JP2009195621A - Image processing apparatus and endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To pull out an insertion portion easily when an image processing part breaks down during an examination. <P>SOLUTION: A self diagnostic circuit 68 for detecting an abnormality of the image processing part is provided in the image processing part of a processing apparatus. The self diagnostic circuit 68 transmits an abnormality detecting signal to a CPU60 when detecting the abnormality of the image processing part. The CPU60 reads an emulate program 64 from an HDD62 when receiving the abnormality detecting signal, and starts an emulator 80. The emulator 80 performs various image processing on image data input from an A/D53 in accordance with image construction information 44c read out of a ROM42 and operation instructing information 82 entered through a keyboard 36. Consequently, the insertion portion is easily pulled out since an image is displayed normally when an abnormality occurs in the image processing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data obtained by an endoscope inserted into a subject, and an endoscope system including an endoscope and an image processing apparatus.

  The endoscope system includes an endoscope (scope) that captures an image of a body cavity and a processor device. An endoscope is provided with an image sensor at the distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity. The processor device is provided with an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data output from the imaging device. This image processing unit is composed of, for example, an IC (semiconductor) such as an ASIC or FPGA.

In the endoscope system as described above, if the image display stops completely during the endoscopy due to the failure of the image processing unit, the orientation and bending state of the insertion unit cannot be confirmed. It is difficult to easily extract the part from the body cavity. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating an image based on the drive current of the image sensor when image generation using an image signal output from the image sensor becomes impossible. According to this, even when the image processing unit is out of order, the image can be displayed although the image quality is extremely low.
JP 2006-346357 A

  However, the image generated using the technique of Patent Document 1 has an extremely low resolution as an image used when the insertion unit is pulled out from the body cavity when the image processing unit breaks down, and power noise is included in the image. The image quality was too low due to contamination and the effect was questionable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily pull out an insertion portion even when an image processing unit fails during inspection.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a first image processing unit that performs image processing on image data obtained by an endoscope inserted into a subject, and the image data. A display control unit for controlling a display device that displays the image to be displayed, a first detection unit for detecting an abnormality of the first image processing unit, and an abnormality of the first image processing unit by the first detection unit. And a second image processing unit that executes the image processing instead of the first image processing unit when detected.

  It is preferable that a main control unit that performs control by outputting a control signal to the first image processing unit and the display control unit is provided, and the main control unit also serves as the second image processing unit.

  The sub-control unit that performs control by outputting a control signal to the first image processing unit and the display control unit, and the control by the main control unit and the control by the sub-control unit are selectively switched. It is more preferable to provide switching means.

  Furthermore, a second detection unit that detects an abnormality of the main control unit is provided, and the switching unit can switch from the main control unit to the sub control unit when an abnormality is detected by the second detection unit. preferable.

  The main and sub control units preferably output the control signals according to screen configuration information including at least the aspect ratio and the number of pixels of the image sensor provided in the endoscope.

  The endoscope preferably includes storage means for storing the screen configuration information, and each of the main and sub control units obtains the screen configuration information by reading from the storage means. .

  Further, each of the main and sub control units may acquire the screen configuration information by determining from the image data.

  The first image processing unit is a hardware processing unit configured by a semiconductor that executes the image processing, and the second image processing unit is executed by the first image processing unit by executing a program. Preferably, the software processing unit emulates the image processing.

  The main control unit is preferably a software control unit that performs control by executing a program, and the sub-control unit is preferably a hardware control unit that performs control by a semiconductor.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the switching unit causes the sub control unit to perform control until the start process of the main control unit is completed. The second detection means is preferably a watch dog timer.

  The endoscope according to the present invention includes an endoscope that is inserted into a subject and an image processing apparatus that includes a first image processing unit that performs image processing on image data obtained by the endoscope. The mirror system includes a display control unit for controlling a display device that displays an image represented by the image data, a first detection unit that detects an abnormality in the first image processing unit, and the first detection unit. A second image processing unit is provided that executes the image processing instead of the first image processing unit when an abnormality of the first image processing unit is detected.

  In the present invention, when an abnormality of the first image processing unit is detected, the second image processing unit executes image processing instead of the first image processing unit. As a result, even when an abnormality occurs in the first image processing unit during the inspection, the second image processing unit can perform image processing in the same manner as the first image processing unit. be able to.

  FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the endoscope system 2. The endoscope system 2 includes an electronic endoscope 10 that images a patient's body cavity, a processor device (image processing device) 12 that generates an endoscope image, and a light source device 14 that emits illumination light that illuminates the inside of the body cavity. And a monitor (display device) 16 for displaying an endoscopic image. The electronic endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 18 that is inserted into a body cavity of a patient, and an operation portion 20 that is connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 18. The electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the processor device 12 and the light source device 14 via a universal cord 22 extending from the operation unit 20.

  The processor device 12, the light source device 14, and the monitor 16 are assembled in a movable cart 24. The cart 24 includes a top tray 26 on which various instruments and medicines are placed when performing an endoscopic examination, and shelf boards 28 and 30 for placing the processor device 12 and the light source device 14 respectively. A hanger 32 for hanging the electronic endoscope 10 and a support 34 for holding the monitor 16 are provided. The top tray 26 is configured to be detachable from the cart 24 so that cleaning and replacement can be easily performed when a medicine is spilled and becomes dirty. The support column 34 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a rotation mechanism that directs the screen of the monitor 16 in an arbitrary direction and a height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height of the screen.

  The cart 24 is further provided with a keyboard 36. The keyboard 36 is slidably attached between a position stored in the cart 24 so as to be covered by the top tray 26 and a position protruding forward of the cart 24 so that each key is exposed. The keyboard 36 is electrically connected to the processor device 12 and is used when inputting character information, an operation instruction, or the like to the processor device 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the electronic endoscope 10 and the processor device 12. The electronic endoscope 10 includes a CCD (imaging device) 40 that captures image light incident through an observation window formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 18, and a ROM (storage) that stores screen configuration information 44a of the CCD 40. Means) 42. The screen configuration information 44a includes, for example, the number of pixels of the CCD 40, the aspect ratio, whether it is an interlaced CCD or a progressive CCD, and the like. The screen configuration information 44 a is read by the processor device 12 after connecting the electronic endoscope 10 and the processor device 12 via the universal code 22. The information included in the screen configuration information 44a is not limited to the above.

  The CCD 40 is connected to an amplifier (hereinafter referred to as AMP) 50 provided in the processor device 12 and a CCD driver 51. The AMP 50 amplifies the imaging signal output from the CCD 40 with a predetermined gain, and outputs the amplified signal to a correlated double sampling / programmable gain amplifier (hereinafter referred to as CDS / PGA) 52. The CDS / PGA 52 outputs the imaging signal output from the AMP 50 as R, G, B image data that accurately corresponds to the accumulated charge amount of each cell of the CCD 40, amplifies the image data, and an A / D converter (Hereinafter referred to as A / D) 53.

  The A / D 53 converts analog image data output from the CDS / PGA 52 into digital image data and outputs the digital image data to the image processing unit (first image processing unit) 54. The image processing unit 54 performs various types of image processing on the image data digitized by the A / D 53 and outputs the image data after the image processing to the display control unit 55. The image processing unit 54 is a hardware processing unit configured by an IC (semiconductor) such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

  The display control unit 55 converts the image data output from the image processing unit 54 into a video signal (for example, NTSC, composite, component, RGB, progressive, etc.) corresponding to the format of the monitor 16, and the video signal is monitored 16. Output to. Thereby, an endoscopic image obtained by photographing the inside of the body cavity of the patient is displayed on the monitor 16.

  A CCD driver 51 for driving the CCD 40 is connected to a timing generator (hereinafter referred to as TG) 56. The TG 56 is connected to a CPU (second image processing unit, main control unit) 60 that comprehensively controls each unit of the processor device 12. The TG 56 inputs a timing signal (clock pulse) to the CCD driver 51 under the control of the CPU 60. Based on the input timing signal, the CCD driver 51 controls the readout timing of the accumulated charge of the CCD 40, the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD 40, and the like.

  An HDD 62 is connected to the CPU 60. The HDD 62 stores various programs such as an OS (Operating System) program 63 that manages the operation of the entire processor device 12 and an emulation program 64 that imitates hardware processing in software. The CPU 60 comprehensively controls each unit of the processor device 12 by reading each program from the HDD 62 and sequentially processing the program.

  The CPU 60 is connected to the A / D 53 and the display control unit 55. The A / D 53 outputs the digitized image data to the image processing unit 54 and also outputs it to the CPU 60. The CPU 60 reads the emulation program 64 when the abnormality occurs in the image processing unit 54, and emulates the operation of the image processing unit 54, and performs various image processing on the image data instead of the image processing unit 54. Then, the image data is output to the display control unit 55.

  In addition to the above, the processor device 12 includes a control signal generation unit (sub control unit) 65 that generates control signals for the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55, an image processing unit 54, and a display control unit 55. A signal path switching unit (switching unit) 66 that selectively switches the wiring path of the connected signal line, and a watchdog timer (second detection unit) 67 that detects an operation abnormality of the CPU 60 are provided.

  The control signal generator 65 is connected to the ROM 42 of the electronic endoscope 10 via the universal cord 22. The control signal generation unit 65 is a hardware control unit configured with an IC such as an FPGA or an ASIC, for example. The control signal generator 65 reads the screen configuration information 44a from the ROM 42 after the power is turned on and started. The control signal generation unit 65 generates a control signal for the image processing unit 54 and a control signal for the display control unit 55 based on the read screen configuration information 44b. Here, the control signal of the image processing unit 54 defines, for example, the number of pixels of the CCD 40, the aspect ratio, the pixel arrangement information, the scale size of the image according to interlace or progressive, the type of image processing to be applied, and the like. Is to do. Further, the control signal of the display control unit 55 is for defining the display position and layout of the image in the screen.

  The control signal generation unit 65 configured by hardware generates basic control signals for causing the monitor 16 to display only a normal endoscopic image. In addition, the control signal generation unit 65 is connected to the signal path switching unit 66. The generated control signals are input to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55 via the signal path switching unit 66, respectively. The image processing unit 54 performs various types of image processing according to the input control signal. Similarly, the display control unit 55 performs display control on the monitor 16 according to the input control signal.

  The ROM 42 is connected to the control signal generator 65 and also to the CPU 60. The CPU 60 reads the screen configuration information 44 a from the ROM 42 after the power is turned on and the OS program 63 is read to start the OS. Then, the CPU 60 generates a control signal for the image processing unit 54 and a control signal for the display control unit 55 based on the read screen configuration information 44c and an operation instruction from the user input via the keyboard 36 or the like. To do. The CPU 60 is also connected to the signal path switching unit 66. The generated control signals are input to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55 via the signal path switching unit 66, respectively.

  As described above, under the control based on the OS program 63, each control signal is generated based on the screen configuration information 44c and the operation instruction from the user, for example, to emphasize subtle redness or pigment change of the lesion. The image processing unit 54 can be instructed to perform various image processing such as color enhancement processing, blood vessel enhancement processing that makes blood vessels easier to see, and structure enhancement processing that makes shapes such as polyps easier to see. Various display modes such as displaying still images and moving images side by side, displaying normal endoscopic images and spectral images side by side, and displaying character information superimposed on the endoscopic images, etc. The display controller 55 can be instructed.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the signal path switching unit 66 generates a control signal as shown in FIG. 3B and a first path that connects the CPU 60 to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55. The wiring path of the signal line is selectively switched between the second path connecting the unit 65 to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55. Accordingly, only one of each control signal generated by the CPU 60 and each control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 65 is input to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55, respectively. The switching of each path is performed by inputting a wiring path switching signal from the CPU 60 or the like to the signal path switching unit 66.

  When each control signal is generated by the CPU 60, it is possible to instruct the execution of various image processing and the setting of the display mode as described above. On the other hand, since it takes time to start up the OS, when each control signal is generated by the CPU 60, there is a problem that it takes time until the endoscopic image is displayed after the power is turned on. On the other hand, when each control signal is generated by the control signal generation unit 65, since it is hardware control, only a normal endoscopic image can be displayed, but the rise after power-on is fast. There are advantages.

  Therefore, the signal path switching unit 66 sets the signal line wiring path to the second path after the processor device 12 is powered on and activated. After starting the OS, the CPU 60 inputs a switching signal to the signal path switching unit 66 to switch the wiring path to the first path. Thereby, before the OS is started, each control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 65 is input to the image processing unit 54 and the display control unit 55, so that the image display after power-on is quickly performed. be able to. In addition, after the OS is started, various image processing and display modes can be set.

  The watchdog timer 67 is connected to the CPU 60 and the signal path switching unit 66. The watchdog timer 67 counts for a predetermined time set in advance, and resets the count according to a reset signal periodically input from the CPU 60. Then, the watchdog timer 67 detects that the CPU 60 has malfunctioned in response to the reset signal not being input from the CPU 60 and the counting of the predetermined time being completed. When the watchdog timer 67 detects an operation abnormality of the CPU 60, the watchdog timer 67 inputs a wiring path switching signal to the signal path switching unit 66 and switches the wiring path of the signal path switching unit 66 to the second path. Thereby, even when the CPU 60 causes an operation abnormality such as a hang-up, the endoscopic image can be normally displayed on the monitor 16.

  The image processing unit 54 is provided with a self-diagnosis circuit (first detection means) 68 that detects an abnormality of the image processing unit 54 such as a failure. The self-diagnosis circuit 68 is connected to the CPU 60. The self-diagnosis circuit 68 transmits an abnormality detection signal to the CPU 60 in response to detecting the abnormality of the image processing unit 54.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the CPU 60 receives the abnormality detection signal from the self-diagnosis circuit 68 in the image processing unit 54, the CPU 60 reads the emulation program 64 from the HDD 62 and emulates the operation of the image processing unit 54. Start up. The emulator 80 performs various types of image processing on the image data 84 input from the A / D 53 in accordance with the screen configuration information 44 c read from the ROM 42 and the operation instruction information 82 input via the keyboard 36. Then, the image data after image processing is output to the display control unit 55. Thereby, even when an abnormality occurs in the image processing unit 54, the endoscopic image can be normally displayed on the monitor 16.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When performing an inspection using the endoscope system 2, the user first connects the clean electronic endoscope 10 that has been cleaned and disinfected, and prepares equipment necessary for the inspection such as a treatment instrument and a medicine. Prepare for inspection. A user who has prepared for examination turns on the power of the processor device 12, the light source device 14, the monitor 16, etc., and activates the endoscope system 2.

  When the power of the processor device 12 is turned on, the CPU 60 reads the OS program 63 from the HDD 62 and starts the OS startup process. On the other hand, the control signal generator 65 starts generating each control signal at the same time as the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the signal path switching unit 66 sets the wiring path of the signal line to the second path, and each control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 65 is transmitted to the image processing unit 54, the display control unit 55, and the like. To input.

  Thereby, since the endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 16 until the OS activation process is completed, it is possible to prevent the user from being given a wasteful waiting time. After the endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 16, the user inserts the insertion portion 18 of the electronic endoscope 10 into the body cavity of the patient, and starts an examination.

  After starting the OS, the CPU 60 starts generating each control signal and inputs a switching signal to the signal path switching unit 66 to switch the wiring path to the first path. Accordingly, it is possible to specify each image processing such as color enhancement and blood vessel enhancement or to specify multi-display for displaying a plurality of images side by side according to operation instruction information 82 input via the keyboard 36 or the like. .

  When an inspection is performed while displaying an endoscopic image on the monitor 16, if an operation abnormality of the CPU 60 is detected by the watchdog timer 67, a wiring path switching signal is sent from the watchdog timer 67 to the signal path switching unit 66. Entered. When the switching signal from the watchdog timer 67 is input, the wiring path of the signal path switching unit 66 is switched to the second path. Thereby, even when the CPU 60 causes an operation abnormality such as a hang-up, the endoscopic image is normally displayed on the monitor 16.

  Further, when an abnormality of the image processing unit 54 is detected by the self-diagnosis circuit 68 during the inspection, an abnormality detection signal is transmitted from the self-diagnosis circuit 68 to the CPU 60 (see FIG. 4). When the abnormality detection signal from the self-diagnosis circuit 68 is received by the CPU 60, the emulator 80 is activated and the operation of the image processing unit 54 is emulated. Thus, even when an abnormality occurs in the image processing unit 54, the endoscopic image is normally displayed on the monitor 16.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the endoscope image is normally displayed on the monitor 16 even when the CPU 60 malfunctions or the image processing unit 54 malfunctions. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the endoscopic image is not displayed in a state where the patient is in the body cavity of the patient. In addition, the image quality is not significantly reduced when an image is displayed with each control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 65 or when the operation of the image processing unit 54 is emulated by the emulator 80. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the CPU 60 or the image processing unit 54 during the inspection, the insertion unit 18 can be easily pulled out.

  In the above embodiment, the screen configuration information 44a is stored in the ROM 42 provided in the electronic endoscope 10, and the CPU 60 and the control signal generation unit 65 acquire the screen configuration information 44b and 44c by reading from the ROM 42. However, the method of acquiring the screen configuration information 44b and 44c is not limited to this. For example, information indicating the model of the electronic endoscope 10 is stored in the ROM 42, and table data in which the model of the electronic endoscope 10 and the screen configuration information 44 a are associated is stored in the HDD 62 of the processor device 12. The screen configuration information 44b and 44c may be acquired by referring to the table data based on the read information.

  Furthermore, without storing the screen configuration information 44a in advance, as shown in FIG. 6, the screen configuration information 44b is determined by determining the number of pixels, aspect ratio, and the like of the CCD 40 from the image data 84 input from the A / D 53. 44c may be acquired. In the above embodiment, the ROM 42 is shown as the storage unit. However, the storage unit is not limited to this, and any unit may be used as long as it can store the screen configuration information 44a such as an RFID tag.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic endoscope 10 is shown as an endoscope. However, the endoscope is not limited to this, and for example, an ultrasonic endoscope, a fluorescent endoscope, an optical coherence tomometer, or the like. An (OCT) endoscope or the like may be used. Moreover, although the medical endoscope which makes a patient a subject was shown in the said embodiment, the endoscope is not restricted to this, The industrial thing which uses piping etc. as a subject may be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the CCD 40 is shown as the image sensor, but the image sensor is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

  In the above embodiment, the first image processing unit is described as a hardware processing unit, and the second image processing unit is described as a software processing unit. Conversely, the first image processing unit is a software processing unit, and the second image processing unit is a second processing unit. The image processing unit may be a hardware processing unit. Furthermore, both the first and second image processing units may be hardware processing units or software processing units.

  In the above embodiment, the main control unit is described as a software control unit and the sub control unit is defined as a hardware control unit. On the contrary, the main control unit is defined as a hardware control unit and the sub control unit is defined as a software control unit. It is good. Furthermore, both the main and sub control units may be hardware control units or software control units.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the signal path switching unit 66 that switches the wiring path in response to the switching signal is shown as the switching means. However, the switching means is not limited to this, and for example, the user manually sets the wiring path. It may be switched. In the above embodiment, the watchdog timer 67 is shown as the second detection means. However, the second detection means is not limited to this, and any means can be used as long as it can detect an abnormality in the main control unit such as the CPU 60. But you can.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the HDD 62 is shown as a storage location for various programs such as the OS program 63 and the emulation program 64. However, the storage location for various programs is not limited to this. Alternatively, it may be a storage device composed of a semiconductor memory that holds the memory. Also, recording media such as CD and DVD, and memory cards such as compact flash (registered trademark) and SD card may be used. Further, it may be an external storage device or server connected via a LAN.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the control signal generation unit 65 has been shown to perform control based on the screen configuration information 44b read from the content of the screen configuration information 44a in the ROM 42 in the electronic endoscope 10, but the screen configuration information Screen configuration information 44a in the ROM 42 may be used instead of 44b. The CPU 60 may also use the screen configuration information 44a instead of the screen configuration information 44c.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the AMP 50, the CDS / PGA 52, and the A / D 53 are included in the processor device 12, but may be included in the electronic endoscope 10. Further, the AMP 50, the CDS / PGA 52, and the A / D 53 may be provided as separate adapters outside the electronic endoscope 10 or the processor device 12. In addition, the AMP 50, the CDS / PGA 52, and the A / D 53 may be separated and included in a plurality of devices. For example, the AMP 50 and the CDS / PGA 52 are included in the electronic endoscope 10, and only the A / D 53 is a processor device. 12 may be included. In addition, only the AMP 50 may be included in the electronic endoscope 10, and the CDS / PGA 52 and the A / D 53 may be included in the processor device 12.

It is a front view showing roughly the composition of an endoscope system. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of each wiring path | route which can be switched by a signal path | route switch part. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the procedure at the time of emulating operation | movement of an image process part by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the test | inspection procedure of an endoscope system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which discriminate | determines screen structure information from image data.

Explanation of symbols

2 Endoscope system 10 Electronic endoscope 12 Processor device (image processing device)
16 Monitor (display device)
40 CCD (imaging device)
42 ROM (storage means)
54 Image processing unit (first image processing unit)
55 Display control unit 60 CPU (second image processing unit, main control unit)
65 Control signal generator (sub-controller)
66 Signal path switching unit (switching means)
67 Watchdog timer (second detection means)
68 Self-diagnosis circuit (first detection means)
80 emulator

Claims (12)

A first image processing unit for performing image processing on image data obtained by an endoscope inserted into a subject;
A display control unit for controlling a display device that displays an image represented by the image data;
First detection means for detecting an abnormality in the first image processing unit;
And a second image processing unit that executes the image processing instead of the first image processing unit when an abnormality of the first image processing unit is detected by the first detection unit. Image processing device.   A main control unit that performs control by outputting a control signal to the first image processing unit and the display control unit, and the main control unit also serves as the second image processing unit; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A sub-control unit that performs control by outputting a control signal to the first image processing unit and the display control unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a switching unit that selectively switches between control by the main control unit and control by the sub-control unit. A second detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the main control unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit switches from the main control unit to the sub control unit when an abnormality is detected by the second detection unit.   The main and sub control units each output the control signal corresponding to screen configuration information including at least an aspect ratio and a pixel count of an image sensor provided in the endoscope. 4. The image processing apparatus according to 4. The endoscope has storage means for storing the screen configuration information,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the main and sub control units acquires the screen configuration information by reading from the storage unit.   6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the main and sub control units acquires the screen configuration information by discriminating from the image data.   The first image processing unit is a hardware processing unit configured by a semiconductor that executes the image processing, and the second image processing unit is executed by the first image processing unit by executing a program. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a software processing unit that emulates image processing.   9. The main control unit is a software control unit that performs control by executing a program, and the sub-control unit is a hardware control unit that performs control using a semiconductor. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switching unit causes the sub control unit to perform control until start processing of the main control unit is completed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second detection unit is a watch dog timer. In an endoscope system including an endoscope inserted into a subject and an image processing apparatus including a first image processing unit that performs image processing on image data obtained by the endoscope.
A display control unit for controlling a display device that displays an image represented by the image data;
First detection means for detecting an abnormality in the first image processing unit;
A second image processing unit is provided for executing the image processing instead of the first image processing unit when an abnormality of the first image processing unit is detected by the first detection unit. Endoscope system.

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