JP2014014429A - Image processor, image file storage method, image file storage program, and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store a real time image even when a write error in an external storage device occurs.SOLUTION: An image processor comprises an internal memory, image file generation means for processing a signal from an imaging device to generate an image file, first storage propriety determination means for determining the propriety of storing the image file in a prescribed external storage device, and first storage processing execution means for storing the image file by transferring the image file to the external storage device in the case of determining that the image file can be stored in the external storage device, and storing the image file in the internal memory in the case of determining that the image file cannot be stored in the external storage device. The image file stored in the internal memory is stored even after the power of the image processor is disconnected, and the image can be erased or transferred to the external storage device when the power is supplied again.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an electronic endoscope system that process a signal from an imaging apparatus to generate an image file, and more specifically, save a real-time image even when a write error occurs in an external storage device. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image file storage method, an image file storage program, and an electronic endoscope system.

  As described in Patent Document 1, for example, the electronic endoscope system converts an image captured during a freeze operation into a file, transfers it to an external storage, and stores it. The surgeon accesses the image file stored in the external storage, and diagnoses and analyzes the lesion, creates an electronic medical record, and the like. The external storage includes a PC (Personal Computer), a file server connected to a processor through a network, a removable medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and the like.

JP 2009-213630 A

  In this type of electronic endoscope system, when an external storage connection error or a writing error due to insufficient storage capacity occurs, a real-time image inside the body cavity cannot be saved unless the cause of the error is resolved. In this case, inconveniences such as the necessity of interrupting observation inside the body cavity by the electronic endoscope system were large.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes an internal memory, an image file generation unit that processes a signal from an imaging apparatus to generate an image file, and an image file for a predetermined external storage device A first storage permission determination unit that determines whether the image file can be stored; and when it is determined that the image file can be stored in the external storage device, the image file is transferred to the external storage device and stored; When it is determined that the image file cannot be stored in the external storage device, the device includes a first storage processing execution unit that stores the image file in an internal memory.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, a real-time image can be stored even when a write error to the external storage device occurs. For this reason, for example, loss of an endoscopic image, which is an important material, can be avoided, and inconveniences such as interruption of observation in a body cavity by an electronic endoscope system can be effectively avoided.

  The first storage processing execution means may be configured to store the image file in the internal memory after adding the additional information indicating the reason why the image file cannot be stored in the external storage device to the image file.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a second storage permission determination unit that determines whether an image file stored in an internal memory can be transferred to an external storage device and stored; and a second storage permission determination unit A second storage processing execution unit that transfers and stores the image file in the internal memory to the external storage device according to the determination result may be used.

  The accompanying information includes, for example, identification information of the external storage device to which the image file is scheduled to be transferred. In this case, the second storage processing execution unit transfers the image file in the internal memory to the external storage device specified by the identification information and stores it according to the determination result of the second storage permission determination unit.

  The second storage processing execution means may be configured to transfer and store the image file designated by the operator's operation from the internal memory to the external storage device.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention may include a confirmation unit that confirms to the surgeon whether or not the first storage processing execution unit allows the image file to be stored in the internal memory. In this case, the first storage processing execution unit stores the image file in the internal memory when an operation for permitting the storage in the internal memory is performed.

  The first storage processing execution unit cannot store the image file in the external storage device when the connection to the external storage device cannot be detected or the remaining storage capacity of the external storage device is less than the predetermined storage capacity. It is good also as a structure to determine. Here, the predetermined storage capacity is, for example, a storage capacity necessary for storing an image file to be transferred in an external storage device.

  The external storage device is, for example, a removable medium, an information processing terminal, or a file server.

  In addition, an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention that solves the above-described problems generates an image file by processing an electronic scope that captures a subject and generates a signal, and a signal generated by the electronic scope A system having the image processing apparatus.

  For example, the image file generation unit generates a still image file or a moving image file of the subject in accordance with the operation of the electronic scope.

  An image file storage method according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a method executed by an image processing apparatus, and an image file generation step of generating an image file by processing a signal from an imaging apparatus And a first storage determination step for determining whether or not the image file can be stored in a predetermined external storage device, and if it is determined that the image file can be stored in the external storage device, the image file is transferred to the external storage device. And a first storage processing execution step of storing the image file in an internal memory included in the image processing device when it is determined that the image file cannot be stored in the external storage device.

  An image file storage program according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a program for causing a computer to execute the image file storage method.

  According to the present invention, there are provided an image processing apparatus, an image file storage method, an image file storage program, and an electronic endoscope system that can store a real-time image even when a write error occurs in an external storage device. For this reason, for example, loss of an endoscopic image, which is an important material, can be avoided, and inconveniences such as interruption of observation in a body cavity by an electronic endoscope system can be effectively avoided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic endoscope system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the image file preservation | save process A performed when the freeze button or recording button provided in the electronic scope which concerns on embodiment of this invention is pressed. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the image file preservation | save process B performed when the compression still image file or the compression moving image file is preserve | saved at the internal memory which the processor which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. 4 is a display screen for designating transfer to an internal memory in a processor according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing selection screen of internal data displayed when power is turned on in the processor according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a display screen for executing erasure of data stored in an internal memory in a processor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the processor which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) It is a display screen for selecting the transfer destination of the data preserve | saved at internal memory, (b) It is a display screen for selecting the kind of USB memory of a transfer destination. is there.

  Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system 1 is a medical imaging system, and includes an electronic scope 100, a processor 200, and a monitor 300. The proximal end of the electronic scope 100 is connected to the processor 200. The processor 200 is an apparatus that integrally includes an image processing device that processes an imaging signal output from the electronic scope 100 to generate an image, and a light source device that illuminates a body cavity that does not reach natural light via the electronic scope 100. is there. In another embodiment, the image processing device and the light source device may be configured separately.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the processor 200 includes a system controller 202 and a timing controller 204. The system controller 202 controls each element constituting the electronic endoscope system 1. The timing controller 204 outputs a clock pulse for adjusting the signal processing timing to each circuit in the electronic endoscope system 1.

  The lamp 208 emits white light after being started by the lamp power igniter 206. As the lamp 208, a high-intensity lamp such as a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, or a metal halide lamp is suitable. The illumination light radiated from the lamp 208 is collected by the condenser lens 210 and is limited to an appropriate amount of light through the stop 212 and enters an incident end of an LCB (Light Carrying Bundle) 102.

  A motor 214 is mechanically connected to the diaphragm 212 via a transmission mechanism such as an arm or a gear (not shown). The motor 214 is a DC motor, for example, and is driven under the drive control of the driver 216. The diaphragm 212 is operated by the motor 214 to change the opening degree so that the image displayed on the monitor 300 has an appropriate brightness, and the amount of illumination light emitted from the lamp 208 is limited according to the opening degree. To do. The appropriate reference for the brightness of the image is changed according to the brightness adjustment operation of the front panel 218 by the operator. Note that the dimming circuit that controls the brightness by controlling the driver 216 is a well-known circuit and is omitted in this specification.

  Various forms of the configuration of the front panel 218 are assumed. As a specific configuration example of the front panel 218, a hardware key for each function mounted on the front surface of the processor 200, a touch panel GUI (Graphical User Interface), a combination of a hardware key and a GUI, and the like are assumed. .

  The illumination light incident on the incident end of the LCB 102 propagates by repeating total reflection in the LCB 102. The illumination light that has propagated through the LCB 102 is emitted from the exit end of the LCB 102 disposed at the tip of the electronic scope 100. The illumination light emitted from the exit end of the LCB 102 illuminates the subject via the light distribution lens 104. The reflected light from the subject forms an optical image at each pixel on the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 108 via the objective lens 106.

  The solid-state imaging device 108 is, for example, a single-plate color CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor having a Bayer-type pixel arrangement, accumulates an optical image formed by each pixel on the light receiving surface as a charge corresponding to the amount of light, It converts into the image pick-up signal according to each color of R, G, B. The converted image signal is amplified by the preamplifier 110 and then input to the signal processing circuit 220 via the driver signal processing circuit 112. In another embodiment, the solid-state image sensor 108 may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

  The timing controller 204 supplies clock pulses to the driver signal processing circuit 112 in accordance with timing control by the system controller 202. The driver signal processing circuit 112 drives and controls the solid-state imaging device 108 at a timing synchronized with the frame rate of the video processed on the processor 200 side, according to the clock pulse supplied from the timing controller 204.

  The image pickup signal input to the signal processing circuit 220 is subjected to processing such as clamping, knee, γ correction, interpolation processing, AGC (Auto Gain Control), AD conversion, and the like, and corresponds to each color of R, G, B for each color signal for each frame. Buffered in a frame memory (not shown). Each buffered color signal is swept from the frame memory at a timing controlled by the timing controller 204, and converted into a video signal conforming to a predetermined standard such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) or PAL (Phase Alternating Line). Converted. By sequentially inputting the converted video signals to the monitor 300, an image of the subject is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 300.

(Image file saving process A in FIG. 2)
A freeze button 114 and a recording button 116 are provided on the hand control unit (not shown) of the electronic scope 100. In FIG. 1, in order to simplify the drawing, the connection between the freeze button 114 or the recording button 116 and other blocks is omitted. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the image file saving process A executed when the freeze button 114 or the recording button 116 is pressed. For convenience of explanation, the processing step is abbreviated as “S” in the description and drawings in this specification.

<S1 in FIG. 2 (file processing)>
When the freeze button 114 is pressed, the compression circuit 222 takes in a frame image generated immediately after the freeze button 114 is pressed from the frame memory, and compresses it by a predetermined digital encoding method. Thereby, compressed still image data is generated. Examples of the compression method include a general format of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). Still image data may be generated in an uncompressed format such as BMP (Bitmap).

  The recording button 116 is configured to accept the start and end operations of recording with one button in order to efficiently use the limited button arrangement space of the hand operation unit of the electronic scope 100. The operation of the recording button 116 when the moving image compression is not performed is a recording start operation, and the operation of the recording button 116 during the moving image compression is a recording end operation. Therefore, when the recording button 116 is pressed, compression of the captured moving image by the compression circuit 222 is started. The compression circuit 222 sequentially fetches frame images generated immediately after the recording button 116 is pressed and before the recording button 116 is pressed again from the frame memory, and compresses the frame images using a predetermined digital encoding method. Thereby, compressed moving image data is generated. Examples of the compression method include MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 4), H.264, and the like. General-purpose formats such as H.264 are listed.

  The compression circuit 222 performs predetermined processing on the compressed still image data or the compressed moving image data so that the compressed still image data or the compressed moving image data can be reproduced by an information processing terminal (for example, the PC 600) other than the electronic endoscope system 1 after the compression processing. The file system is attached with an extension suitable for the file system (for example, FAT (File Allocation Tables) 32). Thereby, a compressed still image file or a compressed moving image file is generated. Note that the compressed still image data or the compressed moving image data may be converted into a file format suitable for the file system of the transfer destination when the transfer destination is determined.

<S2 to S4 in FIG. 2 (Destination Status Judgment Processing and File Transfer / Save Processing)>
The system controller 202 monitors the status of the transfer destination of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file. The transfer destination is an external storage, such as a removable medium such as a USB memory 400 or a memory card 500, an information processing terminal such as a PC 600, a file server 700, or the like. The USB memory 400 is connected to a USB port 226, the memory card 500 is connected to a card slot 228, and the PC 600 and the file server 700 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) terminal 230 or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) terminal 232, respectively. The PC 600 and the file server 700 may be connected to the USB port 226 via a USB cable.

  The status to be monitored is, for example, the connection state between the external storage and the processor 200, the remaining capacity of the external storage capable of storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file, and the like. Status monitoring is performed for an external storage designated as a transfer destination (for convenience of explanation, described as “designated external storage”) or for all external storages connected to the processor 200. The designation of the transfer destination is performed, for example, through an operation of the front panel 218 by the operator. Further, all external storages connected to the processor 200 may be automatically specified as transfer destinations. The priority order of the transfer destination of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file when a plurality of external storages are connected to the processor 200 can also be designated through the operation of the front panel 218. This prioritization may be performed automatically.

  In the process of S <b> 2 of FIG. 2, the system controller 202 determines whether the designated external storage is connected to the processor 200. In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, the system controller 202 compares the file size of the compressed still image file or compressed moving image file to be transferred with the remaining capacity of the designated external storage, and stores the transfer file in the designated external storage. Judgment is made. In the process of S4 of FIG. 2, the system controller 202 transfers the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to the designated external storage and stores it. Even if it is determined in S3 that the transfer to the designated external storage is possible, it can be forcibly saved in the internal memory. This is realized by turning on the transfer switch to the internal memory on the internal memory switching screen 219 shown in FIG.

[When the specified external storage is USB memory 400]
In the process of S2 of FIG. 2, when the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB port 226 and plug and play is operating normally (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3. In the process of S2 of FIG. 2, when the USB memory 400 is not connected to the USB port 226 or plug and play is not operating normally (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S5.

  In the process of S3 of FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the USB memory 400 is less than the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: YES), the process is S5. Proceed to In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the USB memory 400 is larger than the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: NO), the compressed still image file Alternatively, the compressed moving image file is transferred and stored in the USB memory 400 (S4). Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

[When the specified external storage is the memory card 500]
In the process of S2 in FIG. 2, when the memory card 500 is connected to the card slot 228 and recognized by the system controller 202 (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3. In the process of S2 of FIG. 2, when the memory card 500 is not connected to the card slot 228 or connection is not recognized (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S5.

  In the process of S3 of FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the memory card 500 is less than the storage capacity required for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: YES), the process is S5. Proceed to In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the memory card 500 is larger than the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: NO), the compressed still image file Alternatively, the compressed moving image file is transferred to the memory card 500 and stored (S4). Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

[When the specified external storage is PC600]
In the process of S2 of FIG. 2, when the PC 600 is activated and connected to the LAN terminal 230 via the SCSI terminal 232 or a hub (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3. In the process of S2 in FIG. 2, if the PC 600 is not connected to either the LAN terminal 230 or the SCSI terminal 232, or the PC 600 cannot be detected due to a network error, or the PC 600 is not activated (S2: NO), the process is as follows. Proceed to S5.

  2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the PC 600 (for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive)) is less than the storage capacity required to store the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3). : YES), the process proceeds to S5. In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the PC 600 is greater than the storage capacity required for storing the compressed still image file or compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: NO), the compressed still image file or the compressed The moving image file is transferred to the PC 600 and saved (S4). Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

[When the designated external storage is the file server 700]
In the process of S2 of FIG. 2, if the file server 700 is activated and connected to the LAN terminal 230 via the SCSI terminal 232 or a hub (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3. 2, when the file server 700 is not connected to either the LAN terminal 230 or the SCSI terminal 232, or the file server 700 cannot be detected due to a network error, or the file server 700 is not activated (S2). : NO), the process proceeds to S5.

  In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the file server 700 is less than the storage capacity required to store the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: YES), the process is S5. Proceed to In the process of S3 in FIG. 2, when the remaining capacity that can be stored in the file server 700 is greater than the storage capacity required for storing the compressed still image file or compressed moving image file to be transferred (S3: NO), the compressed still image file Alternatively, the compressed moving image file is transferred to the file server 700 and stored (S4). Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. The compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file stored in the file server 700 can be accessed from each information processing terminal in the LAN built in the hospital such as the PC 600.

<S5 in FIG. 2 (Confirmation processing for status determination of all transfer destinations)>
The system controller 202 determines whether or not the status determination processing (S2 and S3 in FIG. 2) has been executed for all the designated external storages. If the unexecuted designated external storage remains (S5: NO), status determination processing (S2, S3 in FIG. 2) is performed on the designated external storage. When there are a plurality of designated external storages, the status determination process (S2, S3 in FIG. 2) for each designated external storage is executed according to the priority order designated by the operation of the front panel 218 or the like. When the status determination process (S2, S3 in FIG. 2) is executed for all the designated external storages (S5: YES), the process proceeds to S6.

<S6 in FIG. 2 (File Save Processing to Internal Memory)>
The system controller 202 saves the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file scheduled to be transferred to the designated external storage in the internal memory 224 of the processor 200 after adding predetermined meta information. Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. By preliminarily having the internal memory 224, a real-time image can be saved even when a write error occurs in the designated external storage. Therefore, the loss of the endoscope image, which is an important material, can be avoided, and inconveniences such as interruption of observation in the body cavity by the electronic endoscope system 1 can be effectively avoided.

  Further, the data stored in the internal memory 224 is retained even after the endoscope system is turned off. When the power is turned on again, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor 600, and the data stored in the internal memory 224 can be erased or transferred to an external storage device. When these operations are not performed, the operation screen is closed when the cancel button 620 is pressed. When the delete button 602 is pressed, a confirmation screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. When continuing the erasing operation, the data stored in the internal memory 224 is erased by pressing the continue button 604. When the erasing operation is interrupted, the data erasing operation is stopped by pressing the cancel button 606.

  On the other hand, when the transfer button 608 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, an operation screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed. The operator can select either the USB memory or the network as the transfer destination. When the USB button 610 for executing the transfer to the USB is pressed, a transfer selection screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. On the transfer selection screen, a USB selection button 612 for selecting a transfer destination USB from a plurality of USBs is displayed. The USB selection button 612 displays the total capacity and the current free capacity. When the USB selection button 612 is pressed and the output button 614 is pressed, the data stored in the internal memory 224 is transferred to the selected USB. In addition, when the update button 616 is pressed, the display of the free space of the USB memory is updated. When transferring to a network connection destination, when the network button 618 is pressed, the data stored in the internal memory 224 is transferred via the network.

  The meta information includes, for example, identification information and status of the designated external storage for which the transfer of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is scheduled. The identification information is information necessary for accessing the designated external storage, and is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, a local IP (Internet Protocol) address, a device ID, or the like. The status is information indicating the cause of the failure to transfer / save the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to the designated external storage. The status includes, for example, a connection error such as a detection error and a network error, and a remaining capacity shortage. In addition, for information management, patient information such as a patient ID previously input to the processor 200 through a keyboard (not shown) operation or the like may be added to the meta information.

  The system controller 202 confirms whether or not the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file can be stored in the internal memory 224 in advance through the monitor 300 or the front panel 218 (such as a predetermined message display), and performs a permission operation. The storage process (S6 in FIG. 2) may be executed only when the above is performed. When the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is stored in the internal memory 224, a predetermined message may be displayed on the monitor 300 or the front panel 218 to notify the operator.

(Image file saving process B in FIG. 3)
The surgeon performs operations such as examination and analysis of a lesioned part and creation of an electronic medical record using an information processing terminal such as the PC 600. Therefore, the location of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is preferably the USB memory 400, the memory card 500, the HDD of the PC 600, the file server 700, or the like. This is because, in principle, the processor 200 is not turned on except during the procedure, and it is difficult or inconvenient to access the internal memory 224 after the procedure. Therefore, the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file stored in the internal memory 224 is transferred and stored in the designated external storage by executing the image file storing process B shown in the flowchart of FIG. The image file saving process B is always executed when the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is saved in the internal memory 224, or is executed when an instruction operation through the front panel 218 or the like is performed by the operator. The

<S11 in FIG. 3 (Connection Confirmation Process for Specified External Storage)>
The system controller 202 determines whether or not connection to the designated external storage included in the meta information of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file stored in the internal memory 224 is possible. For example, when the connection to the designated external storage becomes possible due to the elimination of a network error or the like (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S12. Even when another external storage is newly connected, the process proceeds to S12. If it is still impossible to connect to the designated external storage (S11: NO), the process does not proceed.

<S12 in FIG. 3 (Remaining Capacity Check Processing of Specified External Storage)>
The system controller 202 detects the remaining capacity of the designated external storage included in the meta information of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file stored in the internal memory 224 and determines whether the file can be stored. When the remaining capacity of the designated external storage is greater than or equal to the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S13. If the remaining capacity of the newly connected external storage is greater than or equal to the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file, the process proceeds to S13. If the remaining capacity of the designated external storage is still less than the storage capacity necessary for storing the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file (S12: NO), the process does not proceed.

  In the above example, the connection confirmation (S11 in FIG. 3) and the remaining capacity confirmation (S12 in FIG. 3) are executed for the designated external storage, but only the confirmation process corresponding to the status of the meta information. May be executed. For example, for the specified external storage whose meta information status is a connection error, the connection confirmation (S11 in FIG. 3) is executed and the remaining capacity confirmation (S12 in FIG. 3) is omitted. For example, the meta information status is the remaining capacity. For the shortage designated external storage, the connection confirmation (S11 in FIG. 3) may be omitted and the remaining capacity confirmation (S12 in FIG. 3) may be executed.

<S13 in FIG. 3 (File Transfer / Save Processing to External Storage)>
The system controller 202 transfers the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file stored in the internal memory 224 to the designated external storage in which the connection error or the shortage of the remaining capacity is solved, or the newly connected external storage and stores it. . Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. That is, the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is automatically transferred and stored in a convenient location for work such as examination and analysis of a lesioned part and creation of an electronic medical record.

  3 may be executed for all compressed still image files or compressed moving image files stored in the internal memory 224, or for a specific compressed still image file or compressed moving image file. May only be executed. The surgeon searches for a compressed still image file or a compressed moving image file in the internal memory 224 based on the contents of meta information (designated external storage, status type, patient ID, etc.), file format, etc., through the operation of the front panel 218, for example. Can be sorted and sorted. The operator instructs execution of the image file saving process B only for the searched compressed still image file or compressed moving image file, or arbitrarily selects the compressed still image file or compressed moving image file from the sort result, The execution of the storage process B can be instructed.

  The above is the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, an operation unit having the same function as the freeze button 114 or the recording button 116 may be provided on the front panel 218 as well as the hand operation unit of the electronic scope 100.

  The processor 200 may include a decompression circuit that performs a predetermined decompression process and outputs the compressed still image file or the compressed video file stored in the internal memory 224 to the signal processing circuit 220 in order to reproduce the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file on the monitor 300. Good.

  In this embodiment, the system controller 202 automatically executes the storage of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file in the internal memory 224, or the transfer and storage from the internal memory 224 to the external storage. However, in another embodiment, It may be executed manually. For example, when an error occurs in transferring the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file to the external storage, the surgeon operates the front panel 218 or the like to set the internal memory 224 as the storage destination of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file. specify. As a result, the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file is stored in the internal memory 224. In addition, for example, when another external storage is newly connected to the processor 200, the surgeon operates the front panel 218 or the like to store the external storage as a storage destination of the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file in the internal memory 224. Is specified. Thereby, the compressed still image file or the compressed moving image file in the internal memory 224 is transferred and stored in another external storage.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope system 100 Electronic scope 114 Freeze button 116 Recording button 200 Processor 220 Signal processing circuit 222 Compression circuit 224 Internal memory 226 USB port 228 Card slot 230 LAN terminal 232 SCSI terminal

Claims (6)

An endoscopic processor used for endoscopy, the processor comprising:
Image file generation means for generating an image file by processing a signal from the imaging device;
An internal memory for temporarily storing the image file;
First storage permission determination means for determining whether the image file can be stored in an external storage device;
When it is determined that the image file can be stored in the external storage device, the image file is transferred to the external storage device and stored. When it is determined that the image file cannot be stored in the external storage device, the image file is stored. First storage processing execution means for storing an image file in the internal memory,
The endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein the internal memory has a holding function for holding the image file even after the processor body is turned off.   The endoscope processor according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit that erases the image file held by the holding function from the memory. Second saveability determination means for determining whether or not the image file stored in the internal memory can be transferred to the external storage device and stored;
2. A second storage processing execution unit that transfers and stores an image file in the internal memory to the external storage device according to a determination result of the second storage permission determination unit. The described endoscope processor.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second storage processing execution unit transfers and stores an image file designated by an operation of an operator from the internal memory to the external storage device. Confirmation means for confirming to the surgeon whether or not the image file is stored in the internal memory by the first storage processing execution means;
The first storage processing execution unit stores the image file in the internal memory when an operation for permitting the storage in the internal memory is performed. The endoscope processor according to claim 1.   The first storage processing execution means stores the image file in the external storage device when connection to the external storage device cannot be detected, or when the remaining storage capacity of the external storage device is less than a predetermined storage capacity. The endoscope processor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it is determined that the data cannot be stored in the endoscope processor.

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