JP2013137466A - Apparatus and program for endoscope image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a program for endoscope image processing, which facilitates accurate specification of a specific point such as a measurement point on a touch panel.SOLUTION: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope image display section which displays an endoscope image on a touch panel screen; a first auxiliary figure display section which displays a first input auxiliary line L1 to help determine a position of a specific point on the screen; a pointer display section which displays a pointer CM1 on the first input auxiliary line L1 on the screen to specify a position of a specific point on the endoscope image; a pointer movement section which moves the pointer CM1 on the first input auxiliary line L1; a specified point designation section for designating a position specified by the pointer CM1 on the endoscope image as a specified point.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscopic image processing apparatus and an endoscopic image processing program, and more particularly, to an endoscopic image processing apparatus and an endoscopic image processing program that can easily designate designated points such as measurement points.

  Conventionally, endoscope apparatuses have been widely used in the industrial field and the medical field. An endoscope apparatus inserts an endoscope insertion section into an observation target, captures an image within the observation target with an imaging section provided at the distal end of the insertion section, and displays the image on a monitor. The inside of the observation object can be inspected by looking at the image.

  In addition, there is an endoscope apparatus having a measurement function capable of measuring, for example, the size of a scratch or a defect of a machine part. In such an endoscope apparatus, when a user designates a measurement point on an endoscopic image, measurement values relating to the designated one or two points, for example, from the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion to the one point. The distance between the two points, the distance between the points, and the like are obtained by calculation. In such an endoscope apparatus, in order to obtain an accurate measurement result, an accurate measurement point must be input.

By the way, in recent years, an endoscope apparatus using a touch panel as an input and display device has been put into practical use because it can be operated intuitively and quickly.
However, generally, for input on the touch panel, the pointer is hidden by a finger or the like, and the pixel size is smaller than that of the finger or the like, so that a desired point is specified on the touch panel easily and accurately. It's not easy.

  In addition, in order to be able to specify a fine area on the image of the touch panel, a pointer is displayed at a position away from the finger contact position by a predetermined distance, so that it is not hidden by the user's finger. A method has been proposed that allows an arbitrary position to be specified (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-272036 A

  However, even in the method according to the above proposal, since the measurement point must be specified depending on the position where the finger contacts, for example, when the user wants to specify a desired measurement point, the user places the finger on the screen of the touch panel. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to specify an accurate measurement point.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an endoscope image processing apparatus and an endoscope image processing program for easily specifying a specified point such as an accurate measurement point on a touch panel are provided. The purpose is to provide.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an endoscopic image processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process based on a position on an endoscopic image designated by a designated point has a display screen, and on the display screen A touch panel for detecting a position, an endoscopic image display unit for displaying the endoscopic image on the display screen, and a first auxiliary graphic for assisting the position determination of the designated point on the display screen are displayed. A pointer display unit for displaying a pointer for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image on the auxiliary graphic of the display screen; and on the auxiliary graphic An endoscope image processing apparatus comprising: a pointer moving unit that moves the pointer at a step; and a designated point determining unit that determines a position on the endoscopic image designated by the pointer as the designated point. It is possible .

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope image processing program for performing a predetermined process based on a position on an endoscope image designated by a designated point, and the endoscope is displayed on a display screen of a touch panel. An endoscope image display function for displaying an image, a first auxiliary graphic display function for displaying a first auxiliary graphic for assisting the position determination of the designated point on the display screen, and the auxiliary of the display screen A pointer display function for displaying a pointer for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image on a figure, a pointer movement function for moving the pointer on the auxiliary figure, and an instruction by the pointer It is possible to provide an endoscopic image processing program for causing a computer to realize a designated point determining function for determining a position on the endoscopic image as the designated point.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscopic image processing apparatus and an endoscopic image processing program that can easily designate a designated point such as an accurate measurement point on a touch panel.

1 is an external view showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the endoscope apparatus 1 concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of how to obtain | require the three-dimensional coordinate of the measurement point by stereo measurement concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the endoscopic image concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the designation | designated process of the measurement point performed by CPU37 of the control unit 24 of the endoscope apparatus 1 concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the measurement point designation | designated image 71 on which the 1st input auxiliary line L1 was displayed concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the parallel displacement of the input auxiliary line L1 concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating rotation of the input auxiliary line L1 concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the state where input auxiliary line L1 concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention was located in the position which passes point P1. It is a figure which shows the example of the measurement point designation | designated image 71 on which the 2nd input auxiliary line L2 was displayed concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the state where the 2nd input auxiliary line L2 concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention was moved to the position which passes point P1. It is a figure showing the state where two measurement points P1 and P2 concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention were specified. It is a figure which shows the example of the measurement point designation | designated image 71A on which the 1st input auxiliary line L3 was displayed concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The second input auxiliary line L4 extending in the circumferential direction from the center C1 of the circle of the first input auxiliary line L3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is superimposed and displayed, and the button 72 is also displayed. It is a figure which shows the image superimposed and displayed. It is a figure showing the state where the 2nd input auxiliary line L4 concerning the 2nd embodiment of the present invention was moved to the position which passes point P1. It is a figure showing the state where measurement point P1 concerning the 2nd embodiment of the present invention was specified. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the measurement point designation | designated process performed by CPU37 of the control unit 24 of the endoscope apparatus 1 concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the measurement point designation | designated image 71B on which the 1st input auxiliary line L5 was displayed concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the input auxiliary line L51 which is a line segment concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the case where the input auxiliary line L5 moves to the position which passes along the point P1 concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state from which pointer CM4 was moved to the desired position concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope 2 and an apparatus main body 3. The endoscope 2 includes an elongated and flexible insertion portion 11, an operation portion 12 connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 11, and a flexible universal cable 13 extending from the operation portion 12. And have. The universal cable 13 is connected to the apparatus main body 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion portion 11 has a hard tip portion 14, a bending portion 15 that can be bent vertically and horizontally, and a flexible flexible tube portion 16 that are connected in order from the tip side. Configured. A distal end hard portion (not shown) is provided in the distal end portion 14 of the insertion portion 11, and an objective optical system and an image sensor 21 (FIG. 2) are disposed in the distal end hard portion. Various optical adapters such as a stereo optical adapter having two observation fields and a normal observation optical adapter having one observation field are detachably attached to the distal end portion 14.

  The operation unit 12 is provided with various operation members, such as a release button and a bending operation joystick, for performing operations necessary for executing various operation controls of the endoscope apparatus 1. The user can take a subject image by pressing the release button. Further, the user can bend the bending portion 15 by tilting the bending operation joystick, and can point the distal end portion 14 in a desired direction.

The apparatus main body 3 has a control unit 24 (FIG. 2) which will be described later, and can execute various functions. Various functions include a measurement processing function.
The apparatus body 3 is provided with a touch panel 17. The touch panel 17 can detect the approach or contact of an object such as a finger on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 and input position information thereof, and can be operated by an image of a subject imaged by the endoscope 2, a processing menu, or the like. This is an input / display device that displays control contents. That is, the touch panel 17 is a display device with a touch panel that has a display screen and detects a position on the display screen where an object touches. The user can display a subject image on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 or display a menu for various functions to execute a desired function from a plurality of functions.

  The touch panel 17 is rotatably held with respect to the apparatus main body 3 by a mechanism such as a hinge (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the user can wake up from the exterior housing of the apparatus body 3 and adjust the angle of the touch panel 17 so that the user can easily see the screen 17 a.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the endoscope apparatus 1. An imaging element 21 is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2. The apparatus main body 3 includes an endoscope unit 22, a camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) 23, and a control unit 24. An imaging signal from the imaging element 21 built in the distal end portion 14 of the insertion portion 11 is supplied to the endoscope unit 22.

  The endoscope unit 22 includes a light source device (not shown) that supplies illumination light to the distal end portion 14 of the insertion portion 11 via a light guide, and a bending device (see FIG. 5) that bends the bending portion 15 that constitutes the insertion portion 11. Not shown). In addition, the structure which equips the front-end | tip part 14 with LED as a light source device without using a light guide may be sufficient.

  The image pickup device 21 photoelectrically converts a subject image formed through an optical adapter attached to the distal end portion 14 to generate an image pickup signal. The imaging signal output from the imaging device 21 is input to the CCU 23 via the endoscope unit 22. This imaging signal is converted into a video signal such as an NTSC signal in the CCU 23 and supplied to the control unit 24.

  In the control unit 24, a video signal processing circuit 31, to which a video signal as image data is input, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a card interface (hereinafter referred to as a card I / F) 34, a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as a USB I / F). 35, an RS-232C interface (hereinafter referred to as RS-232CI / F17) 36, and a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 37 that executes the functions of these various circuits based on various programs and performs operation control. ing. The video signal processing circuit 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, card I / F 34, USB I / F 35, RS-232CI / F 36, and CPU 37 are connected to each other via a bus 38.

  The RS-232CI / F 36 is connected to the endoscope unit 22 and the CCU 23, and is also connected to the operation unit 12 for controlling and operating the endoscope unit 22 and the CCU 23. When the user operates the operation unit 12, communication necessary for controlling the operation of the endoscope unit 22 and the CCU 23 is performed between the RS-232CI / F 36 and the endoscope unit 22 and RS− according to the operation content. It is performed between 232CI / F36 and CCU23.

  The USB I / F 35 is an interface for electrically connecting the control unit 24 and a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 41. By connecting the PC 41 to the control unit 24 via the USB I / F 35, the user can issue various instructions such as an endoscopic image display instruction and image processing during measurement on the PC 41 side. Between the control unit 24 and the PC 41, input / output of data such as control information and image information necessary for various processes is also performed.

  A memory card 42 can be detachably attached to the card I / F 34. By attaching the memory card 42 to the card I / F 34, the CPU 37 loads data such as control information and image information stored in the memory card 42 into the control unit 24, or stores control information and image information. Data can be recorded in the memory card 42.

  The video signal processing circuit 31 displays a composite image obtained by synthesizing the endoscopic image supplied from the CCU 23 and the graphic operation menu, so that the graphic image signal based on the operation menu generated under the control of the CPU 37 is displayed. And the video signal from the CCU 23 are combined. The video signal processing circuit 31 performs processing for displaying the composite image display signal on the screen 17 a of the touch panel 17 and supplies the processed signal to the touch panel 17. Note that the video signal processing circuit 31 can perform processing for displaying only an endoscopic image or displaying only an image such as an operation menu alone. Therefore, an endoscope image, an operation menu image, a composite image of the endoscope image and the operation menu image, and the like can be displayed on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17.

  The CPU 37 executes a program stored in the ROM 32 to control various circuits and the like so as to perform processing designated by the user, and performs operation control, measurement processing, and the like of the endoscope apparatus 1. The RAM 33 is used by the CPU 37 as a work area for temporarily storing data.

  Here, an example of the principle of measurement in the measurement process executed by the endoscope apparatus 1 will be described. Using the stereo optical adapter that forms the left and right fields of view in the observation optical system, based on the coordinates of the corresponding points on the left and right when the subject image is captured by the left and right optical systems, the principle of triangulation is used. By obtaining the three-dimensional space coordinates, various measurements by stereo measurement are possible.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of how to obtain the three-dimensional coordinates of measurement points by stereo measurement. The three-dimensional coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the point 50 are calculated by the following formulas (1) to (3) by the triangulation method for the images picked up by the left and right optical systems. . The imaging device 21, the respective optical centers of the two images obtained from the object image projected on its imaging surface, respectively O _L, two images of the O _R is obtained. However, the coordinates of the point 51, 52 on the left and right image distortion has been corrected respectively _{(X L, Y L),} (X R, Y R) and to the left of the coordinate space and the right optical center 53, Assuming that the distance between 54 is D, the focal length is F, and t = D / (X _L −X _R ), each coordinate of the three-dimensional coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the point 50 is expressed by the following formula ( 1) to (3).

X = t × X _R + D / 2 (1)
Y = t × Y _R (2)
Z = t × F (3)
Accordingly, when the coordinates of the points 51 and 52 on the two obtained images are determined, the three-dimensional coordinates of the point 50 are obtained using the parameters D and F. By obtaining the three-dimensional coordinates of several points, various measurements such as the distance between two points, the distance between a line connecting the two points and one point, the area, the depth, and the surface shape are possible.

  It is also possible to obtain the distance (object distance) from the left optical center 53 or the right optical center 54 to the subject. In order to perform the above stereo measurement, optical data indicating the characteristics of the optical system including the distal end portion 14 of the endoscope 2 and the stereo optical adapter is necessary. The details of the optical data are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-49638.

Note that the distance to the measurement point, the position of the measurement point, and the like are determined by other methods such as the active stereo measurement method, the TOF (Time of Flight) method, the confocal method, and the like. May be.
(Function)
Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 during measurement will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an endoscopic image. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of measurement point designation processing executed by the CPU 37 of the control unit 24 of the endoscope apparatus 1.

  The endoscope apparatus 1 has a plurality of modes, and executes an operation according to the mode set by the user. When the endoscope apparatus 1 is set to the measurement mode, the endoscope apparatus 1 performs a measurement process for a designated point designated by the user. That is, the endoscope apparatus 1 can be said to be an endoscope image processing apparatus that performs a measurement process that is one of predetermined processes based on a position on an endoscopic image designated by a designated point. Here, the measurement process is performed based on the three-dimensional position coordinates of the corresponding point of the subject displayed on the endoscopic image EI corresponding to the determined designated point.

  Here, the measurement point designation process for the measurement process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 as an example of the case where the user designates the measurement point on the endoscopic image EI shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an endoscopic image EI showing a part of the turbine blade 61 that is missing as an image of the subject. Here, it is assumed that the user designates two points P1 and P2 as measurement points in order to measure the distance between the two points P1 and P2 of the missing portion.

  After the measurement mode is set, for example, when the user touches the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 with a finger, the process of FIG. 5 is started. The measurement point designation processing program of FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 32, and the CPU 37 reads the measurement point designation processing program from the ROM 32 and executes it. When the process of FIG. 5 is started, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the screen 17a as a measurement mode image (S1). The process of S1 constitutes an endoscope image display unit that displays the endoscope image EI on the screen 17a which is a display screen. In the process of S1, the endoscopic image EI obtained by imaging with the image sensor 21 can be enlarged or reduced on the screen 17a by a predetermined operation.

  When the measurement mode image is displayed, for example, when the user taps the screen 17a once with a finger, the display process of the first input auxiliary line is executed (S2). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the measurement point designation image 71 on which the first input auxiliary line L1 is displayed. The input auxiliary line L1 is an auxiliary graphic for assisting the position determination of the measurement point that is the designated point.

  By the first input auxiliary line display process (S2), as shown in FIG. 6, in the measurement point designation image 71, the input auxiliary line L1, which is a single straight line, is superimposed and displayed on the endoscope image EI. In addition, the two buttons 72 and 73 are also displayed in an overlapping manner. The button 72 is a button for the input auxiliary line L1, and is a button for rotating the input auxiliary line as will be described later. The button 73 is a button for displaying the second input auxiliary line L2, as will be described later.

  The input auxiliary line L1 is a line that is horizontal to the rectangular measurement point designation image 71 and is displayed at a predetermined position on the measurement point designation image 71. The input auxiliary line L1 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6, but may be displayed by a line of a specific color instead of the dotted line. Further, the display color of the input auxiliary line L1 may be changeable. This is because the subject has various colors, so that the subject can be displayed in a different color from the subject so that the subject can be distinguished from the subject.

Here, the input auxiliary line L1 is displayed as a horizontal line on the measurement point designation image 71 when the user taps the screen 17a with a finger. Alternatively, the user may tap any two points on the screen 17a with a finger, and a line connecting the tapped points may be displayed on the measurement point designation image 71 as the input auxiliary line L1. Alternatively, the user may trace the screen 17a with a finger and display a line connecting the start point and the end point on the measurement point designation image 71 as the input auxiliary line L1.
As described above, the process of S2 constitutes an auxiliary graphic display unit that displays the first auxiliary graphic for assisting the determination of the position of the designated point on the display screen.

After S2, in the state where the input auxiliary line L1 is displayed, the moving process of the first input auxiliary line L1 that can move the input auxiliary line L1 is executed (S3).
There are a plurality of methods for moving the first input auxiliary line L1, and the user can move the input auxiliary line L1 using a desired method. Examples of the plurality of movement methods include the following methods.

(First movement method)
When the user touches and selects the input auxiliary line L1 on the screen 17a with a finger and drags it in a desired direction in that state, the input auxiliary line L1 moves in parallel on the measurement point designation image 71. Since this first movement is in accordance with the movement amount of the finger, that is, the movement amount of the position touched on the screen 17a, the movement amount of the input auxiliary line L1 on the measurement point designation image 71 is It is relatively rough.

(Second movement method)
When the user touches the outside of the input auxiliary line L1 on the screen 17a with a finger, the input auxiliary line L1 translates on the measurement point designation image 71 in units of one pixel toward the touched position. Since the second movement is a movement in units of pixels, the input auxiliary line L1 can be finely moved on the measurement point designation image 71.

(Third moving method)
If the user slides while touching the outside of the input auxiliary line L1 on the screen 17a with a finger, or lightly stroked, the input auxiliary line is directed toward the sliding direction by an amount proportional to the amount of sliding or the amount of stroke. L1 translates on the measurement point designation image 71. Since this third movement is in accordance with the movement of the finger, the movement amount of the input auxiliary line L1 on the measurement point designation image 71 is relatively rough.

(4th movement method)
If the user traces while touching the screen 17a with his / her finger, the input auxiliary line L1 is displayed so as to continue moving at a single point speed in the traced direction, and the movement stops when the user touches the screen 17a again with his / her finger. Thus, the input auxiliary line L1 moves to a desired position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the parallel movement of the input auxiliary line L1. As shown in FIG. 7, the user moves the input auxiliary line L1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 by the first to fourth moving methods described above, and finally, The input auxiliary line L1 can be positioned at a position passing through the point P1.
The four moving methods described above are methods of moving the input auxiliary line L1 in parallel, but there is also a moving method of rotating the input auxiliary line L1 using the button 72.
(Fifth moving method)
When the user drags with the finger while touching the position corresponding to the button 72 on the screen 17a, the drag is performed by moving the drag about the predetermined position of the input auxiliary line L1, for example, the midpoint of the input auxiliary line L1. The input auxiliary line L1 rotates in the direction that is set.
Since the fifth movement is in accordance with the movement of the finger, the rotation amount of the input auxiliary line L1 on the measurement point designation image 71 is relatively rough.

(Sixth moving method)
When the user touches the button 72 on the screen 17a with a finger and then touches a position other than the input auxiliary line L1, the user touches the center of the predetermined position of the input auxiliary line L1, for example, the midpoint of the input auxiliary line L1. The input auxiliary line L1 rotates on the measurement point designation screen 71 by a predetermined amount in the direction of the position. The predetermined amount of rotation is, for example, one pixel on a virtual predetermined circle centered on the center position of the input auxiliary line L1, one degree about the center position of the input auxiliary line L1, and the like.
Since the sixth movement is a predetermined amount of movement such as one pixel on a virtual predetermined circle, it is possible to finely rotate the first input auxiliary line L1 on the measurement point designation image 71. Is.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the rotation of the input auxiliary line L1. As shown in FIG. 8, by the fifth and sixth rotation methods described above, the user rotates the input auxiliary line L1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A2 with the point P1 as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line L12. Finally, the input auxiliary line L1 can be positioned at a position passing through the point P1.
As described above, the process of S3 constitutes an auxiliary figure moving unit that moves the first input auxiliary line L1, which is an auxiliary figure, by translation or rotation. In S3, the first input auxiliary line L1 can be moved according to the touched position on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 and the amount of movement. Alternatively, in S3, the first input auxiliary line L1 can be moved in units of display pixels of the endoscopic image EI displayed on the screen 17a according to the number of taps or the contact time on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17. .

  Using the above method, the user can move the input auxiliary line L1 to a position passing through the point P1. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the input auxiliary line L1 is located at a position passing through the point P1. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the user moves the input auxiliary line L1 to a position passing through the point P1 by the first to fourth moving methods.

  As described above, after the moving process (S3) of the first input auxiliary line L1, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to confirm the first input auxiliary line L1 (S4). Here, the presence / absence of the confirmation instruction is performed depending on whether or not the user has touched the button 73. The confirmation instruction may be performed by a method other than the method of touching the button 73.

  Since the first input auxiliary line L1 is displayed as a line having a plurality of pixel widths such as two pixels and three pixels on the screen 17a, the position of the input auxiliary line L1 is a plurality of positions in S4. It is determined using the center value of the pixel width.

  If the user does not touch the position of the button 73 after moving the input auxiliary line L1 to a position passing through the point P1 (S4: NO), the process returns to S3. When the user touches the position of the button 73 on the screen 17a (S4: YES), the first input auxiliary line position determining process for determining the position of the first input auxiliary line L1 is executed (S5). Thereafter, display processing of the second input auxiliary line L2 is executed (S6), and then pointer display processing is executed (S7). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the measurement point designation image 71 on which the second input auxiliary line L2 is displayed.

  By the display process (S6) of the second input auxiliary line L2, as shown in FIG. 10, one input auxiliary line L2 is superimposed on the endoscopic image EI. The input auxiliary line L <b> 2 indicated by a dotted line is a line perpendicular to the rectangular measurement point designation image 71 and is displayed at a predetermined position on the measurement point designation image 71. The process of S6 constitutes an auxiliary graphic display unit that displays a second auxiliary graphic for assisting the determination of the position of the designated point on the screen 17a.

  Similarly to the first input auxiliary line L1, the second input auxiliary line L2 may be displayed with a specific color line, or the display color of the input auxiliary line L2 may be changeable.

  Furthermore, here, the input auxiliary line L2 is also connected to the two tapped points by the user tapping any two points on the screen 17a with the finger, like the first input auxiliary line L1 described above. The line may be displayed on the measurement point designation image 71 as the input auxiliary line L2. Alternatively, the user may trace the screen 17a with his / her finger and display the line connecting the start point and the end point on the measurement point designation image 71 as the input auxiliary line L2.

  Then, by the pointer display process (S7), as shown in FIG. 10, the pointer CM1 is also displayed as a predetermined mark at the intersection of the first input auxiliary line L1 and the second input auxiliary line L2. The pointer CM1 is a cross mark here, and is displayed in a color different from the colors of the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, for example. The color of the predetermined mark may be changeable by the user. The process of S7 constitutes a pointer display unit that displays a pointer CM1 for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image EI on the first input auxiliary line L1 of the screen 17a. In S7, the pointer CM1 is displayed at the position of the intersection determined based on the input auxiliary line L1 that is the first auxiliary graphic and the input auxiliary line L2 that is the second auxiliary graphic.

  Note that the pointer CM1 may be an arrow mark similar to a PC cursor, a circle mark having a cross in the center, or the like.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the button 72A for the input auxiliary line L2 is also displayed in a superimposed manner. The button 72A is a button for the input auxiliary line L2, has the same function as the button 72 described above, and is a button for rotating the input auxiliary line L2.

  After S7, the second input auxiliary line L2 can also be moved in the same manner as the first input auxiliary line L1, and the user can use the first to sixth moving methods described above to perform the second movement. The input auxiliary line L2 can be accurately moved to a desired position (S8).

For example, after the input auxiliary line L2 is roughly translated in the direction indicated by the arrow A3 by the first, third, or fourth movement method, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line L21, the input is performed by the second movement method. The auxiliary line L2 is finely translated and moved to a position where the input auxiliary line L2 passes through the point P1.
Alternatively, the input auxiliary line L2 may be rotated to the position where the input auxiliary line L2 passes through the point P1 using the button 72A by the fifth and sixth moving methods described above.

  As described above, the process of S8 constitutes an auxiliary figure moving unit that moves the second input auxiliary line L2, which is an auxiliary figure, by translation or rotation. In S8, the second input auxiliary line L2 can be moved according to the touched position and the moving amount on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17. Alternatively, in S8, the second input auxiliary line L2 can be moved in units of display pixels of the endoscopic image EI displayed on the screen 17a according to the number of taps or the contact time on the screen 17a of the touch panel 17. .

  In S8, when the second input auxiliary line L2 is moved, the pointer CM1 always exists at the intersection of the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, so the first input auxiliary line L1 or the second input auxiliary line L2 In accordance with the movement of the input auxiliary line L2, the pointer CM1 is also moved simultaneously (S9). That is, the process of S9 constitutes a pointer moving unit that moves the pointer CM1 on the first input auxiliary line L1 that is an auxiliary figure.

  Assuming that the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 have been moved to the respective positions passing through the target point P1, whether the user has instructed to confirm the second input auxiliary line L2 after the process of S9 It is determined whether or not (S10). The confirmation instruction can be given, for example, when the user double taps the position of the pointer CM1 on the screen 17a with a finger.

  Note that, when the confirmation instruction of the second input auxiliary line L2 is not given (S10: NO), it is determined whether or not the first input auxiliary line L1 has been selected (S11). Here, when the user wants to change the position of the first input auxiliary line L1 after moving the second input auxiliary line L2, when the user touches the first input auxiliary line L1 with a finger, It is determined that the input auxiliary line L1 has been selected.

When the first input auxiliary line L1 is selected (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S3, and the first input auxiliary line L1 can be moved. In this case, since the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 are in a displayed state, if the first input auxiliary line L1 moves, the first input auxiliary line L1 moves along with the movement. The pointer CM1 also moves at the same time.
If the first input auxiliary line L1 is not selected (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S8.

  As described above, the positions of the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 can be moved independently, and the user can move the pointer at the intersection of the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2. The center of CM1 can be aligned with point P1.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where the input auxiliary line L2 has been moved to a position passing through the point P1. In the state shown in FIG. 11, when the user issues a confirmation instruction in the state where the center of the pointer CM1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the point P1 (S10: YES), the second input auxiliary line L2 is determined. An input auxiliary line determination process is executed (S12), and a pointer position determination process for determining the position of the pointer CM1, which is the intersection of the first and second input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, is executed (S13).

  By the pointer position determination process, a point P1 at a position corresponding to the position of the pointer CM1 is determined as the first measurement point. When the pointer position determination process (S13) is executed, the display of the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 disappears and only the pointer CM is displayed on the screen 17a. Therefore, the process of S13 constitutes a designated point determination unit that determines the position on the endoscopic image EI designated by the pointer CM1 as the designated point.

  As described above, the point P1 as the first measurement point is designated by the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 that can move independently. At this time, the pointer CM1 always exists at the intersection of the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, and the pointer CM1 also moves simultaneously with the movement of the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2. Therefore, since the pointer CM1 moves in accordance with the movement of the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, the pointer CM1 is not hidden by the user's finger. Furthermore, since each input auxiliary line can be moved finely by the second or fifth moving method, the measurement point can be accurately specified by the pointer CM1.

  Next, the measurement point for the point P2 can be specified by tapping once again on the screen 17a with the finger. That is, when the user taps on the screen 17a once again with the finger, the display process of the first input auxiliary line L1 is executed again (S2), and then the processes of S3 to S11 described above are executed. Similarly to P1, measurement points for the point P2 can be designated.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state where two measurement points P1 and P2 are designated. As shown in FIG. 12, the two pointers CM1 and CM2 whose positions are determined by the user correspond to the two measurement points P1 and P2, respectively.

  After the process of FIG. 5, the user can execute a measurement processing program that calculates the distance between the two specified points P1 and P2. Here, the measurement process is a measurement process based on the three-dimensional position coordinates of the corresponding points of the subject displayed on the endoscopic image EI corresponding to the two specified points determined, for example, a distance measurement between two points. is there.

  In the above, the case where the user designates two measurement points has been described. However, the case where only one measurement point is designated as in the case where the distance from the distal end portion 14 to the measurement point is designated is described above. Only the measurement point is designated for the point P1.

  In the above-described example, when the user moves the input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, the input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 can be moved separately. When the user moves one of the input auxiliary lines L1 and L2, the other input cannot be moved. The input auxiliary line L1 and the input auxiliary line L2 may be moved separately at the same time while touching L1 and L2.

  Furthermore, when dragging while the pointer CM1 or CM2 is being touched, the two auxiliary input lines L1 and L2 passing through the pointer may be dragged simultaneously with the movement of the touched pointer.

  In the above-described example, the second input auxiliary line L2 is displayed after the position of the first input auxiliary line L1 is determined. However, the two input auxiliary lines L1 and L2 are simultaneously displayed from the beginning. You may do it. In that case, the input auxiliary line that the user wants to move can be selected, the movable input auxiliary line is displayed in a different color from the non-movable input auxiliary line, and the user can move the input. Make auxiliary lines visible. For example, by touching a predetermined button on the screen 17a, only one input auxiliary line is displayed in a color (for example, red) different from the color (for example, black) of the other input auxiliary line. When the predetermined button is touched again, the user can change the display so that the other input auxiliary line is displayed in a color (for example, red) different from the color of the one input auxiliary line (for example, black). , Movable input auxiliary lines can be identified. In this case, the user can change the setting of the color of the movable input auxiliary line and the color of the non-movable input auxiliary line.

  Furthermore, the first and second input auxiliary lines described above are straight lines, but may be line segments, curved lines, or closed curves.

As described above, according to the endoscope device of the above-described embodiment, the pointer is displayed by moving each of the two auxiliary input lines individually, so that the position of the pointer is hidden by the finger. Therefore, accurate measurement points can be easily specified on the touch panel.
(Second Embodiment)
In the endoscope apparatus of the first embodiment, measurement points are designated by two input auxiliary lines that are straight lines. However, in the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, a circle and a straight line are specified. A measurement point is designated by two input auxiliary lines.

  The configuration of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first endoscope apparatus, and the configuration and measurement point designation processing are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Operations different from those in the first embodiment will be described using the example of the endoscopic image in FIG.

  In the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment as well, when the user touches the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 with a finger after the measurement mode is set, the process of FIG. 5 is started. Then, when the endoscope image EI of FIG. 4 is displayed as a measurement mode image (S1), when the user taps the screen 17a once with a finger, the display process of the first input auxiliary line L3 is executed. (S2).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a measurement point designation image 71A on which the first input auxiliary line L3 is displayed. As a result of the display processing (S2) of the first input auxiliary line L3, as shown in FIG. 13, the first input auxiliary line L3 of one circle is superimposed on the endoscope image EI on the measurement point designation image 71A. A button 73 is also superimposed and displayed.

  The circular input auxiliary line L3 is displayed at a predetermined position on the measurement point designation image 71A. The input auxiliary line L3 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 13, but may be displayed by a line of a specific color. The display color of the input auxiliary line L3 may be changeable by the user as in the first embodiment.

When the user taps any two points on the screen 17a with a finger, a circular line having one of the tapped points as the center of the circle and the other as a point on the circumference of the circle becomes the input auxiliary line L3. It is displayed on the measurement point designation image 71A. Alternatively, when the user traces a circle while touching the screen 17a with a finger, a circular line approximated along the traced line is displayed on the measurement point designation image 71A as the input auxiliary line L3.
After S2, the moving process including the enlargement / reduction process of the first input auxiliary line L3 which can move, enlarge and reduce the first input auxiliary line L3 in a state where the first input auxiliary line L3 is displayed. Is executed (S3).
There are a plurality of methods for enlarging and reducing the first input auxiliary line L3, and the user can move the first input auxiliary line L3 using a desired method. Examples of the plurality of enlargement / reduction methods include the following methods.

(First enlargement / reduction method)
The user touches and selects the first input auxiliary line L3 on the circle with the finger on the screen 17a. In this state, by dragging the circle toward the outer circumference or center of the circle, or by moving the circle of the first input auxiliary line L3 by pinching, the circle that is the first input auxiliary line L1 becomes the measurement point designation image. The image is enlarged or reduced on 71.
Since the first enlargement / reduction method is in accordance with the movement of the finger, the movement amount of the first input auxiliary line L3 on the measurement point designation image 71A is relatively rough.

(Second enlargement / reduction method)
The user taps the outside or the inside of the first input auxiliary line L3 with the finger on the screen 17a. In the direction of the tapped position, the circle of the first input auxiliary line L3 is enlarged or reduced on the measurement point designation image 71A in units of one pixel. When the outside of the circle is tapped, the first input auxiliary line L3 expands in units of one pixel according to the number of taps. On the other hand, when the inside of the circle is tapped, the first input auxiliary line L3 is reduced in units of one pixel according to the number of taps.
Since the second enlargement / reduction is an enlargement / reduction in units of pixels, the first input auxiliary line L3 can be finely enlarged or reduced on the measurement point designation image 71A. The circle may be enlarged or reduced by a pixel amount corresponding to the tap contact time.

  As a third enlargement / reduction method, two icons for enlargement / reduction instructions, two buttons, etc. are displayed, and the number of taps or contact is made by tapping one of the icons or buttons. Depending on the time, the pixel unit may be enlarged or reduced.

Further, the first input auxiliary line L3 can be moved.
(First movement method)
The user touches the center of the first input auxiliary line L3 on the screen 17a with his / her finger to select the input auxiliary line L3. By dragging in the desired direction in this state, the first input auxiliary line L3 is translated on the measurement point designation image 71A.

(Second movement method)
When the user touches the outside of the circle of the input auxiliary line L3 on the screen 17a with a finger, the input auxiliary line L3 is translated on the measurement point designation image 71 in units of one pixel toward the touched position. To do.
Since this second movement is a movement in units of pixels, the input auxiliary line L3 can be finely moved on the measurement point designation image 71.

(Third moving method)
The user touches the center of the first input auxiliary line L3 on the screen 17a with his / her finger to select it. If the user traces the screen 17a while touching the screen 17a in this state, the input auxiliary line L1 is displayed so as to continue moving at the single point speed in the traced direction. When the user touches the screen 17a again with the finger, the input auxiliary line L3 is moved to a desired position so that the movement stops.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the enlargement / reduction and translation of the input auxiliary line L3. As shown in FIG. 13, by the above first to third enlargement / reduction and the first to third movement methods, the user enlarges the circle of the input auxiliary line L3 (direction B1 in FIG. 13). Reduction (direction B2 in FIG. 13) and movement of a circle (for example, movement in the direction indicated by arrow B3) can be performed.

  With the above method, the user can enlarge, reduce, or move the input auxiliary line L3, which is a circular figure, to a desired position, for example, a position passing through the point P1.

  When the first input auxiliary line L3, which is a circumferential line, matches the position of the point P1 to be designated, the user presses the button 73 (S4: YES) to determine the position of the first input auxiliary line L3. (S5). Then, an image as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed (S6). FIG. 14 is a view showing an image in which one second input auxiliary line L4 extending in the circumferential direction from the center C1 of the circle of the first input auxiliary line L3 is superimposed and the button 72 is also superimposed. It is. Then, the pointer CM3 is displayed at the intersection of the first input auxiliary line L3 and the second input auxiliary line L4 (S7). The second input auxiliary line L4 can be rotated or moved by the following four methods (S8).

(First rotation method)
When the user drags with a finger while touching the position corresponding to the button 72 on the screen 17a, the input auxiliary line L4 rotates in the dragged direction indicated by the arrow B4 or B5 by the amount of dragging.
Since the fourth movement is in accordance with the movement of the finger, the rotation amount of the second input auxiliary line L4 on the measurement point designation image 71A is relatively rough.

(Second rotation method)
When the user touches the button 72 on the screen 17a with a finger, the predetermined position of the input auxiliary line L4, for example, the center position of the input auxiliary line L4, is centered according to the position touched with respect to the input auxiliary line L4. Then, the input auxiliary line L4 is rotated on the measurement point designation screen 71A by a predetermined amount toward the touched position. The predetermined amount of rotation is one pixel on a virtual predetermined circle centered on the center position of the input auxiliary line L4, one degree about the center position of the input auxiliary line L4, and so on.
Since the second rotation is a predetermined amount of rotation such as one pixel on a virtual predetermined circle, it enables a fine amount of rotation of the input auxiliary line L4 on the measurement point designation image 71A. .

(Third rotation method)
When the user traces with the finger while touching the screen 17a, the input auxiliary line L4 is displayed so as to continue rotating at a single point speed in the traced direction. Then, the input auxiliary line L4 is rotated to a desired position so that the rotation stops when the user touches the screen 17a again with the finger.

  Further, the input auxiliary lines L3 and L4 can be moved simultaneously. While touching the center of the circle of the first input auxiliary line L3, for example, when dragging in the direction indicated by the arrow B6, the relative positional relationship between the first input auxiliary line L3 and the second input auxiliary line L4 is maintained. , Can be translated.

As described above, the circular first input auxiliary line L3 and the straight second input auxiliary line L4 can be rotated or moved independently. When one of the first and second input auxiliary lines L3 and L4 is rotated or moved, the pointer CM3 always moves at the same time so as to always exist at the intersection of the first and second input auxiliary lines L3 and L4. (S9). Which one of the first and second input auxiliary lines L3 and L4 is rotated or moved can be switched by touching either the first or second input auxiliary line L3 or L4. The selected state may be identified to the user by changing the color of the selected input auxiliary line.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state where the second input auxiliary line L4 has been moved to a position passing through the point P1. In the state shown in FIG. 15, when the user gives a confirmation instruction (S10: YES), for example, by double-tapping the pointer CM3 in a state where the center of the pointer CM3 coincides with or almost coincides with the point P1, the second input The second input auxiliary line L4 determining process for determining the position of the auxiliary line L4 is executed (S12), and the pointer position for determining the position of the pointer CM3 that is the intersection of the first and second input auxiliary lines L3, L4 A determination process is executed (S13).

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the measurement point P1 is designated. As shown in FIG. 16, the pointer CM3 whose position is determined by the user corresponds to the designated point of the measurement point P1.
And about the measurement point P2, similarly to the 1st measurement point P1 mentioned above, when a user taps on the screen 17a once again with a finger | toe, a process will display the 1st input auxiliary line L1 again. Returning to the process (S2), a new pointer can be displayed and designated as a designated point by the same process.

  In the above example, a circular figure is displayed as the first input auxiliary line L3, and then a straight line figure is displayed as the second input auxiliary line L4. First, the first input auxiliary line L3 is displayed. A measurement point may be designated by displaying a straight line graphic as the line L3 and then displaying a circular graphic as the second input auxiliary line L4.

  As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus of the above-described embodiment, each of the pointers can be individually enlarged, reduced, moved, etc. using the circular input auxiliary line and the linear input auxiliary line. Since it is displayed, the position of the pointer is not hidden by the finger, and an accurate measurement point can be easily specified on the touch panel.

Furthermore, although the second input auxiliary line L4 described above is a straight line, it may be a line segment, a curve, or a closed curve.
(Third embodiment)
In the endoscope apparatuses of the first and second embodiments, the measurement points are specified by two input auxiliary lines that are straight lines or two input auxiliary lines that are straight lines and circles. In the endoscope apparatus of the form, the measurement point is designated by only one straight input auxiliary line.

  The configuration of the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first endoscope apparatus, and the configuration and measurement point designation processing are the same as or similar to those in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted by using the same reference numerals, and the operation different from that of the first embodiment will be described using the example of the endoscopic image of FIG. The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17 instead of FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of measurement point designation processing executed by the CPU 37 of the control unit 24 of the endoscope apparatus 1.

  Also in the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, when the user touches the screen 17a of the touch panel 17 with a finger after the measurement mode is set, the process of FIG. 17 is started. Then, when the user taps the screen 17a once with the finger while the endoscope image EI of FIG. 4 is displayed as the measurement mode image (S1), the display process of the first input auxiliary line L5 is executed. (S2).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the measurement point designation image 71B on which the first input auxiliary line L5 is displayed. As a result of the display process (S2) of the first input auxiliary line L5, as shown in FIG. 18, the measurement point designation image 71B has a single straight first input auxiliary line L5 on the endoscopic image EI. In addition to the superimposed display, the edge detection button 73B is also superimposed.

  The input auxiliary line L5 is displayed at a predetermined position on the measurement point designation image 71B. The input auxiliary line L5 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 18, but may be displayed by a line of a specific color. The display color of the input auxiliary line L5 may be changeable by the user as in the first embodiment.

Here, the input auxiliary line L5 is displayed as a horizontal line on the measurement point designation image 71B when the user taps the screen 17a with a finger. When the user taps any two points on the screen 17a with a finger, a line connecting the tapped two points may be displayed on the measurement point designation image 71B as the input auxiliary line L5. Alternatively, when the user traces a circle while touching the screen 17a with a finger, a straight line along the traced line may be displayed on the measurement point designation image 71B as the input auxiliary line L5.
Furthermore, the input auxiliary line L5 may be a line segment L51. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the input auxiliary line L51 which is a line segment.

After S2, in the state where the input auxiliary line L5 is displayed, the moving process of the input auxiliary line L5 that can move the input auxiliary line L5 is executed (S3).
The moving method of the input auxiliary line L5 is the same as the first to sixth moving methods described in the first embodiment, and there are a plurality of methods. The user can use the desired method to input the input auxiliary line. L5 can be moved. As shown in FIG. 18, the user can move the input auxiliary line L5 (moving in the directions of arrows C1 and C2) by the first to fourth moving methods. Furthermore, the user can rotate the input auxiliary line L5 by the fifth and sixth moving methods described in the first embodiment.

  With the above method, the user can move the straight input auxiliary line L5 to a desired position, for example, a position passing through the point P1. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a case where the input auxiliary line L5 has moved to a position passing through the point P1.

  Next, after the process of S3, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for edge detection, that is, whether or not the edge detection button 73B is pressed (S21). When the input auxiliary line L5 coincides with the position passing through the point P1 to be designated, the user presses the edge detection button 73B (S21: YES) to determine the position of the first input auxiliary line L5 (S5), and further Edge detection processing is executed (S22).

  In the edge processing, the edge portion on the input auxiliary line L5 is detected based on the luminance information of the endoscopic image EI, and the pointer CM4 is displayed at the position of the detected edge portion (S23). The process of S23 constitutes a pointer display unit that displays a pointer CM4 for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image EI on the input auxiliary line L5 of the screen 17a. In S23, the pointer CM4 is displayed at the position of the edge portion on the input auxiliary line L5 which is the first auxiliary figure. The user can display the pointer CM4 at the point P1 simply by giving an edge detection instruction, and the operation is easy.

When a plurality of edge portions are detected by the edge detection process, a plurality of pointer candidates appear at the positions of the plurality of edge portions. However, by tapping a desired pointer, it is determined as a designated point. May be. That is, in S23, a plurality of pointer candidates are displayed on the first input auxiliary line L5, and in S24, by tapping a predetermined operation, for example, the input auxiliary line L5, between the displayed pointer candidates. The pointer CM4 may be moved so that when the pointer CM4 is at the position of the desired pointer candidate, the pointer CM4 may be tapped to determine the designated point.
The pointer can be erased by long-pressing the pointer to be erased (that is, touching it for a long time).

  Furthermore, when a plurality of pointers are displayed and the plurality of pointers are dense and difficult to see, pinching on the screen 71B may perform the enlargement process around the pinched place.

  Further, in the edge detection, the length of the line segment 51 is changed or detected as shown in FIG. 19 so as not to detect an excessive edge portion or to detect more edge portions. The detection range of edge detection may be changed by performing processing such as limiting the radius of curvature of the line formed by the edge portion to a predetermined range.

  Then, the user can move the pointer CM4 (S24). The moving method of the pointer CM4 is the same as the first to sixth moving methods described in the first embodiment, and there are a plurality of methods, but the position of the pointer CM4 determined by the edge detection process is finely corrected. Therefore, the user moves the input auxiliary line L5 mainly using a fine movement method.

  The pointer may be moved by another method. For example, when the pointer CM4 is double-tapped, another straight line passing through the pointer CM4 is displayed. When the straight line is moved using the first to sixth moving methods described above, the pointer at the intersection of the straight line and the input auxiliary line L5 moves with the movement of the straight line. Can move.

  As described above, the first input auxiliary line L5 is movable, the pointer CM4 is displayed by the edge detection process, and the pointer CM4 is also movable independently of the input auxiliary line L5.

  After S24, the input auxiliary line L5 can be moved again (S11, S3). Which of the input auxiliary line L5 and the pointer CM4 is moved can be switched by touching either the input auxiliary line L5 or the pointer CM4. The user may be able to identify the selected state by changing the color of the selected input auxiliary line L5 or pointer CM4.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the pointer CM4 has been moved to a desired position. In the state shown in FIG. 21, for example, when the user gives a confirmation instruction by double-tapping the pointer CM4 (S10: YES), a pointer position determination process for determining the position of the pointer CM4 is executed (S13). As a result of the processing in S13, the screen 17a becomes the screen shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the first input auxiliary line L5 described above is a straight line or a line segment, but may be a curved line or a closed curve.

  And about the measurement point P2, similarly to the 1st measurement point P1 mentioned above, when a user taps on the screen 17a once again with a finger | toe, a process will display the 1st input auxiliary line L1 again. Returning to the process (S2), the pointer can be displayed and designated as a designated point by the same process.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the position of the first input auxiliary line L5 is determined, the pointer CM4 is displayed at the edge portion by the edge detection process, but the position of the displayed pointer CM4 is moved. However, if it is determined, that is, confirmed, the position of the pointer CM4 determined by the edge detection process can be automatically determined as a measurement point.

  As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the pointer is displayed by the edge detection process for the input auxiliary line L5, so that the position of the pointer is not hidden by the finger. In addition, since the displayed pointer can be moved, it is possible to easily specify an accurate measurement point on the touch panel.

As described above, according to the endoscope apparatuses according to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to realize an endoscope apparatus that allows easy designation of designated points such as measurement points on the touch panel.
In addition, although each embodiment mentioned above is an example in which the designated point in the endoscope apparatus is a measurement point, the designated point is an instruction for pressing a function button or the like on the menu screen displayed on the screen 17a. A point etc. may be sufficient.

  The endoscope image processing program for executing the operations described above is recorded as a computer program product in its entirety or in part on a portable medium such as a flexible disk or CD-ROM or a storage medium such as a hard disk. Or remembered. The program is read by a computer, and all or part of the operation is executed. Alternatively, all or part of the program can be distributed or provided via a communication network. The user can easily realize the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment by downloading the program via a communication network and installing the program on the computer or installing the program from the recording medium on the computer. it can.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus, 2 Endoscope, 3 Apparatus main body, 11 Insertion part, 12 Operation part, 13 Universal cable, 14 Tip part, 15 Bending part, 16 Flexible tube part, 17 Touch panel, 17a Screen, 21 Imaging element , 22 Endoscope unit, 23 Camera control unit, 24 Control unit, 31 Video signal processing circuit, 32 ROM, 33 RAM, 34 Card I / F, 35 USB I / F, 36 RS-232CI / F, 37 CPU, 38 Bus, 41 PC, 42 Memory card, 61 Turbine blade, 71, 71A, 71B Measurement point designation image,

Claims (13)

In an endoscopic image processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing based on a position on an endoscopic image designated by a designated point,
A touch panel having a display screen and detecting a position on the display screen;
An endoscope image display unit for displaying the endoscope image on the display screen;
A first auxiliary graphic display unit for displaying a first auxiliary graphic for assisting in determining the position of the designated point on the display screen;
A pointer display unit for displaying a pointer for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image on the auxiliary graphic of the display screen;
A pointer moving unit for moving the pointer on the auxiliary figure;
A designated point determining unit that determines the position on the endoscopic image instructed by the pointer as the designated point;
An endoscopic image processing apparatus comprising: A second auxiliary graphic display unit for displaying a second auxiliary graphic for assisting the position determination of the designated point on the display screen;
The endoscope image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pointer display unit displays the pointer at a position determined based on the first auxiliary graphic and the second auxiliary graphic. .   The predetermined process is a measurement process based on a three-dimensional position coordinate of a corresponding point of a subject displayed in the endoscopic image corresponding to the specified point determined by the specified point determination unit. The endoscopic image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A first auxiliary figure moving unit that moves the first auxiliary figure by at least one of translation, rotation, enlargement, and reduction;
The endoscope image processing according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pointer moving unit moves the pointer in accordance with movement of the first auxiliary graphic by the first auxiliary graphic moving unit. apparatus.   The said 1st figure moving part can move the said 1st auxiliary figure according to the moving amount | distance of the position touched on the said display screen of the said touch panel, The inside of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscopic image processing device.   The first auxiliary figure moving unit moves the auxiliary figure in units of display pixels of the endoscopic image displayed on the display screen according to the number of taps or the contact time of the touch panel on the display screen. The endoscopic image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the endoscope image processing apparatus is possible. A second auxiliary figure moving unit that moves the second auxiliary figure by at least one of parallel movement, rotation, enlargement, and reduction;
The endoscope image processing apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the first auxiliary graphic and the second auxiliary graphic are movable independently of each other.   The endoscope image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first auxiliary figure is any one of a straight line, a line segment, a curve, and a closed curve.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the pointer display unit displays the pointer at a position of an edge portion detected for the endoscopic image on the auxiliary graphic of the display screen. Image processing device. The pointer display unit displays a plurality of pointer candidates on the first auxiliary graphic;
The endoscope image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pointer moving unit moves the pointer between the displayed pointer candidates.   The endoscope image processing according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of pointer candidates are displayed at positions of edge portions detected for the endoscope image on the auxiliary graphic of the display screen. apparatus.   The endoscopic image display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the endoscopic image display unit is capable of displaying the endoscopic image in an enlarged or reduced manner on the display screen. Processing equipment. An endoscopic image processing program for performing predetermined processing based on a position on an endoscopic image specified by a specified point,
An endoscope image display function for displaying the endoscope image on a display screen of a touch panel;
A first auxiliary graphic display function for displaying a first auxiliary graphic for assisting position determination of the designated point on the display screen;
A pointer display function for displaying a pointer for designating the position of the designated point on the endoscopic image on the auxiliary graphic of the display screen;
A pointer movement function for moving the pointer on the auxiliary figure;
A designated point determination function for determining the position on the endoscopic image indicated by the pointer as the designated point;
An endoscope image processing program for causing a computer to realize the above.

Images