JP2002290787A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device capable of making common of a plurality of boards having image pickup devices with different number of pixels and cables with different length in an image pickup portion. SOLUTION: In order to properly perform signal processing in a common signal processing means side to a CCD 25 built in a camera head 21, an image pickup portion side, concretely, a timing generator 34 of a CCD processing circuit 28 arranged in a connector 23 is configured by a programmable logic device giving a function to generate a driving signal which drives the CCD 25 by an external setting data. In addition, by configuring that a phase adjustment amount of a phase adjustment circuit 35 is adjustable by an external setting data, it is possible to use a common board even when the number of pixels of the CCD 25 are different and the length of the camera cables are different.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for picking up a subject image such as an endoscope image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application No.
There are 00-56234 and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-249048. In an external television camera for a surgical operation, a plurality of types of camera heads using CCDs having different numbers of pixels and different drive timings are used. Further, a plurality of types of videoscopes (electronic endoscopes) using CCDs having different numbers of pixels and different driving timings may be employed.

[0003] On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-56234.
In the issue, a substrate is provided in the camera head, and the CCD is
By providing a timing generator IC for driving, drive signals corresponding to various CCDs are generated. But,
In this method, different timing generator ICs are used for the respective CCDs, and it is necessary to change the substrate mounted on each camera head.

Further, in recent years, there is a camera head which can be used in an autoclave. In this case, it is necessary to seal the substrate with a resin in order to secure heat and moisture resistance. When resin sealing is performed, it is difficult to determine what type of substrate is externally used. Therefore, when manufacturing with a different substrate to be mounted, it is troublesome to perform management for mounting without errors. Further, since the substrate to be mounted has to be changed according to the camera head, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Further, in the conventional camera head, in order to determine the type of the camera head, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-24904 is used.
As described in No. 8, the type of camera head is determined by changing the resistance value in the substrate by the camera head. Also in this case, since the autoclave-compatible camera head is sealed with a resin, it is difficult to determine what kind of substrate is from the outside, and the management is troublesome.

There is a method in which a memory or the like is provided in a camera head to store digital data, and the type of the camera head is determined from a camera control unit (CCU) to which the camera head is connected. When the type of camera head to be determined increases, the number of bits increases, so the number of pins of the camera head increases,
The size of the connector connected to the CCU and the connector receiver on the CCU increases.

There is also a method of transmitting digital data serially, but in this case, it is necessary to synchronize the camera head with the CCU, so that the processing load on the circuit in the camera head increases. A similar problem also occurs in the case of a video scope.

As described above, in the conventional example, an image pickup unit such as a television camera or a video scope for image pickup is detachably connected to the image pickup unit, and a signal processing unit (CC) for performing signal processing.
U), the substrate or the electronic device constituting the image pickup unit is changed according to the type of the image pickup device such as a CCD (specifically, the number of pixels and the drive timing). In order to be able to respond to
There is a drawback that the storage or management of the substrate or the electronic device is troublesome.

(Purpose of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in such a manner that a substrate or an electronic device sealed with a sealing resin can be commonly used for image pickup units of different types. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that has been developed. More specifically, it is another object of the present invention to provide an image pickup device that can use the same substrate for a plurality of types of image pickup units having different numbers of pixels and different lengths of cables.

[0010] Also, there is provided an image pickup apparatus capable of discriminating a plurality of kinds of image pickup sections with a simple configuration and increasing corresponding signal processing without increasing the number of input / output signals between the image pickup section and the signal processing section. For the purpose.

[0011]

An image pickup unit having a built-in image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and having a connector at an end of a signal line connected to the image pickup device, and an image pickup unit detachable via the connector. And a processing unit provided with signal processing means for processing an imaging signal of the imaging element, wherein the imaging unit has a setting data input unit for setting, and the data input unit An electronic device that performs a predetermined functional operation based on the setting data input to the electronic device; an input terminal connected to the setting data input unit of the electronic device for supplying the setting data; and the data input to the input terminal. A sealing resin member that seals the electronic device to which the unit is connected, and protects the electronic device,
By supplying setting data corresponding to the imaging unit from the input end to the setting data input unit of the electronic device sealed with the sealing resin member, even if the electronic device is sealed with a sealing resin. By inputting setting data from the setting data input unit, it is possible to perform functional operations corresponding to different types of imaging units such as the number of pixels of the imaging device.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an electric system on a television camera side as an endoscope imaging unit, FIG. 3 shows an electric system configuration of a CCU as a (signal) processing unit, and FIG. 4 shows a substrate sealed with a sealing resin. FIG. 5 shows a CCD output signal, a sampling signal, and the like input to the CDS circuit.
Shows the characteristic of the delay amount with respect to the control voltage by the EVR,
FIG. 7 shows an example of a filter arrangement of a complementary color mosaic filter,
FIG. 8 shows an operation of performing color separation by a sample pulse, and FIG. 9 shows a horizontal drive signal and a reset signal in the case of CCDs having different numbers of pixels.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a television camera having an optical endoscope 2 and a television camera 3 provided with imaging means. A camera controller unit (removably connected to the endoscope 4, the light source device 5 for supplying illumination light to the optical endoscope 2, and the television camera 3 and performing video signal processing for generating a standard video signal) (Hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) 6 and this CC
TV monitor 7 for displaying video signals output from U6
It is composed of

The optical endoscope 2 includes, for example, a hard insertion portion 11.
And a gripper (operation unit) 12 provided at the rear end of the insertion unit 11 and an eyepiece 13 provided at the rear end of the gripper 12.

A light guide 14 is inserted into the insertion portion 11, and the light guide 14 is connected to the light source device 5 via a light guide cable 15 connected to a light guide base of the grip portion 12. A white illumination light from a lamp (not shown) is transmitted and emitted from the distal end surface of the light guide 14 to illuminate a subject such as an affected part.

An objective lens 16 is provided at the distal end, and an optical image formed by the objective lens 16 is transmitted to the rear side by, for example, a relay lens system 17 and enlarged by an eyepiece 18 provided in the eyepiece 13. Can be observed.

The television camera 3 is detachably mounted (externally attached) to the eyepiece 13, and a camera cable (as a signal transmission system) whose base end extends from the camera head 21. 22 and a connector 23 provided at the end of the camera cable 22. The connector 23 is detachably connected to the CCU 6.

An image forming lens 24 is disposed in the camera head 21 so as to face the eyepiece 18, and a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 2 as a solid-state image pickup device is provided at an image forming position.
5 are arranged. In addition, a mosaic filter 30 is disposed in front of the CCD 25 that performs photoelectric conversion, and optically color-separates the subject image to guide the subject image to the imaging surface of the CCD 25.

On the back side of the CCD 25, for example, a circuit board for forming a buffer amplifier 26 (see FIG. 2) is arranged.
One end of the camera cable 22 (internal signal cable 27) is connected to the CCD 25 and the circuit board, and the other end is connected to an electrical contact of a connector 23, and a C cable provided in the connector 23.
It is connected via a CD processing circuit 28.

The CCD processing circuit 28 delays the CCD output signal by the signal cable 27 when the CCD output signal output from the CCD 25 is sampled by the CDS circuit 31 described later to extract a signal component. Therefore, the CDS circuit 31 has a function of adjusting the timing of the driving signal to be driven in advance and performing the timing adjustment so that the signal component of the CCD output signal can be correctly extracted by the CDS circuit 31.

By connecting the connector 23 to the CCU 6, the CCD processing circuit 28 is electrically connected to the video processing circuit 29 in the CCU 6. Then, the generated standard video signal is output to the television monitor 7 by the video processing circuit 29. As shown in FIG.
Inside, a CCD 25 and a buffer amplifier 26 are provided. The CCD output signal current-amplified by the buffer amplifier 26 passes through the CCD processing circuit 28 in the connector 23 and is input to the correlated double sampling circuit (abbreviated as CDS circuit) 31 in the CCU shown in FIG. After the signal component of the CCD output signal is extracted by the CDS circuit 31, the signal component is output to an A / D conversion circuit 33 via an automatic gain adjustment circuit (AGC circuit) 32 for adjusting the signal level to an appropriate signal level.

The CCD processing circuit 28 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a timing generator (abbreviated as TG in the drawing) 34 for generating a timing signal. The timing generator 34 is a horizontal driving signal φH as a CCD driving signal,
A reset signal φR and a vertical drive signal φV are generated, and a sampling signal SH for the CDS circuit 31 is generated.
a and SHb (from the terminal a in FIG. 2 to the CDS circuit 31 via the terminal a 'in FIG. 3), and an A / D conversion clock signal ADCK to the A / D conversion circuit 33.
(And output from the terminal b in FIG. 2 to the A / D conversion circuit 33 via the terminal b ′ in FIG. 3).

One of the features of the timing generator 34 is that its internal circuit is constituted by a programmable logic device (abbreviated as PLD) element that can be electrically arbitrarily programmed.

The PLD element (electronic device called) has a plurality of logic elements and a plurality of switch elements for connecting the plurality of logic elements, and also has a logic element having a function as a timing generator 34 by using them. And a terminal c as a setting data input unit for setting the setting.

By inputting the setting data from the setting data input section, it is possible to turn on and off the plurality of switch elements.
A programmable logic device which can freely set a logic circuit by a program such that a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of logic elements form a logic circuit having a predetermined function by determining an OFF pattern; The data is connection data for configuring a CCD drive circuit (CCD readout circuit) that drives the CCD 25 and reads out a CCD output signal.

The CCD drive signal output from the timing generator 34 constituted by the PLD is input to the phase adjustment circuit 35. This phase adjustment circuit 35
Indicates that the CCD output signal output from the CCD 25 is a CDS
When the sampling is performed by the circuit 31, the CCD output signal is time-delayed by the signal cable 22 and the timing shifts. Timing adjustment (phase adjustment) is performed so that sampling can be performed correctly. Then, the phase adjustment circuit 35 outputs a horizontal drive signal φH ′ and a reset signal φR ′ as CCD drive signals whose timing has been adjusted (phase adjusted).

The value of the phase adjustment of the phase adjustment circuit 35 is controlled by a control voltage 38 output from an electronic volume (abbreviated as EVR) 37. The EVR 37 can set the value of the control voltage 38 from the EVR setting circuit 47 in the CCU 6 via the terminal of the connector 23 as described later.

In this case, since the vertical drive signal φV in the CCD signal has a much larger output time interval than the horizontal drive signal φH and the reset signal φR, it is not affected by the time delay due to the signal cable 22. Therefore, the voltage is applied to the CCD 25 without passing through the phase adjustment circuit 35 and the driver 36. Of course,
The phase adjustment may be performed on the vertical drive signal φV. Horizontal drive signal φ output from phase adjustment circuit 35
CCD drive signals such as H ′ and reset signal φR ′ are amplified by a driver 36 and output to the CCD 2 via a signal line 27.
5 is supplied.

The EVR 37 has a non-volatile, electrically rewritable memory, more specifically, a flash memory type memory. In the memory, a set voltage for phase adjustment is written at the time of manufacturing. TV camera 3
Determination information for determining the type of (camera head 21) is written. Then, the discrimination information is read and outputted as a discrimination signal 39 from the terminal of the connector 23 to the CCU 6 side. The discrimination signal 39 is an analog voltage value set for each type of the camera head 21 (specifically, the type of the CCD 25 disposed in the camera head 21 and the length of the camera cable 22). When connected to the CCU 6, it is supplied to the CCU 6 and used for signal processing on the CCU 6 side by a head detection circuit 49 described later.

In the CCD processing circuit 28 having such a configuration, the circuit configuration depending on the type of the imaging unit of the television camera 3, such as the type of the CCD 25 and the length of the camera cable 22, is implemented by mounting the circuit elements of the CCD processing circuit 28. After the completion (after the electronic module), it can be electrically variably set from the outside so that it can be manufactured on the common substrate 40.

The substrate 4 constituting the CCD processing circuit 28
0 is sealed with a sealing resin 41 to ensure autoclave resistance as shown in FIG. Therefore, after sealing with the sealing resin 41, it is difficult to determine what kind of substrate is from the outside.

However, in the present embodiment, even after the substrate 40 is sealed with the sealing resin 41 as described above, a circuit configuration that can be electrically set externally depending on the type of the imaging unit is provided. The substrate 40 depending on the type of the imaging unit.
Without the need to change the circuit elements mounted on the
The same substrate 40 on which all the same circuit elements are mounted can be adopted.

Then, at the end of manufacturing, such as immediately before shipment to the substrate 40 after the circuit elements are mounted, a circuit configuration depending on the type of the imaging unit is electrically set externally according to the type of the imaging unit. The CCD processing circuit 28 having a CCD processing function corresponding to the type of the imaging unit (type such as a difference in the number of pixels of the imaging element, a difference in the length of the signal cable, etc.) can be configured.

Next, a detailed configuration of the CCU 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the video processing circuit 29 in the CCU 6 is configured by a portion other than the PLD program connector 50 in FIG.

The CCD 25 is driven by the CCD driving signal of the CCD processing circuit 28, and the CCD driving signal output from the CCD 25 is input to the CDS circuit 31 in the CCU 6.

The CDS circuit 31 is supplied with sampling signals SHa and SHb from a timing generator 34, and outputs the signals from the CCD output signal shown in FIG.
The level of the feedthrough waveform portion is sampled by the sampling signal SHA shown in FIG.
The level of the signal waveform portion is sampled by the sampling signal SHb shown in FIG. Then, these difference signals are output.

In this case, the timing at which the CCD output signal is input to the CDS circuit 31 differs depending on the length of the camera cable 22. For example, if the CCD output signal is long, it becomes as shown in FIG.
5 (D) corresponds to the CCD output signal shown in FIG.
(B), sampling signals SHa and S shown in FIG.
If Hb is adopted, signal components cannot be extracted correctly,
Missampling will be performed.

For this reason, the phase is adjusted by the phase adjusting circuit 35 so as to correct the influence of the time delay caused by the camera cable 22, and the CDS circuit 31 outputs the CCD output at a predetermined timing as shown in FIG. Make the signal input.

Specifically, when the camera cable 22 has a short head 21, a large time delay (phase delay)
To output a CCD drive signal, and a small time delay (phase delay) is performed as the camera cable 22 becomes longer.
In the case of 2, the CCD output signal is input to the CDS circuit 31 at a predetermined timing as shown in FIG.

The output signal of the CDS circuit 31 is
2, the signal is input to the A / D conversion circuit 33, and the clock signal A from the timing generator 34
A / D conversion is performed by DCK.

The CCD output signal converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 33 is input to the digital video processing circuit 43 on the secondary circuit side while being insulated from the patient circuit on the preceding stage by the photocoupler 42a. You. And
The digital video processing circuit 43 performs signal processing such as color separation, contour enhancement, and gamma correction.

The output signal of the digital video processing circuit 43 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit 44,
An encoder 45 converts the signal into an NTSC signal or the like as a standard video signal and outputs the signal to the television monitor 7.

A synchronizing signal generator (SSG) 46 supplies various synchronizing signals to the digital video processing circuit 43, the D / A conversion circuit 44, and the encoder 45, and the timing of the CCD processing circuit 28 via the photocoupler 42b. The synchronization signal is also supplied to the generator 34. The video processing circuit 29 includes an EVR3 provided in the CCD processing circuit 28.
7 is provided, and the EVR setting circuit 47 writes the control voltage value to the phase adjustment circuit 35 and the set value for determination according to the type of the camera head 21 to the EVR 37 at the time of manufacturing.

Since the EVR 37 has a flash type memory therein, the information written in the memory is retained even when the power is off. Then, the control voltage value written in the EVR 37 is applied to the phase adjustment circuit 35 as a control voltage 38 for performing phase adjustment. In this case, the phase adjustment circuit 35 is controlled by the value of the control voltage 38 applied, for example, in FIG.
The delay amount (phase delay amount) changes as shown in FIG. According to this characteristic, the control voltage value is set so as to have a delay amount according to the type of the camera head 21.

A signal for discriminating the set value (for discrimination) read out from the EVR 37 is input to an A / D conversion circuit 48 in the CCU 6 and is converted into a digital value. Is input to the head detection circuit 49.

The head detection circuit 49 determines which type of camera head 21 is based on the input set value, and sends the determined signal to the SSG 46,
46 generates a corresponding synchronization signal.

The CCU 6 is provided with a PLD program connector 50 connected to a timing generator 34 (within the CCD processing circuit 28) constituted by a PLD at a terminal c. The external connection terminal 51 at the other end is connected to an external personal computer (abbreviated as a personal computer or a PC) (not shown), sends a write program from the external PC or the like to the PLD, and connects a plurality of switch elements forming the PLD ( By determining the wiring) pattern, the CCD 25
Can be provided with a function of the TG 34 for generating a CCD drive signal corresponding to the above.

In this embodiment, as the mosaic filter 30 on the front surface of the CCD 25, for example, a complementary color mosaic filter having a color arrangement as shown in FIG. 7 is used. Thus, the CCD 25 employing the complementary color mosaic filter
In the case of (2), generally, two lines adjacent in the vertical direction are simultaneously read and an added signal is output.

Therefore, the CCD output from the CCD 25
The output signals are Cy + G and Ye + M as shown in FIG.
g is output alternately for each pixel. The digital video processing circuit 43 performs a color separation process using the Cy + G sample pulse and the Ye + Mg sample pulse shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C.

In this case, since the length of the camera cable 22 of the television camera 3 varies depending on the use, the delay time may be one pixel or more. In this case, the signal component is correctly extracted by the phase adjustment circuit 35. Adjusted to be able.

In other words, if the phase adjustment is performed with the delay time shifted by one pixel, the CCD output signal becomes Cy + G and Ye + Mg by one pixel as shown in FIG.
8 (B) and FIG. 8 (B).
If color separation is performed using the Cy + G sample pulse and the Ye + Mg sample pulse of (C), a correct color cannot be generated.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the detection result of the head detection circuit 49 is sent to the SSG 46, and when the cable length is delayed by one pixel or more in the SSG 46, FIG.
As shown in (E) and FIG. 8 (F), the Cy + G sample pulse and the Ye + Mg sample pulse are set to have opposite phases (from those in FIG. 8 (B) and FIG. 8 (C)).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a television camera 3 employing CCDs having different numbers of pixels
Even when connected to the CU 6, signal processing corresponding to the CCD 25 can be performed.

For example, the CCD (referred to as 25a) in FIG. 9A and the CCD (referred to as 25b) in FIG. 9C have different numbers of pixels in the horizontal direction, that is, Pha and Phb, respectively. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9D,
1 as the period of the horizontal synchronization signal HD of the standard video signal
Since the time of the horizontal period does not change, the horizontal drive signal φH,
The frequency of the reset signal φR will be different (in other words, even if the cable length is the same, the timing for properly sampling in the CDS circuit 31 will be different).

Conventionally, different ICs corresponding to the respective timing generators 34 are used.
It was necessary to change the substrate of the processing circuit 28.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, by using a program logic device (PLD) element whose internal circuit can be arbitrarily programmed for the timing generator 34, the same substrate 40 can cope with a plurality of types of CCDs. The CCD processing circuit 28 manufactured by using the timing generator 34 with the aid of software (having the same function as using a different IC in the conventional example) can be configured.

The operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. CC in connector 23 of each TV camera 3
The substrate 40 of the D processing circuit 28 is sealed with a sealing resin 41 to house the substrate 40, and the outer case of the connector 23 is sealed.

In this case, even when the length of the camera cable 22 of the television camera 3 and the number of pixels of the CCD 25 are different,
The same (sealed with the sealing resin 41) substrate 40 may be stored. For this reason, when the length of the camera cable 22 is different or the number of pixels of the CCD 25 is different, a timing generator 34 composed of an IC or the like in which the number of pulses of the CCD driving signal and the timing thereof are changed accordingly is mounted. There is no need to use a substrate that has been made. That is, depending on the length of the camera cable 22 and the difference in the number of pixels of the CCD 25, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of substrates to be mounted, and it is not necessary to store them separately.

The connector 23 is connected to the CCU 6, and an external PC is connected to the external connection terminal 51 of the CCU 6 for the PLD program 50. According to the number of pixels of the CCD 25 of the television camera 3, the PC 23 The timing generator 34 sends setting data to the PLD constituting the timing generator 34 and generates a CCD drive signal corresponding to the number of pixels of the CCD 25 built in the television camera 3 in a program manner.

The EVR 37 identifies an appropriate amount of phase adjustment in the case of the length of the camera cable 22 of the television camera 3 or a delay of one pixel or more when the complementary color mosaic filter is employed as described above. The determination information necessary for identifying whether or not the error occurs is written from outside.

In this way, each board 40 built in the connector 23 is provided with a function as the CCD processing circuit 28 corresponding to the length of the camera cable 22 to which the connector 23 is connected, the number of pixels of the CCD 25, and the like. To The endoscope inspection is performed using the television camera 3 having the number of pixels of the CCD 25 and the cable length suitable for the intended use in accordance with the endoscope inspection application.

Next, the operation when performing an endoscope inspection will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a television camera 3 is attached to the optical endoscope 2.
, And the connector 23 is connected to the CCU 6 to connect the endoscope apparatus 1 to a state where the endoscope can be inspected.
Then, the power supply such as the CCU 6 is turned on to set the operation state.

Then, the timing generator 34 in the CCD processing circuit 28 has a horizontal drive signal φH, a reset signal φR, and a vertical drive signal φV for driving the CCD 25 incorporated in the camera head 21 in accordance with the number of pixels. Generate

For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C, even when the number of pixels is different like Pha or Phb, the horizontal drive of the number of pulses and the timing (frequency) corresponding to the number of pixels is performed. A signal φH, a reset signal φR, etc. are generated (as shown in FIG. 9B or 9D). 9A and 9C show the same number of pixels in the vertical direction, but when the number of pixels in the vertical direction is different, the vertical drive signal φV having a pulse number corresponding to the number of pixels is used. appear.

The horizontal drive signal φH and the reset signal φR output from the timing generator 34 differ in the amount of delay applied to the CCD 25 according to the length of the camera cable 22. Then, the delay amount of the CCD output signal input to the CDS circuit 31 is different.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, for example, in the case of CCDs having the same number of pixels, the EVR 37 controls the EVR 37 to correct the delay amount due to the difference in the length according to the difference in the length of the camera cable 22. The voltage value is written in advance, and the control voltage value is adjusted so that the timing of the CCD output signal actually input to the CDS circuit 31 is the same even if the length of the camera cable 22 is different.

When the number of pixels is different, since the frequency and pulse number of the horizontal drive signal φH and the like are different as shown in FIG. 9, the correction amount of the delay amount is different depending on the number of pixels. Sampling signals SHa, SHb in that case
And the number of pulses are also different. The correction of the delay amount when the number of pixels is different is adjusted by the phase adjustment circuit 35 by the control voltage value of the EVR 37, and the sampling signals SHA and SH are adjusted.
The timing of b and the number of pulses are determined by the timing generator 3
4 is set in advance.

The CDS circuit 31 causes the CCD 2
5 (A) to 5 (C) depending on the type of the CCD 25, such as the number of pixels, even when the number of pixels of the CCD 5 is different or the length of the camera cable 22 is different. Extracts the signal component.

The output signal of the CDS circuit 31 is
After being amplified by 2, the digital signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit 33, and a process such as color separation is performed by a digital video processing circuit 43 via a photocoupler 42a.

In this case, the discrimination signal from the EVR 37 is A
The head detection circuit 49 is input to the head detection circuit 49 via the / D conversion circuit 48 and the photocoupler 42c, and the head detection circuit 49 determines the type of the CCD 25 built in the television camera 3 (camera head 21), such as the number of pixels, etc. Cable 2
2, and sends information corresponding to the SSG 46. The SSG 46 generates a synchronization signal corresponding to the number of pixels of the CCD 25 and the like.

Then, a synchronizing signal (specifically, a sample pulse) is also sent to the digital video processing circuit 43, and the digital video processing circuit 43 uses the synchronizing signal for processing such as color separation which differs depending on the number of pixels.

Note that, for example, 1
In the case where a shift of a delay amount exceeding a pixel occurs, if only a portion exceeding the one pixel is set to have a predetermined timing (in a state shifted by one pixel), it has been described with reference to FIG. As described above, the color separation is not performed correctly, and the information based on the cable length detected by the head detection circuit 49 is used to output a sample pulse so that the color separation is performed correctly.

The output signal of the digital video processing circuit 43 is D
The video signal is converted into a standard video signal via an A / A conversion circuit 44 and an encoder 45, and the television monitor 7 displays an endoscope image captured by the CCD 25 even when the CCD 25 having a different number of pixels and the length of the camera cable 22 are different. The mirror image is displayed properly.

Conventionally, according to the number of pixels of the CCD 25 and the like,
Although the timing generator 34 is configured by changing the IC mounted on the substrate, in the present embodiment, the timing generator 34 is configured by using a programmable logic device (PLD) element whose internal circuit can be arbitrarily programmed. , Multiple types of CCs on the same substrate 40
A CCD processing circuit 28 corresponding to D25 can be configured.

Then, when the television camera 3 is manufactured, the CCU 6
A timing generator 34 in the CCD processing circuit 28 can be configured by a program by connecting an external PC or the like (not shown) to the PLD program connector 50 provided therein. Since the internal structure of the PLD is formed of a flash memory, programmed contents are retained even when power is not supplied. Since the control voltage value and the discrimination information stored in the EVR 37 are also stored in the flash memory, they are retained even when power is not supplied.

This embodiment has the following effects. In the present embodiment, since the timing generator 34 for driving the CCD 25 is composed of a PLD element, the CCD processing circuit 28 corresponding to a plurality of types of CCDs 25 can be realized on the same substrate 40 and Since information can also be set from the outside, the camera heads 21 of different types can be set even after the substrate 40 is sealed with sealing resin 41 (of course, before sealing) for autoclave resistance.
Can be manufactured.

That is, since the same substrate 40 can support different types of camera heads 21, the IC
The manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the CCD processing circuit 28 is configured by changing the above.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment is a system that can be applied to an electronic endoscope in addition to the television camera external endoscope 4 in the first embodiment. Endoscope imaging system 5 shown in FIG.
1 is provided with an electronic endoscope 56 in addition to the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of FIG. That is, the endoscope imaging system 51
Then, one desired from the television camera external endoscope 4 and the electronic endoscope 56 can be selectively mounted on the CCU 6 and used.

Since the configuration of the endoscope 4 external to the television camera has been described with reference to the first embodiment, the configuration of the endoscope imaging device 55 for performing an endoscopic inspection with the electronic endoscope 56 will be described with reference to FIG. explain. Endoscope imaging device 55 shown in FIG.
Denotes an electronic endoscope 56 with built-in imaging means, a light source device 5 for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 56, a CCU 6 for generating a video signal by performing signal processing, and a video signal output from the CCU 6. And a television monitor 7 for displaying.

The electronic endoscope 56 includes an insertion portion 61 to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 62 gripped by an operator and provided with a switch (not shown), and a universal having a base end extending from the operation portion 62. It comprises a cable 63 and a connector portion 64 provided at the end of the universal cable 63, and a light guide base projecting to the front end side of the connector portion 64 is detachably connected to the light source device 5. Also,
A cable part 66 having one end connected to the connector part 64
The other end of the connector 67 is detachably connected to the CCU 6.

A light guide fiber 71 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 61 and the like. Illumination light is supplied from the light source device 5 by connecting the light guide base at the rear end to the light source device 5. The transmitted illumination light is transmitted to the light guide fiber 7 at the distal end 72 of the insertion portion 61.
The light exits from the distal end surface of the lens 1 to an object such as an affected part through an illumination lens to illuminate the object side.

An objective lens 73 is attached to the tip 72, and a CCD 74 is arranged at an image forming position. A mosaic filter 74 is provided on the imaging surface of the CCD 74.
a for optically color-separating. In addition, CCD7
4 is provided with a buffer amplifier 75 at the signal output terminal.
The CCD 74 (and the buffer amplifier 75) is connected to the insertion section 6
1. The operation unit 62 is connected to the CCU 6 via a signal line 76 in the universal cable 63 and a signal line in the cable unit 66.

In the case of the electronic endoscope 56, the operation unit 62
Since the CCD processing circuit 28 described with reference to FIG. 2 and the like is provided in the operation unit 62 because
It may be provided in the connector portion 64 as shown by the reference numeral 28b as shown by a dashed-dotted line, or
8c.

For example, the CCD processing circuits 28 and 28b
Is the same type of CCD 74 according to the amount of signal delay depending on the position of the CCD processing circuit 28 or 28b.
In this case, the control voltage value of the EVR 37 is set to be different. In the CCU 6 according to the present embodiment,
The head detection circuit 49 shown in FIG. 3 detects not only the type of the television camera 3 but also the type of the electronic endoscope 56. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of the present embodiment is different from that of the television camera 3 of the first embodiment in the case of the electronic endoscope 56 as well as the kind of the number of pixels of the CCD 74 and the insertion section 61. The amount of delay is appropriately set in accordance with the length of the cable or the universal cable 63 (that is, the length of the signal line 76 or the like that has been inserted).
The endoscope image taken at 25 or 74 is displayed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the program of the timing generator 34 is written at the time of manufacture. However, the CCU 6 'having the structure shown in FIG.
You may do it. CCU 6 'in FIG. 12 is the same as CCU 6 in FIG.
1, a PLD program setting means 80 is provided instead of the PLD program connector 50.

The PLD program setting means 80 determines whether the photocoupler 4
PLD of the CCD processing circuit 28 according to the type of the television camera 3 or the electronic endoscope 56 detected through the 2d.
To write a PLD program to configure the timing generator 34. In this case, a PL of a type in which the contents of the internal circuit of the PLD are erased when the power is turned off.
A D element may be used.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned PLD program setting means 80 may be operated only when it is first connected to the CCU 6 ', and thereafter the PLD program setting means 80 may be used without being operated unless necessary. . In this case, a flash memory may be used as in the first embodiment. When it is necessary to update the contents of the PLD program setting means 80, the contents may be upgraded from the external terminal 51.

According to the present embodiment, the television camera 3
In addition to the case of the (camera head 21), the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained for the imaging unit of the electronic endoscope 56. The electronic endoscope can be applied to a rigid electronic endoscope having a hard insertion portion. Also,
Instead of setting the delay amount using the phase adjustment circuit 35 and the EVR 37, the number of cascades of gates formed by the PLD is variably set, so that an appropriate delay amount is set according to the length of the signal line such as the camera cable 22. May be constituted.

[Supplementary Notes] An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup unit provided with an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject; and a processing unit provided with a signal processing unit for processing the image pickup signal of the image pickup unit by detachably connecting the image pickup unit. The imaging unit has a setting data input unit for setting, an electronic device that performs a predetermined function operation based on the setting data input to the data input unit, and is connected to the setting data input unit of the electronic device. An input end for supplying the setting data, and a sealing resin member for sealing the electronic device to which the data input unit is connected to the input end and protecting the electronic device, An imaging apparatus, wherein setting data according to the imaging unit is supplied from the input end to the setting data input unit of the electronic device sealed with a sealing resin member. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic volume that outputs an identification signal for identifying the imaging unit to the processing unit based on setting data supplied from the input terminal.

3. The electronic device has a plurality of logic elements and a plurality of switch elements for connecting the plurality of logic elements, and is connected by operating the plurality of switch elements independently based on the setting data. Wherein the plurality of logic elements are a programmable logic device constituting a logic circuit having a predetermined function, and the setting data is connection data for configuring the programmable logic device as a readout circuit of the imaging means. The imaging device according to Supplementary Note 1.

4. The electronic device is the electronic volume and the programmable logic device, and a phase adjustment that adjusts a phase of a read signal output by the read circuit configured in the programmable logic device based on an identification signal output by the electronic volume. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: means. 5. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit further includes a color extraction pulse generation unit that generates a color extraction pulse for the signal processing unit to perform color processing based on the identification signal of the electronic volume.

6. 1st with different number of pixels for imaging the subject
A first and a second connector respectively provided at the ends of the first and second signal lines to which the first and the second image sensors are connected, respectively. A second imaging unit, a processing unit having the first and second connectors detachably connected thereto, and a common signal processing circuit for processing imaging signals output from the first and second imaging elements; Wherein the first and second imaging units are supplied to the first and second imaging units so that the first and second imaging signals are input to the signal processing circuit at a predetermined timing. The first and second drive signals for driving the image pickup device are signal numbers corresponding to the number of pixels of the first and second image pickup devices, and the delay amount of the first and second drive signals is set to the A first signal that is adjusted according to the lengths of the first and second signal lines and output respectively Beauty imaging apparatus being characterized in that to produce a second drive signal generating means on the same circuit board.

7. The circuit board has a setting for inputting first or second setting data so that a programmable logic device is mounted and the logic device has a function of the first or second drive signal generating means. 7. The imaging device according to supplementary note 6, further comprising a data input terminal. 8. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board has an electronic device that can be set to the first or second delay amount based on external setting data.

9. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board is sealed with a sealing resin having autoclave resistance. 10. The circuit board has information generating means for determination corresponding to the type of the first or second imaging unit.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, the timing generator for driving the image pickup device is constituted by a logic device which can be set programmably by external setting data. The same circuit board can be used for the image pickup units having different image pickup devices, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric system on a television camera side as an endoscope imaging unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a CCU as a (signal) processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a substrate sealed with a sealing resin.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a CCD output signal, a sampling signal, and the like input to the CDS circuit.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a characteristic of a delay amount with respect to a control voltage by EVR.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a filter arrangement of a complementary color mosaic filter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation of performing color separation by a sample pulse.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing timings of a horizontal drive signal, a reset signal, and the like in the case of CCDs having different numbers of pixels.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus including an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the CCU.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope imaging device 2 ... Optical endoscope 3 ... TV camera 4 ... TV camera external endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... CCU (camera control unit) 7 ... TV monitor 11 ... Insertion part 21 ... Camera Head 22 Camera cable 23 Connector 25 CCD 28 CCD processing circuit 31 CDS circuit 33 A / D conversion circuit 34 TG (timing generator) 35 Phase adjustment circuit 36 Driver 37 EVR 38 Control voltage 39 ... Discrimination signal 40 ... Substrate 41 ... Sealing resin 43 ... Digital video processing circuit 46 ... SSG 47 ... EVR setting circuit 48 ... A / D conversion circuit 49 ... Head detection circuit 50 ... PLD program connector 51 ... External terminal

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image pickup unit having a built-in image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and having a connector at an end of a signal line connected to the image pickup device; and an image pickup unit detachably connected via the connector. A processing unit provided with a signal processing unit for processing an image signal of the image sensor, wherein the imaging unit has a setting data input unit for setting and is input to the data input unit An electronic device that performs a predetermined function operation based on the setting data, and is connected to the setting data input unit of the electronic device;
An input end for supplying the setting data; and a sealing resin member that seals the electronic device having the data input unit connected to the input end and protects the electronic device. An imaging apparatus, wherein setting data corresponding to the imaging unit is supplied from the input end to the setting data input unit of the electronic device sealed with a resin stopper. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic volume that outputs an identification signal for identifying the imaging unit to the processing unit based on setting data supplied from the input terminal. The imaging device according to 1. 3. The electronic device has a plurality of logic elements and a plurality of switch elements for connecting the plurality of logic elements, and the plurality of switch elements operate independently based on the setting data. The plurality of logic elements connected by performing the above operation are programmable logic devices constituting a logic circuit having a predetermined function, and the setting data is connection data for configuring the programmable logic device as a readout circuit of the imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: