an expansion connector 34 is outputted to one of a DVCPRO compression circuit 41 or a DV compression circuit of a digital animation output board 40. Since a command for notifying a recorder kind is transmitted to a CPU 29 via an IEEE1394 interface circuit 42 being a bidirectional bus, the CPU 29 discriminates whether or not connected peripheral equipment is a DVCPRO recorder 50, operates a changeover switch 40a, and inputs a signal to the prescribed compression circuit 41, 43 side. Afterwards, the signal is converted into a signal of a DVCPRO format or a DV format in the compression circuits, and the signal is outputted to the peripheral equipment from an unillustrated IEEE1394 connector.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus having an external device for recording an endoscope image processed by an image processing apparatus as a digital image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an insertion section is inserted into an observation site such as a body cavity, and illumination light is transmitted by illumination transmission means such as a light guide fiber bundle, and the illumination light is emitted from the distal end of the insertion section toward the observation site. As a result, endoscope apparatuses capable of obtaining an image of an observation site and performing observation and treatment have become widespread.

[0003] In one of the endoscope devices, a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD is arranged at the tip of an insertion section, and an optical image of an observation region is formed on an imaging surface by an objective optical system, and converted into an electric signal. There is an electronic endoscope apparatus that can display an image of an observation site on a monitor or the like by processing the electric signal and store the image data in an information recording apparatus or the like.

In recent years, digital video (abbreviated as DV)
2. Description of the Related Art Cameras have begun to spread and attention has been paid to high-quality digital moving images, and some endoscope apparatuses capable of outputting digital moving image data have begun to appear.

[0005]

However, even if it is possible to output digital moving image data at a bite, the digital output format is not unified to one type, and for example, a DV compression system is not used. IEEE
Even if the output is limited to 1394 output, there is basically no compatibility between the DV / DVCAM format and the DVCPRO format.

For this reason, when digital moving image data output is provided in an endoscope apparatus, if a system is constructed by selecting one specific format, it becomes impossible to use equipment corresponding to another format in the system. Failure occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of switching digital video data output formats to a plurality of types for output.

[0008]

An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
First compression means for compressing a video signal obtained by imaging a subject and converting the video signal into a first digital format signal and outputting the signal; and compressing the video signal and converting the video signal into a second digital format signal A second compression unit for outputting, an input / output interface unit for outputting a signal output from the first compression unit or the second compression unit as an output signal of a predetermined format, and the first compression unit And a selecting unit for selecting whether the signal output from the second unit is the output signal of the predetermined format or the signal output from the second compression unit is the output signal of the predetermined format. .

The type of the external device is determined based on a signal indicating the type of the external device input from the external device via the input / output interface unit, and the selecting unit is controlled based on a result of the determination. Control means for performing the operation.

According to this configuration, the video signal is converted into an appropriate digital format signal corresponding to the external device, and is selectively output as a predetermined digital output format.

Further, by providing the control means, the type of the connected external device is determined, the video signal is converted into an appropriate digital format signal corresponding to the external device, and the external device is output in a predetermined digital output format. Output to the device.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope apparatus including an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 2 provided with, for example, a complementary-color single-plate type CCD as a solid-state imaging device at the tip of an insertion portion 2a. A video processor (hereinafter abbreviated as a processor) 4 which is an image processing device for driving and controlling the CCD 3 and generating a video signal for displaying an endoscope image on a screen of a monitor 5; And a DVCPRO recorder 50 for recording digital data of an endoscope image to be recorded.

In the processor, a secondary circuit 7 electrically insulated from a commercial power supply as a primary circuit and a floating circuit 6 further electrically insulated from the secondary circuit 7 are provided on the same main board 8. Configured above. Instead of the electronic endoscope 2, for example, a configuration in which a camera unit is attached to an eyepiece of a rigid endoscope may be used.

On the secondary circuit 7 side of the processor 4, a synchronization signal generating circuit (hereinafter, SSG) 1 for receiving a reference clock from the CXO 12 and generating various timing signals is provided.
3 are provided. Further, a CCD drive circuit 14 is provided on the floating circuit 6 side, and a CCD drive signal is output from the SSG 13 by the CCD drive circuit 14 via a first photocoupler (hereinafter, PC) 15a based on the output of the SSG 13. Is to be generated. Then, an imaging signal from the CCD 3 driven by the CCD driving signal is output to the preamplifier 16 of the floating circuit 6 and amplified.

The floating circuit 6 is provided with a phase locked loop (hereinafter abbreviated as PLL) 18 and a variable crystal oscillator (hereinafter abbreviated as VCXO) 17. C
Timing generator (hereinafter abbreviated as TG) 19 based on the reference clock from SSG 13 via 15a
The phase compensation at the time of signal transmission to the CCD 3 by the PLL 18 is achieved by the timing signal from the PLL 18, and the PLL 18 and the VCX
O17 synchronizes the phase of the CCD drive signal of the CCD drive circuit 14 with the output of the preamplifier 16.

Further, the output signal from the preamplifier 16 is correlated double-sampled by the CDS circuit 20 and then A / D-converted by the A / D converter 21 according to the timing signal from the TG 19. The A / D-converted video signal is supplied to the second P.D. The signal is output to the color separation circuit 22 on the secondary circuit side via C15b, and separates the video signal into a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal C.

The Y / C signal separated by the color separation circuit 22 is output to an RGB matrix circuit 23 at the next stage, and is subjected to a predetermined matrix operation to perform an 8-bit RGB signal.
A B signal is generated. Thereafter, this RGB signal is sent to an auto gain controller (hereinafter abbreviated as AGC) 24
After the gain is adjusted, the output is output to the paint / W / B circuit 25, where the paint processing (color tone correction) and white balance are performed, and the output is output to the FPGA 26.

In the FPGA 26, γ correction is performed by a γ correction circuit 27, and the result is output to an image enlargement circuit 28.

Conventionally, gamma correction has been implemented using a look-up table (hereinafter abbreviated as LUT) using a ROM. However, since the ROM has a large IC size, it has hindered miniaturization of the device. Therefore, L of γ is stored in the FPGA 26.
Along with the UT, the SSG 13 and a CP which is control means to be described later
U29 peripheral functions (memory not shown, parallel I / O (PIO32), serial I / O (SIO3
3), etc., contribute to downsizing of the device.

In the image enlargement circuit 28, for example, when one of the remote switches (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 2, for example, a ZOOM switch is operated, an enlargement process (electronic zoom) is performed. Of course, if no enlargement is made (1
Needless to say).

Thereafter, the D / A signal is output via the extension connector 34.
The analog RGB signal D / A-converted by the converter 37 is output to the monitor 5 and the Y / C
The signal and the VBS signal are also output to the monitor 5.

On the other hand, the 8-bit RGB signal output from the expansion connector 34 is a first compression means corresponding to a peripheral device connected to the processor 4 of the digital moving image output board 40 as an expansion board. DVCPRO compression circuit 41 or DV compression circuit 43 as a second compression means
Is input through a changeover switch 40a which is a selection means. After that, the respective compression circuits 41 and 43 use IEEE.
The signal is converted into a signal in the 1394-1995 compliant DVCPRO format or the IEEE 1394-1995 compliant DV format, and is converted into an input / output interface means by the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 42.
The data is output to a peripheral device from an IEEE1394 connector (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 42 of the processor 4
DVCPRO recorder 5 via EE1394 connector
0 is connected, the 8-bit RGB signal output from the expansion connector 34 is output to the DVCPRO compression circuit 4.
1 and IEEE1394-1995 compliant DVC
The data is converted into the PRO format and output to the DVCPRO recorder 50.

When the DVCPRO recorder 50 is connected to the processor 4, the DVCPR recorder 50
A command for notifying the recorder type of the O recorder 50 is transmitted, and the CPU 29 receiving the command transmits the changeover switch 40a to the DV recorder corresponding to the DVCPRO recorder 50.
It switches to the CPRO compression circuit 41 side.

Also, the IEEE1394 connector has a D
DVCPR when the V recorder is connected, when the connected device is not connected, or when the connected device is unknown
When a command for notifying the recorder type of the O recorder 50 is not transmitted, the CPU 29 switches the changeover switch 40a to the DV compression circuit 43 side to input the 8-bit RGB signal to the DV compression circuit 43. . Thus, the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 42 outputs a signal in a DV format conforming to IEEE 1394-1995 to a DV recorder or a personal computer (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the switching operation is performed in a stage preceding the two compression circuits 41 and 43.
A configuration in which switching can be performed inside the device 2 may be employed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the DVCPRO recorder and the DVCRO recorder are provided on the extension board by providing the circuits for enabling the DVCPRO output and the DV output, respectively.
Either of the DV recorders can be used in combination with the present endoscope apparatus.

Further, the CPU is connected to the processor by IEEE13.
Peripheral devices connected via a 94 connector are, for example, D
It is determined whether the recorder is a VCPRO recorder or a DV recorder.
By switching to the VCPRO output or the DV output, it can be used in combination with the endoscope device without being conscious of whether it is a DVCPRO recorder or a DV recorder.

In the extension board of the present invention, the DVCPR
Although the configuration for switching between the two formats of the O format and the DV format is shown, a configuration for switching to, for example, four types of outputs in which the MPEG2 format and the Motion-JPEG format are added may be employed.

In the present invention, the peripheral device connected through the IEEE 1394 interface circuit 42 is identified, and the configuration is automatically switched to the compression circuit to be selected. You may make it selectable with a changeover switch etc.

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

[Supplementary Notes] (1) A first video signal obtained by compressing a video signal obtained by imaging a subject, converting the video signal into a first digital format signal, and outputting the signal.
Compression means, a second compression means for compressing the video signal, converting the video signal into a second digital format signal and outputting the signal, and a signal output from the first compression means or the second compression means. An input / output interface means for outputting as an output signal in a predetermined format, and a signal output from the first compression means as an output signal in the predetermined format, or a signal output from the second compression means. Selecting means for selecting whether or not to use the output signal in the predetermined format.

(2) The input / output interface means determines the type of the external device based on data representing the type of the external device input from the external device via the input / output interface means, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the selection unit based on a result of the determination.

(3) Imaging means for imaging an object, first compression conversion means for converting an imaging signal output from the imaging means into a first digital format signal, and converting the imaging signal into a second digital format An endoscope apparatus comprising: a second compression conversion unit that converts a signal into a signal; and a selection output unit that selectively outputs the first digital format signal or the second digital format signal.

(4) The first compression conversion means, the second
2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compression conversion means and the selection output means are provided on an expansion board.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of switching the format of digital moving image data output to a plurality of types and outputting the data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope apparatus including an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... CCD (imaging apparatus) 4 ... Video processor (image processing apparatus) 6 ... Floating circuit 7 ... Secondary circuit 8 ... Base board 34 ... Expansion connector 40 ... Digital video output Board (extended board)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kotaro Ogasawara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Tsunakawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiko Mochida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuyuki Saito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H040 BA00 GA01 GA02 GA05 GA10 GA11 4C061 CC06 NN09 SS01 SS11 SS14 SS30 YY14 YY18 5C054 CC07 EG10 GB01 HA12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first compression means for compressing a video signal obtained by imaging a subject, converting the video signal into a first digital format signal, and outputting the signal, and compressing the video signal to a second digital format. A second compression unit that converts the signal into a signal and outputs the signal; an input / output interface unit that outputs a signal output from the first compression unit or the second compression unit as an output signal in a predetermined format; Selecting means for selecting whether a signal output from the first compression means is an output signal of the predetermined format or a signal output from the second compression means is an output signal of the predetermined format; An endoscope apparatus, comprising: 2. The type of the external device is determined based on a signal representing the type of the external device input from the external device via the input / output interface unit, and the selection unit is determined based on the determination result. Control means to control,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: