JP2008245934A - Signal conversion adapter and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal conversion adapter, even if a type of an electronic endoscope and a type of a processor are not conformed with each other, capable of suitably constituting an electronic endoscope system; and the electronic endoscope system constituted of the signal conversion adapter. <P>SOLUTION: This signal conversion adapter in the electronic endoscope system which has an electronic endoscope outputting an image signal generated by an image pickup means to the outside, and a processor executing a prescribed image processing to the image signal, includes a D/A conversion section for converting a digital image signal into an analog image signal, an A/D conversion section for converting the analog image signal into the digital image signal, and a determination means for determining the type of the connected electronic endoscope and the type of the connected processor and determining either of respective conversion sections for converting the image signal from the electronic endoscope based on the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an electronic endoscope that captures an external image with an image sensor disposed at a tip, and a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal output from the image sensor and outputs the processed image signal to an external display unit or the like. The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system having a signal conversion adapter suitably used in the system.

  A medical or industrial electronic endoscope system generally includes an electronic endoscope having an image sensor at the tip of a flexible tube, and an image signal generated by the image sensor and output from the electronic endoscope. A processor that performs predetermined image processing and outputs the result to an external device such as a monitor; In the conventional electronic endoscope system, as exemplified in Patent Document 1, the image signal output from the electronic endoscope is analog, and the image signal that can be input to the processor is also analog.

JP-A-8-281476

  On the other hand, in recent years, an electronic endoscope capable of outputting a digital image signal and a processor capable of inputting a digital image signal are provided so as to prevent deterioration of the image quality of the captured image and to observe a high-quality captured image. Electronic endoscope systems are known. Such an electronic endoscope system is disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, for example.

JP 2004-305373 A

  Each term used in the text is defined as follows. The signal type refers to an analog signal or a digital signal. The electronic endoscope type represents an electronic endoscope that transmits an analog image signal or an electronic endoscope that transmits a digital image signal. The processor type indicates whether an analog image signal can be received and input, in other words, a processor that can internally process or a processor that can receive (process) a digital image signal.

  As described above, conventionally, with respect to the image signal generated by the image sensor, an electronic endoscope system including an analog type electronic endoscope and an analog type processor, a digital type electronic endoscope, and a digital type processor are used. Co-existing with electronic endoscope system. Here, if the type of electronic endoscope and the type of processor are different, signal processing cannot be performed. Therefore, different types of electronic endoscopes and processors cannot be used in combination, in other words, an electronic endoscope system cannot be configured.

  In general, electronic endoscopes have a shorter life cycle than processors, and have a variety of types corresponding to imaging regions. However, in order to appropriately configure an electronic endoscope system, it is inefficient in terms of cost and arrangement space to arrange a plurality of processors according to the type of electronic endoscope to be used. Moreover, it is cumbersome to determine the type of electronic endoscope that the user intends to use and use it appropriately. Therefore, there is a demand for using an electronic endoscope that outputs either analog or digital image signals in combination with a processor that it already has.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a signal conversion adapter that can suitably configure an electronic endoscope system even if the type of electronic endoscope and the type of processor do not match, and the signal An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope system including a conversion adapter.

  In order to solve the above problems, a signal conversion adapter according to claim 1 of the present invention is an electronic endoscope that outputs an image signal generated by an imaging unit to the outside, and performs predetermined image processing on the image signal. A signal conversion adapter in an electronic endoscope system having a processor, a D / A converter that converts a digital image signal into an analog image signal, and an A / D converter that converts an analog image signal into a digital image signal The type of the electronic endoscope connected and the type of the processor connected are determined, and on the basis of the determination result, which of the conversion units converts the image signal from the electronic endoscope is determined. And a determining means.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of the first aspect, even if the type of the electronic endoscope to be connected is different from the type of the processor to be connected, the signal conversion is appropriately performed.

  More specifically, according to the signal conversion adapter of the second aspect, the D / A conversion unit performs the adjustment process related to the output timing on the digital signal input to the D / A conversion unit. The A / D conversion unit includes a second timing adjustment unit that performs adjustment processing related to output timing on the digital signal converted in the A / D conversion unit. As a result, timing adjustment with higher accuracy is possible, and blurring of the displayed image can be effectively prevented.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of the third aspect, the determining means can determine the type of the electronic endoscope based on the data inherent to the electronic endoscope transmitted from the electronic endoscope.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of the fourth aspect, the determination unit can determine the type of the processor based on the predetermined data transmitted from the processor. Here, if the predetermined data is data relating to the control command, the determining means can determine the type of the processor based on the arrangement of the data relating to the control command.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of the sixth aspect, it is preferable that the signal conversion adapter further includes a light guide unit that guides light incident from the outside to the electronic endoscope.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of claim 7, the signal conversion adapter includes the bypass unit that directly outputs the image signal output from the electronic endoscope to the processor without passing through each conversion unit, and the determination unit is connected. When it is determined that the type of the electronic endoscope and the type of the connected processor are the same, the image signal may be transmitted using the bypass unit.

  From another viewpoint, the electronic endoscope system according to claim 8 includes an imaging unit and a storage unit that stores information unique to itself, and externally outputs an image signal generated by the imaging unit. An electronic endoscope to be output to, a processor that performs predetermined image processing on the input image signal, and a signal conversion adapter having the above-described characteristics, and the electronic endoscope and the processor convert the signal It is electrically connected through an adapter.

  According to the signal conversion adapter of the present invention, the type of the connected electronic endoscope and the type of the processor are determined, and the A / D and D / A conversion units are selectively driven. Thereby, even if the signal type of the image signal output from the electronic endoscope does not match the signal type of the image signal that can be input to the processor, the electronic endoscope system can be suitably configured. .

  Further, according to the electronic endoscope system according to the present invention, the user can use the electronic signal without worrying about the signal type of the image signal output from the electronic endoscope and the signal type of the image signal that can be input to the processor. An image captured by the endoscope can be appropriately processed by a processor and output to the outside.

  An electronic endoscope system having a signal conversion adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system 100 of the present embodiment. The electronic endoscope system 100 includes an electronic endoscope 10A (10D), a processor 20A (20D), a signal conversion adapter 30, and a monitor 40. The electronic endoscope 10A represents an analog type electronic endoscope, and the electronic endoscope 10D represents a digital type electronic endoscope. Similarly, the processor 20A represents an analog type processor, and the processor 20D represents a digital type processor. The electronic endoscopes 10A and 10D are alternatively selected and used. Similarly, each processor 20A, 20D is alternatively selected and used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope 10 </ b> A (10 </ b> D) includes a grip portion 11, a flexible tube 12, an image sensor 13 provided at the distal end portion of the flexible tube 12, and a connection cable 14. The processor 20 </ b> A (20 </ b> D) includes a system controller 21, an image processing unit 22, a light source unit 23, and a connector 24. The signal conversion adapter 30 includes an adapter main body 31, a connector 32, and a connection cable 33.

  In the electronic endoscope system 100, the connection cable 14 of the electronic endoscope 10A (10D) is connected to the connector 32 of the signal conversion adapter 30, and the connection cable 33 of the signal conversion adapter 30 is connected to the connector 24 of the processor 20A (20D). It is configured by connecting. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic endoscope 10A (10D) and the processor 20A (20D) are electrically and optically connected via the signal conversion adapter 30 by configuring as described above. . In order to enable the above connection, the connector 32 of the signal conversion adapter 30 is configured to be compatible with any of the connection cables 14 of the electronic endoscopes 10A and 10D. For the same purpose, the connection cable 33 of the signal conversion adapter 30 is configured to be compatible with the connectors 24 of the processors 20A and 20D.

  The imaging process of the test object T using the electronic endoscope system 100 will be outlined below. In the following description, the same processing is used regardless of which of the electronic endoscopes 10A and 10D and each of the processors 20A and 20D is selected and used.

  Upon receiving an instruction to start an imaging process from outside the processor 20A (20D), the system controller 21 controls the light source unit 23 to turn on. Note that the system controller 21 not only controls each part of the processor 20 with respect to the imaging process, but also controls the entire electronic endoscope system 100 as a whole.

  The light source unit 23 emits light in response to a control signal from the system controller 21. The irradiated light is transmitted through the signal conversion adapter 30 and the electronic endoscope 10 </ b> A (10 </ b> D), and is emitted to the outside from the distal end of the flexible tube 12. In FIG. 1, a light transmission path (light path) from the light source unit 23 to the tip of the flexible tube 12 is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The light emitted from the distal end of the flexible tube 12 illuminates the test object T (for example, a body cavity in the case of a medical electronic endoscope system).

  Reflected light from the illuminated test object is received by the image sensor 13. The image sensor 13 performs a photoelectric conversion to generate a voltage signal (hereinafter referred to as an image signal) corresponding to the amount of received light. The generated image signal is output from the electronic endoscope 10A (10D) and input to the processor 20A (20D) via the signal conversion adapter 30.

  In the processor 20 </ b> A (20 </ b> D), the image signal is input to the image processing unit 22. The image processing unit 22 performs well-known image processing such as white balance adjustment and gamma correction on the image signal to generate a video signal (video signal) conforming to the standard of the monitor 40, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 40. When the monitor 40 receives the video signal output from the processor 20A (20D), the monitor 40 displays an image corresponding to the signal.

  Next, the signal conversion processing in the electronic endoscope system 100 will be described in detail corresponding to the combination of the selected electronic endoscope and the processor.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing signal conversion processing in the electronic endoscope system 100 that selects and uses the analog type electronic endoscope 10A and the digital type processor 20D. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of signal conversion processing performed between the controllers 15, 21, and 34. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the analog electronic endoscope 10 </ b> A includes a scope controller 15 and an EEPROM 16 in addition to the image sensor 13. The signal conversion adapter 30 includes an adapter controller 34, a signal switching unit 35, an A / D conversion unit 36, a D / A conversion unit 37, and a bypass 38.

  When the electronic endoscope 10A is connected to the signal conversion adapter 30, the scope controller 15 outputs a trigger signal to the adapter controller 34 (S1). Here, the trigger signal is a signal indicating that the effective electronic endoscope 10A is properly connected. When receiving the trigger signal, the adapter controller 34 instructs the scope controller 15 to transmit data unique to the electronic endoscope 10A (hereinafter referred to as scope data) (S3). When receiving the instruction, the scope controller 15 reads out the scope data of the electronic endoscope 10A stored in the EEPROM 16 and transmits it to the adapter controller 34 (S5). The scope data stored in the EEPROM 16 is exemplified by a plurality of identification information such as a lot number.

  Next, the adapter controller 34 determines what type of electronic endoscope 10A is currently connected to the signal conversion adapter 30 based on the scope data transmitted from the scope controller 15 (S7). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the adapter controller 34 determines that it is an analog type. Here, the completion of the type determination means that the currently connected electronic endoscope is an effective endoscope as a component of the electronic endoscope system according to the present invention. Therefore, the adapter controller 34 is configured to perform error processing such as notifying the outside that the electronic endoscope currently connected cannot be used when the type determination shown in S7 in FIG. 3 is impossible. You may do it.

  In S3, when the type determination of the electronic endoscope 10A is completed, the adapter controller 34 transmits the trigger signal output from the scope controller 15 in S1 to the system controller 21 of the processor 20D (S9).

  When receiving the trigger signal transmitted from the adapter controller 34, the system controller 21 transmits a control command signal to the adapter controller 34 (S11). The control command signal is a control signal for reading information (that is, scope data) related to the electronic endoscope 10A necessary for overall control of the electronic endoscope system.

  When the control command signal is transmitted, the adapter controller 34 determines the type of the processor 20D based on the control command signal (S13). Here, the control command signal is configured such that the order of the scope data to be read is different between the analog type processor 20A and the digital type processor 20D. Therefore, the adapter controller 34 determines what type of processor 20D is currently connected by analyzing the control command signal. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the adapter controller 34 determines that it is a digital type.

  When the type determination of the processor 20D is completed in S9, the adapter controller 34 proceeds to the process of S15. Here, the adapter controller 34 converts predetermined scope data into data suitable for the processor 20D and outputs the data to the processor 20D in accordance with the received control command signal as a process separate from the signal conversion process.

  In S15, the adapter controller 34 corresponds to the currently connected electronic endoscope and processor based on the type of electronic endoscope 10A acquired by the process of S7 and the type of processor 20D acquired by the process of S13. A path on which signal conversion processing is performed is determined. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the analog image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10A needs to be digitized, that is, digitized, that can be input to the processor 20D. Therefore, the adapter controller 34 determines a path so that the image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10 </ b> A is input to the A / D conversion unit 36. Then, the adapter controller 34 controls the signal switching unit 35 so that the determined route becomes valid (S17).

  When the image signal generated by the image sensor 13 is transmitted in the state where the processing of S17 is completed, the signal switching unit 35 transmits the image signal to the A / D conversion unit 36. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the A / D converter 36 in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10A is a Y / C component signal used in a general television system. The same applies to the example shown in FIG. The Y and C signals via the signal switching unit 35 are input to the A / D conversion circuit 361. The A / D conversion circuit 361 performs A / D conversion on each of the Y and C signals and digitizes them. The digitized Y and C signals are output to the first timing adjustment circuit 363 at the subsequent stage.

  In general, in the case of a Y / C component signal, a synchronization signal is superimposed on the Y signal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the Y signal is input not only to the A / D conversion circuit 361 but also to the synchronization separation circuit 362. The synchronization separation circuit 362 is a circuit that separates and extracts a synchronization signal from the Y signal. The synchronization signal extracted by the synchronization separation circuit 362 is output to the first timing adjustment circuit 363 at the subsequent stage.

  The first timing adjustment circuit 363 sends the Y, C, and synchronous digital signals to the processor 20D so that the image processing unit 22 can execute image processing at such a timing that an image is always displayed at an appropriate display position on the monitor 40. Adjust the signal output timing. It should be noted that the timing adjustment is more accurate when performed on the digital signal than on the analog signal. Therefore, in the A / D conversion unit 36 of the present embodiment, the first timing adjustment circuit 363 is disposed at the subsequent stage of the A / D conversion circuit 361. The Y, C, and synchronous digital signals whose timings are adjusted by the first timing adjustment circuit 363 are output to the image processing unit 22 of the digital type processor 20D. The image processing unit 22 of the processor 20D performs predetermined image processing on each input digital signal.

  The signal conversion processing in the electronic endoscope system 100 that selects and uses the analog type electronic endoscope 10A and the digital type processor 20D has been described above. Next, signal conversion processing in the electronic endoscope system 100 that selects and uses the digital type electronic endoscope 10D and the analog type processor 20A will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing signal conversion processing in the electronic endoscope system 100 that selects and uses the digital type electronic endoscope 10D and the analog type processor 20A. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those described in the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the digital type electronic endoscope 10 </ b> D, the image signal generated by the imaging device 13 is converted into an 8-bit digital signal by the in-scope signal processing unit 17. More specifically, the image signal is converted into an 8-bit digital Y signal, an 8-bit digital C signal, and a synchronization signal.

  In the signal conversion adapter 30, the adapter controller 34 performs a series of processes shown in FIG. 3 in conjunction with the other controllers 15 and 21, and a signal conversion process corresponding to the currently connected electronic endoscope and processor is performed. Determine the route. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the digital image signal (8-bit digital Y signal, 8-bit digital C signal, synchronization signal) output from the electronic endoscope 10D is converted into a signal type that can be input to the processor 20A, that is, analogized. There is a need. Therefore, the adapter controller 34 determines a route so that each signal output from the electronic endoscope 10 </ b> D is input to the D / A conversion unit 37. Then, the adapter controller 34 controls the signal switching unit 35 so that the determined route becomes valid.

  Accordingly, the two types of digital signals and synchronization signals output from the electronic endoscope 10 </ b> D are input to the D / A conversion unit 37 via the signal switching unit 35. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail the D / A conversion unit 37. As shown in FIG. 6, the D / A conversion unit 37 includes a second timing adjustment circuit 371 and a D / A conversion circuit 372. As described above, it is more efficient to perform the timing adjustment process on the digital signal. Accordingly, in the D / A conversion unit 37, the second timing adjustment circuit 371 and the D / A conversion circuit 372 are arranged in the order in which signals are input.

  Since the processing performed by the second timing adjustment circuit 371 is the same as that of the first timing adjustment circuit 363 in the A / D conversion unit 36 described above, the description thereof is omitted here. Each signal subjected to the timing adjustment processing is input to the D / A conversion circuit 372.

  The D / A conversion circuit 372 performs a process opposite to the process performed by the A / D conversion circuit 361 in the A / D conversion unit 36 described above. That is, the D / A conversion circuit 372 converts the digital Y signal into an analog signal by superimposing the synchronization signal on the digital Y signal. Then, the converted analog Y signal and analog C signal are output to the analog type processor 20A. The image processing unit 22 of the processor 20A performs predetermined image processing on each input analog signal.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when the electronic endoscope and the processor to be connected are of a common type, the imaging process can be performed with the signal conversion adapter interposed. Specifically, in the process of S15 shown in FIG. 3, both the electronic endoscope currently connected to the signal conversion adapter 30 and the processor are of the same type (for example, the analog electronic endoscope 10A and the analog type). If it is determined that the type of processor 20A), the adapter controller 34 determines the bypass 38 as the path of the image signal. Thereby, in the signal conversion adapter 34, the conversion process regarding the signal type is not performed, and the image signal output from the electronic endoscope is input to the processor as it is. By configuring in this way, user convenience can be further improved. Conversely, by adopting a configuration that does not provide this bypass, it is possible to reduce costs and reduce the processing load on the signal conversion adapter 30.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure demonstrated above, For example, the deformation | transformation as described below is also possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image signal is described as a Y / C component signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a composite signal or another signal standard can also be used.

  In the above embodiment, the control command signal output from the processor is used for determining the type of the processor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the signal conversion adapter can read processor-specific data and make a type determination based on the data, in the same manner as the type determination of an electronic endoscope.

It is a figure showing a schematic structure of an electronic endoscope system of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the signal conversion process in the electronic endoscope system which selects and uses an analog type electronic endoscope and a digital type processor. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the signal conversion process performed between each controller of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the A / D conversion part of embodiment in detail. It is a block diagram which shows the signal conversion process in the electronic endoscope system which selects and uses a digital type electronic endoscope and an analog type processor. It is a block diagram which shows the D / A conversion part of embodiment in detail.

Explanation of symbols

10A, 10D Electronic endoscope 20A, 20D Processor 30 Signal conversion adapter 34 Adapter controller 35 Signal switching unit 36 A / D conversion unit 37 D / A conversion unit 100 Electronic endoscope system

Claims (8)

A signal conversion adapter in an electronic endoscope system comprising: an electronic endoscope that outputs an image signal generated by an imaging unit to the outside; and a processor that performs predetermined image processing on the image signal,
A D / A converter for converting a digital image signal into an analog image signal;
An A / D converter that converts an analog image signal into a digital image signal;
The type of the electronic endoscope connected and the type of the processor connected are determined, and based on the determination result, which of the conversion units converts the image signal from the electronic endoscope is determined. And a signal conversion adapter. The signal conversion adapter according to claim 1,
The D / A conversion unit includes a first timing adjustment unit that performs an adjustment process related to an output timing on the digital signal input to the D / A conversion unit,
The signal conversion adapter, wherein the A / D conversion unit includes a second timing adjustment unit that performs an adjustment process related to an output timing on the digital signal converted in the A / D conversion unit. The signal conversion adapter according to claim 1 or 2,
The signal conversion adapter, wherein the determining means determines the type of the electronic endoscope based on data unique to the electronic endoscope transmitted from the electronic endoscope. In the signal conversion adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The signal conversion adapter, wherein the determining means determines the type of the processor based on predetermined data transmitted from the processor. The signal conversion adapter according to claim 4,
The predetermined data is data relating to a control command,
The signal conversion adapter according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the type of the processor based on an array of data regarding the control command. In the signal conversion adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A signal conversion adapter, further comprising light guide means for guiding light incident from the outside to the electronic endoscope. The signal conversion adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A bypass unit that directly outputs the image signal output from the electronic endoscope without passing through each of the conversion units to the processor;
The determination unit is configured to transmit the image signal using the bypass unit when determining that the type of the electronic endoscope connected and the type of the processor are the same. adapter. An electronic endoscope having an imaging means and a storage means for storing information unique to the imaging means, and outputting an image signal generated by the imaging means to the outside;
A processor that performs predetermined image processing on the input image signal;
A signal conversion adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The electronic endoscope system, wherein the electronic endoscope and the processor are electrically connected via the signal conversion adapter.

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