JP2011172649A - Endoscope apparatus and zoom device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a zoom device and an endoscope apparatus capable of recognizing a zoomed image in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing circuit 303 adjusts a digital zoom magnification so that a monitor display magnification becomes 1.5 times in 0.75 second after a zoom optical system starts moving. At the point of time after the lapse of 0.75 second, when the monitor display magnification reaches 1.5 times, the digital zoom magnification becomes 2 times and an optical zoom magnification becomes 0.75 times. After the lapse of 0.75 second, the image processing circuit 303 performs digital zoom according to the digital zoom magnification received from a control circuit 301. When the zoom optical system 213 reaches a position at which the optical zoom magnification becomes 1.5 times 3 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts driving, since the monitor display magnification and the optical zoom magnification become equal, the digital zoom magnification becomes 1 time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a zoom apparatus and an endoscope apparatus having an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function.

  Some endoscope apparatuses that observe the inside of a subject have an optical zoom function and a digital zoom function. The optical zoom function is a function for optically enlarging or reducing a subject image using a zoom optical system provided in the imaging lens. The digital zoom function is a function for enlarging or reducing image data obtained through the image sensor.

  In order to perform the optical zoom function and the digital zoom function more smoothly, a configuration is known in which zooming is continuously performed without generating a gap in the effective zoom range by combining the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification (Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2000-231153 A

  However, with the conventional configuration, the time required for zooming cannot be reduced, and the user must wait until zooming is completed in order to grasp the image after zooming. If such a zoom mechanism is used in an endoscope apparatus, the observation time may be increased and the burden on the subject may increase, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a zoom device and an endoscope device that can grasp a zoomed image in a short time.

  An endoscope apparatus according to a first invention of the present application includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs image data, an optical zoom unit that optically enlarges / reduces the subject image formed on the imaging unit to a target magnification, A digital zoom unit that enlarges / reduces the image data by electronically enlarging / reducing a part of the image data, and the digital zoom unit performs optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom unit while the optical zoom unit enlarges / reduces the subject image. At least a part of the image data is electronically enlarged or reduced so that a product of the digital zoom unit and the digital zoom magnification becomes a target magnification.

  The optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification, and the digital zoom unit changes the digital magnification over a predetermined period from the current digital zoom magnification to the target magnification. It is preferable that the period is not longer than the period during which the optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the optical zoom magnification to the target magnification.

  An input unit for inputting a target magnification is further provided, and when the target magnification is input by the input unit, the optical zoom unit starts scaling of the subject image, and the digital zoom unit starts changing the digital magnification over a predetermined period. It is preferable.

  A zoom device according to a second invention of the present application includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs image data, an optical zoom unit that optically enlarges and reduces the subject image formed on the imaging unit to a target magnification, and image data A digital zoom unit that enlarges / reduces image data by electronically enlarging / reducing a part of the optical zoom unit, the optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to a target magnification, and the digital zoom unit is an optical zoom unit While enlarging and reducing the subject image, a part of the image data is electronically enlarged so that the product of the optical zoom magnification by the optical zoom unit and the digital zoom magnification of the digital zoom unit becomes the target magnification. The digital magnification is changed over a predetermined period from the digital zoom magnification to the target magnification. During the predetermined period, the optical magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification is optical. Wherein the over arm portion is less than the period of changing the magnification.

  According to the present invention, a zoom device and an endoscope device that can grasp a zoomed image in a short time are obtained.

It is the block diagram which showed the endoscope apparatus. It is the figure which showed the relationship with an optical zoom magnification, a digital zoom magnification, and a monitor display magnification. It is the figure which showed the display part before expansion. It is the figure which showed the display part in expansion. It is the figure which showed the display part in expansion. It is the figure which showed the display part after expansion. It is the figure which showed the relationship with an optical zoom magnification, a digital zoom magnification, and a monitor display magnification. It is the figure which showed the display part under reduction. It is the figure which showed the display part under reduction. It is the figure which showed the relationship with an optical zoom magnification, a digital zoom magnification, and a monitor display magnification. It is the figure which showed the relationship with an optical zoom magnification, a digital zoom magnification, and a monitor display magnification. 5 is a flowchart showing image enlargement / reduction processing.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The configuration of the endoscope apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The endoscope apparatus 100 includes an endoscope scope 200 that is inserted into a subject's body, an endoscope processor 300 that is provided outside the subject's body and performs image processing, and a display unit that is connected to the endoscope processor 300. 400 is mainly provided.

  The endoscope scope 200 mainly includes a flexible part 210 to be inserted into the body of a subject and an operation part 220 held by an operator.

  A distal end 214 of the flexible part 210 is inserted into the body of the subject, and a proximal end thereof is connected to the operation part 220. The operation unit 220 is connected to the endoscope processor 300 by a flexible cable (not shown).

  The distal end 214 is provided with a CCD image sensor 211 that forms an imaging unit, and a lens unit 212 that forms an object image on the CCD image sensor 211. The CCD image sensor 211 captures an image of the subject via the lens unit 212 and transmits a captured image obtained thereby to the amplifier / A / D converter 221. The amplifier / A / D converter 221 amplifies the received captured image and converts it into a digital image. Then, the digital image is transmitted to the endoscope processor 300. The lens unit 212 forms an optical zoom unit.

  The endoscope processor 300 is connected to a control circuit 301 connected to the lens unit 212 via a signal line, an enlargement button 302 and a reduction button 305 connected to the control circuit 301, and an amplifier / A / D converter 221. The image processing circuit 303 and the storage device 304 connected to the image processing circuit 303 are mainly provided.

  When the user operates the enlarge button 302 or the reduce button 305, a pressing signal is transmitted to the control circuit 301. The control circuit 301 controls the lens unit 212 according to the pressing signal. The lens unit 212 has a zoom optical system 213, and the zoom optical system 213 is driven according to a signal from the control circuit 301. When the zoom optical system 213 is driven, the angle of view of the lens unit 212 changes. Hereinafter, the zoom magnification by the lens unit 212 is referred to as an optical zoom magnification. When the zoom optical system 213 is placed at the center of the driving range, the optical zoom magnification is 1 ×. The zoom optical system 213 is driven at a substantially constant speed, and changes the focal length of the lens unit 212 by 0.01 mm every 30 milliseconds. For this reason, the optical zoom magnification changes linearly.

  The image processing circuit 303 receives the digital image from the amplifier / A / D converter 221 and creates an observation image. The observation image is transmitted to the storage device 304 and the display unit 400. The storage device 304 stores the observation image. The display unit 400 displays an observation image. The CCD image sensor 211 continuously images the subject. The display unit 400 continuously displays the observation image while updating it 30 times per second. This update frequency is the same as the frequency with which the control circuit 301 acquires the position of the zoom optical system 213. Hereinafter, the zoom magnification of the image displayed on the display unit 400 is referred to as monitor display magnification.

  The image processing circuit 303 forms a digital zoom unit and performs digital zoom. The digital zoom is a process of cutting out a part of the observation image as a reference and electronically enlarging or reducing it. Hereinafter, the digital zoom magnification is referred to as digital zoom magnification. When the digital zoom is not performed, the digital zoom magnification is 1. When the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification are 1 ×, the monitor display magnification is also 1 ×. That is, the monitor display magnification is the product of the optical zoom magnification and the digital zoom magnification.

  When an observation image is displayed at a desired monitor display magnification, the ratio between the enlargement / reduction speed when the optical zoom and digital zoom are used and the enlargement / reduction speed when only the optical zoom is used is called the zoom acceleration magnification. The zoom acceleration magnification is obtained by dividing the period from when the zoom optical system 213 starts to drive until the optical zoom magnification reaches a predetermined magnification by the period until the monitor display magnification reaches a predetermined magnification. . Here, the acceleration magnification is four times.

  The focal length of the lens unit 212 is determined according to the period during which the enlargement button 302 and the reduction button 305 are pressed. When the enlargement button 302 is pressed for 30 milliseconds, the focal length of the lens unit 212 is increased by 0.01 mm. That is, the focal length of the lens unit 212 is increased by 0.01 mm every time it is pressed for 30 milliseconds. On the other hand, when the reduction button 305 is pressed for 30 milliseconds, the focal length of the lens unit 212 is shortened by 0.01 mm. In other words, the focal length of the lens unit 212 is shortened by 0.01 mm every time it is pressed for 30 milliseconds. The user releases his / her finger from the enlargement button 302 or the reduction button 305 when the observation image reaches a desired enlargement magnification while referring to the observation image displayed on the display unit.

  Next, the process of enlarging the observation image will be described using FIG. This process is executed when the user depresses the enlarge button 302. FIG. 2 shows time-series changes in the monitor display magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the optical zoom magnification when the acceleration magnification is four times.

  The process of enlarging the observation image is used to quickly display the enlarged / reduced image on the display unit 400. When the monitor display magnification is changed by changing only the optical zoom magnification, a high-definition image can be displayed on the display unit 400, but it takes time to reach a desired monitor display magnification. This is because it takes a predetermined time to drive the zoom optical system 213. On the other hand, if the monitor display magnification is changed by changing only the digital zoom magnification, an image with a desired monitor display magnification can be quickly displayed on the display unit 400, but only a low-definition image can be obtained. This is because the digital zoom is a process for electronically enlarging and reducing a part of the observation image. The process for enlarging the observation image according to the present embodiment displays a desired monitor display magnification and a high-definition observation image quickly by using the optical zoom and the digital zoom simultaneously.

  Before the process of enlarging the observation image is performed, the monitor display magnification and the optical zoom magnification are 0.5 times, and the digital zoom magnification is 1 time. At this time, the observation image shown in FIG. In the following description, the monitor display magnification is changed from 0.5 times to 1.5 times. Further, the time required for the zoom optical system 213 to move from the current position to a position where the optical zoom magnification is 1.5 times is 3 seconds.

  The target focal length of the lens unit 212 is determined according to the period during which the enlargement button 302 is pressed. Here, the enlargement button 302 is pressed for 0.75 seconds. Each time the enlargement button 302 is pressed for 30 milliseconds, the control circuit 301 adds a value obtained by multiplying the current focal length of the lens unit 212 by the acceleration magnification 4 and 0.01 mm, and uses the obtained value as the target focus. Distance. Then, the zoom optical system 213 is driven toward that position. Thereafter, the control circuit 301 acquires the current focal length fp from the lens unit 212. Then, the ratio ft / fp between the acquired current focal length fp and the target focal length ft is transmitted to the image processing circuit 303 as a digital zoom magnification.

  Next, the image processing circuit 303 performs digital zoom according to the digital zoom magnification received from the control circuit 301. As a result, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move and the optical zoom magnification increases linearly, and the digital zoom magnification changes according to the optical zoom magnification. Therefore, an observation image that is continuously enlarged is displayed on the display unit 400. At this time, in order to reduce the user's uncomfortable feeling, the digital zoom magnification is adjusted so that the monitor display magnification increases linearly.

  When the monitor display magnification reaches 1.5 times after 0.75 seconds have elapsed, the user releases the enlarge button 302. At this time, the digital zoom magnification is 2.00 times and the optical zoom magnification is 0.75 times. At this time, the observation image shown in FIG. This image is a part of the observation image shown in FIG. 3 enlarged by 1.5 times, but its definition is low. On the other hand, the user can quickly observe the enlarged image.

  After the user releases the enlarge button, the image processing circuit 303 performs digital zoom according to the digital zoom magnification received from the control circuit 301. As a result, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move, and the image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification so as to maintain the monitor display magnification at 1.5 times. Therefore, the enlarged observation image is continuously displayed on the display unit 400. When the zoom optical system 213 reaches a position where the optical zoom magnification becomes 1.5 times 3 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts driving, the monitor display magnification and the optical zoom magnification become equal. For this reason, the digital zoom magnification becomes 1 ×. The display unit 400 after 1.5 seconds from the start of the movement of the zoom optical system 213 displays the observation image shown in FIG. This image has a higher definition than the observation image shown in FIG. The display unit 400 three seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts moving displays the observation image shown in FIG. This image has a higher definition than the observation images shown in FIGS.

  According to the process for enlarging the observation image, an observation image having a desired monitor display magnification can be quickly obtained and a high-definition observation image can be observed.

  Next, processing for reducing an observation image will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed when the user depresses the reduction button 305. This process is also used for the same purpose as the process of enlarging the observation image. FIG. 7 shows time-series changes in the monitor display magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the optical zoom magnification when the acceleration magnification is four times.

  Before the process of reducing the observation image is executed, the monitor display magnification and the optical zoom magnification are 1.5 times, and the digital zoom magnification is 1 time. At this time, the observation image shown in FIG. In the following description, the monitor display magnification is changed from 1.5 times to 0.5 times. Further, the time required for the zoom optical system 213 to move from the current position to a position where the optical zoom magnification is 0.5 times is 3 seconds.

  The target focal length of the lens unit 212 is determined according to the period during which the reduction button 305 is pressed. Here, the reduction button 305 is pressed for 0.75 seconds. Each time the reduction button 305 is pressed for 30 milliseconds, the control circuit 301 subtracts a value obtained by multiplying the current focal length of the lens unit 212 by the acceleration magnification 4 and 0.01 mm, and uses the obtained value as the target focus. Distance. Then, the zoom optical system 213 is driven toward that position. Thereafter, the control circuit 301 acquires the current focal length fp from the lens unit 212. Then, the ratio ft / fp between the acquired current focal length fp and the target focal length ft is transmitted to the image processing circuit 303 as a digital zoom magnification.

  Next, the image processing circuit 303 performs digital zoom according to the digital zoom magnification received from the control circuit 301. As a result, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move and the optical zoom magnification decreases linearly, and the digital zoom magnification changes according to the optical zoom magnification. Therefore, an observation image that is continuously reduced is displayed on the display unit 400. At this time, in order to reduce the user's uncomfortable feeling, the digital zoom magnification is adjusted so that the monitor display magnification decreases linearly.

  When the monitor display magnification reaches 0.5 times at the time after 0.75 seconds have elapsed, the user releases the reduction button 305. At this time, the digital zoom magnification is 0.4 times and the optical zoom magnification is 1.25 times. At this time, the observation image shown in FIG. This image is a reduction of the observation image shown in FIG. 6 by a factor of 0.5, but a black mask is placed around the observation image. The user can quickly observe the reduced image.

  After 0.75 seconds have elapsed, the image processing circuit 303 performs digital zoom according to the digital zoom magnification received from the control circuit 301. As a result, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move, and the image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification so as to maintain the monitor display magnification at 0.5 times. Therefore, the reduced observation image continues to be displayed on the display unit 400. When the zoom optical system 213 reaches a position where the optical zoom magnification becomes 0.5 times 3 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts driving, the monitor display magnification and the optical zoom magnification become equal. For this reason, the digital zoom magnification becomes 1 ×. The display unit 400 1.5 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts moving displays the observation image shown in FIG. This image has a smaller black mask area than the observed image shown in FIG. The display unit 400 three seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts moving displays the observation image shown in FIG. This image is completely free of black mask areas.

  According to this process, an observation image having a desired monitor display magnification can be quickly obtained and a high-definition observation image can be observed.

  FIG. 10 shows time-series changes in the monitor display magnification, the digital zoom magnification, and the optical zoom magnification when the acceleration magnification is 3 times. At this time, the time when the monitor display magnification becomes 1.5 times is one second after the start of the movement of the zoom optical system 213.

  The image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification similarly to the case where the acceleration magnification is four times. When the user releases the enlargement button 302 and the monitor display magnification reaches 1.5 times after 1 second has elapsed, the digital zoom magnification is 1.8 times and the optical zoom magnification is 0.83 times. After 1 second has elapsed, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move, and the image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification so as to maintain the monitor display magnification at 1.5 times. Then, 3 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts driving, the zoom optical system 213 reaches a position where the optical zoom magnification becomes 1.5 times, and the digital zoom magnification becomes 1 time.

  FIG. 11 shows time-series changes in the monitor display magnification, digital zoom magnification, and optical zoom magnification when the acceleration magnification is doubled. At this time, the monitor display magnification becomes 1.5 times after 1.5 seconds from the start of the movement of the zoom optical system 213.

  The image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification similarly to the case where the acceleration magnification is four times. When the user releases the enlargement button 302 at a time point after 1.5 seconds have elapsed and the monitor display magnification reaches 1.5 times, the digital zoom magnification is 1.5 times and the optical zoom magnification is 1 time. After 1.5 seconds, the zoom optical system 213 continues to move, and the image processing circuit 303 adjusts the digital zoom magnification so as to maintain the monitor display magnification at 1.5 times. Then, 3 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts driving, the zoom optical system 213 reaches a position where the optical zoom magnification becomes 1.5 times, and the digital zoom magnification becomes 1 time.

  Next, the image enlargement / reduction processing will be described with reference to FIG. The image enlarging / reducing process is a process for enlarging / reducing the observation image.

  First, in step S121, it is determined whether or not the enlarge button 302 has been pressed. If pushed down, the process proceeds to step S122. If not depressed, the process proceeds to step S123.

  In step S122, a value obtained by multiplying the focal distance moving pitch fd by the acceleration magnification C is added to the target focal distance ft. Here, the focal distance moving pitch fd is the length of the focal distance that can be changed by the lens unit 212 within a predetermined period, and the acceleration magnification C is the change speed of the focal distance by the lens unit 212 and the monitor obtained by the user. This is the ratio to the display magnification change speed. Then, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S123, it is determined whether or not the reduction button 305 has been pressed. If pushed down, the process proceeds to step S124, and if not depressed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S124, the value obtained by multiplying the focal distance movement pitch fd by the acceleration magnification C is subtracted from the target focal distance ft. Then, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, the monitor display magnification mt is calculated from the target focal length ft.

  In the next step S126, the zoom optical system 213 is driven so that the focal length of the lens unit 212 becomes the target focal length ft.

  In the next step S127, the digital zoom magnification md is obtained by dividing the monitor display magnification mt by the optical zoom magnification mo obtained from the current focal length.

  In step S128, the image processing circuit 303 receives the digital zoom magnification md and performs digital zoom.

  In step S129, after waiting for 30 milliseconds, the process proceeds to step S121.

  By repeating the above processing, the enlarged / reduced image can be quickly displayed on the display unit 400.

  According to the present embodiment, the observation image after enlargement / reduction can be observed immediately after the enlargement button / reduction button 305 is operated.

  The time when the monitor display magnification becomes 1.5 times is not limited to 0.75 seconds after the zoom optical system 213 starts moving.

  The frequency at which the control circuit 301 acquires the position of the zoom optical system 213 may not be the same as the frequency at which the display unit 400 updates the observation image.

  Further, the waiting time in step S129 is not limited to 30 milliseconds.

  The period during which the enlargement button 302 and the reduction button 305 are pressed and the change length of the focal length are not limited to 30 milliseconds and 0.01 mm.

  The optical zoom magnification does not have to change linearly. Even if it does not change linearly, according to the present embodiment, the monitor display magnification can be corrected so as to change linearly. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the user's uncomfortable feeling.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Endoscope apparatus 200 Endoscope scope 210 Flexible part 211 CCD image sensor 212 Lens unit 213 Zoom optical system 214 Distal end part 220 Operation part 221 Amplifier / A / D converter 300 Endoscope processor 301 Control circuit 302 Expansion Button 303 Image processing circuit 304 Storage device 305 Reduction button 400 Display unit

Claims (4)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs image data;
An optical zoom unit that optically enlarges and reduces the subject image formed on the imaging unit to a target magnification;
A digital zoom unit that enlarges and reduces the image data by electronically enlarging and reducing a part of the image data,
The digital zoom unit includes at least one of the image data so that a product of an optical zoom magnification of the optical zoom unit and a digital zoom magnification of the digital zoom unit becomes the target magnification while the optical zoom unit enlarges / reduces the subject image. Endoscopic device that electronically enlarges and reduces the part. The optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification,
The digital zoom unit changes the digital magnification over a predetermined period from the current digital zoom magnification to the target magnification, and the predetermined period is a period during which the optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An input unit for inputting the target magnification;
The optical zoom unit starts enlargement / reduction of a subject image and the digital zoom unit starts changing the digital magnification over a predetermined period when the target magnification is input by the input unit. Endoscope device. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs image data;
An optical zoom unit that optically enlarges and reduces the subject image formed on the imaging unit to a target magnification;
A digital zoom unit that enlarges and reduces the image data by electronically enlarging and reducing a part of the image data,
The optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification,
The digital zoom unit includes a part of the image data so that a product of an optical zoom magnification of the optical zoom unit and a digital zoom magnification of the digital zoom unit becomes the target magnification while the optical zoom unit enlarges or reduces the subject image. Magnify electronically,
The digital zoom unit changes the digital magnification over a predetermined period from the current digital zoom magnification to the target magnification, and the predetermined period is a period during which the optical zoom unit changes the magnification from the current optical zoom magnification to the target magnification. A zoom device that is:

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