JP2003024273A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of diagnosis and inspection by setting parameters independently for a high resolution monitor and a sub-monitor. SOLUTION: On a user setting screen, a user sets items which are set for use on one screen, the set data are stored in a backup RAM 39, thereby storing the data even when power is off. Further, the data are stored for each user's name, and thus the data can be easily managed, updated and read out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus characterized by a monitor screen setting control portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope in which an insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity, an observation portion is imaged by an image pickup device provided at the tip of the insertion portion, an endoscopic image is displayed on a monitor, and a diagnosis / inspection of an affected portion is performed. Devices have become widely used.

Conventionally, when a plurality of users perform diagnosis / inspection, a high-quality monitor for lesion inspection and a sub-monitor for confirmation are often provided so that they can easily see each other.

[0004]

At this time, since the taste and diagnosis method of each user looking at each monitor are different, it is necessary to separately set detailed video signal parameters for each monitor.

Further, when the video signal parameters are set on the setting screen during the diagnosis, if the parameter setting screens are displayed on both monitors, the subject image is not displayed and the diagnosis is interrupted, resulting in the accuracy of the diagnosis.・ Inefficiency was a problem.

Further, there has been a strong user's demand for a high-quality recording device used for early detection of lesions to be easily compatible.

In addition, when the function of the endoscope apparatus is added,
Since there was no means to judge whether a board was added, it was necessary to disassemble the device and check it, which was a difficult task.

Further, regarding the item dedicated to high-quality image output on the setting screen, the fact that the setting cannot be disabled is not displayed when the additional board is not attached, which causes a problem of misunderstanding to the user.

Further, when an HDTV high-quality / large-screen monitor that outputs high-quality video is used, it has been desired for some users to be able to set the following two usages.

(1) The image quality is high, but the magnification of the subject image is S
It remains DTV size. Up until now, some users have become accustomed to observing a subject image on an SDTV size monitor, and eyes are easily tired when an HDTV size screen is enlarged.

(2) There is a user who attaches importance to HDTV size and lesion detection for high image quality and enlargement ratio of a subject image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus in which video signal parameters can be set separately for a high-quality monitor and a sub-monitor, and the efficiency of diagnosis / inspection can be improved. Is intended.

[0013]

An image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus for outputting a subject image obtained from an endoscope as a video signal, wherein at least a first resolution video signal is output. Second video signal output means, and
A second output means for outputting a video signal having a resolution of, and a parameter setting means for separately setting a parameter relating to a video signal for the first video signal output means and the second video signal output means. Composed.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a front panel of FIG. 1, and FIG. Figure 1
1 is a diagram showing an example of a user setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the user setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining the operation, FIG. 6 is a second diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a system setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG. is there.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment performs image processing on an endoscope 1 for picking up a subject image and an image pickup signal sent from a CCD 1a in the endoscope 1 to perform SDT.
An image processing device 2 for converting into a video signal corresponding to V or HDTV and sending it to the SDTV monitor 3, HDTV monitor 5 or recording devices 4 and 6, and a light source device 7 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 1 are configured. It Here, the recording devices 4 and 6 refer to a VTR, a printer, a filing device, a photography device, and the like.

The image processing apparatus 2 has an analog video processing circuit 11 for performing processing such as CDS and clamp processing on an analog signal sent from the CCD in the endoscope 1, and an analog-digital conversion of the output of the analog video processing circuit 11. Do A
Insulation circuit 1 that insulates the output from the A / D circuit 12 and the A / D circuit 12 with a photocoupler, a transformer, or the like.
3 and a color adjusting circuit 1 for adjusting the levels of R, G, and B signals
4, a white balance circuit 15 that performs white balance processing with the G signal as a reference, and a gamma correction circuit 16 that performs gamma correction.

In addition, the image processing apparatus 2 includes a freeze circuit 2
0, enlargement / reduction circuit 21, emphasis processing circuit 22, mask circuit 23, character synthesizing circuit 24, graphic IC 25, V
RAM 26, color bar circuit 27, selector 28, encoder 29, D / A conversion circuit 30, buzzer 31, WDT
(Watchdog timer) 32, transmitter 33, CPU 3
4, address decoder 35, ROM 36, RAM 37,
RTC38, BackUPRAM39, SIO40, P
It is equipped with IO41 and the like.

Specifically, the freeze circuit 20 freezes an image by performing color misregistration correction and the like.

The enlargement / reduction circuit 21 enlarges or reduces an image.

The enhancement processing circuit 22 performs enhancement processing such as structure enhancement, contour enhancement, IHb enhancement, and RGB simultaneous processing.

The mask circuit 23 performs a mask process (for example, an octagon) on the image.

The character synthesizing circuit 24 uses the graphic IC 2
The data created in 5 are combined and output.

The graphic IC 25 displays information relating to the endoscope (patient ID, patient name, date and time, date of birth, connection status and recording number of peripheral devices, user name, comment, STOPWa).
tch, various setting screens, and other operating conditions and setting conditions of the endoscope or the recording device or monitor connected thereto are created.

The VRAM 26 is a buffer (DRAM, FIFO, ROM, etc.) used for character composition and the like.

The color bar circuit 27 displays a color bar or white screen.

The selector 28 selects an observation image or color bar in which characters are combined.

The encoder 29 converts the RGB signal into a Y / C or NTSC signal.

The D / A conversion circuit 30 performs digital-analog conversion.

The buzzer 31 outputs a sound when a key on the keyboard 42 or the front panel 43 is input or when the recording devices 4 and 6 perform an error operation.

The CPU 34 is at least the keyboard 4
2 or each circuit is controlled according to a key input on the front panel 43.

The address decoder 35 controls each circuit by generating a chip select signal from the address signal output from the CPU 34 and outputting it to each circuit.

The BackUPRAM 38 stores data to be stored (setting conditions of the front panel 43 and the keyboard 42, items set on various setting screens, etc.). Holds even when the power is off.

The SIO 40 is USB, IEEE139
4. A serial interface such as RS232C, which inputs and outputs control signals for controlling a monitor, a recording device, a keyboard, a light source device, and the like.

The PIO 41 is a parallel interface and inputs / outputs control signals for controlling the monitor, recording device, front panel, light source device and the like.

The SDTV monitor 3 has, for example, 480 effective scanning lines and 72 effective samples per line.
0 monitor, the freeze circuit 20, the enlargement / reduction circuit 21, the emphasis processing circuit 22, the mask circuit 23, the character synthesis circuit 24, the graphic IC 25, the VRAM 26,
Color bar circuit 27, selector 28, encoder 29,
The D / A conversion circuit 30 is, for example, 13.5 Mhz, RGB.
Operates with 8 bits each.

The HDTV monitor 5 has, for example, 1080 effective scanning lines and 19 effective samples per line.
The image processing device 2 includes a freeze circuit 20H, an enlargement / reduction circuit 21H, and an enhancement processing circuit 22.
H, mask circuit 23H, character synthesizing circuit 24H, graphic IC 25H, VRAM 26H, encoder 29H,
An additional board 51 on which the D / A conversion circuit 30H is mounted can be connected, and the additional board 51 is, for example, 74 Mhz, R.
It operates with 10 bits of GB each. The connection state of the additional board 51 is captured by the CPU 34 via the PIO 41.

Further, the endoscope 1 is provided with an identification circuit 52 for identifying the type of the endoscope 1, which is taken into the CPU 34 via the PIO 41, and the CPU 34 responds to the type of the endoscope 1. The above circuits are controlled so as to perform image processing.

FIG. 2 shows the front panel 43. When each key SW is pressed, the input signal goes through PIO and CPU3
4 is input. The CPU 34 performs the following control based on the input signal.

Monitor output: By a selector (such as a relay switch after D / A conversion, not shown),
Select the image displayed on the monitor.

Scope: An image picked up by the endoscope 1 is displayed together with endoscope-related information.

VTR: The output image from the VTR of the recording devices 4 and 6 is displayed.

Digital file: Of the recording devices 4 and 6,
Display the output image from the filing device.

Video printer: Displays the output image from the video printer of the recording devices 4 and 6.

Printer: The printer in the recording devices 4 and 6 is controlled via the SIO 40 to print out or capture an image. During the process, the LED above the switch is lit or blinks.

Standard: Resets part or all of each setting data (setting data on all setting screens including a user setting screen and a system setting screen described later) set by the front panel 43 or the keyboard 42.

Emphasis: Each time the key SW is pressed, the emphasis setting is 1
→ 2 → 3 → 1 → 2 → 3 ... and the LED on the SW changes. The emphasis setting mode is set by the user setting screen shown in FIGS.

Enlargement: Each time the key SW is pressed, the emphasis setting is 0
→ 1 → 2 → 0 → 1 → 2 ... and the LED on the SW changes. The enlargement setting mode is set by the user setting screen shown in FIGS.

Photometry: Every time the key SW is pressed, the light control mode is changed from auto → peak → average → auto ...
The LED on the top of W changes. The CPU 34 controls the light source device 7 via the SIO 40 or PIO 41 to perform light control.

White balance: When the key SW is pressed, the CPU 34 controls the white balance circuit 15,
Perform white balance processing. LED on top during processing
Lights up or blinks. In the case of a processing error, the LED blinks.

Red / Blue: Each time the key SW is pressed, the color tone to be changed is selectively changed from OFF → Red → Blue, and the LEDs (red and blue portions) above the SW are changed. When red or blue is selected, the color tone value is changed (the color adjustment circuit 14 of FIG. 1 is controlled) by the cursor key on the right side, and the upper parameter display LED is changed.

When the additional board 51 of FIG. 1 is connected, the connection detection signal becomes "L", and when not connected, it becomes "H".
CPU34 at power ON or standard SW input
Reads the detection signal level via the PIO 41 and performs the following processing.

When the detection signal is "H": The "high image quality" LED in FIG. 2 is turned off. A message indicating that no connection is made is displayed on the monitor (may be displayed only for a certain time when the power is turned on).

Items to be set only on the additional board in the user setting screen (for example, Ih of ENHANCE in FIGS. 3 and 4).
bCe, IHb, ImageSize HD Mode,
HD. HDTVSetting, Release of FIG. 7
For HDTV of Time), the display is changed such as gray processing, and it is skipped when the cursor is moved so that it cannot be set.

When the detection signal is "L": The "high image quality" LED in FIG. 2 is turned on. A message indicating connection is displayed on the monitor (may be displayed only for a certain time when the power is turned on).

In the user setting screen, the items to be set only by the additional board 51 can be set.

3 and 4 show examples of user setting screens.
On this screen, items to be set by the user at the time of use are set in one screen, and the setting data is stored in the BackupRAM 39
By storing in the memory, it becomes possible to save even when the power is turned off. In addition, by storing the data for each user name, it is possible to easily manage, change, and read the data. The setting items are as follows.

User: Registration of user name.

ScopeSwitch: The function performed when the SW (not shown) included in the endoscope 1 is pressed is set.

Enhance: When the highlighting key SW is input on the front panel 43, or E is pressed by ScopeSwitch.
For each of emphasis modes 1, 2, and 3 that are changed when the Scope is set and ScopeSW is pressed,
Structure highlighting or contour highlighting (displayed at Str. 1) and IhbCE parameters are set.

ImageSlze: The size of the observation image displayed on the monitor is set. Every time the enlargement key SW on the front panel or the image size key (not shown) on the keyboard is pressed, the set size is alternately switched (in this example, the Full size and the Medium size are switched).

HDMode: The enlarged size of the screen displayed on the monitor 5 is changed.

SD: The enlargement size of the monitor 3 (SDTV monitor) is set.

HD: The enlargement size of the monitor 5 (HDTV monitor) is set (the enlargement size can be set for each of the monitor 3 and the monitor 5).

Help message area: An explanation, supplementary information, input method, etc. relating to the selected setting item are displayed by a cursor movement key (not shown) on the keyboard.

5 and 6 show an example of setting by HD Mode. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged size when HDMode = Normal1. The enlargement size is the same for both the monitor 3 (SDTV monitor) and the monitor 5 (HDTV monitor).

As a result, even if the user who used the SDTV monitor in the past uses the HDTV monitor, since the size is the same, the user can use the HDTV monitor without feeling uncomfortable.
It is possible to prevent a decrease in the diagnostic rate due to eye fatigue, which occurs during long-term use when the enlarged size is too large.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged size when HD Mode = Large. Since the monitor 5 (HDTV monitor) has a larger screen than the monitor 3 (SDTV monitor), the monitor 5 has an enlarged size so that an observation image can be displayed on the entire screen.

As a result, the observation image can be enlarged to enhance the efficiency of diagnosis of the lesion area.

ImageControl: Iris, C
ontrust: setting of light control and contrast.

Enh. Type: St in Enhance
r. Switch the settings of the department. Structure emphasis 1, 2 (St
r. 1, Str. 2) Switching of edge enhancement (Edge) is performed. The display above the parameter settings is also switched.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the system setting screen. This screen has multiple pages, and the page number is displayed at the top of the screen. A page switching key (not shown) on the keyboard can be used to switch pages with a single input. By storing the setting data in the BackUPRAM 39, the data can be saved even when the power is turned off, and the data can be easily managed, changed, read, and automatically set.

HDTVSetting: MON.

SCOPE: Monitor 5 (HDTV monitor)
Type of image signal to be displayed on the screen (RGB, Y / C, NTS
Select C).

Display: Selects a monitor for displaying various setting screens (system setting screen, user setting screen, and all other setting screens related to the setting of this apparatus).

SDTV: The setting screen is displayed only on the monitor 3 (SDTV monitor).

HDTV: The setting screen is displayed only on the monitor 5 (HDTV monitor).

HDTV + SDTV: Monitor 5 + Monitor 3
To display the setting screen.

From this setting, the CPU 34 controls the respective graphic ICs 25 and the character synthesizing circuit 24 to control the display of various setting screens.

Patient, Data: Selects whether to save or erase data in the BackUPRAM 39 when the power is off.

ImageRecord: SCVRemo
te.

SCVCounter: Performs remote ON / OFF control of the photo-taking device in the recording device and initializes the number of shots.

D. FRemote: Remote ON / OFF control of the filing device in the recording device is performed.

Release Time: The time to freeze the observed image when the release (recording instruction) is input by the SW (not shown) provided on the endoscope 1 or the key SW (not shown) on the keyboard 42. Set.

SCV: Set the freeze time of the observation image to be output to the photographic device of the recording devices 4 and 6.

D. F: Set the freeze time of the observation image to be output to the filing device among the recording devices 4 and 6.
HDTV: The freeze time of the observation image displayed on the monitor 3 (HDTV monitor) is set.

SDTV: The freeze time of the observation image displayed on the monitor 5 (SDTV monitor) is set.

With this setting, the CPU 34 controls each of the freeze circuits 20 to control the freeze time.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of users use at least the high image quality monitor for lesion examination and the sub-monitor for confirmation at the time of diagnosis, each user looks at the monitor according to his or her preference. Accordingly, the video signal parameters can be set separately for the high image quality monitor and the sub monitor, so that the efficiency of diagnosis / inspection can be improved.

Further, since it is possible to easily cope with a high-quality recording device used for early detection of a lesion, diagnostic accuracy is improved.

Further, when the function of the endoscope apparatus is added, it is possible to easily judge from the outside whether or not the board is added, so that it is not necessary to disassemble the apparatus and the work efficiency can be improved.

When an HDTV high-definition / large-screen monitor that outputs high-definition video is used, the enlargement ratio can be easily customized according to the user's preference, reducing the burden on the user and improving the diagnostic efficiency.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, the video signal parameters can be set separately for the high image quality monitor and the sub monitor, and the efficiency of diagnosis / inspection can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the front panel of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of a user setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a system setting screen displayed by the image processing apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Image processing device 3 ... SDTV monitor 5 ... HDTV monitor 4, 6 ... Recording equipment 7 ... Light source device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4C061 CC06 LL02 NN01 NN05 NN07                       SS01 SS30 WW01 WW03 WW08                       WW10 WW18 YY03 YY04 YY12                 5C054 AA01 CH01 EA01 EA05 EA07                       FE00 FE04 FE09 GB01 GD03                       HA12                 5C082 AA04 BA12 BB15 BB22 BB25                       BB53 BC16 BC19 CA33 CA34                       CB01 DA53 DA63 DA73 DA86                       MM02 MM09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for outputting a subject image obtained from an endoscope as a video signal, wherein at least a first video signal output means for outputting a video signal of a first resolution and a second resolution of the second resolution. A second output means for outputting a video signal; and a parameter setting means for separately setting parameters relating to the video signal for the first video signal output means and the second video signal output means. Image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video signal parameter is a magnification of a subject image obtained from the endoscope. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video signal parameter is a freeze time of the subject image, which is performed when a recording instruction signal is input. 4. At least the setting screen for setting the video signal parameter can be output to both or one of the first video signal output means and the second video output means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A board having the second video output means and a circuit for operating a video signal parameter is detachable from the outside, has means for detecting whether the board is mounted, and The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying confirmation information. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parameter of the second video signal is disabled when the substrate is not mounted.