JP2018015041A - Endoscope processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope processor with excellent operability capable of displaying setting items according to a taste of a user together with an endoscopic image.SOLUTION: Setting items are selected by adding priority levels in a setting item selection mode after a user inputs setting item candidates and preserves the candidates in a memory 45. A setting item area generation section 47 generates a setting item area where the selected setting items are arranged. An image processing section 42 generates a correction image subjected to image processing after a user inputs setting values with respect to the selected setting items in a setting value input mode. A video signal generation section 43 generates a video signal where a generated setting item area and a correction image are arranged on right and left. A monitor displays a video where the setting item area and the correction image are arranged on right and left.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope processor that performs image processing on a processing item selected for an endoscopic image.

Endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the like. In recent years, image processing tends to be complicated so that a higher quality image can be generated and displayed. Therefore, as an endoscope processor that performs image processing on an input image input from an endoscope, there is a tendency that processing items that can be selected when performing image processing increase.
As a result, it is becoming difficult to describe all settable processing items in the menu display area.
On the other hand, the user is required to perform a lot of work in parallel with the adjustment of the image on the use screen for displaying (using) the endoscope and displaying the endoscope image. For this reason, it is practically impossible to check the process items that can be set by scrolling the menu display because the check takes too much time.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-65698 as a first conventional example related to an endoscopic image and its processing items includes a case where a treatment tool is included in an image (endoscopic image) of an observed portion. Based on the image processing unit for extracting the position of the representative point of the treatment tool in the image, the menu forming unit for forming the menu, the information on the position where the menu is displayed, and the information on the position of the representative point An operation support system is provided that includes an item selection unit that selects an operation support unit that performs an operation support operation related to the support item based on the selected support item.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-131363 as a second conventional example stores a predetermined frame image (index image) among moving images taken by an endoscope, and an index image according to the type of endoscope. In addition to controlling the output form, a user setting screen that summarizes setting items that can be set for each user is disclosed.

JP 2012-65698 A JP 2005-131363 A

In the first conventional example, a plurality of support items are displayed by a menu in an endoscopic image so that the user can select one support item and perform a surgery support operation related to the selected one support item. I have to. However, since the first conventional example is not a support item of a menu according to the user's preference, it takes time to work when there are many support items or when selecting a plurality of support items. Therefore, the operability is low and improvement is desired.
In addition, the second conventional example does not disclose displaying an endoscopic image and its processing items in parallel on a display device. Therefore, the second conventional example has low operability when confirming selectable processing items for the endoscopic image.
Since processing items tend to increase as described above, even when there are a plurality of processing items to be displayed together with an endoscopic image, it is easy to confirm processing items (or setting items) according to the user's preference It is desirable to improve the operability.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic processor with good operability that can display setting items according to the user's taste together with an endoscopic image.

  The endoscope processor according to one aspect of the present invention performs the image processing of the selected setting item on the input endoscopic image based on each setting value of the setting item, thereby correcting the corrected image. An image processing unit that generates a setting item region that generates a setting item region that displays the setting item, and a video signal that is output to the display device by arranging the display region of the correction image and the setting item region. In a video signal generation unit to be generated, a memory that holds setting item candidates that are equal to or larger than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area, and a setting item selection mode that selects the setting item, user input Based on the setting item selection unit that selects the setting items from the setting item candidates with priority, and in the setting value input mode, the setting values for the selected setting items are processed by the image processing. Having a setting value input unit for inputting a.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope processor with sufficient operativity which can display the setting item along a user's taste with an endoscopic image is realizable.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an endoscope system including an endoscope processor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the endoscope processor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of setting item candidates with priorities. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main setting processing before the use of the endoscope in the endoscope processor. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing a setting item area in which setting frames for inputting setting items of a predetermined number of items are arranged in the middle of the process of FIG. 4 together with an endoscope image display area. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a menu or the like in a state where setting items are input to the first and second setting frames in the middle of FIG. 4. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a display example when FIG. 5B is displayed on the display screen of the monitor. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing when the endoscope is used after the setting processing of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in which an endoscope corrected image subjected to image processing corresponding to a setting value of a setting item is displayed together with a setting item area. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a display example of setting item candidates when the number of items is set equal to the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of the process similar to FIG. 5B at the time of using the setting item candidate of FIG. 8A. 9 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope system including an endoscope processor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the endoscope processor according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
An endoscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a first embodiment in which an endoscope 2 having an image sensor, a light source device 3 that generates illumination light, signal processing for the image sensor, and the like are generated to generate a video signal. The endoscope processor 4 and a monitor 5 for displaying a video (image) of the video signal.
The endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 6 to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion 7 provided at a proximal end (rear end) of the insertion portion 6, a light guide cable 8 extending from the operation portion 7, and And a signal cable 9. A light source connector 8a and a signal connector 9a are respectively provided at the ends of the light guide cable 8 and the signal cable 9. The light source connector 8a and the signal connector 9a are detachably connected to the light source device 3 and the endoscope processor 4, respectively. Is done.
In addition, the light guide cable 8 and the signal cable 9 are extended to the light source connector 8a as one cable that does not branch, the signal cable 9 is extended from the light source connector 8a, and the signal connector 9a at the end thereof is connected to the endoscope processor 4. A connection structure may be used.

The insertion portion 6 includes a hard distal end portion 11 provided at a distal end thereof, a bendable bending portion 12 provided at a proximal end of the distal end portion 11, and a proximal end of the bending portion 12 to a front end of the operation portion 7. And a flexible tube portion 13 serving as a flexible portion.
A light guide 14 that transmits (guides) illumination light is inserted into the endoscope 2, and one end portion of the light guide 14 becomes an incident end that protrudes at the light source connector 8 a, and illumination light from the light source device 3 is incident. Is done. The incident illumination light is emitted from the distal end surface disposed in the distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion 6 through the illumination lens 15 to the front side of the illumination window to which the illumination lens 15 is attached.
An objective lens 16 is attached to an observation window provided adjacent to the illumination window. For example, a charge imaging element (abbreviated as CCD) 17 is disposed as an imaging element at the imaging position. An imaging unit 18 that performs imaging is formed by the objective lens 16 and the CCD 17.
The signal line 19 having one end connected to the CCD 17 is connected to the contact of the signal connector 9a through the insertion portion 6 and the like.

In addition, the operation unit 7 of the endoscope 2 is provided with a scope switch 20 including a plurality of switches. In addition, the operation unit 7 is provided with a bending operation knob (not shown) for bending the bending portion 12.
The light source device 3 includes a white light emitting diode (abbreviated as white LED) 21 that generates white light as illumination light, a light emission amount control unit 22 that supplies power for causing the white LED 21 to emit light, and condenses the white light. And a condenser lens 23 that is incident on the incident end of the light guide 14.
The light source lamp that generates the illumination light is not limited to the white LED 21, and a xenon lamp or the like may be used.
The light emission amount control unit 22 performs control to adjust the power for causing the white LED 21 to emit light in accordance with the dimming signal from the endoscope processor 4.
The endoscope processor 4 includes a CCD driver 31 that drives the CCD 17, a signal processing unit 32 that performs signal processing on the image signal using the output signal of the CCD 17 as an endoscope image signal (also simply referred to as an image signal), and a selection And an input unit 33 for performing an input for equalization. The input unit 33 includes an operation panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used for input for selecting a setting item from setting item candidates to be described later, input of a setting value for the setting item, and the like.
The CCD 17 to which the drive signal from the CCD driver 31 is applied outputs an output signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the optical image formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 17 to the signal processing unit 32.

The signal processing unit 32 performs signal processing such as image processing on the image signal input from the CCD 17, generates a video signal, and outputs the generated video signal to the monitor 5 forming the display device or the display unit. . The monitor 5 displays the video signal video on the display screen.
A switch signal from the scope switch 20 is also input to the signal processing unit 32, and the signal processing unit 32 performs signal processing (image processing) corresponding to the switch signal.
Further, the signal processing unit 32 generates a dimming signal corresponding to a photometry mode described later, and outputs the generated dimming signal to the light source device 3.
As described above, image processing becomes complicated for high image quality, setting items as processing items that can be selected when performing image processing increase, and an endoscope image can be displayed without blocking a part of the endoscope image. The display area of setting items when displaying simultaneously is restricted.
In the present embodiment, the endoscope processor 4 in FIG. 1 has the main configuration shown in FIG. 2, and can display a limited number of setting items together with the endoscope image in accordance with the user's preference. And good operability can be secured.

The endoscope processor 4 includes a setting item candidate input unit 33a for inputting, as setting item candidates, processing item candidates that are candidates for image processing from setting items as a plurality of processing items that can be processed by the image processing unit 42, and setting items. And a set value input unit 33b for inputting set values.
The endoscope processor 4 also includes a setting item selection unit 46 that selects setting items from setting item candidates with priority.
In the setting item candidate selection mode in which setting items are selected from the setting item candidates, the setting item selection unit 46 selects setting items with priorities from the setting item candidates based on an input operation by the user.
The set value input unit 33b inputs a set value for the selected set item in the set value input mode. Note that there are a plurality of different functions as setting items, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. For a specific setting item, the setting value includes the case where the function of the setting item is turned ON / OFF. ing.
The input terminal where the output signal of the CCD 17 in FIG. 1 is input as an image signal to the signal processing unit 32 forms the image signal input unit 41 in FIG.
The endoscope processor 4 (the signal processing unit 32) includes an image processing unit 42 that performs image processing on the image signal input from the image signal input unit 41, and an endoscope that is output from the image processing unit 42. A video signal generation unit 43 that generates a video signal from an image (image signal thereof) and the like.

At the time of activation, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the image processing setting state set before the activation and outputs the processed image signal to the video signal generation unit 43. Further, when a setting value is input from the setting value input unit 33b to the setting item selectively set by the setting item selection unit, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the input setting value. Do.
Accordingly, the user sets one or a plurality of setting items according to the user's preference, and inputs a setting value for each setting item, so that the image processing unit 42 performs image processing according to the user's preference. You can set the state to do. An operation signal from the scope switch 20 is also input to the image processing unit 42.
When distinguishing between an endoscope image that has not been subjected to image processing corresponding to the set value and an endoscope image that has been subjected to image processing corresponding to the set value, the former is referred to as an endoscope image. The latter is referred to as an endoscope corrected image or simply a corrected image. The latter may be expressed as a processed endoscopic image that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 42.
The video signal generated by the video signal generation unit 43 is output to a monitor 5 as a display device (or display unit) through a video signal output unit 44 having a video signal output terminal for outputting the video signal.

The video signal generation unit 43 includes an endoscope image (image signal) from the image processing unit 42 and a setting item area (as an area where setting items are arranged) generated by a setting item area generation unit 47 described later. (Image signal) is input.
As shown in FIG. 1, the video signal generation unit 43 is a video image in which an endoscope image and a setting item area are arranged in an endoscope image display area 5a and a setting item display area 5b on the display surface of the monitor 5, respectively. Generate a signal. The setting item display area 5b may be expressed as a menu display area, and the setting item area may be expressed as a menu displayed in the menu display area.
The endoscope processor 4 (the signal processing unit 32 thereof) includes a memory 45 having a setting item candidate storage unit 45a that stores setting item candidates input from the setting item candidate input unit 33a.
The input unit 33 (or the signal processing unit 32) of the endoscope processor 4 includes a setting item selection unit 46 that selects setting items from the setting item candidates stored in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a with priority. .
Note that the meaning of “selecting with priority” is almost literally meaning (selecting a setting item with priority), and after selecting a setting item from the setting item candidates, the selected setting It also includes the meaning of placing items in prioritized positions.
Further, the signal processing unit 32 of the endoscope processor 4 includes a setting item region generation unit 47 in which the selected setting item is arranged and a setting item region to be displayed on the monitor 5 is generated.

The display screen of the monitor 5 is arranged so that the horizontal direction (horizontal direction or left-right direction) is longer than the vertical direction (vertical direction), so that the setting item area and the endoscopic image do not overlap with each other. Each is displayed (FIG. 1, FIG. 5A, etc.).
In addition, due to restrictions on the display screen of the monitor 5, the number of setting item items (also simply referred to as a number) is restricted so that the setting item display region 5b and the endoscope image display region 5a do not overlap. Normally, the number of setting items is set to about 4-6. A display form in which the number of setting items arranged (displayed at a time) in the fixed item area by the user can be changed or changed may be adopted.
In the present embodiment, the setting item candidate storage unit 45a stores setting item candidates with priorities (priority numbers). The user can select a setting item that the user wants to use from the setting item candidates. Thus, setting item candidates (of the number of items) equal to or greater than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area are set.
For example, the number of setting item candidates (items) stored in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a can be set from the input unit 33 or the setting item candidate input unit 33a. FIG. 3 shows a case where, for example, the number of setting item candidates is set to a number (specifically, 10) (more than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area). Note that FIG. 7A described later shows a case where the number of setting item candidates is set to the same number as the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area (specifically, 5).

The specific example shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which priorities are assigned from the setting item candidates having the highest priority. Further, as the setting item candidates with priorities, the first character information with the highest priority, the second color emphasis with priority,..., The tenth priority high brightness mode are set. .
As the setting item candidates stored in advance in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a, for example, standard setting item candidates may be stored on the manufacturer side and the endoscope processor 4 may be shipped.
Further, the user can input the setting item candidates stored in advance from the setting item candidate input unit 33a, and save or set different setting item candidates for each user.
Alternatively, the user may input setting item candidates according to the user's preferences from the setting item candidate input unit 33a, and the input setting item candidates may be stored as setting item candidates for the user. Also, the user can change the number of setting item candidates and set it as a setting item candidate for the user.
If the setting item candidates according to the user's preference are stored with priorities, it becomes easy to smoothly perform the work of selecting and setting the setting items and automatically setting the setting items described later.

The character information represents patient information such as the patient's name, sex, age, etc. regarding the endoscopic image, and information such as date, and the display of the character information on the monitor 5 can be selected. The color enhancement represents a function of enhancing the color of the endoscopic image, and more specifically, emphasizes red, which is the main color in the endoscopic image. The amount of enhancement can be adjusted by the color enhancement setting value.
The contour enhancement represents a function for enhancing the contour of the endoscope image, and the photometry mode represents a mode for measuring the brightness used for controlling the brightness of the endoscope image. As the photometry mode, a peak photometry mode for measuring the brightness peak of the endoscope image, an average value photometry mode for measuring the average value of brightness, and the like are prepared. The peak photometry mode has a feature that can reduce the occurrence of whiteout, and the average value photometry mode has a feature that prevents the brightness from becoming too dark.
The switch information represents function information assigned to each of a plurality of switches used in the endoscope apparatus. Since a plurality of switches are distinguished only by numbers, functions assigned to the plurality of switches may be difficult to understand. In such a case, when switch information is selected, information on functions assigned to each of the plurality of switches is displayed.

The endoscopic image size represents a function for changing the size of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5, and when the endoscopic image size is selected, the size of the endoscopic image is changed. Can do.
The orientation represents a function of rotating the endoscopic image. When the orientation is selected, the endoscopic image is rotated in units of several tens of degrees.
The color tone R and the color tone B represent functions for increasing and decreasing the red color and the blue color of the endoscopic image, respectively. When the color tone R or the color tone B is selected, it is possible to increase or decrease the lightness or saturation of red or blue in the endoscopic image.
The high luminance mode represents a function of irradiating with a large amount of light by temporarily increasing the amount of illumination light emitted.
The setting item candidate input unit 33a, the memory 45, and the setting item selection unit 46 on the lower left side in FIG. 2 are the processes before using the endoscope. When the process before using the endoscope is completed, the setting items can be used, and the process is performed when the endoscope is used.

In the present embodiment, a setting menu or dialog is displayed in accordance with processing, and setting items and the like are set. Further, in this embodiment, in order to improve the operability for the user, the remaining settings are set even when the user does not set (input) all the setting items of the number (number) N of items arranged in the setting item area. Items can be set automatically.
For example, the setting item region generation unit 47 (or the setting item selection unit 46) automatically sets NM setting items automatically when the number of setting items less than N is manually set by the user. A setting unit 48 is included. It should be noted that automatic setting may be performed even when the number M is zero.
In the present embodiment, the predetermined number N of setting items displayed on the monitor 5 can be changed according to the aspect ratio of the display screen of the monitor 5.
Specifically, when the aspect ratio of the display screen of the monitor 5 is 16: 9, the aspect ratio of the display screen of the monitor 5 is longer than that of 4: 3, and as shown in FIG. In the case of arrangement, the horizontal width can be widely allocated as the display area of the setting item area.

For example, the user can input from the input unit 33 to the signal processing unit 32 to set the number N of items according to the aspect ratio of the monitor 5. Then, the signal processing unit 32 (the setting item region generation unit 47) generates a setting item region in which a frame (setting frame) of the setting items having the number N of input items is arranged.
A function for increasing / decreasing the number N of items according to the aspect ratio is provided in the signal processing unit 32 (setting item region generating unit 47), and the setting item region of the signal processing unit 32 (setting item region according to the aspect ratio input by the user). The generation unit 47) may increase or decrease the number N of items. Even when the aspect ratio is different (in other words, regardless of the aspect ratio), it is desirable to determine the number of setting items so that the endoscope image display area 5a and the setting item display area 5b do not overlap.

  The endoscope processor 4 of the present embodiment performs the image processing of the selected setting item on the input endoscopic image based on the setting value of each of the setting items, thereby obtaining the corrected image. An image processing unit 42 to be generated, a setting item region generating unit 47 that generates a setting item region for displaying the setting item, and a monitor 5 that forms a display device by arranging the display region of the correction image and the setting item region. A video signal generation unit 43 that generates a video signal to be output to the memory, a memory 45 that holds setting item candidates that are equal to or larger than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area, and a setting that selects the setting item In the item selection mode, on the basis of user input, the setting item selection unit 46 that selects the setting items from the setting item candidates with priority, and the setting selected in the setting value input mode And having a set value input unit 33b for inputting the setting values to the image processing unit 42 for the eye.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of processing before using the endoscope of the present embodiment. The processing in FIG. 4 is not limited to the case where the endoscope 2 is connected to the endoscope processor 4 and may be performed without being connected.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 3 and the endoscope processor 4, the monitor 5 is connected to the endoscope processor 4, the power of the endoscope system 1 is turned on, and the operation Set to state.
In the first step S1, the user inputs the aspect ratio of the display screen of the monitor 5 from the input unit 33. The number N of setting items may be set according to the aspect ratio. A standard display size set in advance as a region for displaying an endoscopic image is determined.
In the next step S <b> 2, the signal processing unit 32 (the setting item region generation unit 47) generates an image signal of the setting item region corresponding to the aspect ratio of the monitor 5 and outputs it to the video signal generation unit 43.

In this case, when the endoscope 2 is connected to the endoscope processor 4, the image processing unit 42 generates an image signal of an endoscopic image that has been image-processed in a setting state at the time of activation. To the unit 43.
In the next step S3, the signal processing unit 32 (the video signal generation unit 43 thereof) generates a video signal obtained by synthesizing the image signal of the endoscopic image of the image processing unit 42 and the image signal of the setting item area. The data is output to the monitor 5 via the output unit 44.
FIG. 5A shows an outline of a display example displayed on the monitor 5 in this case. In the left side of FIG. 5A, the setting item area is displayed in the setting item display area 5b in which the setting frame of the number N of items with (not determined) setting items is arranged, and the endoscope image display area 5a is displayed on the right side. An octagonal white frame is arranged.
In the display screen of the monitor 5 in FIG. 5A, the endoscopic image in the frame indicating the (octagonal) endoscopic image display area 5a is not a corrected image corresponding to the set value. When the endoscope 2 is not connected to the endoscope processor 4, the right-side endoscope image display area 5 a is displayed with only the frame of the octagonal endoscope image display area 5 a. As will be described later, in the case of a corrected image (see FIG. 7), an oblique image indicates that the endoscope image has been subjected to image processing corresponding to the set value within the frame of the octagonal endoscope image display area 5a. Schematically.

In the present embodiment, an octagonal shape is shown as the endoscope image display area 5a. However, the endoscope image display area 5a is set to a quadrangular shape, and the rectangular endoscope image is displayed in the quadrangular endoscope image display area. May be displayed.
A plurality of setting frames arranged in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 5A are set so as to include setting items with higher priority in the upper part. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5B described later, a number indicating the priority order may be described in the setting frame.
In the next step S4, the user inputs a setting item candidate from the setting item candidate input unit 33a and saves (stores) the setting item candidate in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a. In this case, the user may save the setting item candidates that are more likely to be used as setting items related to image processing as setting item candidates with higher priority. Note that the setting item candidate input and storage processing may be performed before step S4 shown in FIG.
In the setting item selection mode in the next step S5, the user inputs a setting item in a blank setting frame and sets the setting item. In this case, the setting items selected from the setting item candidates may be input in order from the uppermost setting frame, which is a frame into which the setting item with the highest priority is placed.
For example, after the first setting item with the highest priority is input to the uppermost setting frame, the setting item with the second highest priority is input. If the user sets the prioritized setting item candidates before the setting item selection mode, the setting items can be smoothly set with the priority according to the user's preference.

FIG. 5B shows a specific display example on the monitor 5 when the user inputs setting items up to the second, for example. A menu for setting item setting (simply abbreviated as menu) near the center of FIG. 5B is displayed in the setting item area.
After the outline emphasis as the second setting item is input (selected), when the enter (ENTER) button is operated, the setting item with the third priority order is selected as shown on the right side of FIG. 5B. A dialog (menu) in which candidate setting items are arranged is displayed.
The display for selecting the third setting item on the right side of FIG. 5B corresponds to the case where the setting item candidate in FIG. 3 is used. In addition, when displaying the right side of the center menu in FIG. 5B on the monitor 5, it may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the display area of the endoscopic image as shown in FIG. 5C. Even if it is displayed on the display area of the endoscopic image so as to block a part of the display, there is no problem because it is a state before the endoscope 2 is used.
As shown in the center of FIG. 5B, the metering mode and the contour emphasis selected in the first and second are display forms indicating that the setting item candidates cannot be selected in the third in the dialog in which the setting item candidates are arranged. indicate.
The selected photometry mode and edge emphasis are displayed, for example, by changing them to a display form that can be easily distinguished from other black colors with a gray color (in FIG. 5B, the display of the gray color is schematically represented by a hatched display). Show).

In the dialog where the setting item candidates are arranged, when the third setting item is selected and the determination is operated, the setting item of the third priority is placed in the third setting frame, and when the return button is operated, Return to the center menu in FIG. 5B.
In addition, a save button for automatically setting the setting items is prepared in the center menu of FIG. 5B. When the save button is operated, the automatic setting unit 48 sequentially selects and selects setting item candidates having higher priorities from the setting item candidates with priorities in the third to fifth setting frames. Processing to input as an item is performed automatically.
As information on setting item candidates to be referred to when the automatic setting unit 48 performs automatic setting, information on setting item candidates prioritized according to the user's preference is prepared (before automatic setting). Therefore, automatic setting according to the user's preference can be smoothly performed. If information on setting item candidates that are prioritized according to the user's preference is not prepared, there is a higher possibility that the setting items after automatic setting must be changed as compared with the case where the information is prepared.
Accordingly, the priority setting information prioritized according to the user when selecting the setting item from the setting item candidates is used as information to be referred to when the automatic setting unit 48 automatically sets the setting item. It is good to prepare for the information.

A menu in the case of automatic setting is shown on the left side of FIG. 5B. According to the prioritization shown in FIG. 3, the automatic setting unit 48 automatically sets the third to fifth setting items. The user is prompted to confirm whether the automatically set content can be saved as a menu home that is the setting content of the setting item according to the user's preference. The user selects the OK button and inputs a decision when saving with automatically set contents. When canceling the automatic setting, the user returns to the center menu in FIG. 5B by operating the cancel button.
In addition, in the central display of FIG. 5B, when the automatic setting is not used, the user inputs (selects) the selection items from the third to the fifth as well as the first to second input (selection), and decides. When operated, a display for requesting confirmation on the left side in FIG. 5B is displayed.
In the process of inputting the setting item in step S5 in FIG. 4, during the process, the user can select the automatic setting (as described in FIG. 5B). That is, as shown in step S6, the automatic setting unit 48 determines whether or not the user has selected automatic setting (depending on whether or not the save button is operated).

If automatic setting is not selected, in step S7, the user operates the setting item selection unit 46 to select a setting item candidate selected from the setting item candidates as a setting item. The setting item selection unit 46 inputs the selected setting item into the setting frame.
As described with reference to FIG. 5B, the user sequentially (manually) selects N setting items from the setting item candidates and inputs them to the N setting frames.
In the next step S <b> 8, the setting item selection unit 46 determines whether or not setting items are input to all setting frames. When the setting items are not input to all setting frames, the process returns to step S7. When the setting items are input to all setting frames, the process proceeds to step S11.
When automatic setting is selected in step S6, the automatic setting unit 48 selects setting item candidates in the order of setting item candidates having higher priority in step S9, and the setting items are empty and set items in order from the upper setting frame. Enter as. If the selection (setting) of one setting item manually is not performed within a predetermined time, the automatic setting unit 48 may be activated to set the setting item automatically. .

In the next step S10, the automatic setting unit 48 determines whether or not setting items have been input to all setting frames. If no setting item is input to all setting frames, the process returns to step S9. If a setting item is input to all setting frames, the process proceeds to step S11.
In step S11, the monitor 5 displays the contents (list) of the setting items that are all manually set by the user, partly manually set, or partly or entirely automatically set as described with reference to FIG. 5B.
In the next step S12, for example, the setting item region generation unit 47 requests the user to confirm whether the display content is OK as described with reference to FIG. 5B. If the display content is not OK, the user corrects or changes the setting item of the setting frame to be corrected in step S13, and returns to the process of step S12.

If the display content in step S12 is OK, in step S14, the setting item area generation unit 47 determines whether or not the selected setting item is selected to be assigned to a specific input key or input button.
If the selection to be assigned is not performed, the process of FIG. 4 is terminated. If the selection to be assigned is performed, the setting item area generation unit 47 in response to a specific input key input by the user in step S15. Then, the process of FIG. 4 is terminated. In addition, when performing the process which allocates, you may make it allocate the specific input key or input button which a user operates easily (I think) only to the setting item with the highest priority.
With the processing in FIG. 4, the setting item for the number N of items to be displayed on the monitor 5 at a time is determined according to the user's preference, and after this determination, the setting item can be used when using the endoscope. It becomes a state.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing when using an endoscope. If the endoscope 2 is not connected to the endoscope processor 4 or the like before the processing of FIG. 6 is started, the endoscope 2 is connected to the endoscope processor 4 and the light source device 3. .
When the process of FIG. 6 starts, in the first step S21, the user designates a setting item to be used. Since the setting item with the highest priority is arranged in the setting frame that is most easily operated, it is easy to specify the setting item with the highest priority.
When assigned to a specific input key, the setting item with the highest priority can be easily specified by the specific input key.
When the setting item is specified, in step S22, the setting item region generation unit 47 displays a dialog or menu for determining the setting value in the setting item in the region near the specified setting item, and the setting value input mode It becomes. In the set value input mode, the user inputs (or selects) a set value desired by the user in the displayed dialog or the like from the set value input unit 33b, and determines the set value.
In the next step S23, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the setting value of the setting item, and generates an endoscope corrected image (its image signal). The image processing unit 42 outputs the generated endoscope correction image (image signal thereof) to the video signal generation unit 43.

In the next step S24, the video signal generation unit 43 uses the endoscope corrected image (image signal) corresponding to the setting value of the setting item and the setting item region (image signal) generated by the setting item region generation unit 47. The synthesized video signal is generated and output to the monitor 5 via the video signal output unit 44.
In the next step S25, the monitor 5 displays the setting item area corresponding to the video signal and the endoscope corrected image in a state where they are arranged on the left and right.
In this way, when the user inputs a setting value for one or a plurality of setting items in accordance with the user's preference, a corrected image corresponding to the input setting value is displayed on the monitor 5. When the input of all setting values for the desired setting item is completed, the user starts an examination using the endoscope 2 in the next step S26.
The outline of the image displayed on the monitor 5 in the state of step S25 or S26 is as shown in FIG. The video in FIG. 7 is a menu display of the setting item area in a state where the setting items are input in the setting frame of the setting item area in the video in FIG. 5A.

The endoscope correction image arranged in the endoscope image display area 5a on the right side of the setting item area is subjected to image processing corresponding to the setting item (or setting value of the setting item) to which the setting value is input. Endoscopic images. In FIG. 7, an endoscopic image subjected to image processing is schematically shown by oblique lines.
At the time of examination using the endoscope 2, as shown in step S27, the user can select ON or OFF for the display of the setting item area according to the user's preference. In other words, the user can select the setting item area to be turned on when the setting item area is turned on, or set to the state where the setting item area is turned off and the setting item area is not displayed, and the setting value is changed. it can.
It should be noted that a function for turning ON / OFF the display of the setting item area may be assigned to the scope switch 20 so that the operator as a user can easily operate even during an examination using the endoscope 2.
When the user ends the inspection, the user inputs to end the inspection from the input unit 33 as shown in step S28. When the input for ending the examination is not performed, the process returns to step S27. When the input for ending the examination is performed, the endoscope processor 4 ends the process of FIG.
In the example described above, the case where the number of setting item candidates is larger than the number of setting items displayed on the monitor 5 has been described, but the number of setting item candidates may be equal to the number of setting items displayed on the monitor 5. good.

FIG. 8A shows the setting item candidates when the number of setting item candidates is equal to the number of setting items displayed on the monitor 5. FIG. 8A shows setting item candidates when the priorities in FIG. 3 are the first to fifth.
8B shows a display example corresponding to FIG. 5B in the middle of the process of FIG. 4 in the case of FIG. 8A.
As in the case of FIG. 5B, for example, when up to the second setting item is input, a setting item candidate dialog for selecting (setting) the third setting item is displayed. In the case of FIG. 5B, when the third setting item is selected (set), dialogs of 10-2 selectable setting item candidates are displayed, but in FIG. 8B, the number of setting item candidates is 5-2. A dialog for setting item candidates appears. Other processes are the same as those described above with reference to FIG. 5B and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the setting items according to the user's preference can be displayed together with the endoscope image, an endoscope processor with good operability for the user can be realized.
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the setting item area is displayed on the display device, a plurality of setting items are arranged in the order of high priority from the upper direction to the lower direction. The input operability can be improved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the automatic setting unit 48 is provided, even if the user does not perform the operation of inputting the setting items in all the setting frames, the setting frames in which no setting items are input are automatically set. You can enter the setting items.
In addition, when the automatic setting unit 48 automatically inputs setting items, information on prioritization according to the user's preference is prepared as information on setting item candidates to be referred to by the automatic setting unit 48. The automatic input process can be performed smoothly.
In the present embodiment, the case corresponding to the endoscope 2 provided with the image sensor has been described, but also in the case of a scanning endoscope that scans illumination light as described in the second embodiment below. Applicable.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope system 1B including the endoscope processor according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, an endoscope system 1B includes a scanning endoscope 2B, a main body device 4B constituting an endoscope processor to which the scanning endoscope 2B is detachably connected, and a main body device 4B. And a monitor 5 as a connected display device.
The scanning endoscope 2B has an insertion portion 6B formed with an elongated shape and flexibility that can be inserted into the body or body cavity of the subject 50, and the proximal end (rear end) of the insertion portion 6B. Is provided with an operation section 7B. The connector 10 at the end of the cable 8B extending from the operation unit 7B is detachably connected to the main unit 4B.
Moreover, the insertion part 6B has the hard front-end | tip part 11B and the flexible tube part 13B which has the flexibility extended from the rear end to the operation part 7B. Note that a bendable bending portion may be provided between the distal end portion 11B and the flexible tube portion 13B, and an operation knob for bending operation may be provided on the operation portion 7B.

An optical fiber 51 forming a light guide member that guides illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 6 </ b> B, and the base end (rear end) of the optical fiber 51 is an incident end of illumination light in the connector 10. Illumination light is incident on the incident end from the light source unit 61 in the main body device 4B, and the incident bright light is guided to the tip of the optical fiber 51 and is disposed opposite to the tip surface. The light is condensed and emitted to the subject 50 side. The reflected light at the irradiation position condensed and irradiated on the subject 50 is incident on the distal end surface of the light receiving optical fiber 53, and the incident light is guided to the base end thereof. The base end is disposed in the connector 10, and the light emitted from the base end is photoelectrically converted by the photodetector in the detection unit 62 in the main body device 4 </ b> B to become a detection signal and is input to the preprocessing unit 63.
In addition, a scanning unit 54 that two-dimensionally scans illumination light emitted from the distal end surface is provided in the distal end portion 11B by swinging (vibrating) the distal end of the optical fiber 51. The scanning unit 54 includes a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction when a drive signal is applied. The scanning unit 54 receives a driving signal from the driving unit 64 in the main body device 4B through the driving line 55 inserted through the scanning endoscope 2B.

The drive unit 64 generates two drive signals that are 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the two orthogonal directions, and drives the two or two sets of piezoelectric elements arranged in the two orthogonal directions in the scanning unit 54. Apply a signal. In this case, the scanning unit 54 swings the tip of the optical fiber 51 so as to draw a spiral pattern that is a predetermined scanning pattern, and the irradiation position of the illumination light irradiated on the subject 50 is determined as a spiral locus. Are scanned two-dimensionally.
For example, in the connector 10 of the scanning endoscope 2B, information such as driving data for driving the tip of the optical fiber 51 along a predetermined scanning pattern and coordinate position data corresponding to the irradiation position when driving is provided. A stored memory 56 is included.
The information in the memory 56 is input to the preprocessing unit 63 and the driving unit 64 when the connector 10 is connected to the main body device 4B. The drive unit 64 refers to the input information and generates a drive signal suitable for the scanning endoscope 2B connected to the main body device 4B.
In addition, the preprocessing unit 63 performs preprocessing for specifying the coordinate position when the spiral scanning is performed on the detection signal detected by the detection unit 62 using coordinate data, and the memory in the preprocessing unit 63 To store. The memory stores the detection signal along the spiral trajectory and the coordinate data of the irradiation position of the detection signal in association with each other.

The pre-processing unit 63 performs a raster conversion process for converting the detection signal stored in the memory into an image signal for raster scanning, and converts the converted raster scanning image signal into an image of an endoscopic image based on the scanning endoscope 2B. The signal is output to the signal processing unit 32B (the image signal input unit 41).
Also, the main unit 4B is provided with an input unit 33, and the user can perform input operations such as selection of setting items desired to be displayed on the monitor 5 from the input unit 33.
The operation unit 7B is provided with a scope switch 57 including a plurality of switches for performing a freeze instruction operation, a rotation (orientation) operation, and the like on the signal processing unit 32B. When the scope switch 57 is operated, the signal processing unit 32B performs image processing corresponding to the image signal of the operated endoscopic image.
The signal processing unit 32 </ b> B generates a video signal from the image signal of the endoscopic image input from the preprocessing unit 63 and the image signal of the setting item area where the setting item is arranged, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 5. The monitor 5 displays the setting item area and the endoscope image in a state where they are arranged on the left and right.
In addition, the signal processing unit 32 </ b> B generates a dimming signal corresponding to the photometry mode and outputs the dimming signal to the light source unit 61. A light emission amount control unit (not shown) in the light source unit 61 adjusts the amount of illumination light emitted from the light source unit 61 to the optical fiber 51 in accordance with the dimming signal.

The configuration of the main parts of the signal processing unit 32B and the input unit 33 in the main body device 4B constituting the endoscope processor in FIG. 9 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 has the same configuration as FIG. The input terminal where the output signal of the preprocessing unit 63 in FIG. 9 is input as an image signal to the signal processing unit 32B forms the image signal input unit 41 in FIG.
The main body device 4B (the signal processing unit 32B) includes an image processing unit 42 that performs image processing on the image signal input from the image signal input unit 41, and an endoscopic image (that is output from the image processing unit 42). Video signal generator 43 for generating a video signal from the image signal).
At the time of activation, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the image processing setting state set before the activation and outputs the processed image signal to the video signal generation unit 43. Further, when a setting value is input from the setting value input unit 33b to the setting item selectively set by the setting item selection unit, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the input setting value. Do.
Accordingly, the user sets one or a plurality of setting items according to the user's preference, and inputs a setting value for each setting item, so that the image processing unit 42 performs image processing according to the user's preference. You can set the state to do.

As described above, when distinguishing between an endoscopic image that has not been subjected to image processing corresponding to the set value and an endoscopic image that has been subjected to image processing corresponding to the set value, the former is used. When expressed (described) as an endoscopic image, the latter is referred to as an endoscope corrected image or simply a corrected image.
The video signal generated by the video signal generation unit 43 is output to a monitor 5 as a display device (or display unit) through a video signal output unit 44 having a video signal output terminal for outputting the video signal.
The video signal generation unit 43 includes an endoscope image (image signal) from the image processing unit 42 and a setting item area (as an area where setting items are arranged) generated by a setting item area generation unit 47 described later. (Image signal) is input. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the video signal generation unit 43 is a video in which an endoscope image and a setting item area are arranged in the endoscope image display area 5 a and the setting item display area 5 b on the display surface of the monitor 5, respectively. Video signal is generated. In the first embodiment, an octagonal endoscope image is displayed in the endoscope image display area 5a. However, in the present embodiment, a circular endoscope is displayed in the endoscope image display area 5a. An image is displayed.

The main device 4B (the signal processing unit 32B thereof) includes a memory 45 having a setting item candidate storage unit 45a for storing setting item candidates input from the setting item candidate input unit 33a.
The input unit 33 (or signal processing unit 32B) of the main device 4B includes a setting item selection unit 46 that selects setting items from the setting item candidates stored in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a with priority. Further, the signal processing unit 32 of the endoscope processor 4 includes a setting item region generation unit 47 in which the selected setting item is arranged and a setting item region to be displayed on the monitor 5 is generated. The display screen of the monitor 5 is arranged so that the horizontal direction (horizontal direction or left-right direction) is longer than the vertical direction (vertical direction), so that the setting item area and the endoscopic image do not overlap with each other. Each is displayed and displayed (FIG. 9).
In addition, due to restrictions on the display screen of the monitor 5, the number of setting items (simply referred to as numbers) arranged in the setting item area (displayed at a time) is limited, and is usually about 4 to 6 Is set. The number of setting items arranged (displayed at a time) in the fixed item area may be variable by the user.

In the present embodiment, the setting item candidate storage unit 45a stores setting item candidates with priorities (priority numbers). Then, the user can select a setting item that the user wants to use from the setting item candidates. For this reason, the number of setting item candidates equal to or greater than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area is set.
For example, the number of setting item candidates stored in the setting item candidate storage unit 45a can be set from the input unit 33 or the setting item candidate input unit 33a. FIG. 3 shows a case where the number of setting item candidates is set to 10 (more than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area), for example. FIG. 7A shows a case where the number of setting item candidates is set to 5 which is the same as the number 5 of setting items arranged in the setting item area.
3 to 8B in the first embodiment, the operation of the present embodiment is that the endoscope processor 4 is the main unit 4B, the signal processing unit 32 is the signal processing unit 32B, and the octagonal endoscope image is circular. Since it becomes almost the same when it is replaced with an endoscopic image, its description is omitted.
The present embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1B ... Endoscope system, 2 ... Endoscope, 2B ... Scanning endoscope, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... Endoscope processor, 4B ... Main body apparatus, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Insertion part, 14 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Light guide, 17 ... CCD, 18 ... Imaging part, 20 ... Scope switch, 21 ... White LED, 31 ... Signal processing part, 33 ... Input part, 33a ... Setting item candidate input part, 33b ... Setting value input part, 41 ... Image signal input unit, 42 ... Image processing unit, 43 ... Video signal generation unit, 44 Video signal output unit ..., 45 memory ..., 45a ... Setting item candidate storage unit, 46 ... Setting item line bad part, 47 ... Setting item Area generating unit 48 ... automatic setting unit 51 ... optical fiber 54 ... scanning unit 62 ... detecting unit 63 ... pre-processing unit 64 ... driving unit

Claims (9)

An image processing unit that generates a corrected image by performing image processing of the selected setting item on the input endoscopic image based on each setting value of the setting item;
A setting item area generating unit for generating a setting item area for displaying the setting item;
A video signal generation unit that generates a video signal to be output to a display device by arranging the display area of the corrected image and the setting item area;
A memory for holding setting item candidates having the number of items equal to or greater than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area;
In a setting item selection mode for selecting the setting item, based on a user input, a setting item selection unit that selects the setting items from the setting item candidates with priority, and
In a setting value input mode, a setting value input unit that inputs the setting value to the image processing unit for the selected setting item;
An endoscope processor, comprising:   In the setting item selection mode, the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area is prepared based on the user input, and when all setting frames for setting item input are not input, the setting items are not input. The endoscope processor according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic setting unit that automatically sets the setting items in the setting frame.   The endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein the setting item area generation unit determines the number of items of the setting items so that the display area of the correction image and the setting item area do not overlap.   When the aspect ratio of the display device that outputs the video signal is 16: 9, it is possible to set the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area to be larger than when the aspect ratio is 4: 3. The endoscope processor according to claim 1.   The setting item area generation unit determines the number of items of the setting item so that the display area of the corrected image and the setting item area do not overlap regardless of the aspect ratio of the video signal that can be generated by the video signal generation unit. The endoscope processor according to claim 3.   The endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein the memory stores the setting item candidates with priorities.   The endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein the memory holds setting item candidates having a larger number of items than the number of setting items arranged in the setting item area.   As information to be referred to when the automatic setting unit automatically sets the setting items, it includes prioritization information that is prioritized according to a user when selecting the setting items from the setting item candidates. The endoscope processor according to claim 2, wherein the endoscope processor is characterized in that:   The endoscope processor according to claim 8, wherein the automatic setting unit automatically sets the setting items by giving priority to a setting item having a high priority in the prioritization information.

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