JP2011004907A - Electronic endoscope system, electronic endoscope, and processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope system which has a simple structure without a dedicated terminal in a processor, and enables an image processor to perform appropriate image processing, and to provide an electronic endoscope and the processor.SOLUTION: The electronic endoscope system includes: imaging means for imaging the inside of the body cavity to generate an image signal; the processor which is connected to the imaging means and includes first image processing means for performing first image processing on an image signal and switching means for switching an output destination of the image signal; and second image processing means which is attachably/detachably connected to the processor and performs second image processing on the image signal. In the system, an output destination of the image signal is switched by the switching means to either the first image processing means or the second image processing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system, an electronic endoscope, and a processor, and more particularly to an electronic endoscope system, an electronic endoscope, and a processor that can be used with an image processing apparatus connected thereto.

  In general, an electronic endoscope system for diagnosing or treating the inside of a body cavity of a patient is used to illuminate an observation site in the body cavity and an electronic endoscope that images the inside of the body cavity with a solid-state imaging device provided at a distal end portion. And an electronic endoscope processor for processing the image signal generated by the electronic endoscope and outputting the processed image signal to the monitor. In such an electronic endoscope system, illumination light supplied from a processor is irradiated from the front end of the electronic endoscope toward the body cavity, and reflected light reflected by the body cavity wall is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device. The electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion is read as an image signal and output to the processor. Then, necessary image processing is performed by the processor and output to the monitor.

  In recent years, with the advancement of technology, new functions other than the photographing function, illumination function, image processing function, dimming function, etc., which are provided as basic functions in the above electronic endoscope system have been developed. . However, in order to realize a new function other than the basic function in the conventional electronic endoscope system, the existing electronic endoscope or processor is modified to correspond to the new function, or a new function There was a problem in terms of cost and versatility. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a new function using a conventional electronic endoscope by connecting a peripheral device having a new function to the electronic endoscope system. It has been proposed to be realized. Specifically, in the endoscope system of Patent Document 1, a pressure measuring device is connected as a peripheral device to an image processing device of the endoscope system. In the pressure measuring device, the measured pressure value is superimposed on the image output from the image processing device and displayed on the monitor. This makes it possible to display the pressure measurement result without the image processing apparatus having a pressure measurement function.

JP 2002-51975 A

  In particular, in the field of image processing technology, new image processing methods are developed every day, and high speed and precision are realized. In order to realize such a new image processing technique in an existing electronic endoscope system, as proposed in Patent Document 1, an image processing apparatus having a new image processing function is used as a peripheral device in an electronic device. It is conceivable to connect to the processor of the endoscope system. However, at this time, if the image processing apparatus is connected to an output terminal of a processor to which a normal monitor is connected, an image signal after image processing provided as a basic function in the processor is output to the image processing apparatus. As a result, the image signal output from the processor in the image processing apparatus is subjected to new image processing, and the originally obtained image processing effect may not be obtained. In order to solve this, it is necessary to perform image processing in the image processing device after performing processing for returning the image processing performed by the processor to the image signal output from the processor, There is a problem that the processing load increases.

  In addition to the monitor output terminal, the processor is provided with a dedicated terminal for output to the image processing apparatus, and an image signal before being subjected to image processing output from the electronic endoscope is sent via the dedicated terminal. It is also possible to output to an image processing apparatus. However, in this case, there are problems such as generation of noise inside the processor due to an increase in wiring inside the processor and generation of noise transmitted from the outside through a dedicated terminal. In addition, an EMC countermeasure for the dedicated terminal is required, leading to an increase in cost.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an electronic endoscope system and electronic device capable of performing appropriate image processing in an image processing apparatus with a simple structure without providing a dedicated terminal in the processor. An object is to provide an endoscope and a processor.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an imaging means for imaging an inside of a body cavity to generate an image signal, and a processor connected to the imaging means, wherein the image signal is subjected to a first image processing. The image processing means, and a processor having a switching means for switching the output destination of the image signal, and a second image processing means detachably connected to the processor and performing the second image processing on the image signal. The means is provided with an electronic endoscope system characterized in that the output destination of the image signal is switched to either the first image processing means or the second image processing means.

  With this configuration, the image signal generated by the photographing unit can be output to the second image processing unit without going through the first image processing unit. Thereby, in the second image processing means, the image processing is performed without being affected by the image processing in the first image processing means, and an appropriate image processing effect can be obtained. Further, by providing the processor with the switching means, it is not necessary to additionally provide a dedicated terminal and output the image signal to the second image processing means, and it is possible to reduce the cost increase and the influence of noise.

  Further, the second image processing may include at least one image processing different from the first image processing.

  The switching means outputs an image signal to the second image processing means when the second image processing means is connected to the processor, and the second image processing means is not connected to the processor. In such a case, the image signal may be output to the first image processing means. With this configuration, when the second image processing unit is not connected, image processing is performed by the first image processing unit, and when the second image processing unit is connected, the second image processing unit is connected. It is possible to perform image processing according to the connection status of the second image processing means, such as performing image processing by the second image processing means.

  The processor may further include a switch that can be manually switched by a user. In this case, the switching means may be configured to determine whether or not the second image processing means is connected to the processor based on the state of the switch.

  The electronic endoscope system may further include a communication unit for communicating between the processor and the second image processing unit. In this case, the switching unit may be configured to determine whether or not the second image processing unit is connected to the processor based on a communication result in the communication unit.

  The processor may further include an output unit that outputs either the image processing signal subjected to the first image processing or the image signal. The second image processing means may be connected to the output means. With this configuration, the output unit can be used for both the output of the image processing signal after the first image processing and the output of the image signal to the second image processing unit. A special dedicated terminal for outputting the image signal to the processing means becomes unnecessary.

  The output means outputs an image processing signal when the switching means outputs an image signal to the first image processing means, and an image signal when the image signal is output to the second image processing means. May be output. With this configuration, when the image signal is output to the second image processing unit by the switching unit, the image signal can be output to the second image processing unit via the output unit. It becomes.

  The output means may include a plurality of output terminals, and the second image processing means may be connected to any of the plurality of output terminals. Further, when the image signal is output from the output means, the image signal may not be output to an output terminal other than the output terminal to which the second image processing means is connected among the plurality of output terminals. good. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent an image signal that has not been subjected to image processing from being erroneously output to a monitor or the like.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic endoscope that is detachably connected to the processor for electronic endoscope, the imaging means for capturing an image of a body cavity and generating an image signal, and an image for performing image processing on the image signal There is provided an electronic endoscope comprising processing means and switching means for switching an output destination of an image signal to either an image processing means or an electronic endoscope processor. With this configuration, even in an electronic endoscope provided with image processing means, an image signal that has not been subjected to image processing can be output to the processor.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic endoscope processor to which an electronic endoscope and an image processing apparatus are detachably connected, and an image processing means for performing image processing on an image signal generated by the electronic endoscope. There is provided a processor for electronic endoscope comprising switching means for switching an output destination of an image signal to either an image processing means or an image processing apparatus.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there are provided an electronic endoscope system, an electronic endoscope, and a processor that can perform appropriate image processing in an image processing apparatus with a simple structure without providing a dedicated terminal in the processor. be able to.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the output switching process in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the processing block in the image processing circuit of the (a) processor of this invention, and the (b) image processing circuit of the image processing apparatus of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope system 1 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 1 of the present embodiment. The electronic endoscope system 1 is a medical observation system for an operator to observe and diagnose the inside of a patient's body cavity. An electronic endoscope system 1 includes an electronic endoscope 10 for taking an image of a body cavity, a processor 20 to which the electronic endoscope 10 is detachably connected, and an image processing apparatus to be detachably connected to the processor 20. 30 and a monitor 40. The monitor 40 is connected to the processor 20 or the image processing device 30.

  The electronic endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 10a made of a long flexible tube inserted into a patient's body, a grasping portion 10b grasped by an operator, and a connection portion electrically and optically connected to the processor 20. 10c. A light guide 101 for propagating light supplied from the processor 20 extends from the connection portion 10c of the electronic endoscope 10 to the distal end of the insertion portion 10a. In addition, a light distribution lens 102 for emitting light propagated by the light guide 101 to the observation site is formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 10a, and light reflected from the observation site is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor. Objective lens 103, and CCD 104, which is a solid-state imaging device that generates an image signal based on the subject image formed on the light receiving surface.

  The processor 20 supplies drive power to the system controller 201 and the timing controller 202 for achieving drive control and synchronization of the entire electronic endoscope system 1, the lamp 203 for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 10, and the lamp 203. A lamp power source 204 for supply and a diaphragm 205 for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the lamp 203 are provided. The processor 20 also performs an image processing circuit 206 that performs predetermined image processing on the image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10, and an OSD circuit that superimposes character information and the like on the image processed by the image processing circuit 206. 207, an encoder 208 for converting the image signal into a video signal in a format suitable for the monitor 40, and an output terminal 209 for outputting the video signal converted by the encoder 208 to a connected external device. I have. Furthermore, a switch 210 that can be switched by an operator is provided on a front panel (not shown) of the processor 20 of the present embodiment. Further, the processor 20 includes a switching circuit 211 that switches an output destination of an image signal sent from the electronic endoscope 10 based on the state of the switch 210.

  The image processing apparatus 30 is connected to a system controller 301 that comprehensively controls each unit of the image processing apparatus 30 and an output terminal 209 of the processor 20, and receives an input terminal 302 that receives a video signal output from the output terminal 209. An image processing circuit 303 that performs image processing to be described later on the image signal to be processed, an OSD circuit 304 for superimposing character information and the like on the image processed by the image processing circuit 303, and a format suitable for the monitor 40 An encoder 305 for converting to a video signal, and an output terminal 306 for outputting the video signal converted by the encoder 305 to an external device connected thereto are provided.

  The monitor 40 is a TV monitor 40T corresponding to an NTSC image or a PC monitor 40P corresponding to an SXGA image having a higher resolution than the TV monitor 40T, and is an output terminal of the processor 20 or the image processing device 30, respectively. 209 or 306.

  Next, in-body cavity observation in the electronic endoscope system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when the power of the processor 20 is turned on and the operator inserts the insertion portion 10a of the electronic endoscope 10 into the patient's body, driving power is supplied from the lamp power source 204 to the lamp 203 under the control of the system controller 201. Then, light is emitted from the lamp 203. The amount of light emitted from the lamp 203 is adjusted by a diaphragm 205 disposed in the optical path, and is incident on the light guide 101 of the electronic endoscope 10. The light incident on the light guide 101 is propagated through the light guide 101 and emitted from the distal end of the insertion portion 10 a via the light distribution lens 102.

  Then, the light reflected by the biological tissue in the body cavity is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 104 via the objective lens 103. In the present embodiment, a single-plate simultaneous type is applied as a color imaging method, and yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), magenta (Mg), and green (G) color elements are checked on the light receiving surface of the CCD 104. Complementary color filters (not shown) arranged in a pattern are arranged corresponding to each pixel on the light receiving surface. In the CCD 104, under the control of the system controller 201, an image signal of a subject image corresponding to the intensity of light transmitted through the complementary color filter is generated by photoelectric conversion, and an image signal for one frame is generated at predetermined time intervals. Data are sequentially read out by the color difference line sequential method. In this embodiment, an interline transfer type CCD is used, and image signals for one frame are sequentially read out at intervals of 1/30 seconds, for example, in correspondence with the vertical synchronization frequency of the NTSC system. 20 is sent.

  The image signal sent from the CCD 104 is input to the switching circuit 211 of the processor 20. The switching circuit 211 switches the output destination of the input image signal to either the image processing circuit 206 or the encoder 208 based on the control signal from the system controller 201. Here, as described above, when the image processing apparatus 30 is connected to the output terminal 209 of the processor 20, that is, when it is desired to perform image processing different from the processor 20 in the image processing apparatus 30, the image of the processor 20. It is desirable to output the image signal before the image processing is performed by the processing circuit 206 to the image processing apparatus 30. For this reason, in this embodiment, the operator manually operates the switch 210 provided on the front panel of the processor 20 to change the path of the image signal sent from the CCD 104 to the path through the image processing circuit 206 or the image. The processing circuit 206 is skipped and switched to one of the paths that are input to the encoder 208.

  A specific image signal output destination switching process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of output destination switching processing executed by the system controller 201. In this process, first, the system controller 201 determines whether or not the switch 210 is ON (S101). Here, as described above, when the image processing apparatus 30 is connected to the processor 20, the switch 210 is turned “ON” by the operator. On the other hand, when the image processing apparatus 30 is not connected to the processor 20, the switch 210 is turned “OFF”. Thus, the system controller 201 can determine whether the image processing apparatus 30 is connected to the processor 20 based on the state of the switch 210, that is, whether the image processing apparatus 30 performs image processing. .

  If the switch 210 is not ON (that is, OFF) (S101: No), the switching circuit 211 is controlled by the system controller 201 so as to output the image signal sent from the CCD 104 to the image processing circuit 206. (S102). In this case, since the image processing apparatus 30 is not connected to the processor 20, image processing of the image signal is performed by the image processing circuit 206 provided in the processor 20.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an image processing block performed in the image processing circuit 206. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the image processing circuit 206, the image signal is first subjected to A / D conversion processing and converted into an 8-bit digital signal. Then, noise reduction processing is performed on the digitally converted image signal. Here, the noise component in the image signal is removed based on the correlation between the image signal for one frame and the image signal of the previous frame. Subsequently, in the enhancement process, contour enhancement in the image is performed according to a predetermined coefficient. Subsequently, gain adjustment processing is performed to adjust the white balance and RGB gain values of the image. Finally, gamma correction processing is performed, and gamma characteristics are corrected so that the image has natural brightness. Note that the image processing block shown in FIG. 3A is an example, and other image processing can be performed.

  When each process in the image processing circuit 206 is completed, the processed image signal is output to the OSD circuit 207. The OSD circuit 207 superimposes predetermined character information (date and time, endoscope type, comments input by the operator, etc.) on an image corresponding to the received image signal, and outputs the result to the encoder 208. The encoder 208 converts the image signal on which characters are superimposed, and generates a video signal such as an RGB signal, an NTSC signal including a Y / C separation signal and an NTSC composite signal, and an SXGA signal based on the SXGA standard. Each video signal generated by the encoder 208 is output to the output terminal 209.

  Here, the output terminal 209 includes an NTSC terminal 209N for outputting an NTSC signal and an SXGA terminal 209S for outputting an SXGA signal. The RGB signal, Y / C separation signal, and NTSC composite signal converted by the encoder 208 are output to the NTSC terminal 209N, and the SXGA signal is output to the SXGA terminal 209S. A subject image based on each video signal is displayed on the TV monitor 40T connected to the NTSC terminal 209N and / or the PC monitor 40T connected to the SXGA terminal 209S.

  On the other hand, when the switch 210 is ON (S101: Yes), the switching circuit 211 is controlled by the system controller 201 to output the image signal sent from the CCD 104 to the encoder 208 (S103). As a result, the image signal sent from the CCD 104 is output to the encoder 208 without being subjected to image processing in the image signal processing circuit 206.

  Subsequently, the system controller 201 stops the signal output to the output terminal to which the image processing apparatus 30 is not connected in the encoder 208 (S104). Here, when the switch 210 is ON, an image signal that has not been subjected to image processing as described above is output to the encoder 208 and converted into a video signal of each system. Therefore, when the monitor 40 is connected to the output terminal 209 in such a state, an image that has not been subjected to any image processing is displayed on the monitor 40. As a result, the observation inside the body cavity is hindered, and in some cases, the treatment may be performed based on an inappropriate image.

  Therefore, when the switch 210 is ON, that is, when the image signal generated by the CCD 104 is output to the encoder 208 without being subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 206, the image processing device 30 is connected. By preventing the video signal from being output except for the terminals that are connected, it is possible to prevent erroneous treatment or diagnosis. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 30 is connected to the SXGA terminal 209S that outputs a signal with the highest resolution in order to appropriately perform subsequent image processing. Therefore, in S104, the system controller 201 performs control so that only the SXGA signal among the video signals generated by the encoder 208 is sent to the SXGA terminal 209S, and the output of the NTSC signal is stopped.

  Subsequently, the video signal output from the SXGA terminal 209 </ b> S is input to the image processing apparatus 30 from the input terminal 302 of the image processing apparatus 30. Then, A / D conversion or the like is performed by a decoding circuit (not shown), converted into an image signal, and then output to the image processing circuit 303. The image processing circuit 303 performs image processing on the image signal. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an image processing block performed in the image processing circuit 303. In FIG. 3B, processes different from the image processing circuit 206 in the processor 20 are indicated by double lines.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, also in the image processing circuit 303, the image signal is first subjected to A / D conversion processing. At this time, the image processing circuit 303 of the image processing apparatus 30 has a higher resolution than the image processing circuit 206 of the processor 20 and performs conversion into, for example, a 12-bit digital image signal. Then, noise reduction processing is performed on the digitally converted image signal. Again, compared with the noise reduction process in the image processing circuit 206 of the processor 20, the correlation between frames is processed at a higher speed, and the amount of delay due to the noise reduction process is reduced. Subsequently, enhancement processing is performed, and contour enhancement in the image is performed according to a predetermined coefficient.

  Further, in the image processing circuit 303 of the image processing apparatus 30, blood vessel enhancement processing is performed as an image processing function that is not provided in the image processing circuit 206 of the processor 20. In this process, the blood vessel portion is detected by RGB wavelength analysis or the like in the image signal, and the detected blood vessel portion is converted into an enhanced image. Subsequently, gain adjustment processing is performed, and white balance and RGB gain values of the image are adjusted. Finally, gamma correction processing corresponding to a 12-bit digital signal is performed, and gamma characteristics are corrected so that the image has natural brightness. Note that the image processing block shown in FIG. 3B is merely an example, and other image processing may be performed.

  When each process in the image processing circuit 303 is completed, the processed image signal is output to the OSD circuit 304. In the OSD circuit 304, as with the OSD circuit 207 of the processor 20, predetermined character information (date and time, endoscope type, comments input by the operator, images in the image processing apparatus 30 are displayed on the image corresponding to the received image signal. The processing contents and the like are superimposed and output to the encoder 305. Similarly to the encoder 208 of the processor 20, the encoder 305 also converts an image signal on which characters are superimposed, an NTSC signal including an RGB signal, a Y / C separation signal, and an NTSC composite signal, an SXGA signal based on the SXGA standard, and the like. Video signals are generated. Then, the video signal generated by the encoder 305 is output to the output terminal 306.

  Here, the output terminal 306 includes an NTSC terminal 306N for outputting an NTSC signal and an SXGA terminal 306S for outputting an SXGA signal. The RGB signal, Y / C separation signal, and NTSC composite signal converted by the encoder 305 are output to the NTSC terminal 306N, and the SXGA signal is output to the SXGA terminal 306S. Then, a subject image based on the video signal is displayed on the TV monitor 40T connected to the NTSC terminal 306N and / or the PC monitor 40T connected to the SXGA terminal 306S.

  The processes from S101 to S104 described above are repeated until the observation is completed (S105: Yes). Thereby, the output destination of the image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10 is switched to either the processor 20 or the image processing device 30 according to the state of the switch 210, and the image processing circuit 206 or the image processing circuit 303 The subject image that has been subjected to image processing by either is displayed on the monitor 40.

  As described above, in the electronic endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, when the image processing device 30 is connected to the processor 20 and image processing is performed on the image signal in the image processing device 30, the image signal sent from the CCD 104. Can be output to the image processing apparatus 30 without performing image processing in the image processing circuit 206 of the processor 20. As a result, the image processing apparatus 30 can perform image processing on an image signal that has not been subjected to image processing by the processor 20, and an appropriate image processing effect in the image processing apparatus 30 can be obtained.

  Further, by providing the switching circuit 211 inside the processor 20, it is not necessary to provide a special dedicated terminal for transmitting an image signal to the image processing apparatus 30, and the image processing apparatus can be used using the existing output terminal 209. An image signal can be transmitted to 30. As a result, the cost increase and the influence of noise can be reduced. Furthermore, by connecting various types of image processing apparatuses to the output terminal 209 of the processor 20, various image processing functions can be realized in the electronic endoscope system 1.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the operator switches the output destination of the image signal by manually switching the switch 210 provided on the front panel of the processor 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the output destination of the image signal can be set in advance by operating the keyboard of the processor 20 and stored in a memory (not shown) of the system controller 201.

  In addition, communication means (wireless communication means or wired communication means) for control system communication is provided between the processor 20 and the image processing apparatus 30, and based on the communication results of the processor 20 and the image processing apparatus 30. The image processing apparatus 30 may be configured to automatically detect whether or not the image processing apparatus 30 is connected to the processor 20. With this configuration, it is possible to save the operator from manually switching the switch 210, and to prevent malfunction due to forgetting to switch the switch 210.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image signal generated by the CCD 104 of the electronic endoscope 10 is sent to the processor 20 as it is. However, depending on the type of electronic endoscope, the electronic endoscope has its own Some have an image processing circuit. In an electronic endoscope system including such an electronic endoscope, an image signal that has already been subjected to image processing by the electronic endoscope is sent to a processor. Therefore, in such a case, it is good also as a structure provided with the switching circuit in the said embodiment in the electronic endoscope side. In this case, the image signal generated by the CCD is input to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit is switched to output to either the image processing circuit included in the electronic endoscope or the processor encoder. The switching at this time may be performed in conjunction with a switch provided in the processor, or a switch may be newly provided in the operation unit of the electronic endoscope. With this configuration, even in an electronic endoscope having an image processing circuit, when image processing is performed by the image processing device, an image that has not been subjected to image processing is output to the image processing device. The image processing effect in the image processing apparatus can be appropriately obtained.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the output terminal 209 of the processor 20 and the output terminal 306 of the image processing apparatus 30 are configured to output video signals of the same format (NTSC format and SXGA format). The output terminal 306 of the device 30 may be configured to output a new type of video signal different from the output terminal 209 of the processor 20.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope system 10 Electronic endoscope 20 Processor 30 Image processing apparatus 40 Monitor 104 CCD
201 System Controller 206, 303 Image Processing Circuit 209, 306 Output Terminal 210 Switch 211 Switching Circuit

Claims (10)

An imaging means for imaging the body cavity and generating an image signal;
A processor connected to the imaging means,
First image processing means for performing first image processing on the image signal;
Switching means for switching the output destination of the image signal, and a processor,
A second image processing means that is detachably connected to the processor and performs second image processing on the image signal;
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the output destination of the image signal to either the first image processing unit or the second image processing unit.   The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the second image processing includes at least one image processing different from the first image processing.   When the second image processing means is connected to the processor, the switching means outputs the image signal to the second image processing means, and the second image processing means is connected to the processor. 3. The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when not connected, the image signal is output to the first image processing unit. 4. The processor further comprises a switch manually switchable by a user,
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit determines whether the second image processing unit is connected to the processor based on a state of the switch. A communication unit for communicating between the processor and the second image processing unit;
The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit determines whether the second image processing unit is connected to the processor based on a communication result in the communication unit. system. The processor further includes output means for outputting either the image processing signal subjected to the first image processing or the image signal,
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the second image processing unit is connected to the output unit.   The output means outputs the image processing signal when the switching means outputs the image signal to the first image processing means, and the image signal is output to the second image processing means. The electronic endoscope system according to claim 6, wherein in the case, the image signal is output. The output means includes a plurality of output terminals,
The second image processing means is connected to one of the plurality of output terminals,
When the image signal is output from the output unit, the image signal is not output to an output terminal other than the output terminal to which the second image processing unit is connected among the plurality of output terminals. The electronic endoscope system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the above-mentioned. An electronic endoscope detachably connected to an electronic endoscope processor,
Imaging means for imaging the body cavity and generating an image signal;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image signal;
An electronic endoscope comprising: switching means for switching an output destination of the image signal to either the image processing means or the processor for electronic endoscope. An electronic endoscope processor to which an electronic endoscope and an image processing apparatus are detachably connected,
Image processing means for performing image processing on an image signal generated by the electronic endoscope;
Switching means for switching the output destination of the image signal to either the image processing means or the image processing apparatus;
An electronic endoscope processor comprising:

Images