JP2010082224A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technologies for reducing the cost by simplifying the transmission pathway to transmit signals to a distal end part. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes the front end part 100 having a CCD 112 for acquiring a drive signal and outputting an image signal in response to the obtined drive signal, and an apparatus body 20 having a body control part 21 for outputting a control signal to the CCD 112. The front end part 100 includes an LED 113 as one example of an auxiliary member for assisting the imaging by the CCD 112, and a signal processing/control part 114 for driving the CCD 112 and having a function of processing the image signal output from the CCD 112 and a function of controlling the LED 113 based on the control signal from the body control part 21 of the apparatus body 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

As an example of an imaging apparatus, an endoscope apparatus has been proposed that includes an insertion unit that has an imaging element, for example, a CCD in its tip, and a signal processing apparatus that processes an imaging signal captured by the CCD (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
The endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1 images an examination site in a lumen through an objective optical system in which an elongated insertion portion is inserted into the lumen and an imaging element is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion. To do. In addition, a light source using LEDs as light emitting elements is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion. Then, the signal processing device drives the CCD, performs signal processing on the imaging signal from the CCD and displays an observation image of the inspection location on the display unit, an LED driver which is a driver for lighting the LED, And a control unit for controlling the inside of the apparatus.

JP 2007-301098 A

In order to adjust the irradiation light amount of the LED at the distal end inserted into the lumen, it is necessary to directly apply and transmit the control signal from the LED driver by a method such as PWM.
A drive signal for driving the CCD is transmitted from the signal processing unit to the CCD provided on the distal end side through a transmission path in the elongated insertion unit. The analog image signal output from the CCD is transmitted to the signal processing unit via the transmission path in the elongated cable, converted into a digital signal, and then displayed on the display unit.

As described above, it is necessary to transmit a large amount of control signals and image signals between the LED driver or the signal processing unit and the tip. For this reason, the transmission path becomes complicated and high costs are incurred.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of simplifying a transmission path for transmitting a signal to the tip and reducing the cost. is there.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a tip portion having an image pickup device that acquires a drive signal and outputs an image signal in accordance with the acquired drive signal, and a main body control portion that outputs a control signal for the image pickup device. A main body part, and the front end part is an auxiliary member for assisting imaging by the image sensor, a function of driving the image sensor and a signal processing of an image signal output from the image sensor, and the apparatus main body part And a distal end side control unit having a function of controlling the auxiliary member based on a control signal from the main body control unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the distal end side control unit samples / holds the image signal from the image sensor, and amplifies the sample / hold processed image signal to a predetermined level. The imaging according to claim 1, further comprising: an analog pre-processing unit that performs digital conversion and digital output; and a digital signal processing unit that performs processing on a digital signal output from the analog pre-processing unit. Device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the distal end side control unit of the distal end portion and the main body control unit of the apparatus main body unit are connected by a cable, and a control signal output from the main body control unit is transmitted via the cable. The image signal processed by the distal end side control unit and transmitted to the distal end side control unit is transmitted to the main body control unit via the cable. It is an imaging device of description.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the auxiliary member is a light emitting element that illuminates a subject imaged by the imaging element, and the tip side control unit controls illuminance of the light emitting element. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary member is a drive member that is driven to change the direction of the tip portion, and the tip side control unit is configured to control the posture of the tip portion. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein driving is controlled.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further simplify the transmission path for transmitting a signal to the tip portion as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to claim 2 of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image signal with higher accuracy than in the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to claim 3 of the present invention, the transmission path can be made simpler than when the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further simplify the transmission path even in the case where the light emitting element is provided at the tip, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further simplify the transmission path even when a drive member that is driven to change the direction of the tip portion is provided, as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

The best mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.
The imaging apparatus 1 is used as an endoscope apparatus that performs observation and examination in a body cavity or a surveillance camera.
As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an insertion unit 10 that is inserted into a lumen, an apparatus body 20, a display unit 30 that displays an image, and an operation unit 40.

The insertion unit 10 is a flexible device having an optical system 111 such as a lens, a CCD 112 that is a solid-state imaging device, an LED 113 that is an example of a light emitting device as a light source, and a signal cable 211 inside. And the tube 200. The LED 113 functions as an auxiliary member that assists imaging by the CCD 112.
Further, the distal end portion 100 includes a signal processing / control unit 114 as an example of a distal end side control unit that has a function of driving the CCD 112 and processing an imaging signal from the CCD 112 and a function of controlling the amount of light emitted from the LED 113. Have. The signal processing / control unit 114 will be described in detail later. In the following description, the CCD 112 is described as an example of the solid-state imaging device. However, the solid-state imaging device is not limited to the CCD, and a CMOS sensor can be configured similarly.

The apparatus main body unit 20 is connected to the insertion unit 10, the display unit 30, and the operation unit 40, and includes a main body control unit 21 that exchanges signals and supplies power to them and controls the entire apparatus.
The display unit 30 is, for example, a display screen unit 31 composed of a display device such as an LCD, and a display screen that is connected to the main body control unit 21 and can display display image data sent from the main body control unit 21 on the display screen unit 31. The display control unit 32 converts the image signal into an RGB signal, for example.
The operation unit 40 includes, for example, a joystick for performing operation input and a plurality of operation buttons on the surface. When the operator operates them, an operation input signal is received by an operation control unit 41 provided therein. It is generated and sent to the main body control unit 21.

Next, the signal processing / control unit 114 of the distal end portion 100 of the insertion unit 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the signal processing / control unit 114.
First, the CCD 112 of the tip 100 is a device that converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal and outputs it as a two-dimensional image, and includes a light receiving unit including a plurality of light receiving elements (photodiodes) that perform photoelectric conversion. A transfer gate and a shift register (transfer unit). Each light receiving element of the light receiving unit generates and accumulates charges corresponding to the amount of light received. When the shift signal becomes active after a predetermined time required for charge accumulation has elapsed, the transfer gate is turned on. As a result, the stored charge, which is analog image data, is transferred to the shift register provided corresponding to each light receiving element via the transfer gate. The image (pixel) signal (accumulated charge) Vout transferred to each shift register is serially output from the CCD 112 based on H1 and H2 which are two-phase drive clocks (control signals).

  The signal processing / control unit 114 includes an AFE (analog front end) 114a as an example of an analog pre-processing unit that processes the image signal Vout that is an output signal from the CCD 112, and digital signal processing that performs digital signal processing on the output of the AFE 114a. Part 114b. Further, the signal processing / control unit 114 generates drive clocks H1 and H2 that are control signals for the CCD 112, and TG (Timing Generator) that generates various timing signals such as AFE drive pulses SHP and SHD that are control signals for the AFE 114a. 114c.

  The AFE 114a is subjected to sample / hold processing with CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) as an image signal processing unit that performs sample / hold processing while removing noise from the image signal (accumulated charge) Vout input from the CCD 112. PGA (Programmable Gain Amplifier) for amplifying the obtained image signal to a predetermined level. The AFE 114a also converts an analog image signal amplified by the PGA into a digital signal, and a latch for sending the digital signal converted by the A / D converter to the digital signal processing unit 114b. Department.

  The digital signal processing unit 114b performs processing on the digital signal output from the AFE 114a, and performs imaging data processing required in the imaging apparatus 1. For example, the digital signal processing unit 114b performs video processing such as white balance and gamma correction, and encoding processing such as format processing and compression processing. Then, the data subjected to the given processing in the digital signal processing unit 114b is transmitted to the main body control unit 21 via the signal cable 211, and an image is displayed on the display unit 30, or in a recording unit (not shown). It is recorded on a recording medium or output from a transmission unit (not shown).

The TG 114 c generates drive clocks H 1 and H 2 that are the basis of the image signal output of the CCD 112 and a reset gate pulse RG that is input to the gate of the CCD 112, and supplies it to the CCD 112. The TG 114c is a timing signal synchronized with the control signals (timing signals) H1, H2, and RG for the CCD 112, and generates AFE drive pulses SHP and SHD that are the basis of the CDS sample / hold processing of the AFE 114a. , Supplied toward the AFE 114a.
The signal processing / control unit 114 includes an acquisition unit 114d that acquires a control command from the main body control unit 21, and drives the CCD 112 based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit 114d.

In addition, the signal processing / control unit 114 has an LED control unit 114 e that controls the LED 113 in response to a control command from the main body control unit 21. The LED control unit 114 e outputs a control signal for controlling the LED 113 to the LED 113 based on a control command from the main body control unit 21.
Hereinafter, the illuminance control processing performed by the LED control unit 114e of the signal processing / control unit 114 will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of illuminance control processing which is processing performed by the signal processing / control unit 114. This process is triggered by the signal processing / control unit 114 receiving a control command from the main body control unit 21.

  First, the signal processing / control unit 114 acquires information of the CCD 112 (step (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “S”) 101). Thereafter, it is determined from the information acquired in step 101 whether the illuminance satisfies a desired illuminance based on a control command from the main body control unit 21 (step 102). If an affirmative determination is made, the present process is terminated. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 103. In step 103, a control signal is output toward the LED 113 to adjust the illuminance of the LED 113 to a desired illuminance. That is, when the current illuminance acquired in step 101 is small, a control signal for increasing the illuminance is output to the LED 113, and when the current illuminance is large, the control signal for decreasing the illuminance. Is output toward the LED 113. Thereafter, the processing after step 101 is continued.

  As described above, the signal processing / control unit 114 according to the present embodiment has both the function of driving the CCD 112 and processing the imaging signal from the CCD 112 and the function of controlling the amount of light emitted from the LED 113. The signal processing / control unit 114 having such a function is mounted on the same control board 115 together with the CCD 112 in the distal end portion 100 of the insertion unit 10.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end portion 100 of the insertion portion 10. As shown in FIG. 4, a control board 115 is provided at the distal end portion 100, and the signal processing / control section 114 and the CCD 112 are both mounted on the control board 115. Further, the LED 113 is connected to the control board 115. A signal line 211 a in the signal cable 211 is connected to a connector 116 mounted on the control board 115.

  By providing the signal processing / control unit 114 at the distal end portion 100 in this way, the drive clocks H1, H2 and the reset gate pulse RG are transmitted from the signal processing / control portion 114 to the CCD 112 within the distal end portion 100. At the same time, an image signal (accumulated charge) Vout is transmitted from the CCD 112 to the signal processing / control unit 114. In addition, a control signal is transmitted from the signal processing / control unit 114 to the LED 113. Therefore, the signal transmitted through the signal cable 211 includes various control commands transmitted from the main body control unit 21 to the signal processing / control unit 114 and digital signals transmitted from the signal processing / control unit 114 to the main body control unit 21. Image data.

FIG. 5 shows a function of driving the CCD 112 and processing an image signal from the CCD 112 without controlling the signal processing / control unit 114 at the distal end portion 100, and a function of controlling the amount of light emitted from the LED 113. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part 100 in the case of providing in.
For example, in the case where the function of driving the CCD 112 and processing the imaging signal from the CCD 112 is provided in the apparatus main body section 20, between the apparatus main body section 20 and the front end section 100, the apparatus main body section 20 is connected to the front end section. The drive clocks H1 and H2 output to the CCD 112 provided in 100 and the reset gate pulse RG are transmitted, and the image signal (accumulated charge) Vout is transmitted from the CCD 112 to the apparatus main body unit 20. A larger amount of the signal line 211a is required than the imaging device according to the embodiment. In addition, when the device main body 20 has a function of controlling the amount of light emitted by the LED 113, a control signal of a method such as PWM is sent from the device main body 20 to the LED 113 between the device main body 20 and the tip 100. Therefore, the signal line is required.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the signal processing / control unit having the function of driving the CCD 112 and processing the imaging signal from the CCD 112 and the function of controlling the amount of light emitted from the LED 113. Since 114 is provided at the distal end portion 100, the transmission line can be simplified, for example, the number of signal lines 211a between the apparatus main body portion 20 and the distal end portion 100 can be reduced. Therefore, the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced, and the number of steps required for assembling the signal line 211a can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the LED 113 is provided at the distal end portion 100 of the insertion portion 10 and controlled by the signal processing / control unit 114. However, the auxiliary member other than the LED 113 may also be the distal end portion 100 or the distal end. When provided near the unit 100, it is preferable that the auxiliary member is also controlled by the signal processing / control unit 114.

Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus in which a bending mechanism unit for controlling the posture of the distal end portion 100 of the insertion unit 10 is provided in the insertion unit 10 will be described.
The bending mechanism unit is a mechanism for adjusting the posture of the distal end portion 100 by bending the tube 200 and controlling the posture of the optical axis of the optical system 111. As the bending mechanism portion, a total of four angle wires facing each other in two directions orthogonal to each other are provided in the cross section orthogonal to the axis of the tube 200, and the respective pulling amounts and feeding amounts are controlled and arranged at appropriate pitches. It can be exemplified that the mechanism rotates a plurality of disk members (auxiliary members). Then, the angle wire is wound around a plurality of motors (drive members) that are provided in the distal end portion 100 or in the vicinity of the distal end portion 100 and can rotate forward and backward.

  It is preferable to control the rotation angle of the motor around which the angle wire of the imaging apparatus having such a bending mechanism unit is wound by the signal processing / control unit 114 provided at the distal end portion 100. That is, it is preferable that the signal processing / control unit 114 receives a control command from the main body control unit 21 for controlling the motor and controls the rotation angle of the motor based on the control command. Thereby, the posture control of the distal end portion 100 can be automatically controlled within the distal end portion 100. Further, by extracting a specific color signal from the image signal being shot, the illuminance control and posture control of the LED 113 can be automatically controlled within the distal end portion 100. And by doing in this way, the signal wire | line 211a extended from the main body control part 21 to the front-end | tip part 100 side can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a signal processing / control part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the illumination intensity control process which is a process which a signal processing / control part performs. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the insertion part which concerns on embodiment. The tip when the device main body is provided with the function of driving the CCD and processing the image signal from the CCD and the function of controlling the amount of light emitted from the LED without providing the signal processing / control unit at the tip. It is a perspective view of a part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 10 ... Insertion part, 20 ... Apparatus main body part, 21 ... Main body control part, 30 ... Display part, 31 ... Display screen part, 32 ... Display control part, 40 ... Operation part, 41 ... Operation control part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Tip part, 111 ... Optical system, 112 ... CCD, 113 ... LED, 114 ... Signal processing / control part, 115 ... Control board, 116 ... Connector, 200 ... Pipe, 211 ... Signal cable, 211a ... Signal line

Claims (5)

A distal end portion having an image sensor that acquires a drive signal and outputs an image signal in accordance with the acquired drive signal;
An apparatus main body having a main body controller that outputs a control signal for the image sensor,
The front end includes an auxiliary member that assists in imaging by the image sensor, a function of driving the image sensor and processing an image signal output from the image sensor, and a control from the main body control unit of the apparatus main body An imaging apparatus including a distal end side control unit having a function of controlling the auxiliary member based on a signal.   The front end side control unit samples / holds the image signal from the image sensor, amplifies the image signal subjected to the sample / hold processing to a predetermined level, performs analog-to-digital conversion, and performs analog output. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-processing unit and a digital signal processing unit that performs processing on the digital signal output from the analog pre-processing unit. The distal end side control part of the distal end part and the main body control part of the apparatus main body part are connected by a cable,
The control signal output from the main body control unit is transmitted to the distal end side control unit via the cable, and the image signal processed by the distal end side control unit is transmitted to the main body control unit via the cable. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is transmitted to the imaging device. The auxiliary member is a light emitting element that illuminates a subject imaged by the imaging element,
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip side control unit controls illuminance of the light emitting element. The auxiliary member is a drive member that is driven to change the direction of the tip.
5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal-end-side control unit controls driving of the driving member so as to control an attitude of the distal-end portion.

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