JP2008142153A - Processor for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processor for an electronic endoscope and an electronic endoscope system adjusting parameters used by a signal processing circuit of the electronic endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: This processor for the electronic endoscope is provided with: a first data transmission terminal for transmitting/receiving data when performing data communication with the electronic endoscope; a second data transmission terminal for transmitting/receiving the data when performing the data communication between a controller of the processor for the electronic endoscope or the electronic endoscope and an external apparatus; and a changeover circuit for changing over between a first mode where the second data communication terminal and the controller are connected to allow the data communication between the external apparatus and the controller, and a second mode where the second data communication terminal and the first data communication terminal are connected without being interposed by the controller to allow the data communication between the external apparatus and the electronic endoscope. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope processor that is connected to an electronic endoscope, processes a video signal output from the electronic endoscope, and outputs the processed video signal to a monitor or the like, and an electronic endoscope having the electronic endoscope processor The present invention relates to an endoscope system.

In recent years, a configuration in which a part of parameters necessary for image processing (such as white balance) is stored in a memory on the electronic endoscope side, such as that described in Patent Document 1, has been used. Alternatively, a configuration has been proposed in which a processing circuit for performing pre-stage image processing and a program executed by the processing circuit are incorporated in an electronic endoscope, not limited to parameters.
JP 2003-132151 A

  The program, parameters, and the like are stored in a rewritable EEPROM built in the electronic endoscope. When updating or adding this program, the serviceman of the manufacturer of the electronic endoscope takes the electronic endoscope home, connects to a dedicated device for rewriting the EEPROM in the electronic endoscope, and updates the program. I was working. However, this method requires labor and cost for collecting the electronic endoscope, and an improvement plan has been desired.

  Further, it is desired by users of electronic endoscopes to appropriately adjust parameters used by the signal processing circuit in order to adjust image quality. When adjusting the parameters, it is preferable to observe the image picked up by the solid-state image sensor of the electronic endoscope. For this purpose, the electronic endoscope processor, which is a device for processing the video signal from the electronic endoscope and displaying it on the monitor, executes the predetermined program to set the parameters stored in the EEPROM. A configuration for making adjustments has been proposed.

  However, in such a configuration, a program for parameter adjustment must be built in the electronic endoscope processor. In general, since multiple types of electronic endoscopes are connected to the processor for electronic endoscopes, multiple types of parameter adjustment programs are prepared to support electronic endoscopes with multiple types of specifications. Must-have. Further, since the controller and OS of the electronic endoscope processor are not general purpose, the parameter adjustment program itself must have a UI (user interface) portion, for example. For this reason, development of a parameter adjustment program is not easy, and the program size tends to increase. On the other hand, in embedded devices such as a processor for an electronic endoscope, the memory (RAM) has a small capacity for reasons of cost, and the capacity of a memory for executing a parameter adjustment program is reduced. There is a restriction that it cannot be taken large. This makes it more difficult to develop a parameter adjustment program. That is, in the above configuration, the cost and labor required to adjust the parameters used by the signal processing circuit of the electronic endoscope are extremely large.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electronic endoscope processor and an electronic endoscope system capable of adjusting parameters used by a signal processing circuit of an electronic endoscope without cost and labor. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope processor of the present invention is connected to an electronic endoscope, and has a first data communication terminal for transmitting and receiving data when performing data communication with the electronic endoscope. A second data communication terminal for transmitting / receiving data when performing data communication between the controller of the electronic endoscope processor or the electronic endoscope and an external device, a second data communication terminal, and a controller; Is connected, and the first mode enabling data communication between the external device and the controller, the second data communication terminal, and the first data communication terminal are connected without passing through the controller. A switching circuit for switching between a second mode enabling data communication between the external device and the electronic endoscope;

  With this configuration, an external device such as a PC is connected to the first data communication terminal, and adjustment of parameters used by the controller (signal processing circuit) of the electronic endoscope in the external device in the second mode is performed. The program can be executed to adjust the parameters. In the present invention, since the image captured by the electronic endoscope is displayed on the monitor via the electronic endoscope processor even in the second mode, the adjustment result is obtained while adjusting the parameters with the external device. Can be confirmed on the monitor. In addition, in a general-purpose OS that runs on a highly versatile controller, APIs (Application Program Interfaces) that allow easy development of programs using a GUI (graphical user interface) are prepared. In addition, a sufficient work memory for program execution can be secured. Therefore, the development of such a parameter adjustment program that operates on an external device (for example, a PC) is much easier than the development of a similar program that operates on the controller of the electronic endoscope processor and the OS. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the parameters used by the signal processing circuit of the electronic endoscope without cost and effort.

  In the first mode, the second data communication terminal and the controller may be connected to enable data communication between the external device and the controller. With this configuration, it is possible to perform data communication between the external device and the electronic endoscope processor, for example, to update the firmware of the electronic endoscope processor.

  Preferably, the electronic endoscope processor has a switching means formed on an outer shell of the case of the electronic endoscope processor and operated from the outside of the electronic endoscope processor, and the switching circuit is based on an operation result of the switching means. Switching between the first mode and the second mode.

  The switching means has, for example, an electronic or mechanical switch for manually switching between the first mode and the second mode. Alternatively, the switching means has a third data communication terminal for transmitting and receiving data when data communication is performed between the external device and the controller, and the controller passes through the third data communication terminal to connect the external device. The first mode and the second mode may be switched by controlling the switching circuit based on the data received from.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic endoscope processor and an electronic endoscope system capable of adjusting parameters used by a signal processing circuit of an electronic endoscope without cost and labor are realized. Is done.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope system including an electronic endoscope processor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic endoscope system 1 of this embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 10, an electronic endoscope processor 20, a monitor 30, and a terminal PC 40. An electronic endoscope connector 21 a is formed on the outer shell of the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20, and the connector provided at the base end of the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the electronic endoscope connector 21 a. The electronic endoscope 10 and the electronic endoscope processor 20 are coupled by connecting the unit 19.

  A monitor connector 21b is provided on the outer shell of the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. With the electronic endoscope 10 connected to the electronic endoscope processor, the monitor 30 is connected to the monitor connector 21b via the cable 31 to monitor the video imaged by the electronic endoscope 10. 30 can be displayed.

  A serial connector 21 c is provided on the outer shell of the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. The terminal PC 40 for parameter rewriting can be connected to the serial connector 21c via a serial cable.

  The electronic endoscope according to the present embodiment performs not only imaging but also part of image processing by the endoscope itself. In the present embodiment, an objective optical system 15, a CCD 16 as an imaging device, a CCD drive circuit 14, a first stage signal processing circuit 11, a memory 12, and an endoscope MCU (Memory Control Unit) 13 are included in the electronic endoscope 10. Built in

  The objective optical system 15 is built in the distal end portion of the insertion tube 18 of the electronic endoscope 10, and the objective optical system 15 forms an image around the distal end portion of the insertion tube 18 on the light receiving surface of the CCD 16. To do. The CCD 16 converts this image into a CCD signal, which is an electrical signal, and sends it to the CCD drive circuit 14.

  The CCD drive circuit 14 has a function of controlling the CCD 16. On the light receiving surface of the CCD 16, a large number (several hundreds of thousands to several millions) of light receiving cells are arranged in a lattice shape. By sending this electric charge to the outside at a predetermined timing, an electric signal corresponding to the image formed on the light receiving surface is output. The CCD drive circuit 14 is a circuit that sends a drive signal to the CCD 16 for controlling the timing of outputting the charges accumulated in the light receiving cells of the CCD 16. The CCD drive circuit 14 also has a function of A / D converting the CCD signal output from the CCD 16 and sending it to the first stage signal processing circuit 11.

  The first stage signal processing circuit 11 has a kind of DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and has a function of processing an input digital signal and sending it to an electronic endoscope. The memory 12 is a non-volatile memory (flash memory or the like) that stores a program executed by the DSP and data (such as a lookup table) used by the program. The first-stage signal processing circuit 11 can access the memory 12 (that is, read a program and data from the memory 12) via the endoscope MCU 13.

  An example of processing executed by the first stage signal processing circuit 11 will be described below. In the present embodiment, the CCD 16 is a color CCD in which a color filter is added to each light receiving cell. As the arrangement pattern of the color filter, there are an RGB system using red, green and blue filters, and a complementary color system using magenta, cyan, yellow and green filters. The first-stage signal processing circuit 11 processes a digital signal obtained by A / D converting CCD signals corresponding to a plurality of adjacent light receiving cells based on a predetermined function, and is in an RGB format that is easy for the electronic endoscope processor 20 to process. Generate a digital video signal.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic endoscope processor 20 processes a function of a light source device for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 10 and a video signal output from the electronic endoscope 10. It has a function as a video processor that converts the video signal into a predetermined format and outputs it to the monitor connector 21b.

  First, the function as the light source device will be described. In the present embodiment, a light source unit 22 is built in the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. The light source unit 22 includes a light source lamp 22a, a condenser lens 22b, and a diaphragm 22c. The electronic endoscope 10 includes a light guide 17 for guiding illumination light from the proximal end side of the electronic endoscope to the distal end portion of the insertion tube 18 of the electronic endoscope 10. When the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the electronic endoscope processor 20, the base end side end surface 17 a of the light guide 17 is inserted into the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. The light source lamp 22 a generates illumination light, and the condensing lens 22 b collects the illumination light and makes it incident on the proximal end surface 17 a of the light guide 17. The illumination light incident on the proximal end surface 17a of the light guide 17 is guided to the light guide 17 and emitted from the distal end surface 17b of the light guide 17 disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion tube 18 of the electronic endoscope 10. Is done. As a result, the periphery of the distal end portion of the insertion tube 18 is illuminated.

  The diaphragm 22c is disposed between the proximal end surface 17a of the light guide 17 and the condenser lens 22b in a state where the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the processor 20 for electronic endoscope. The aperture 22c can adjust the amount of illumination light incident on the proximal end surface 17a of the light guide 17 by changing its opening.

  Next, the function of the electronic endoscope processor 20 as a video processor will be described. In order to provide this function, a post-stage signal processing circuit 24, an OSD (On Screen Display) circuit 25, and a video process circuit 26 are built in the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20.

  The digital video signal generated by the first stage signal processing circuit 11 is sent to a rear stage signal processing circuit 24 built in the electronic endoscope processor 20. The post-stage signal processing circuit 24 includes a video memory, and can perform image processing such as edge enhancement processing on an image corresponding to the digital video signal. What kind of image processing the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 performs is controlled by the system control 23 built in the case 21 of the processor 20 for electronic endoscope. The contents of the video memory of the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 are read out to the video process circuit 26 at a timing corresponding to the vertical synchronization frequency of the monitor 30.

  Further, the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 has a function of calculating the average brightness of the image corresponding to the digital video signal generated by the first-stage signal processing circuit 11. This calculation result is sent to the system control 23 periodically. The system control 23 adjusts the opening degree of the aperture 22c based on the calculation result. Specifically, the system control 23 feedback-controls the opening degree of the aperture 22c so that the average luminance of the image transmitted from the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 falls within a predetermined range.

  The video process circuit 26 has a function of reading the image data processed by the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 and generating a video signal of a predetermined format such as the NTSC system based on the read image data. The video process circuit 26 sequentially transmits the generated video signal to the monitor connector 21b. Thus, the endoscopic image captured by the objective optical system 15 and the CCD 16 of the electronic endoscope 10 is displayed on the monitor 30 as a moving image.

  The OSD circuit 25 is a circuit for superimposing character information or the like on the image processed by the post-stage signal processing circuit 24. The OSD circuit 25 generates an image signal of an image including character information and transmits it to the video process circuit 26. The video process circuit 26 converts the image data obtained from the post-stage signal processing circuit 24 into an image signal, and then superimposes the image signal obtained from the OSD circuit 25 on the image signal, thereby superimposing character information on the endoscope image. Generated video signal.

  The OSD circuit 25 and the video process circuit 26 are controlled by the system control 23, respectively.

  As described above, the electronic endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first-stage signal processing circuit 11 in the electronic endoscope 10. The color of the endoscopic image is determined mainly by signal processing by the first stage signal processing circuit 11. For this reason, in the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the programs and data built in the memory 12 of the electronic endoscope 10 so that an endoscopic image having a hue preferable for the user of the electronic endoscope system 1 can be obtained. . This adjustment is performed by connecting the terminal PC 40 to the serial connector 21c of the electronic endoscope processor 20.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the memory 12 of the electronic endoscope 10 stores data (for example, identification information of the electronic endoscope 10) to be read by the system control 23 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. Therefore, when the program or data stored in the memory 12 of the electronic endoscope 10 is not adjusted, the system control 23 needs to be able to access the endoscope MCU 13 of the electronic endoscope 10. On the other hand, when adjusting a program or data stored in the memory 12 of the electronic endoscope 10, the terminal PC 40 needs to be able to access the endoscope MCU 13. In the present embodiment, the access-related functions are realized by the switch circuit 27 of the electronic endoscope processor 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the system control 23 and the terminal PC 40 are connected to the endoscope MCU 13 via the switch circuit 27. The outer shell of the case 21 of the electronic endoscope processor 20 is provided with a switch 21d for setting which of the system control 23 and the terminal PC 40 should access the endoscope MCU 13.

  Details of the switch circuit 27 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the system control 23 is connected to terminals via IN1 and OUT1 terminals for data communication with the endoscope MCU 13 of the electronic endoscope 10 and a serial connector 21c (FIG. 1). It has IN2 and OUT2 terminals for data communication with the PC 40.

  The data transmission (TxD) terminal and the data reception (RxD) terminal of the terminal PC 40 are connected to the level converter 27 h of the switch circuit 27. The level converter 27h is a circuit for mutually converting a signal level used for serial communication of the RS-232 standard and a TTL signal level used for an element constituting the system control 23 or the MCU 13 for endoscope. It is. By interposing the level converter 27h, the terminal PC 40 can perform data communication with the system control 23 and the endoscope MCU 13.

  The switch circuit 27 has six tristate buffers 27a to 27f. The tri-state buffers 27a to 27f are elements that become high impedance when the input to the gate is low, and block the flow of data from one to the other. In this embodiment, a tristate buffer 27a is provided between the IN1 terminal of the system control 23 and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13, and a tristate is provided between the OUT1 terminal and the RxD terminal of the endoscope MCU13. Each buffer 27b is provided. A tristate buffer 27C is provided between the IN1 terminal of the system control 23 and the TxD terminal of the level converter 27h, and a tristate buffer 27d is provided between the OUT2 terminal and the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h. Yes. Further, a tri-state buffer 27e is provided between the TxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13, and a tri-state is provided between the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13. Each buffer 27f is provided.

  Further, the system control 23 includes an ENABLE terminal. The ENABLE terminal is a terminal capable of outputting either a high level signal or a low level signal. The ENABLE terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the tristate buffers 27a to 27d. The ENABLE terminal and the gate terminals of the tristate buffers 27e and 27f are connected via a NOT logic circuit 27g. Note that the NOT logic circuit 27g is a terminal that outputs Low when the input is High and outputs High when the input is Low.

  Here, when a high level signal is output from the ENABLE terminal, TxD and RxD of the level converter 27h, IN2 and OUT2 of the system control 23, IN1 and OUT1 of the system control 23, and TxD and RxD of the endoscope MCU 13 are obtained. , Each is in a conductive state. On the other hand, at this time, the tri-state buffers 27e and 27f become high impedance, and communication between the TxD terminal and RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal and TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU is cut off. Accordingly, in this state, the system control 23 can perform data communication with the endoscope MCU 13 and can perform data communication with the terminal PC 40.

  Further, when a low level signal is output from the ENABLE terminal, the TxD terminal and the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13 are brought into conduction. On the other hand, the tri-state buffers 27a to 27d become high impedance at this time, and TxD and RxD of the level converter 27h, IN2 and OUT2 of the system control 23, IN1 and OUT1 of the system control 23, and TxD and RxD of the endoscope MCU 13 Communication between is interrupted. Therefore, in this state, data communication can be performed between the terminal PC 40 and the endoscope MCU 13.

  The system control 23 has an SW terminal, and is connected to the switch 21d through the SW terminal. The system control 23 detects the state of the switch 21d via the SW terminal, and determines whether to output a high level signal or a low level signal from the ENABLE terminal according to this state. The switch 21d is a mechanical or electronic switch such as a toggle switch, a button switch, or a slide switch. The switch 21d is operated when the contents of the memory 12 of the electronic endoscope 10 are rewritten via the terminal PC 40 and when the rewriting is terminated. The switch 21d is arranged in an inconspicuous place such as the back of the case so that it is not accidentally operated by the user of the electronic endoscope system 1.

  A procedure for rewriting the contents of the memory 12 via the terminal PC 40 in the electronic endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the parameters used by the first stage signal processing circuit 11 are rewritten by operating the terminal PC 40. First, the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the electronic endoscope connector 21a of the electronic endoscope processor 20, and the terminal PC 40 is connected to the serial terminal 21c. Next, the switch 21d is operated so that data communication can be performed between the terminal PC 40 and the endoscope MCU. Then, a parameter adjustment program is executed on the terminal PC 40.

  When the above processing is performed, a menu screen for parameter operation is displayed on the screen of the terminal PC 40 as shown in FIG. More specifically, the terminal PC 40 acquires a list of rewritable parameters and the current setting contents of the parameters from the memory 12 via the endoscope MCU 13 and displays them on the screen. When changing the setting contents of this parameter, the input value (keyboard, mouse, etc.) of the terminal PC 40 is operated to change the setting value displayed on the screen, and then the changed setting value is used for the endoscope MCU 13. Send to. For example, by operating the mouse, the mouse cursor is moved onto the “OK” button on the screen, and the mouse button is clicked at that position. When the above operation is performed, the changed parameter setting values are transferred to the memory 12 via the endoscope MCU 13.

  In the present embodiment, the output of the first stage signal processing circuit 11 of the electronic endoscope 10 is sent to the rear stage signal processing circuit 24 of the electronic endoscope processor 20 regardless of the state of the switch 21d. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the parameter setting value is being adjusted, an endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 30. For this reason, when the set value of the parameter is sent to the electronic endoscope 10, an endoscope image in a state where the set value is applied can be observed by the monitor 30. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the parameters used by the first-stage signal processing circuit 11 of the electronic endoscope 10 by operating the terminal PC 40 while observing the endoscope image on the monitor 30. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the state in which the system control 23 and the endoscope MCU 13 are connected and the state in which the terminal PC 40 and the endoscope MCU 13 are connected are performed by operating the switch 21d. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The second embodiment of the present invention described below is a system that can switch between the two states without using the switch 21d. In the following description, elements and members similar to those in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the electronic endoscope system 1 ′ of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, there is no switch 21d in the first embodiment, and instead two serial connectors (21c, 21c ') are formed on the outer shell of the case 21. Both serial connectors 21c and 21c 'are connected to the switch circuit 27, respectively. The terminal PC 40 is also provided with two serial ports (hereinafter, one serial port is referred to as a COM1 terminal and the other is referred to as a COM2 terminal). The serial connectors 21c and 21c are connected via the COM1 terminal and the COM2 terminal, respectively. 'And the terminal PC 40 are connected to each other. Since these elements and the configuration of the switch circuit 27 are the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A block diagram of the switch circuit 27 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the system control 23 performs data communication with the terminal PC 40 via the IN1 and OUT1 terminals for data communication with the endoscope MCU 13 of the electronic endoscope 10 and the serial connector 21c. It has IN2 and OUT2 terminals, and IN3 and OUT3 terminals for data communication with the terminal PC 40 via the serial connector 21c ′.

  The TxD terminal and the RxD terminal of the first serial port (COM1) of the terminal PC 40 are connected to the level converter 27h of the switch circuit 27. Similarly, the TxD terminal and the RxD terminal of the second serial port (COM2) of the terminal PC 40 are connected to the level converter 27h 'of the switch circuit 27. Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, by interposing the level converters 27h and 27h ', the terminal PC 40 can perform data communication with the system control 23 and the endoscope MCU 13.

  The switch circuit 27 has six tristate buffers 27a to 27f. The tri-state buffers 27a to 27f are elements that become high impedance when the input to the gate is low, and block the flow of data from one to the other. In the present embodiment, a tristate buffer 27a is provided between the IN1 terminal of the system control 23 and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU, and a tristate is provided between the OUT1 terminal and the RxD terminal of the endoscope MCU. Each buffer 27b is provided. A tristate buffer 27c is provided between the IN2 terminal of the system control 23 and the TxD terminal of the level converter 27h, and a tristate buffer 27d is provided between the OUT2 terminal and the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h. Yes. Further, a tri-state buffer 27e is provided between the TxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13, and a tri-state is provided between the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13. Each buffer 27f is provided.

  The TxD terminal and the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h 'are directly connected to the IN3 terminal and the OUT3 terminal of the system control 23 (that is, not via a tristate buffer), respectively. Therefore, the terminal PC 40 and the system control 23 can always perform data communication via the COM 2.

  Further, the system control 23 includes an ENABLE terminal. The ENABLE terminal is a terminal capable of outputting either a high level signal or a low level signal. The ENABLE terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the tristate buffers 27a to 27d. The ENABLE terminal and the gate terminals of the tristate buffers 27e and 27f are connected via a NOT logic circuit 27g. As in the first embodiment, the NOT logic circuit 27g is a terminal that outputs Low when the input is High and outputs High when the input is Low.

  Here, when a high level signal is output from the ENABLE terminal, TxD and RxD of the level converter 27h, IN2 and OUT2 of the system control 23, IN1 and OUT1 of the system control 23, and TxD and RxD of the endoscope MCU 13 are obtained. , Each is in a conductive state. On the other hand, at this time, the tri-state buffers 27e and 27f become high impedance, and communication between the TxD terminal and RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal and TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU 13 is cut off. Therefore, in this state, the system control 23 can perform data communication with the endoscope MCU 13 and can perform data communication with the terminal PC 40 via the COM1 terminal. is there.

  When a low level signal is output from the ENABLE terminal, the TxD terminal and the RxD terminal of the level converter 27h and the RxD terminal and the TxD terminal of the endoscope MCU are brought into conduction. On the other hand, the tri-state buffers 27a to 27d become high impedance at this time, and TxD and RxD of the level converter 27h, IN2 and OUT2 of the system control 23, IN1 and OUT1 of the system control 23, and TxD and RxD of the endoscope MCU 13 Communication between is interrupted. Therefore, in this state, data communication can be performed between the terminal PC 40 and the endoscope MCU 13 via the COM1 terminal.

  In the present embodiment, by sending predetermined data to the system control 23 via the COM2 terminal of the terminal PC 40, it is possible to switch between outputting a high level signal or a low level signal from the ENABLE terminal. ing. Specifically, for example, when a parameter adjustment program is being executed on the terminal PC 40, a high level or low level signal is output from the ENABLE terminal by pressing a specific key of the terminal PC 40. Is configured to transmit to the system control 23 via the COM2 terminal.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not to perform parameter adjustment on the terminal PC 40 without providing a switch or the like in the electronic endoscope processor 20.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the switch circuit built in the processor for electronic endoscopes of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the screen of the terminal PC and the monitor are displayed when the program for changing the set value of the parameter used by the first stage signal processing circuit built in the electronic endoscope is executed. It shows an example of the contents. It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the switch circuit built in the processor for electronic endoscopes of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Electronic endoscope system 10 Electronic endoscope 11 First stage signal processing circuit 12 Memory 13 Endoscope MCU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Processor for electronic endoscope 21 Case 21a Connector for electronic endoscope 21b Monitor connector 21c, 21c 'Serial connector 22 Light source part 23 System control 24 Later stage signal processing circuit 26 Video process circuit 27 Switch circuit 27a-27f Tristate buffer 27g NOT logic circuit 27h, 27h 'Level converter 30 Monitor 40 Terminal PC

Claims (8)

A first data communication terminal connected to the electronic endoscope for transmitting / receiving data when performing data communication with the electronic endoscope;
A controller that performs data communication with the electronic endoscope via the first data communication terminal;
A second data communication terminal for transmitting and receiving data when performing data communication between an external device and the controller or the electronic endoscope;
A first mode in which the first data communication terminal and the controller are connected to enable data communication between the electronic endoscope and the controller; and the second data communication terminal and the first A switching circuit for switching between a second mode enabling data communication between the external device and the electronic endoscope by being connected to one data communication terminal without going through the controller;
A processor for an electronic endoscope.   2. In the first mode, the second data communication terminal and the controller are connected to enable data communication between the external device and the controller. The processor for electronic endoscopes as described. A video signal receiving terminal connected to the electronic endoscope and receiving a video signal output from the electronic endoscope;
A video processing circuit for processing a video signal acquired via the video signal receiving terminal to generate a video signal of a predetermined format;
A video terminal for outputting the video signal generated by the video processing circuit to the outside;
The video processing circuit is controlled by the controller.
The processor for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned. A case in which the controller and the switching circuit are housed and the first and second data communication terminals are provided in an outer shell;
Switching means formed on the outer shell of the case and operated from the outside of the processor for electronic endoscope;
Further comprising
4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit switches between the first mode and the second mode based on an operation result of the switching unit. 5. Processor.   5. The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 4, wherein the switching means includes an electronic or mechanical switch for manually switching between the first mode and the second mode. . The switching means has a third data communication terminal for transmitting and receiving data when performing data communication between the external device and the controller,
The controller switches the first mode and the second mode by controlling the switching circuit based on the data received from the external device via the third data communication terminal.
The processor for electronic endoscopes according to claim 4 characterized by things.   The controller of the electronic endoscope has signal processing means for processing video information generated by an imaging means of the electronic endoscope, according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Processor for electronic endoscope. A processor for an electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
An electronic endoscope connected to the electronic endoscope processor via the first data communication terminal;
An external device connected to the electronic endoscope processor via the second data communication terminal;
Have
The electronic endoscope is:
An electronic endoscope controller for controlling the operation of the electronic endoscope;
A memory in which information used by the electronic endoscope controller is recorded;
Memory control means for rewriting information recorded in the memory based on a result of data communication with the external device in the second mode;
An electronic endoscope system comprising:

Images