JP2003070724A - Data protection system for electronic endoscope unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data protection system for an electronic endoscope unit to protect various data recorded in the electronic endoscope unit. SOLUTION: This data protection system is constituted to have the electronic endoscope unit with a first memory means to store prescribed data and a data erasing system to erase the prescribed data stored in the first memory means corresponding to a prescribed condition in at least one of an electronic scope and a processor, and a data protection system detachably mounted in the electronic endoscope unit to protect the prescribed data and to avoid the loss of the prescribed data by the data erasing system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for protecting data stored in an electronic endoscopic device used for observing the inside of a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electronic endoscope apparatus used for observing the inside of a body is equipped with a processor having a light source section and an image processing section and is inserted into the body of a subject to illuminate the body. At the same time, the CCD (Charge Coupled D
evice) and the like, and an electronic scope that captures an image with an image sensor, and a monitor that displays the captured image.

The electronic scope and the processor are provided with a memory for recording various data. In these memories, for example, serial number data for identifying the electronic scope and the processor, communication format data regarding the communication timing between the electronic scope and the processor, adjustment data of the circuit regarding the image processing of the captured image, The repair history data (the number of repairs, the repair worker, the repair location, etc.) related to the past repair is stored. In the following text, for convenience of explanation, the data on the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as device data.

The device data each include information about the internal structure of the electronic endoscope device, and the maintenance of the system,
This data is essential for operation. Therefore, if it is unnecessarily disclosed to a third party or used, it may hinder future product development and improvement by the manufacturer.

Further, in recent years, electronic endoscope apparatuses have been made to store data (hereinafter referred to as “subject data”) such as a name, a medical record number, a lesion area, etc. regarding the subject as the capacity of the memory is increased. It is becoming feasible to keep it. As a result, the operator can easily obtain and update the subject data during the endoscopic observation, and can more effectively and quickly perform the endoscopic observation.

The subject data is exactly information regarding the privacy of the individual subject. Therefore, care must be taken to protect the data so that the subject will not suffer any unforeseen disadvantages due to information leakage.

However, the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus is not provided with a function of actively protecting apparatus data and subject data. In other words, the protection of each data and the prevention of information leakage depended strongly on the trust relationship between the manufacturer and its authorized agent and the hospital.

Therefore, in the case where the electronic endoscope device is inadvertently brought into a company other than the manufacturing / marketing manufacturer or the authorized distributor, or when the company is requested to repair or maintain the device, the device data and the inspection data are inspected. There was a situation in which it was impossible to avoid the situation in which personal data was easily taken out and leaked to a third party or was tampered with.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object of providing a data protection system for an electronic endoscope device for protecting various data stored in the electronic endoscope device. And

[0010]

Therefore, a data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has a first storage means for storing predetermined data and a first storage means corresponding to a predetermined state. Loss of the predetermined data by the data erasing means by connecting the electronic endoscope apparatus having the data erasing means for erasing the stored predetermined data to at least one of the electronic scope and the processor and the first storage means. And a data protection unit that is detachable from the electronic endoscope device and that protects the predetermined data.

According to the above construction, the data protection can be achieved only when the data protection means is connected to the first storage means of the electronic endoscope apparatus. In other words, if a manufacturer other than the manufacturer or distributor and an authorized distributor tries to repair the electronic endoscope device and puts the device into a predetermined state, the data stored inside is automatically deleted. Can be effectively prevented.

As described above, the predetermined data can be roughly classified into device data and subject data. As the device data, there are communication format data of an electronic scope and a processor forming the electronic endoscope device, adjustment data of an image processing circuit, serial number data of an electronic scope, past repair history data, and the like. The subject data includes subject name data, chart number data, medical history (lesion) data, and the like.

The data erasing means can erase the data by cutting off the supply path for supplying power to the memory in the first storage means. It is preferable to use a pair of electrical connectors as the data erasing means. One of the pair of connectors is arranged at a predetermined position on the power supply path, and the other is arranged at a position corresponding to the predetermined position on the inner surface of the removable cover of the housing in which the first storage means is housed. It is arranged. That is, when the cover is attached, the pair of connectors are in a fitted state. When the cover is removed for repair or the like, the fitting state of the pair of connectors is released and the power supply path is cut off.

The data protection means has a second storage means,
The second storage means receives the predetermined data stored in the memory while the power is not supplied to the memory by the data erasing means, and when the power is supplied to the memory again from the power supply, the predetermined data is stored in the memory. It is desirable to send. Thereby, even if the cover is removed, the data in the memory can be evacuated to the second storage means. In other words, data will not be lost during repairs made by the manufacturer or authorized distributor.

Further, as the data protection means, it is also possible to provide a power supply means for supplying power to the memory which is no longer supplied with power to avoid erasing data by removing the cover.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, the configuration of the electronic endoscope device that stores predetermined data protected by the data protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be outlined. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 10. The electronic endoscope device 10 is
It has an electronic scope 20, a processor 30, a monitor 40, and a keyboard 50. The electronic scope 20 is composed of a connection portion 20a connected to the processor 30 and an insertion portion 20b inserted into the body cavity of the subject. Processor 30
Has a connection port 30a to which the connection portion 20a of the electronic scope 20 is connected. The keyboard 50 is connected to the processor 30.

When the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 is used, endoscopic observation is performed as follows. Light emitted from a light source unit (not shown) of the processor 30 is emitted from the tip of the scope unit 20b and illuminates an observation site in the body cavity. C provided at the tip of the insertion portion 20b of the electronic scope 20
The CD (not shown) accumulates electric charges corresponding to the optical image of the observed region formed on the light receiving surface, and outputs a voltage value based on the accumulated electric charges as an image signal. The image signal is connected to the connection section 20a of the electronic scope 20 and the connection port 30a of the processor 30.
To the processor 30 via. Processor 30
Outputs a predetermined image processing to the image signal, and then outputs the image signal to the monitor 40 at a predetermined timing. The monitor 40 displays an image corresponding to the input signal. The operator is the monitor 40
By observing the image displayed in, the lesion is found and the medical treatment is performed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the data protection system 100A according to the embodiment of the present invention. The data protection system 100A shown in FIG. 2 is a system for protecting the data stored in the electronic scope 20. The connecting portion 20a of the electronic scope 20 is a casing formed of a case C and a cover (panel) P, and a substrate S is housed inside the casing. The substrate S has a first data storage unit 1 and external connection terminals 5. The first data storage unit 1 includes a memory 2, a battery 3, a pair of connectors 4a and 4
b. The external connection terminal 5 is inserted into the connection port 30a of the processor 30 during observation of the endoscope, and the electronic scope 2
It is used as a member for electrically connecting 0 to the processor 30. Then, at the time of data protection, it is used as a connecting member with a protection unit 60 described later.

In the memory 2, device data for performing highly accurate image pickup processing, smooth repair and maintenance, and a surgeon's observation of the endoscope more effectively and swiftly. The subject data for enabling the execution is stored. Each piece of data is input by a repair worker, a surgeon or the like using an input means such as the keyboard 50. The battery 3 is for supplying power to the memory 2 so as not to erase each stored data. Connector 4
Reference numeral a denotes a male two-terminal connector, which is arranged on the power supply path from the battery 3 to the memory 2. That is, one terminal of the connector 4a is connected to the battery 3, and the other terminal is connected to the power input terminal of the memory 2. The connector 4b is a female two-terminal connector, and corresponds to the arrangement position of the connector 4a on the substrate S on the inner surface of the cover P, that is, the surface facing the substrate S when the cover P is attached to the case C. It is arranged at a predetermined position. The two terminals of the connector 4b are electrically short-circuited.

Each of the connectors 4a and 4b has a structure in which, when the cover P is attached to the case C, the two are fitted to each other to supply electric power to the memory 2. Further, when the cover P is removed from the case C, they are automatically separated from each other, and the power supply from the battery 3 to the memory 2 is cut off. In other words, the data protection unit 5 has a configuration in which the data in the memory 2 is automatically erased when the cover P is inadvertently removed from the case C by a person who performs repair or maintenance (hereinafter referred to as an operator). There is.

When repairing the electronic scope 20 having the above-described structure, a regular worker of a manufacturer or a sales agency connects the protection unit 60 to the external connection terminal 5 before removing the cover P from the case C. . FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the protection unit 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the protection unit 60 includes a second data storage unit 6
1, a receiver 62, a transmitter 63, a reception start switch 64,
It has a transmission start switch 65, a power supply 66, and an LED 67.

A regular worker turns on the reception start switch 64 with the protection unit 60 connected to the external connection terminal 5. When the reception start switch 64 is turned on, the reception unit 62 transmits a memory read control signal designating an address. Then, the data stored in the memory 2 of the first data storage unit 1 is read and received, and written in the second data storage unit 61. The second data storage unit 61 holds the written data (device data and subject data) by the power constantly supplied from the power supply unit 66. When the data writing to the second data storage unit 61 is completed, the second data storage unit 61 turns on the LED 67. By turning on the LED 67, the worker evacuates data, that is, the first data storage unit 1 to the second data storage unit 6
It is possible to visually confirm that the writing of the data to 1 has been completed.

After confirming the lighting of the LED 67, the regular operator removes the cover P from the case C. As described above, when the cover P is removed, the pair of connectors 4a and 4b are removed.
The data stored in the memory 2 of the first data storage unit 1 is erased, but the data is already stored in the second data storage unit 61 in the protection unit 60. Since they are evacuated to, the loss of data will be avoided.

Here, if an operator of a manufacturer other than the manufacturer or seller who does not have the protection unit 60 or a dealer other than an authorized agent removes the cover P for the purpose of repair or the like, the protection unit 60 evacuates the data. Since it does not exist, all the data that is still stored in the first data storage unit 1 is erased and permanently lost. Therefore, there is no risk of information about the electronic endoscope device or information about the subject being leaked or tampered with.

After the repairs are completed and the cover P is attached to the case C again, the operator turns on the transmission start switch 65 of the protection unit 60. When the transmission start switch 65 is turned on, the data stored in the second data storage unit 61 is read out and transmitted to the memory 2 of the first data storage unit 1 via the transmission unit 63. At this time, the connector 4
Since the covers a are attached to the case, the a and the b are in a fitted state with each other, so that power is supplied to the memory 2. Therefore, the written data is surely stored in the memory 2. When the data transmission is completed, the second data storage unit 61 turns off the LED 67.

The above is the description of the protection of various data in the electronic scope 20 using the data protection system 100A when the electronic scope 20 is repaired.

FIG. 4 shows the processor 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic block diagram of the data protection system 100B in 0. The data protection system 100B shown in FIG. 4 also has the first data storage unit 1 and the external connection terminal 5, and the first data storage unit 1 includes the memory 2, the battery 3, and the pair of connectors 4.
a, 4b. Since the operation of protecting various data stored in the processor 30 is also performed in the same manner as in the data protection system 100A, detailed description of the same members as those shown in FIG. 2 will be omitted here. To do.

In the data protection system 100B, the external connection terminal 5 used as a connection member with the protection unit 60 at the time of data protection is used as an external peripheral such as a serial communication connector or a printer at the time of endoscopic observation. It is a member such as a terminal used for connecting to a device.
In this way, by also using the external connection terminal 5 provided in the conventional processor for data protection as well, the data in the conventional processor can be protected and the cost of the entire system can be reduced. Also leads to

The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the data stored in the electronic scope 20 or the memory 2 of the processor 30 is temporarily evacuated to the protection unit 60 to protect the data, but other protection methods may be used. It is possible. For example, if the protection unit 60 can supply power to the memory 2 without moving data from the memory 2, the memory 2 can be protected while being stored. Data is protected by supplying power from the protection unit when the cover P is used, such as when the data capacity stored in the memory 2 is larger than the storable capacity of the second data storage section or when the cover P is simply inspected or cleaned. This is effective for simple maintenance that needs to be removed but is completed in a relatively short time.

FIG. 5 shows a protection unit 60 capable of supplying power.
indicates α. The protection unit 60α shown in FIG. 5 includes a power supply unit 66 that supplies electric power to the second data storage unit 61 to the memory 2
Data can be protected by also supplying power. When the protection unit 60α is connected to the electronic scope 20 or the processor 30, when the power supply on / off switch 68 is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit 66 to the memory 2. In this state, by removing the cover P, even if the power supply from the battery 3 is cut off, the data in the memory 2 is not erased and protected. However, when data is protected by supplying power, the protection unit 6 is always used while the cover P is removed for repair or the like.
It is necessary to connect 0 to the electronic scope 20 or the processor 30.

The protection unit 60α can also protect the data by evacuating the data in the memory 2 to the second data storage section 61, like the protection unit 60 in the above embodiment. Further, if the cost of the entire data protection systems 100A and 100B is reduced, the protection unit may be composed of only the power supply unit such as the power supply unit 66 and the power supply ON / OFF switch 68.

Further, in the above embodiment, the protection unit 60 is used.
The second data storage unit 61 has been described as being provided in order to temporarily evacuate the data from the memory 2 and avoid the loss of the data. Here, the second data storage unit 61
In advance, data relating to the repair history such as the name of the regular operator who owns the protection unit 60 (serial number, etc.), the repair location (store code), etc. is stored in advance, and the data relating to the repair history when transmitting the data after the repair is completed. May be transmitted at the same time. As a result, it is possible for the regular operator to save the trouble of inputting the repair history by using the input means such as the keyboard 50 after the repair.

Further, by previously inputting the data regarding the repair history into the protection unit 60 itself, when the protection unit 60 is connected to the electronic scope 20 or the processor 30, the first data storage section 1 relates to the repair history. The protection unit 60 that checks the data and is connected
It is also possible to further provide a protection unit identification circuit for identifying whether or not the product is a genuine product, and not transmit data when it is determined that the protection unit identification circuit is not a genuine product. As a result, the data in the memory 2 is protected only when the repair is performed by using the regular protection unit, and in other cases, the data is lost, and the more robust data is protected. Protected.

Further, a protection unit having a plurality of second data storage units 61 and a plurality of reception start switches 64 and transmission start switches 65 corresponding to the respective storage units of the second data storage unit 61 is used. You can also The protection unit with this configuration, like the initial settings made at the time of shipment,
This is effective when it is necessary to protect the data of multiple units at once.

In the above embodiment, the pair of connectors 4a and 4b are shown as members for cutting off the power supply path for erasing data, but this is also an example. Therefore, for example, a screw for fixing the cover P to the case C may be arranged on the power supply path, and the power supply path may be shut off when the screw is removed.

Further, in the protection unit 60, sound is used instead of the LED 67 as a means for indicating a state in which data is written in the second data storage section 61 and a state in which data is read out from the second data storage section 61. You may. Further, the protection unit 60 without the reception start switch 64 and the transmission start switch 65 may be used. For example, as a protection unit that does not have the switches 64 and 65,
When the second data storage unit 61 is connected to the first storage unit 1 with no data (excluding the data related to the repair history), the data reception is automatically started and the data is stored in the second data storage unit 61. When it is connected to the first storage unit 1 in the state where there is, it is desirable to automatically start data transmission.

[0038]

As described above, the data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention is provided with a mechanism for erasing data stored in the memory in the electronic endoscope apparatus, and is connected to the memory to By providing data protection measures to avoid data loss in memory, data is erased and protected so that information leakage or tampering does not occur when repairs are performed by other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer. It can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data protection system in the electronic scope according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a protection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data protection system in a processor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of another protection unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 First data storage 2 memory 3 battery 4a, 4b connector P cover (panel) 10 Electronic endoscope system 20 electronic scope 30 processors 60 protection unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A first storage means for storing predetermined data,
An electronic endoscope apparatus having, in at least one of an electronic scope and a processor, data erasing means for erasing the predetermined data stored in the first storage means corresponding to a predetermined state, and the first storage means. And a data protection unit that is removable from the electronic endoscope device to protect the predetermined data by avoiding the loss of the predetermined data by the data erasing unit. Data protection system for endoscopic devices. 2. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage means includes a memory for storing the predetermined data and a power supply for supplying power to the memory. The data protection means for electronic endoscope apparatus is characterized in that the data erasing means erases the predetermined data stored in the memory by cutting off a power supply path from the power source to the memory. system. 3. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data erasing means has a pair of matable electric connectors provided between the power source and the memory. The data protection system for an electronic endoscopic device is characterized in that the electric power supply path is cut off by disconnecting the electric connectors from each other. 4. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of the pair of electrical connectors is arranged at a predetermined position on the power supply path, and the other is The cover is arranged at a position corresponding to the predetermined position on the inner surface of the removable cover of the housing in which the first storage means is housed, and the predetermined state is a state in which the cover is removed from the housing. A data protection system for an electronic endoscopic device. 5. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the data protection means has a second storage means, and An electronic endoscope characterized in that the predetermined data stored in the memory is stored in the second storage means while the power is not supplied to the memory, thereby avoiding the disappearance of the predetermined data. Data protection system for equipment. 6. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data protection unit has a power supply unit and is connected to the storage unit. A data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus, characterized in that the predetermined data is prevented from being erased by supplying electric power from the electric power supply means to the memory during the operation. 7. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second storage means further stores in advance data relating to a repair history, and the repair is performed. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope device, wherein the data regarding the history is transmitted to the first storage means of the electronic endoscope device that is not in the predetermined state. 8. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit is provided in a scope, and the data protection unit is A data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus, which is connected to the first storage means via a connection terminal for a processor of a scope. 9. The data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit is provided in a processor, and the data protection unit is A data protection system for an electronic endoscope apparatus, which is connected to the first storage means via a connection terminal for an external device of a processor.