JP2012020027A - Processor for electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processor for an electronic endoscope, obtainable of an endoscope image in which prescribed image processing for recessed part emphasis or the like is performed only to a prescribed area so as to facilitate the identification of an affected part.SOLUTION: The processor for the electronic endoscope includes an input means for receiving the specification of an area in the endoscope image, and an image processing means for performing image processing to the area of at least a part of the endoscope image. Only inside the area specified through the input means of the endoscope image, the prescribed image processing by the image processing means is performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope processor for processing a video signal transmitted from a connected electronic endoscope and generating a video signal for display on a monitor.

  An electronic endoscope apparatus including an electronic endoscope, an electronic endoscope processor, a light source device, a monitor, and the like is widely used for observation of a body cavity.

  When the observation target of the electronic endoscopic device is the mucous membrane of the digestive organs such as the stomach and intestine, the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor is entirely reddish, and subtle unevenness of the mucous membrane is distinguished. It is not easy to do. In such a case, it is known that a blue pigment solution, for example, an indigo carmine solution, is distributed on the mucosal surface to facilitate discrimination. Since the dye solution moves to the concave portion of the mucous membrane, the blue region on the endoscopic image can be identified as the concave portion.

  However, in the above configuration, since the dye is required to be distributed, the inspection time becomes long. After the dye is once distributed, the original (the dye is not distributed) for a while. There is a problem that endoscopic observation in a state cannot be performed. For this reason, a configuration in which the concave portion is displayed in blue by a predetermined image processing without using a dye has been proposed as in the configuration shown in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent No. 3896698

  However, since the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above adds predetermined image processing to the entire endoscopic image, the entire screen becomes bluish, which sometimes makes it difficult to identify the affected area.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, the present invention provides an electronic endoscope processor capable of obtaining an endoscopic image in which predetermined image processing such as recess emphasis is performed only on a predetermined region so that an affected part can be easily identified. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope processor according to the present invention includes input means for receiving designation of an area in an endoscopic image, and predetermined image processing on at least a partial area of the endoscopic image. Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing by the image processing means only in an area of the endoscopic image designated through the input means.

  With such a configuration, an area in the endoscopic image where predetermined image processing such as recess emphasis is performed is limited to only an area specified via the input unit, and the predetermined area is limited to other areas. No image processing is performed. For this reason, the user of the electronic endoscope processor appropriately sets an area where predetermined image processing is performed via the input means, thereby facilitating identification of the affected area.

  Further, it is preferable that the electronic endoscope processor has a built-in display means for displaying an endoscopic image on which predetermined image processing has been performed. More preferably, the display means is a touch panel monitor having a function as an input means, and the touch panel monitor is operated in a state in which an endoscope image before performing predetermined image processing is displayed on the touch panel monitor. A region in the endoscopic image is designated.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily specify a region where predetermined image processing is performed by a touch panel operation while referring to an endoscopic image displayed on the touch panel monitor.

  In addition, as a method of designating the area where the predetermined image processing is performed, a closed area formed by the drag operation locus is designated as an area where the predetermined image processing is performed when the touch panel monitor is dragged. When the touch panel monitor is dragged, a rectangle whose diagonal is the start and end points of the drag operation is designated as an area where predetermined image processing is performed. When two points on the touch panel monitor are pointed, When a point on the touch panel monitor is pointed, a rectangle with two points as diagonals is designated as an area on which predetermined image processing is performed. Predetermined image processing is performed on an area of a predetermined shape including the pointed point. When the area on the touch panel monitor is pointed, the pointed area is A method in which designated as an area where the image processing of the constant is performed and the like.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which the endoscope image displayed on the display means and in which the predetermined image processing was performed is updated automatically. Further, in the above configuration, when the endoscope image is automatically updated, the characteristics of the endoscope image before the update of the area where the predetermined image processing is performed and the characteristics of the endoscope image after the update are performed. And, in the updated endoscopic image, a region whose characteristics match the pre-updated endoscopic image is subjected to predetermined image processing in the updated endoscopic image. It is preferable to set it as the area | region where this is performed.

  With such a configuration, even if the region where the predetermined image processing is to be performed is moved in the endoscopic image because the distal end portion of the insertion tube of the endoscope is moved during the endoscopic observation, Predetermined image processing is performed on an area where image processing is to be performed.

  Further, a configuration in which image processing different from the predetermined image processing is performed outside the region designated via the input means may be adopted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an endoscopic image in which an endoscopic image in which predetermined image processing such as recess emphasis is performed only in a predetermined region so that the affected part can be easily identified. A mirror processor is implemented.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an image processing routine executed by the controller of the electronic endoscope processor of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of an endoscopic image illustrating a procedure for selecting a region where predetermined image processing is performed by the first method. FIG. 4 is an example of an endoscopic image showing a procedure for selecting a region where predetermined image processing is performed by the second method. FIG. 5 is an example of an endoscopic image showing a procedure for selecting a region where predetermined image processing is performed by the third method. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image update subroutine called from the image processing routine of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 100, an electronic endoscope processor 200, and a monitor 300.

  The electronic endoscope 100 includes an objective lens 121 and an imaging element 122 in the vicinity of the distal end portion (insertion tube distal end portion) 111 of the insertion tube 110. An imaging cover glass 125 is provided at the distal end portion 111 of the insertion tube, and an image of light transmitted through the imaging cover glass 125 is formed on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 122 by the objective lens 121. Yes.

  The image sensor 122 outputs a video signal corresponding to the image formed on the light receiving surface. The video signal is sent to a signal processing circuit 124 built in the connector unit 160 of the electronic endoscope 100 via a signal cable 126 arranged inside the insertion tube 110. The above processing of the image sensor 122 is controlled by timing pulses input from the CCD drive circuit 123 to the image sensor 122. The timing pulse output timing from the CCD drive circuit 123 is controlled by the microcomputer 151 built in the connector unit 160.

  The signal processing circuit 124 A / D converts the video signal sent from the image sensor 122 and sends it to the microcomputer 151. The microcomputer 151 transmits the obtained digital video signal to the electronic endoscope processor 200 via the communication control unit 152.

  The electronic endoscope processor 200 includes a signal conversion unit 241, an image processing unit 242, an image data memory 243, and a communication control unit 244. The video signal output from the communication control unit 152 of the electronic endoscope 100 is converted into a signal that can be processed by the image processing unit 242 by the signal conversion unit 241, and then sent to the image processing unit 242. The image processing unit 242 stores the video signal transmitted from the signal conversion unit 241 in the image data memory 243 as image data. Further, the image processing unit 242 can perform image processing on the image data stored in the image data memory 243. Further, the image processing unit 242 reads out the image data stored in the image data memory 243 at a predetermined timing, and sends it to the communication control unit 244. The communication control unit 244 converts the image data sent from the image processing unit 242 into a video signal of a predetermined format (for example, an NTSC signal), and connects it to the connector 245 mounted on the case 201 of the endoscope processor 200. send. The monitor 300 is connected to the electronic endoscope processor 200 via the connector 245 and displays an endoscopic image based on a video signal obtained via the connector 245.

  Through the processing described above, an image in the vicinity of the insertion tube distal end portion 111 of the electronic endoscope 100 is displayed on the monitor 300. Here, the image sensor 122 outputs a video signal at a fixed timing, and the image processing unit 242 sequentially processes the received video signal to update the image data stored in the image data memory 243. For this reason, the monitor 300 displays an image of the vicinity of the insertion tube distal end portion 111 of the electronic endoscope 100 as a moving image.

  Note that the timing at which the signal conversion unit 241, the image processing unit 242, and the communication control unit 244 process video signals and image data is based on the timing pulse output from the timing generator 231 built in the electronic endoscope processor 200. It is controlled. The timing at which the timing generator 231 outputs the timing pulse is controlled by the controller 211 of the electronic endoscope processor 200.

  The electronic endoscope processor 200 has a function as a light source device that generates illumination light for illuminating the vicinity of the insertion tube distal end portion 111 of the electronic endoscope 100. Hereinafter, the function of the electronic endoscope processor 200 as an illumination device will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope processor 200 includes a lamp power supply circuit 221, a lamp 222, and a condenser lens 223. A light guide 132 is disposed on the insertion tube 110 and the connector portion 160 of the electronic endoscope 100. The distal end portion 132 a of the light guide 132 is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion tube distal end portion 111 of the electronic endoscope 100. Further, an illumination lens 133 is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion 132 a of the light guide 132, and an illumination cover glass 131 is disposed in the vicinity of the illumination lens 133 of the insertion tube distal end portion 111.

  The lamp 222 built in the electronic endoscope processor 200 generates illumination light by supplying power from the lamp power supply circuit 221. Then, the generated illumination light enters the condenser lens 223. The light guide 132 is inserted into the electronic endoscope processor 200 in a state where the electronic endoscope 100 is connected to the electronic endoscope processor 200 at the connector portion 160. . In a state where the light guide 132 is inserted into the electronic endoscope processor 200, the base end portion 132 b of the light guide 132 is at a position where the illumination light condensed by the condenser lens 223 is incident. As a result, the illumination light generated by the lamp 222 is incident on the proximal end portion 132b of the light guide 132, reaches the distal end portion 132a through the light guide 132, and passes through the illumination lens 133 and the illumination cover glass 131. Thus, the living tissue near the insertion tube tip 111 is illuminated. The lamp power circuit 221 is controlled by the controller 211. That is, the controller 211 can control the lamp power supply circuit 221 to adjust the magnitude of the current supplied to the lamp 222 and change the brightness of the illumination light.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope 100 is provided with an operation button 141. When the operation button 141 is pressed, a signal indicating that the operation button 141 has been pressed is sent to the controller 211 of the electronic endoscope processor 200 via the microcomputer 151 and the communication control unit 152. That is, the controller 211 can determine whether or not the operation button 141 of the electronic endoscope 100 has been pressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope processor 200 is provided with a touch panel monitor 251. The controller 211 controls the touch panel monitor 251 to display an endoscopic image, an operation menu, and the like on the touch panel monitor 251, or the operation result of the touch panel monitor 251 (to which coordinate the finger or the like is on the screen of the touch panel monitor 251 It can be detected).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope processor 200 is provided with a storage 212. The storage 212 is a storage device configured by a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, and the like, and stores various programs executed by the controller 211 such as an image processing routine described later and an endoscope image processed by an image processing routine described later. is doing. The controller 211 reads and executes a necessary program from the storage 212 as appropriate.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can perform predetermined image processing on the endoscopic image captured by the image sensor and display the image on the touch panel monitor 251. The predetermined image processing is, for example, processing for showing a region determined to be a concave portion in blue. The determination as to whether or not a specific pixel is a recess is made, for example, by comparing the luminance value of the specific pixel with the luminance values of the eight pixels surrounding the specific pixel.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 designates an area in the endoscopic image by a touch panel operation, and predetermined image processing is performed on the designated area. The predetermined image processing is not performed on other areas. Thereby, the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 can display on the touch panel monitor 251 an endoscopic image obtained by performing predetermined image processing only on a desired region.

  The selection of the area and the predetermined image processing are realized by the controller 211 of the electronic endoscope processor 200 reading out and executing the image processing routine shown in FIG. The image processing routine is executed when the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 refers to an operation menu displayed on the touch panel monitor 251 and inputs a predetermined image processing instruction.

  When this routine is started, step S1 is executed. In step S <b> 1, the controller 211 controls the image processing unit 242 via the timing generator 231 to read out the latest frame image data stored in the image data memory 243. The read image data is stored in the internal memory of the controller 211. Then, the controller 211 causes the touch panel monitor 251 to display an image of the image data stored in the internal memory. Next, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, a designation input by a touch panel operation for a range (selection range) in which predetermined image processing is performed is received. Any one of the following first to fourth methods is used as a selection range designation method. Note that which of the first to fourth methods is used to specify the selection range is set by a menu operation or the like of the touch panel monitor 251 before this routine is executed.

  The first method is to designate a selection range by performing a drag operation on the touch panel monitor 251. As shown in the endoscopic image of FIG. 3, a closed region A1 is formed by a drag operation (the locus of the drag operation is indicated by a dashed arrow L1), and this closed region A1 is set as a selection range.

  As in the first method, the second method is to designate a selection range by a drag operation. As shown in the endoscopic image of FIG. 4, a drag operation is performed in a substantially straight line (the trajectory of the drag operation is indicated by a broken line arrow L2), and a rectangular area A2 whose diagonal is the start point P21 and the end point P22, Select range. Instead of performing the drag operation, two points in the endoscopic image may be pointed and a rectangular region having the two points as diagonals may be selected.

  In the third method, a selection range is designated by pointing one point in the endoscopic image. That is, as shown in the endoscopic image of FIG. 5, a point P31 in the endoscopic image is pointed, and a rectangular area A3 having a predetermined width and height around the point P31 is set as a selection range. . In addition, it is good also as a structure which uses not the rectangular area but the area | region (circle, ellipse, etc.) of the other shape centering on the point P31 as a selection range. Further, for example, another rectangular area based on the point P31, for example, a rectangular area having a predetermined width and height with the point P31 as the upper left corner may be used as the selection range.

  The fourth method is to designate a selection range by pointing an area in the endoscopic image. That is, the touch panel monitor 251 is pressed solidly with the finger pad or the like, and the solid pressed area is set as the selection range.

  After the selection range is designated by any of the first to fourth methods, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, predetermined image processing is added to the selection range selected in step S2, and the touch panel monitor 251 displays the image. Next, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the image displayed on the touch panel monitor 251 in step S3 is a first selection button for re-designating a range for performing predetermined image processing, and a second for ending predetermined image processing. And a third button for saving an image are displayed, and input from the touch panel monitor 251 is accepted. Note that the first selection button may not be displayed (that is, re-designation of the selection range is not accepted) according to user settings before this routine is executed.

  When the first selection button is selected by the touch panel operation in step S4 (S4: re-designation), the process returns to step S1. In other words, the controller 211 reads the latest endoscopic image data from the image data memory again and displays it on the touch panel monitor 251. Note that step S1 is automatically executed when the first selection button is not operated for a time (for example, 10 minutes) set by the user setting before this routine is executed. It is also possible not to automatically branch from step S4 to step S1 according to user settings.

  Note that instead of selecting the first selection button in step S4, a point or drag operation may be started at any location in the endoscopic image, and the process may return to step S1.

  If the second selection button is selected by the touch panel operation in step S4 (S4: end), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the endoscope image displayed on the touch panel monitor 251 is erased, and then this routine is terminated.

  If the third button is selected in step S4 (S4: save image), the process proceeds to step S6. In step S <b> 6, the endoscopic image on which the predetermined image processing has been performed is stored in the storage 212 built in the electronic endoscope processor 200. Next, the process returns to step S4.

  In the present embodiment, the selection range is specified again, the end of predetermined image processing, and the saving of the image are selected by touch panel operation. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Alternatively, the selection may be performed by operating the operation button 141 (FIG. 1) of the electronic endoscope 100.

  If the touch panel monitor 251 is not operated for a certain time (1 second in the present embodiment) in step S4 (S4: no input), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, the controller 211 controls the image processing unit 242 to acquire the latest endoscopic image image data from the image data memory 243, and after performing predetermined image processing on the acquired image data. It is displayed on the touch panel monitor 251. Next, the process returns to step S4.

  As described above, if the operation of the touch panel monitor 251 is not performed for a predetermined time or longer, the image displayed on the touch panel monitor 251 is continuously updated. That is, if the touch panel operation is not performed, an endoscopic image that has undergone predetermined image processing is displayed on the touch panel monitor 251 as a moving image.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the movement of the insertion tube distal end portion 111 of the electronic endoscope 100 (for example, bending with respect to the insertion tube 110) is performed while an endoscopic image subjected to predetermined image processing is displayed. When the region where the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 desires to perform predetermined image processing deviates from the range specified in step S2 by performing the operation etc., the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 It is possible to automatically re-select a selection range for performing predetermined image processing in accordance with movement of a region where image processing is desired. The above process is realized by the controller 211 executing the subroutine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 in step S7 of FIG. It should be noted that the above-described range automatic re-designation can be prevented from being performed by a user setting made before the routine of FIG. 2 is executed.

  When the subroutine of FIG. 6 starts, step S11 is executed. In step S11, the features of the endoscopic image in the region selected in step S2 (FIG. 2) are extracted. Specifically, the contour of the endoscopic image is extracted, and feature-extracted image data obtained by binarizing this is obtained. The feature extraction image data is obtained from an endoscopic image before the predetermined image processing in step S3 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the controller 211 of the electronic endoscope processor 200 acquires the latest endoscopic image data stored in the image data memory 243. Next, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, feature-extracted image data obtained by extracting features in the selection range selected in step S2 of the image data acquired in step S12 is obtained. Next, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the feature extraction image data of the latest endoscope image acquired in step S12 is compared with the feature extraction image data of the endoscope image one frame before (one second ago) acquired in step S11. Is called. For example, the exclusive OR of the feature extraction image data of the latest endoscope image and the feature extraction image data of the endoscope image one frame before is calculated, and the number of pixels for which the calculation result is “0” is selected. When the ratio to the number of pixels in the specified area exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that both feature extraction image data match. If it is determined that both feature extraction image data match (S14: YES), the process proceeds to step S25. If it is determined that the two feature extraction image data do not match (S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, feature extraction image data of the entire latest endoscopic image acquired in step S12 is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, it is checked whether or not the portion that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S11 is in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15. If there is a portion that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S11 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 (S16: YES), the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, an area that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S11 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 is set as a new selection range. Next, the process proceeds to step S25.

  On the other hand, in step S16, when a portion matching the feature extraction image data acquired in step S11 is not found in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 (S16: NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the selected range portion of the original image (that is, one frame before) is rotated, and then feature extracted image data of the rotated image is created. Specifically, after the selected range portion of the image is rotated in increments of 5 ° within a range of ± 90 °, feature extraction image data is created for each. Next, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, for each of the plurality of feature extraction image data acquired in step S17, a check is made as to whether or not there is a matching portion in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15. If there is a portion that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S17 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 (S18: YES), the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, a region that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S17 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 is set as a new selection range. Next, the process proceeds to step S25.

  On the other hand, if no matching part is found in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 for any of the feature extraction image data acquired in step S17 in step S18 (S18: NO), step Proceed to S19.

  In step S19, the selected range portion of the original image (that is, one frame before) is enlarged and reduced, and then feature extracted image data of the enlarged and reduced image is created. Specifically, feature-extracted image data is created for each of the images in which the enlargement / reduction ratio of the selected area of the image is changed in increments of 0.1 within an enlargement / reduction range of 0.5 to 2.0 times. To do. Next, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, for each of the plurality of feature extraction image data acquired in step S19, it is checked whether or not a matching portion is present in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15. If there is a portion that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S19 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 (S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, an area that matches the feature extraction image data acquired in step S19 in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 is set as a new selection range. Next, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, predetermined image processing is performed on the selection range of the latest endoscopic image, and this is displayed on the touch panel monitor 251. Next, this subroutine is terminated, and the process returns to step S4 (FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, in step S20, if no matching part is found in the feature extraction image data acquired in step S15 for any of the feature extraction image data acquired in step S19 (S20: NO), step Proceed to S21.

  In step S21, the current endoscopic image does not include an area where the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 desires predetermined image processing (the area has moved out of the endoscopic image). This routine is terminated. When step S4 (FIG. 2) is executed immediately after step S21 is executed, step S4 does not accept a touch panel operation from the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1, and immediately proceeds to step S1 for selection. Accept input for re-specifying range.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, even when a region where the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 desires predetermined image processing is moved by movement or zooming of the electronic endoscope 100, The state where the predetermined image processing is performed only in the region where the user of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 desires the predetermined image processing is maintained.

  As described above, the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention performs predetermined image processing only on a specific area designated by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. That is, the present invention also includes a configuration in which predetermined image processing is performed within an area (selection range) designated by the user and image processing different from the predetermined image processing is performed outside the selection range.

1 Electronic Endoscope 100 Electronic Endoscope 200 Electronic Endoscope Processor 211 Controller 242 Image Processing Unit 243 Image Data Memory 251 Touch Panel Monitor 300 Monitor

Claims (11)

An electronic endoscope processor that is connected to an electronic endoscope and processes a video signal of an endoscope image output from the electronic endoscope to generate a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor;
Input means for accepting designation of a region in the endoscopic image;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on at least a partial region of the endoscopic image,
A processor for electronic endoscope, wherein predetermined image processing by the image processing means is performed only within a region of the endoscopic image designated through the input means.   2. The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein the electronic endoscope processor includes display means for displaying an endoscope image on which the predetermined image processing has been performed. The display means is a touch panel monitor having a function as the input means;
The region in the endoscopic image is designated by operating the touch panel monitor in a state where the endoscopic image before performing predetermined image processing is displayed on the touch panel monitor. The processor for electronic endoscopes of 2.   4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein when the touch panel monitor is dragged, a closed area formed by a trajectory of the drag operation is designated as an area where the predetermined image processing is performed. Mirror processor.   4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein when the touch panel monitor is dragged, a rectangle whose diagonal is a start point and an end point of the drag operation is designated as an area where the predetermined image processing is performed. Endoscopy processor.   4. The rectangle according to claim 3, wherein when two points on the touch panel monitor are pointed, a rectangle having the two pointed points as diagonals is designated as an area where the predetermined image processing is performed. Processor for electronic endoscope.   The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein when a point on the touch panel monitor is pointed, an area having a predetermined shape including the pointed point is designated as an area on which the predetermined image processing is performed. Endoscopy processor.   4. The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 3, wherein when the area on the touch panel monitor is pointed, the pointed area is designated as an area on which the predetermined image processing is performed.   The electronic image according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the endoscope image displayed on the display means and subjected to predetermined image processing is automatically updated. Endoscopy processor.   When the endoscope image is automatically updated, the feature of the endoscope image before the update of the region where the predetermined image processing is performed is compared with the feature of the endoscope image after the update, and updated. An area in which the features of the endoscope image before the update of the area in which the predetermined image processing is performed in the subsequent endoscopic image is the area in which the predetermined image processing is performed in the endoscope image after the update The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 9. 11. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an image process different from the predetermined image process is performed outside a region designated via the input unit. Mirror processor.

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