JP2002301024A - Endoscope system and video signal processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and accurately input character data by encoding the character data. SOLUTION: This endoscope system comprises a scope 10, a processor 20, a monitor device 50, a code reader 60 and a keyboard 70. The code reader 60 feeds to the processor 20 the data from which barcode symbols BS are read and decoded. The processor 20 creates a first video signal corresponding to an optical image of the subject of imaging obtained by means of the scope 10, and creates a second video signal either by reading the character data corresponding to the decoded data from a memory 32 or by reading the fixed character data from the ROM of a system controller 22. The video processor circuit 34 of the processor 20 synthesizes the first and second video signals for output to the monitor device 50 so that an image of the subject of imaging with the letter data superimposed thereon is displayed on the screen thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope system, and more particularly to the input of character data such as doctor and patient names, patient ID numbers, and comments.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, miniaturization and high performance of solid-state imaging devices such as CCDs have been advanced, and they have also been applied to endoscopes in which a flexible tube is inserted into a relatively narrow space such as a body. Such an endoscope is provided with, for example, a solid-state imaging device at the tip thereof, photoelectrically converts an optical subject image into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to a video signal processing device distant from the observation position. In the video signal processing device, an appropriate image processing is performed on an electric signal corresponding to the optical subject image, that is, a video signal, and the image signal is output to an external device such as a monitor device or a VCR.

[0003] Since all images obtained by an endoscope are similar, images generally include character data for facilitating identification, such as the names of doctors and patients, and patient IDs.
Numbers and the like are added, and these character data are superimposed on the subject image on the screen of the monitor device.

In general, character data is input by an operator (doctor, nurse, etc.) from a keyboard connected to a video signal processing device. However, in an actual medical practice, not only the operation of the endoscope but also the operation of other devices and the care of the patient are required at the same time. Incorrect patient names and ID numbers can contribute to serious medical mistakes. In addition, there is a problem that if attention is paid so as not to make an input error, it takes a long time to input, a consultation time is prolonged, and a burden on patients and doctors is increased.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to easily and accurately input character data in a medical examination using an endoscope.

[0006]

An endoscope system according to the present invention is provided by an endoscope, a code reader for optically reading and decoding encoded character data, and an endoscope. A video signal processing device that generates a first video signal corresponding to a subject image, generates a second video signal corresponding to character data, combines the first and second video signals, and outputs the combined signal as a combined video signal; A monitor device for simultaneously displaying a subject image and character data on a screen based on a composite video signal output from the endoscope device.

An endoscope system according to the present invention includes an endoscope provided with an image pickup means, an input mode in which an optical image of encoded character data is picked up by the endoscope, and a subject image other than the character data. Selecting means for selecting a normal imaging mode for imaging with an endoscope; data holding means for decoding character data obtained by the endoscope when the input mode is selected and storing the decoded data in a memory; A video signal processing means for generating a first video signal corresponding to a subject image obtained by the endoscope when is selected, and a second video signal corresponding to character data stored in the data holding means. A video signal processing device comprising: character data processing means; synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second video signals and outputting the synthesized video signal as a synthesized video signal; Characterized in that it comprises a monitor device for displaying the character data at the same time on the screen.

The selection means provided on the endoscope is, specifically, one of operation switches provided on the surface of the endoscope, and this operation switch may also have a function different from the mode selection function. preferable. Thus, the mode can be easily switched.

The character data is a code number corresponding to specific character information, and this code number may be encoded in a bar code symbol. In this case, it is preferable that a memory for storing the code number and character information corresponding to the code number be provided in the video signal processing device.

The character data may be specific character information including an endoscope operator name or a patient name, a patient ID number, or a comment, and the character information may be encoded into a two-dimensional code symbol.

A video signal processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a video signal processing means for generating a first video signal corresponding to a subject image obtained by an endoscope; Character data processing means for generating a video signal and combining means for combining the first and second video signals are provided.

Further, the video signal processing apparatus according to the present invention
An optical image of the encoded character data or an optical image of the object other than the character data is connected to an endoscope that selectively captures an optical image of the object, and a first video signal corresponding to the optical image of the object obtained by the endoscope is generated. Video signal processing means for generating, character data processing means for generating a second video signal corresponding to character data read by the endoscope, and synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second video signals. And

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. comment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an endoscope system according to the first embodiment. The endoscope system includes a scope (electronic scope) 10 as an endoscope and a processor 20 as a video signal processing device connected to the scope 10. The processor 20 further includes a monitor device 50 and a code reading device 60. And the keyboard 70 are connected.

A light guide member 14 made of an optical fiber bundle is inserted into the flexible tube 12 of the scope 10, and illumination light from a light source 24 of the video signal processor 20 is applied to the distal end of the flexible tube 12 by the light guide member 14. Be guided. Thereby, the flexible tube 1
The front of 2 is illuminated. Between the light source 24 and the entrance end of the light guide member 14, a condenser lens 26 for condensing illumination light at the entrance end, and a diaphragm 28 for adjusting the amount of light to be supplied to the entrance end
Is provided.

At the end of the flexible tube 12, there is provided a CC as an image pickup means.
A D imaging sensor 16 is built in, and the optical image of the illuminated subject is photoelectrically converted by the CCD imaging sensor 16 into an analog pixel signal for one frame. A pixel signal for one frame is supplied to a CCD driver 15 provided in the scope 10.
Is sequentially read out via the video transmission cable 18 and output to the processor 20.

In this embodiment, a frame sequential imaging method is adopted. An RGB color filter 25 is provided between the light source 24 that emits white illumination light and the light guide member 14, and the subject is sequentially illuminated by three color lights of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). At the same time, a pixel signal corresponding to each color optical image is generated.

The processor 20 is provided with a system controller 22 composed of a microcomputer. Specifically, the system controller 22 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) for storing programs for executing various routines, and a writable / readable memory (ROM) for temporarily storing various data. RAM), the scope 10 and the processor 20
Controls the overall operation of.

When the scope 10 is connected to the processor 20, the CCD driver 15 is connected to the video signal processing circuit 30 of the processor 20, and pixel signals for one frame of three colors are sent to the video signal processing circuit 30, Here, it undergoes predetermined image processing, for example, white balance correction processing, gamma correction processing, contour enhancement processing, and the like. Video signal processing circuit 30
Is provided with a frame memory (not shown) for storing each color pixel signal after image processing for one frame, and each color pixel signal is A / D converted and temporarily stored in the frame memory. When the digital pixel signals of each color are read out simultaneously from the frame memory, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal are added thereto, and are sent to the video process circuit 34 as digital video signals of three colors.

In the video processing circuit 34, the digital video signals of the three colors are D / A converted, and after being subjected to a process of removing high frequency components that become noise and an amplification process, are sent to the monitor device 50. In the monitor device 50, 1
An optical subject image is reproduced on a screen as a color image based on the analog video signals of three colors for a frame. Although not shown, the processor 20 can generate various video signals, for example, NTSC signals, from the digital video signals of three colors.
It is output to a recording device such as a CR or an external device such as a personal computer.

On the screen of the monitor device 50, various character data are superimposed together with the subject image. The character data includes fixed character data such as date and time and an error message read from the ROM of the system controller 22, variable character data for identifying individual subject images, specifically, doctor and patient names and patient ID numbers. ,
Comments.

The processor 20 further includes a character data processing circuit 36 for generating a video signal of the character data. The video signal of the character data is sent to a video processing circuit 34 as a synthesizing means and synthesized with the video signal of the subject image. You. The video signal actually output to the monitor device 50 is the synthesized video signal, and a reproduced color image of a subject image in which a character data image is superimposed is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 50. In recording an image in a recording device or the like, a synthesized video signal is used, and these character data are recorded as a video signal. Here, in order to distinguish the three types of video signals, the video signal of the subject image captured by the scope 10 is converted to a first video signal.
A video signal of character data is defined as a second video signal, and a video signal obtained by combining the first and second video signals is defined as a combined video signal.

The character data processing circuit 36 has a ROM 3 having dedicated character pattern data in which the line thickness and the number of dots of the characters are adjusted to be suitable for the resolution of the monitor device 50.
8 and a video RAM for storing character pattern data transferred from the ROM 38 corresponding to the character data to be displayed.
40 are built in. In the character data processing circuit 36, a second video signal is generated based on the character pattern data written in the video RAM 40, and is output to the video process circuit 34.

Conventionally, doctor and patient names and patient I
Variable character data such as D numbers and comments have been input from the keyboard 70 by the operator (doctor, nurse, etc.). However, at the medical site, not only the operation of the scope 10 but also the operation of other devices and the care of the patient are proceeding at the same time, and there is a danger of an input error. Incorrect patient names and ID numbers can contribute to serious medical mistakes. In addition, there is a problem that if attention is paid so as not to make an input error, it takes a long time to input, a consultation time is prolonged, and a burden on patients and doctors is increased.

Therefore, in the endoscope system according to the present embodiment, a code input method is adopted in order to perform input accurately and in a short time. That is, logical data with a code number (number) corresponding to each character data such as a doctor's name is stored in the non-volatile memory 32, and character data corresponding to the code number read by the code reading device 60 is stored. The data is selectively read from the nonvolatile memory 32. As a result, the variable character data can be input with a simple operation, the input time is shortened, and input errors are reduced.

The code reader 60 is serially connected to the system controller 22 when connected to the processor 20, and converts a code number indicated by a code symbol to be read into serial data. In the first embodiment, a code signal is encoded into a barcode symbol BS, and the code reader 60 is a barcode reader.

The code reading device 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart specifically showing the reading operation of the code reading device 60. When the start button 62 is pressed while connected to the processor 20,
First, the line sensor 64 built in the code reader 60
The bar code symbol BS is read, that is, the bar code symbol BS is irradiated with a laser beam, and the optical image is photoelectrically converted into a pixel signal (step S10).
2). The pixel signal corresponding to the bar code symbol BS is
The data is sequentially read from the line sensor 64 and stored in a memory in the image processing circuit 66 (step S104). The pixel signal is converted into binary data consisting of 0 and 1 by a binarization process (step S106), and a start bit and a stop bit are detected from the binary data (step S108). In step S110, the binary data between the start bit and the stop bit is decoded.
As a result, a code number corresponding to the barcode symbol BS is obtained. This code data is, for example, ASCII
After being encoded based on the encoding method, it is converted into serial data and output to the system controller 22 of the processor 20 (step S112). Thus, the reading operation of the code reading device 60 ends.

The code reader 60 may be a two-dimensional code reader capable of reading two-dimensional code symbols. The information amount of the two-dimensional code symbol is much larger than the information amount of the bar code symbol,
CII encoding is possible.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a data conversion processing routine executed in the system controller 22. The system controller 22 includes:
When it is confirmed that the code reading device 60 is connected and the reading operation is completed, the data conversion processing routine is started. When the system controller 22 receives the serial data from the code reader 60 (step S20)
2) The serial data is decrypted and temporarily stored in the RAM of the system controller 22. The decoded data is a code number consisting of numbers when a barcode symbol is read, and is the character data itself when a two-dimensional code symbol is read.

In steps S204 to S220, if the number of characters of the decoded data is smaller than 30 and the decoded data includes a numeral, it is determined that the barcode symbol has been read. Otherwise, it is determined that the barcode symbol has been read. Is determined to have been read. In the present embodiment, the barcode data is set to be less than 30 characters, but is not particularly limited to 30 characters.

More specifically, first, the number of characters of the decoded data is counted (step S204), and is substituted into the parameter m. If the number m of characters is smaller than 30 (step S208), steps S210 to S216 are performed.
It is determined whether the n-th (n = 1 to m) character is a numeral. If a numeral is included, the decoded data is regarded as a code number (step S218), and the character data corresponding to the obtained code number is read from the memory 32 (step S220), and the character data is stored as variable character data. Output to the processing circuit 36 (step S22)
4). If the corresponding character data is not in the memory 32, the character data "No corresponding data" is output from the ROM of the system controller 22 to the character data processing circuit 36 to display an error message (step S226). .

On the other hand, when the number m of characters is 30 or more (step S208) and when no characters are mixed in the m characters (step S212), it is determined that the decoded data is the character data itself. (Step S228), and output to the character data processing circuit 36 as it is. Thus, the data conversion processing routine ends.

Since the system controller 22 automatically determines whether the read code symbol is a bar code symbol or a two-dimensional code symbol, there are many types of code readers 60 connectable to the processor 20, High in nature.

The keyboard 70 is provided with keys to which a mode selection function for permitting input of variable character data is assigned. Each time the mode selection key is pressed, the input mode and the normal shooting mode are switched. When the input mode is set, the input of each item of the variable character data is permitted, and the reading operation by the code reading device 60 is started by pressing the reading start button 62, or the character string is input from the keyboard 70. Is done. The items include, for example, “doctor name”, “patient name”, “patient ID number”, “comment”, and the like. The contents of each item can be either new input or rewrite input. Items to be input are indicated by reverse display, and selection of items is moved by pressing a predetermined key of the keyboard 70, for example, a return key. When the normal shooting mode is set, the code input is not permitted, and only the contents of the already input items are superimposed on the screen of the monitor device 50.

When the processor 20 is newly delivered together with the scope 10 to a medical institution or the like, when the processor 20 is periodically inspected after delivery, or when a new scope is added, the processor 20 is used for the white balance or the like. Is switched from the normal shooting mode to the adjustment mode. In the present embodiment, the switching to the adjustment mode can be performed by code input. In this case, if only the supplier or the service person holds the code symbol, the shift to the adjustment mode cannot be made when using the normal scope 10, so that the shift to the adjustment mode due to an incorrect key operation is prevented.

As described above, according to the endoscope system of the first embodiment, since the character data is input only by reading the code symbol, the input can be performed easily and accurately. Therefore, the consultation time can be reduced, and the burden on patients and doctors can be reduced. Further, since the processor 20 automatically determines whether the symbol is a barcode symbol or a two-dimensional code symbol, it can handle both code symbols.

In the present embodiment, the image pickup method is a frame sequential method, but may be a simultaneous method in which an image is picked up by a CCD image sensor provided with a color chip filter.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the endoscope system according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the function of the code reading device 60 is provided to the scope 10 and the processor 20, thereby simplifying the system. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The shutter button 1 is provided on the surface of the scope 10.
The shutter button 17 is electrically connected to the system controller 22 of the processor 20 via the CCD driver 15. The shutter button 17 is assigned not only an electronic shutter function for displaying and recording a subject image displayed on the monitor device 50 as a still image, but also a mode selection function. For example, if the shutter button 17 is pressed for more than 3 seconds, the mode selection function is activated, and the mode is switched to the input mode or the normal shooting mode. If the shutter button 17 is pressed for 3 seconds or less, the electronic shutter function is activated and a still image of the subject is displayed and recorded. Note that in the second embodiment, only the two-dimensional barcode symbol BS can be read, and the memory 32 of the first embodiment is unnecessary here.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the image data processing executed by the processor 20. When the power supply (not shown) of the processor 20 is turned on, this imaging data processing is started, and the count time of the timer counter in the system controller 22 is first cleared (step S302). Next, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 17 has been pressed (step S30).
4) Step S304 is repeatedly executed until the button is pressed. When it is determined that the shutter button 17 has been pressed, the timer counter starts counting up (step S306), and continues counting up while it is determined that the shutter button 17 has not been released (step S308). When the shutter button 17 is released, it is determined whether or not the count time at that time is shorter than 3 seconds (step S310). For example, a two-dimensional code reading processing subroutine (step S400) is executed. When the normal photographing process or the two-dimensional code reading process ends, the process returns to step S302.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the two-dimensional code reading subroutine shown in FIG. First, white illumination light is supplied from the light source 24 to the distal end of the flexible tube 12, and the illuminated two-dimensional code symbol BS is imaged by the CCD image sensor 16 (step S40).
2). The pixel signal corresponding to the two-dimensional code symbol BS is read out by the CCD driver and sent to the video signal processing circuit 30. In the video signal processing circuit 30, the pixel signal is stored in the image memory for one frame (step S4).
04) Then, binarization processing is performed (step S406),
Further, data corresponding to the two-dimensional code symbol BS is extracted (step S408), and the extracted portion is decoded (step S410). Thus, character data represented by the two-dimensional code symbol BS is obtained. The decrypted character data is sent to the system controller 22, where it is temporarily stored. Thus, the two-dimensional code reading processing subroutine ends.

In the normal photographing process (step S312), as in the first embodiment, the first video signal of the subject image picked up by the scope 10 and the video signal stored in the RAM of the system controller 22 or read from the ROM. The character data and the second video signal of the character data are combined and output to the monitor device 50 as a combined video signal.

As described above, also in the endoscope system according to the second embodiment, the video signal of the character data is added to the video signal of the subject image by reading the two-dimensionally coded character data. Character data can be input easily and accurately, consultation time can be reduced, and the burden on patients and doctors can be reduced. Further, in the endoscope system according to the second embodiment, the scope 10 and the processor 20 also have the function of the code reader (60), and the code reader (60) is not required, so that the configuration of the entire system is simplified. And space saving and cost reduction can be achieved. The mode switching is performed by the scope 1 held by the operator.
Since it can be performed at 0, the operability is excellent.

[0044]

As described above, the endoscope system of the present invention adds character data to a video signal by reading coded character data, so that the input of character data can be performed easily and accurately. Can be performed, the consultation time can be reduced, and the burden on patients and doctors can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an endoscope system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a reading process routine executed in the code reading device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first half of a data conversion processing routine executed in the processor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a latter half of a data conversion processing routine;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the endoscope system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of imaging data processing executed by the processor shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a two-dimensional code reading processing subroutine shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 scope 20 processor (video signal processing device) 60 code reader

Continued on front page F term (reference) 4C061 CC06 DD03 FF12 JJ11 LL02 MM03 MM05 NN05 SS11 SS21 WW01 WW04 WW10 WW14 WW18 YY03 5C054 CC07 CG02 EA01 EA05 EA07 EH01 EH07 FE12 FE14 GA01 GA04 HA12

Claims (8)

[Claims] An endoscope; a code reader for optically reading and decoding encoded character data; and a first video signal corresponding to a subject image obtained by the endoscope. A video signal processing device that generates a second video signal corresponding to the character data, combines the first and second video signals, and outputs the synthesized video signal as a synthesized video signal; and a synthesized video output from the endoscope device. An endoscope system comprising: a monitor device that simultaneously displays the subject image and the character data on a screen based on a signal. 2. An endoscope having an image pickup means, an input mode for picking up an optical image of encoded character data by the endoscope, and an object image other than the character data picked up by the endoscope. Selection means for selecting a normal shooting mode to be performed; data holding means for decoding the character data obtained by an endoscope when the input mode is selected and storing the decoded data in a memory; and selecting the normal shooting mode. Video signal processing means for generating a first video signal corresponding to the subject image obtained by the endoscope when the video signal is generated, and generating a second video signal corresponding to the character data stored in the data holding means. A video signal processing device, comprising: a character data processing unit that performs the synthesis; a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the first and second video signals and outputs the synthesized video signal as a synthesized video signal; And a monitor device for simultaneously displaying the subject image and the character data on a screen. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection means is one of operation switches provided on the endoscope, and the operation switch also has a function different from a mode selection function. Endoscope system. 4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the character data is a code number corresponding to specific character information, and the code number is encoded into a barcode symbol. 5. The endoscope system according to claim 4, wherein a memory for storing the code number and the character information corresponding to the code number is provided in a video signal processing device. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the character data is specific character information including an operator name or a patient name of the endoscope, a patient ID number or a comment, and the character information is encoded into a two-dimensional code symbol. The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 7. A video signal processing means for generating a first video signal corresponding to a subject image obtained by an endoscope, and character data for generating a second video signal by reading character data read by a code reader. A video signal processing apparatus comprising: processing means; and combining means for combining the first and second video signals. 8. An optical image of the subject, which is connected to an endoscope for selectively capturing an optical image of encoded character data or an optical image of a subject other than the character data, and obtained by the endoscope. Video signal processing means for generating a first video signal corresponding to the following; character data processing means for generating a second video signal corresponding to the character data read by the endoscope; and the first and second video signals And a synthesizing means for synthesizing the video signal.