JP2017200596A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate an endoscope device without any trouble, regardless of differences in versions between a video scope and a processor.SOLUTION: When a video scope is connected to a processor, a model name of the video scope and a version name of a motion control program are detected. Based on a reference table T, a version name that is compatible with the version of the motion control program of the (current) processor is specified, concerning the model of the connected video scope. Then, it is determined whether or not the detected version name coincides with the version name on the reference table T. If it does not coincide, the video scope is subjected to update/version upgrade processing so that the video scope version is compatible with the processor version.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that images a subject such as an inner wall of an organ, and more particularly to an update / version up process of a program related to operation control of a video scope.

  In the endoscope apparatus, processing operations of the video scope and the processor are controlled by a program related to operation control. Further, the controller including the CPU and the signal processing circuit are configured by programmable circuits such as FPGA and firmware.

  Along with the diversification and sophistication of endoscope device functions, the operation control program is also updated / versioned as functions are added. Since the update / version up of the operation control program is performed separately for the video scope and the processor, a situation occurs in which a processor and a video scope that do not support version are used in combination.

  In order to avoid this, model information is acquired from the video scope to detect whether or not the combination with the processor is appropriate, and if it is inappropriate, the operator is notified of this (see Patent Document 1). Alternatively, the operation control program in the processor is updated by transferring a processor version-up program from the video scope (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-000185 A JP 2006-043238 A

  Usually, a plurality of video scopes having different functions can be selectively connected to the processor of the endoscope apparatus. In this case, if you update your current processor to the latest version with new features or replace it with a newer version of the processor, certain or all videoscopes will support the new processor motion control program. There is no possibility.

  For this reason, it is necessary to confirm in advance whether or not it is compatible with the processor, and to update each scope to make the function valid for the processor or to perform normal operation processing.

  Therefore, it is necessary to operate in accordance with the operation processing and function of the processor to which the video scope is connected, regardless of the type and version of the processor.

  A program according to the present invention includes a version detection unit that detects a version of an operation program of a video scope connected to the endoscope processor (herein referred to as a scope version), and a detected scope. Conformity determination means for determining whether or not the version is compatible with the version related to the operation program of the endoscope processor (herein referred to as the current processor version), and the detected scope version is compatible with the current processor version. If not, the video scope operation program connected to the endoscope processor is updated to function as an update execution means adapted to the current processor version.

  Here, the operation program (also referred to as an operation control program) includes a program related to overall operation control such as a controller including a CPU, a program related to specific processing such as signal processing, and the like.

  For example, functioning as a conformity determination means so as to determine conformity based on a reference table indicating a correspondence relationship between a video scope type and a conform scope version conforming to the current processor version in the video scope type. Can do. The reference table can represent a correspondence relationship for a plurality of video scope types.

  For example, it functions as an update execution means so as to update the operation program of the endoscope processor, and the conformity judgment is made so that the scope version in the reference table is changed to the scope version corresponding to the processor version updated by the update. It can function as a means.

  For example, it functions as a conformity judgment means to judge whether or not the detected scope version matches the conforming scope version in the reference table, and the conforming scope version of the issued scope version matches at a higher level. When it does, it is made to function as a conformity judgment means so that it may judge that it is suitable.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an endoscope apparatus that can be updated by a program, wherein the version detection means includes a scope version relating to an operation program of a video scope connected to the endoscope processor. Detecting and determining whether the issued scope version is compatible with the current processor version relating to the operation program of the endoscope processor, and the update executing means is determining that the detected scope version is the current processor. If the version is not compatible, the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor is updated to match the current processor version.

  An endoscope version-up device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a version detection unit that detects a scope version related to an operation program of a videoscope connected to an endoscope processor, and the detected scope version includes: Conformity determination means for determining whether or not the current processor version of the operation program of the endoscope processor is compatible, and if the detected scope version does not conform to the current processor version, the endoscope processor is connected. Update execution means adapted to update an operation program of a video scope to be adapted to the current processor version.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope apparatus can be operated without any trouble regardless of the difference in version between the video scope and the processor.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the reference table showing the model name (model name) and its version of a video scope. It is a flowchart of a video scope version up / update process executed by a processor. It is the figure which showed the subroutine of step S111 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 whose insertion portion is inserted into the body, a processor 20 and a monitor 60, and the video scope 10 is detachably connected to the processor 20. A monitor 60 is connected to the processor 20.

  The processor 20 includes a lamp (not shown) that emits white light, and the light emitted from the lamp enters a light guide (not shown) provided in the video scope 10. The light incident on the light guide exits from the distal end of the scope and is irradiated on the subject (observation site).

  The light reflected from the subject is imaged by an objective lens (not shown) provided at the distal end of the scope, whereby a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12. Here, CMOS, CCD, etc. are applicable as the image sensor 12. On the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12, a color filter (not shown) in which color filter elements such as Cy, Ye, G, Mg, or R, G, B are arranged in a checkered / mosaic pattern is arranged. Yes.

  In the image sensor 12, an image signal for one field / frame is read at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1/60 second interval) in accordance with a drive signal sent from a CCD drive circuit (not shown). The read pixel signal is amplified in the initial circuit 14 and then sent to the processor 20.

  The pre-processing circuit 22 of the processor 20 performs white balance processing, color conversion processing, and the like on the image signal. As a result, R, G, and B color image signals are generated. The image processing circuit 28 performs image signal processing such as edge enhancement processing on the color image signal. Then, the observation image is displayed on the monitor 60 by outputting the image signal to the monitor 60.

  A system control circuit 30 provided in the processor 20 includes a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and outputs a control signal to the image processing circuit 28 and the like to control the operation of the entire processor. Signal processing timing of each circuit follows a synchronization signal output from a timing generator (not shown).

On the other hand, the scope controller 16 of the video scope 10 includes a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and outputs a control signal to the initial circuit 14 and controls the operation of the entire scope. The operation control program of the video scope 10 is stored in the ROM. The scope controller 16 can communicate data with the system control circuit 30 of the processor 20.

  The circuits provided in the video scope 10 and the processor 20 are composed of programmable circuits such as firmware and FPGA, and can be upgraded. The MPU 52 executes processing for updating / updating a device incorporated in the endoscope apparatus by a program. The USB storage 54 stores an execution program related to version upgrade.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing a model name (model name) of a video scope and a reference table showing its version. The video scope update / version up process will be described below.

  The video scope connected to the processor is assigned a model name and stores an operation control program according to a specific version. Various types of video scopes can be selectively connected to the processor 20, and the version of the program related to the operation processing of each video scope varies depending on the function contents, the manufacturing time, and the like. On the other hand, in the processor 20, the program related to the operation processing varies depending on the function content, the manufacturing time, and the like.

  There are many operation processes of the processor 20 that are interrelated with the operation processes of the video scope 10, and depending on the version, appropriate operation processes cannot be performed in combination with the video scope. For example, regarding the function of the initial circuit in the video scope, when a version of an operation program that does not correspond to the function of the processor 20 is installed, even if the video scope is connected, the function is controlled by the operation program of the processor 20. I can't show it.

  The reference table T shown in FIG. 2 represents the video scope model name (model name) and version name. Here, it corresponds to the version of the operation program. In the version name (ID), the upper-level alphabet characters here represent the version number. Each time the version is upgraded, the first character changes to A, B, C,. On the other hand, the lower levels 001, 002,... Represent numbers when a slight improvement of the program is performed.

  The version name shown in the reference table T represents a compatible version name corresponding to the operation control program of the processor 20 being used. Usually, the version of the operation control program used for the processor 20 is a version that can be regarded as the same or the same version. If the operation control program of the processor 20 is the latest version, the operation control program of the latest version corresponds also in the video scope.

  Data of such a reference table T is stored in a memory (not shown) in the system control circuit 30. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the video scope is connected, it is determined whether the operation control program of the video scope is a version adapted to the operation program of the processor. If not, the version up / update process is automatically performed. .

  Note that when the operator performs an update process on the operation control program of the processor 20, the data in the reference table T is also updated. As a result, the version name of the video scope is also changed to match the updated processor version. A program for updating a circuit related to the operation processing of the video scope is also stored in the USB storage 54 together.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the video scope version up / update process executed by the processor. Processing begins when the videoscope is connected to the processor. Only the upgrade of the scope controller 16 will be described here.

  In step S101, the model name of the connected video scope is detected based on the scope data sent from the connected video scope. In step S102, it is determined whether the video scope is updatable. If the operation control of the video scope cannot be changed by the program, the process is terminated (S113).

  In step S103, the version name / number of the connected video scope is detected based on the sent scope data. In steps S104 and S105, the model name of the corresponding (connected) video scope is specified in the data of the reference table T (S106), and the version name is confirmed (S107). If there is no model name of the corresponding video scope, the process ends as it is (S112).

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the corresponding version name in the reference table T matches the version name of the detected video scope. If they match, the process ends as it is (S109).

  If they do not match, it is determined whether or not the difference is a difference at a lower level of the above-described version name (S110). If it is a lower level, that is, the program contents can be regarded as substantially the same, the update process is not performed (S109). On the other hand, if there is a difference in the upper level of the above version name, an update process is performed (S111).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S111 in FIG.

  When the operation program to be updated is specified (S201), it is determined whether or not the same name folder and file exist (S202, S203). Here, the reference table T has a folder structure, and a confirmation process for preventing an update process based on an incorrect program is performed. If no folder or file with the same name exists, a warning is displayed (S205).

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the folder name and the file name exist, the update process is executed (S204). In this case, it may be displayed that the update process is executed. Alternatively, the update process may be started after the acceptance button operation by the operator.

  The version up program is read from the USB storage 54 by the MPU 52. The read program is directly sent to the firmware constituting the scope controller 16 via a predetermined communication route. Thereby, the update process is executed, and the video scope operates based on the operation control program to which a new function corresponding to the version of the processor is added.

  The update process for only the scope controller 16 has been described above. However, when an update is performed for other programmable devices, the version upgrade process may be executed for each device. In addition, when the update cannot be properly performed, a warning may be displayed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when a video scope is connected to a processor, the model name of the video scope and the version name of the operation control program are detected. Further, based on the reference table T, a version name suitable for the version of the (current) processor operation control program is specified for the connected videoscope model. Then, it is determined whether or not the detected version name matches the version name in the reference table T. If they do not match, an update / version up process is performed on the video scope in order to adapt to the processor version.

  Since the update process is automatically performed based on the reference table, the operation process of the video scope can be changed to the latest version without any special work by the operator. In particular, since the data of the reference table is stored for a plurality of video scopes, the update process can be automatically performed even when connected to various video scopes.

  When update processing is performed in the processor, the reference table is updated accordingly, and the version upgrade program is also updated in the processor. Thereby, there is no problem even if the processor is replaced in the endoscope apparatus.

10 video scope 16 scope controller 20 processor 30 system control circuit 52 MPU

The endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes: a version detecting means for detect the scope version of the operation program of the videoscope is connected to the processor for an endoscope, the detected scope version, the endoscope processor operation whether they comply with the current processor Vajo down about the program, the type of video scope to the type of the plurality of video scope the correspondence between the compatible fit scope Bua John current processor Bua John in each type of the videoscope A conformity determining means for determining based on a reference table to be expressed . If the detected scope version does not match the current processor version, the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor is automatically updated.

For example, the matching determination unit determines that the detected scope version matches if the detected scope version matches the higher level of the matching scope version that matches the current processor version in the reference table. For example, the upper level represents a version number. The reference table is stored in, for example, a memory provided in the endoscope processor.

For example, the scope version is a scope version related to an operation control program for controlling the entire operation of the video scope.

For example, the current processor version is a scope version related to an operation control program for controlling the entire operation of the endoscope processor .

For example, when the detected scope version does not conform to the current processor version, the endoscope apparatus updates the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor to conform to the current processor version. Update execution means is further provided.

In the operating method of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the version detecting means detects the scope version related to the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor, and the conformity determining means determines that the detected scope version is Whether the video processor conforms to the current processor version of the operation program for the endoscope processor, the relationship between the video scope type and the compatible scope version that matches the current processor version for each video scope type The operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscopic processor when the update execution means does not match the current processor version, judging based on a reference table representing a plurality of video scope types The automatic Update to adapt to the current processor version.

Claims (8)

Endoscopy processor
Version detecting means for detecting a scope version related to an operation program of a video scope connected to the endoscope processor;
Conformity determining means for determining whether or not the detected scope version conforms to the current processor version relating to the operation program of the endoscope processor;
If the detected scope version does not conform to the current processor version, the video scope operation program connected to the endoscope processor is updated to function as an update execution means adapted to the current processor version. An endoscope processor program characterized by the above-mentioned.   And functioning as the conformity determining means so as to determine conformity based on a reference table representing a correspondence relationship between a video scope type and an adaptable scope version conforming to the current processor version in the video scope type. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that: So as to update the operation program of the endoscope processor, function as the update execution means,
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program functions as the conformity determination unit so as to change a scope version in the reference table to a scope version corresponding to the processor version updated by the update. So as to determine whether or not the detected scope version and the matching scope version in the reference table match,
3. The program according to claim 2, wherein when the conforming scope version of the detected scope version matches at a higher level, the program is made to function as the conformity determining unit so as to determine that the conforming scope version matches.   The program according to claim 2, wherein the reference table represents a correspondence relationship with respect to a plurality of video scope types.   The processor of the endoscope apparatus provided with the memory which stored the program described in Claim 1. An operation method of an endoscope apparatus that can be updated by a program,
The version detection means detects a scope version related to the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor,
The conformity determining means determines whether or not the issued scope version conforms to the current processor version relating to the operation program of the endoscope processor,
When the detected scope version does not conform to the current processor version, the update execution means updates the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor to conform to the current processor version. An operation method of the endoscope apparatus. Version detecting means for detecting a scope version related to an operation program of a video scope connected to the endoscope processor;
Conformity determining means for determining whether or not the detected scope version conforms to the current processor version relating to the operation program of the endoscope processor;
Update execution means for updating the operation program of the video scope connected to the endoscope processor to match the current processor version when the detected scope version does not match the current processor version; An endoscope version-up device characterized by the above.

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