JP2716955B2 - Electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus which performs video signal processing corresponding to a plurality of image pickup means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic endoscope apparatus in which an image of a subject is imaged to obtain an electric video signal and an image of the subject is observed on a monitor or the like, a C used for the electronic endoscope as an imaging means is used.
As a solid-state imaging device such as a CD, various types of devices different from those used in a normal TV camera are used in accordance with the use of an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 25 shows an example. In FIG. 25, CCDs 81 and 82 shown in (a) and (c) are line transfer type CCDs, each having a different number of pixels. The line transfer type CCDs 81 and 82 can be used for an ultra-fine endoscope or the like because the size of the elements can be reduced. Further, the CCD 83 shown in FIG.
Although it is a line transfer type CCD similar to 82, the readout horizontal register 84 has a two-stage configuration to cope with an increase in the number of pixels, and is used for an endoscope or the like that requires a high resolution. Further, the CCDs 81, 82, and 83 enable color imaging by combining with a surface sequential light source. (D)
Is provided with a color filter array 86 on the imaging surface.
Is provided, and color imaging is possible by combining with an ordinary light source.

The characteristics of an electronic endoscope on which a solid-state image pickup device of a different type as described above is mounted are switched according to each solid-state image pickup device, so that a single image processing apparatus can use a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes. An electronic endoscope apparatus that can use a mirror has been conventionally proposed.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, it is possible to cope with diversification of electronic endoscopes, but a plurality of electronic endoscopes are used at the same time. I couldn't.

As an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of solid-state imaging devices, for example, there is an electronic endoscope apparatus using a parent-child scope, but conventionally, an image processing apparatus is provided for each of the parent-child scope, Since the scope connected to the image processing apparatus is switched and used, there have been problems in that the apparatus is complicated and that only one scope image can be always displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and a single image processing apparatus can process a plurality of image signals corresponding to a plurality of image pickup means, and can obtain the image signals by the plurality of image pickup means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of displaying the images simultaneously or alternately.

[0008]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has at least one endoscope provided with at least one image pickup means and a total number of the image pickup means for driving the image pickup means. Different from the plurality of imaging device driving means
Generates illuminating light having a spectral characteristic and passes through the endoscope through the body cavity
A plurality of illuminations corresponding to the total number of
Illuminating means, a plurality of imaging signal pre-processing means corresponding to the total number of the imaging means for processing a video signal output from the imaging means, and a video signal switching means for switching an output of the plurality of imaging signal pre-processing means And video signal processing means for processing an output of the video signal switching means and obtaining an output video signal for simultaneously or alternately monitoring and displaying images captured by the plurality of imaging means. .

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing means, and FIG. Is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the frame sequential signal synchronizing unit, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the frame sequential signal synchronizing unit, FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the time axis correcting unit,
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the operation of the time axis correction means.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, an endoscope 2 is connected to an endoscope control device 1, and a video signal processed by the endoscope control device 1 is processed. The monitor device 3 and the image recording device 4 are connected so that is displayed or recorded.

At the distal end of the endoscope 2, there is provided an objective lens 5 for forming an image of a subject, and a solid-state image pickup device 6 such as a CCD as an image pickup means at an image forming position of the objective lens 5. The solid-state imaging device 6 is connected to a CCD driving unit 7 provided in the endoscope control device 1 via a signal line.
And the exposure / readout is controlled by the drive signal generated by the CCD drive means 7.
The solid-state imaging device 6 is connected via a buffer 8 to video signal processing means 9 provided in the endoscope control device 1, and is formed on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 6 by the objective lens 5. The obtained subject image is converted into an electric signal by the solid-state imaging device 6 and read out, and the output signal is supplied to the video signal processing means 9.

Further, the endoscope 2 is provided with a light guide 10 for transmitting illumination light, and an illumination lens 11 is disposed on a distal end side of the light guide 10. The illumination light transmitted through the inside 2 is illuminated to the subject via the illumination lens 11.

The video signal processing means 9 synchronizes the signal processing means A12 for performing various signal processing of the output signal read by the solid-state image pickup device 6 and the frame sequential signal output from the signal processing means A12. Frame sequential signal synchronization means 13
A time axis correcting means 14 for correcting the time axis characteristic of the synchronized signal synchronized by the frame sequential signal synchronizing means 13;
A signal processing means B15 for performing various signal processing for outputting the output signal of the time axis correction means 14 to the monitor device 3 or the like.
The output signal read by the solid-state imaging device 6 is converted into a television signal and output to the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4.

The CCD driving means 7 and the video signal processing means 9 are connected to a control means 16, and the control is performed by the control means 16. The control means 16 is also connected to a lamp control means 21 and a rotary color filter control means 22 provided in the field sequential illumination means 20 for supplying field sequential illumination light to the endoscope 2. The CCD drive unit 7 and the video signal processing unit 9 are controlled in synchronization with the control unit 22.

The frame sequential lighting means 20 includes a lamp 23 connected to a lamp control means 21 and controlled to be turned on.
A condenser lens 24 for condensing the light flux of the lamp 23 on the rear end face of the light guide 10;
Color filter 2 inserted between the lens and the condenser lens 24
5 are provided. The rotating color filter 25 is provided with a motor 26 connected to the rotating color filter control means 22.
Is rotatably connected to a rotating shaft of the camera, and rotates at a predetermined speed under the control of the rotating color filter control means 22.
Surface-sequential illumination light is supplied to the rear end surface of the light guide 10.

The video signal processing means 9 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. The signal processing means A12 includes:
The RGB plane sequential signal output from the endoscope 2 is input. In this signal processing means A12, C
Various necessary signal processing such as DS, clamp, gamma correction, color balance correction, etc. are performed on the frame-sequential signal.
The R, G, and B image signals supplied to the A / D converter 31 and A / D-converted by the A / D converter 31 are input to the synchronization units 13a, 13b, and 13c, respectively.

The synchronizing means 13a, 13b, 13c
Includes a memory for at least one image, stores RGB image signals sequentially input for each color, reads out the stored RGB image signals at the same time, and outputs them as synchronized image signals. It has become. As an example of the synchronizing means 13a, 13b, 13c, for example, as shown in FIG.
3a and 33b. Here, two image memories 33a, 33 each for RGB are used.
b is alternately switched between writing and reading, and synchronization is performed. Further, a dual (serial) port memory 35 as shown in FIG. 4 can be used as the memory for the synchronization means. This dual-port memory 35 has serial access memories 36a and 36b for one scanning line in the input section and the output section, respectively.
By performing transfer in units of one scanning line with the main memory area 37, it operates as an input / output asynchronous FIFO.

The synchronizing outputs of the synchronizing means 13a, 13b and 13c are supplied to a time axis correcting means 14, respectively, and are converted into frame frequencies corresponding to the TV system of the connected equipment by the time axis correcting means 14. It has become so. The time axis correction means 14 is provided with a D / A
The D / A converter 32 is connected to the
/ A converted and supplied to the signal processing means B15. The signal processing means B15 performs various kinds of signal processing for outputting an output signal of the time axis correction means 14 to the monitor device 3 or the like. The signal processing means B15 outputs the signal-processed video signal to the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4. Output.

The time axis correcting means 14 includes RGB variable time axis correcting means 14a, 14b, 14c and a time axis for changing a predetermined frame frequency for which correction is performed by the variable time axis correcting means 14a, 14b, 14c. A change unit 28 and a changeover switch 29 for changing the operation characteristics of the time axis changing unit 28 are provided. The variable time axis correcting means 14a, 14b, 14c includes a frame memory 38 for at least two screens as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and an input switching means 39 connected to the input side.
Are sequentially stored for each screen. Further, the frame memory 38
An output switching means 40 is connected to the output side of the device, and the output switching means 40 switches the output of the frame memory 38 at the predetermined frame frequency to read out and output the stored image signal.

Next, the operation of the time axis correcting means 14 will be described. Here, correction of the time axis related to the vertical scanning frequency in the vertical scanning will be described.

Since the image signal synchronized by the frame sequential signal synchronizing unit 13 has a frame frequency determined by the color repetition period of the frame sequential lighting unit 20, the input switching unit 39 is switched at this frequency. hand,
The image signals are sequentially stored in the frame memory 38 for each screen. Then, the output switching means 40 is switched at a scanning frequency suitable for the TV system of a device such as the monitor device 3 connected to the output side, and an image signal is read from the frame memory 38. At this time, when the frequency on the output side is higher than the frequency on the input side, that is, the image signal for one screen is stored in the frame memory 38 from the cycle in which the image signal for one screen is stored in the frame memory 38. When the read cycle is earlier, interpolation is performed by repeatedly reading the stored image signal. Conversely, when the frequency on the input side is higher than the frequency on the output side, the image signal is decimated and read out as appropriate.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the correction at the vertical scanning frequency of the image signal by the time axis correcting means 14. In the figure, the numbers attached to R, G, and B indicate the time at which the image was captured, and RG surrounded by a hexagon.
A set of B indicates a set of image signals output simultaneously.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when an RGB plane sequential signal is input, as shown in FIG. 6B, a synchronized RGB signal is generated by the plane sequential synchronizing means 13 and the time axis correcting means is generated. 14 is input. Here, the time axis correction means 1
4, which matches the scanning frequency of the image signal input to
When the device of the first TV system is connected to the output side, an image signal having the same scanning frequency as the synchronized RGB signal is output.
As shown in (c), it is output as RGB output of the first TV system.

A second scanning frequency having a scanning frequency different from the scanning frequency of the image signal input to the time axis correcting means 14 is provided.
Is connected to the output side, the changeover switch 29 is used to switch the frequency on the output side of the time axis correction means 14, and as shown in (d), the second TV system having a different scanning frequency. Are output. Here, since the scanning frequency of the second TV system is lower than the scanning frequency of the synchronized RGB signal, the synchronized RGB signals are thinned out, and the RGB output of the second TV system having a long scanning cycle is generated. . Thus, the characteristics of the time axis correction means 14 are switched so as to correspond to the TV system of the connected device,
The scanning frequency of the synchronized RGB signal can be corrected and output so that the scanning frequency according to the TV system is obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the characteristics of the time axis correcting means can be changed according to the TV system of the connected device such as a monitor device. It is possible to output the video signal by the TV method by correcting the time axis characteristic. For this reason, the same electronic endoscope apparatus can be used even in an environment where a plurality of TV system devices are mixed, and the same electronic endoscope apparatus can be supplied to regions using different TV systems. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with diversification of methods of the monitor device or the image recording device. Also, as the field sequential lighting means, one having a constant color repetition frequency can be used regardless of the TV system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment,
As a time axis correcting means provided in the video signal processing means 9, a first time axis correcting means 44a and a second time axis correcting means 44b are provided, and the time axis correcting means 44 is provided between the frame sequential signal synchronizing means 13 and the signal processing means B15. Are detachably connected. The first time axis correction means 44a and the second
The time axis correction means 44b of each
The frame frequency of the frame-sequential signal can be corrected so as to correspond to the method.
In which the switching frequency of the output switching means 40 is constant. A plurality of types of these time axis correction means can be prepared according to the TV system which makes the ones having different characteristics correspond.

In the second embodiment, a time axis correcting means corresponding to the TV system of the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4 is selected and connected between the frame sequential signal synchronizing means 13 and the signal processing means B15. Then, the frame frequency of the frame sequential signal is corrected and output so as to be a video signal according to the TV system. As described above, since the time axis correction means only needs to correspond to a single TV system, the configuration can be simplified, and only by selecting and exchanging a plurality of time axis correction means for various types of connected equipment. It is possible to easily cope with this.
Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment,
The endoscope control device 51 including the video signal processing means 9 in the first embodiment and the frame sequential lighting means 50 are respectively constituted by different devices, and these endoscope control device 51 and the frame sequential lighting means 50 Is connected by a connector cable 53 extending from a connector of the endoscope 2 and a connection cable 54. Here, the surface sequential lighting means 50 is a TV
Irrespective of the method, it is configured to supply the field sequential illumination light having a constant color repetition frequency to the endoscope 2,
The endoscope control device 51 includes a time axis correction unit that corrects the time axis characteristic of the frame sequential signal so as to correspond to a single TV system. In addition, the endoscope control device 51 corresponds to a device provided with a time axis correction unit having different characteristics.
A plurality of types can be prepared according to the V system.

In the third embodiment, the same plane-sequential illumination means 50 is used, and the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4 is used.
The endoscope control device 51 is selected according to the TV system and connected to the endoscope 2 and the frame sequential lighting means 50, and the frame frequency of the frame sequential signal is corrected so as to be a video signal according to the TV system. Output.

As described above, the endoscope control device 51 having the time axis correcting means according to the TV system of the connected device,
By combining the field sequential lighting means 50 and the endoscope 2 having a certain time axis characteristic, it is possible to easily cope with the diversification of the system of connected devices. When supplying to a plurality of fixed areas, by selecting and supplying the endoscope control device 51 according to the TV system in each area, it is possible to support different TV systems. Further, the endoscope control device 51
Only needs to support a single TV system, so that the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The time axis correction means can perform not only the time axis correction on the vertical scanning frequency but also the time axis correction on the horizontal scanning frequency with the same configuration. As a result, the output video signal can be made compatible with a double-speed scanning monitor device or the like in which the scanning line is doubled and the scanning frequency is doubled.

Next, a configuration example of an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of performing signal processing and image display corresponding to a plurality of types of different solid-state imaging devices will be described below as a fourth embodiment.

Although the conventional electronic endoscope device can support a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes on which different types of solid-state imaging devices are mounted, it is impossible to use a plurality of electronic endoscopes at the same time. It was not possible to provide an image processing device for each scope, or to switch and use a scope connected to one image processing device, so that the device became complicated or an image of only one scope was always used. There were problems such as inability to display.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing image signal processing means and switching means corresponding to a plurality of solid-state imaging devices, a plurality of image signals can be processed by one image processing apparatus. It becomes possible to simultaneously or alternately display images of a plurality of solid-state imaging devices according to the scene of the endoscope inspection.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of CCDs 91a,
.. 91n are provided, and CCD driving means 92a,... 92n provided according to the type are driven so that the read signals of the respective CCDs do not cross each other. The read signals from the plurality of CCDs 91a,... 91n are input to corresponding pre-processing means 93a,... 93n, respectively, and are converted into a common signal format by these pre-processing means 93a,. It is supposed to be. The pre-processing means 93a,...
The output signal of 93n is switched by the switching means 94 and time-division multiplexed, and input to the signal processing means 95.

At this time, the switching means 94 does not necessarily multiplex all signals of the connected CCDs, but selects and multiplexes time-division multiplexed signals necessary for display. The pre-processing means 93a,... 93n not only match the amplitude level, the DC level (black level), etc. among a plurality of signals, but also the CCD selected for display.
Matching on the time axis between signals is also performed. That is, according to the positional relationship between the display of one CCD output and another CCD output,
.. 93n correct the time axis of each CCD signal, and the switching means 94 controls the timing of switching according to the display position and the superimposition relationship of the images.

The signal processing means 95 performs various known signal processing, for example, γ correction, clamping, clipping, blanking, contour correction, etc., on the input image pickup signals by the plurality of CCDs, and according to a standard TV signal. And outputs the signal to the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97. The monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97 display an image,
Recording and the like are performed. Note that a frame memory means may be provided to obtain a frozen image. In the case of the frame sequential imaging method, means for synchronizing the frame sequential images is provided.

FIG. 10 shows an electronic endoscope in which a plurality of electronic endoscopes as described above can be used simultaneously in a parent-child scope in which a baby scope having a microminiature CCD mounted at the tip is inserted through a forceps channel of the endoscope. It is an example which constituted a mirror device. As shown in FIG. 10, a baby scope 103 is inserted through the forceps channel 102 of the parent scope 101, the parent scope 101 captures an entire view of the subject 104, and the baby scope 103 enlarges a specific part of the subject 104. The image of the parent and child screen as shown in FIG.
5 is displayed. The parent scope 101
A signal line (not shown) is connected to the image processing device 108 via a connector 107 provided at the end of the universal cord 106, and a light guide 109 for transmitting illumination light to the distal end is connected to the main light source device 110. It has become so. In the baby scope 103, a signal line (not shown) is connected to the image processing device 108 via a connector 111 provided at an end portion, and a light guide 112 for transmitting illumination light to the distal end portion is connected to the auxiliary light source device 113. It is to be connected.

As shown in FIG. 12, the main light source device 110 has a lamp 11 for generating substantially white light as illumination light.
5, a rotating color filter 116 for sequentially separating the white light into three primary colors of RGB, and a condensing lens 117 for condensing the separated RGB surface sequential light at the end of the light guide 109 of the connector 107. Is provided. Further, in the optical path of the illuminating light, a stop 118 for controlling the illuminating light to an appropriate light amount for imaging, and a shutter device 119 for interrupting the optical path in response to a control signal from the image processing device 108 are provided.
Are provided. The rotary color filter 116, the aperture 118, and the shutter device 119 are connected to a rotary color filter control unit 120, an aperture control unit 121, and a shutter control unit 122, respectively.
It operates according to the control signal from 08. The shutter device 119 includes a baby scope 10
3 to obtain an observation image with high accuracy, the main light source device 1
It is used to temporarily block the illumination light of 10 planes sequentially. In this case, in many cases, it is sufficient to interrupt only a short period of time when the observation image obtained by the baby scope 103 is frozen and taken in, so that the shutter is used so that the lamp 115 is not repeatedly turned off and turned on to shorten the life of the lamp 115. .

The baby scope 103 uses illumination light from a sub light source device 113 provided separately from the main light source device 110 to obtain illumination light appropriate for observation with the baby scope. As the sub light source device 113, a device that generates special observation light different from the field sequential illumination light of the main light source device 110, for example, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like, is used for normal observation and identification of the whole view in the test section 104. The special observation of the part can be performed simultaneously. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the main light source by the main light source device 110 is RGB surface sequential illumination, and the sub light source by the sub light source device 113 is surface sequential illumination of special light having wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3. When the illumination timings of the main light source 131 and the sub light source 132 are set as shown in FIG. 14, a normal observation image 125 as an image of the parent scope 101 and a special observation image 126 as an image of the baby scope 103 are respectively shown in FIG. Is displayed. At this time, in the normal observation image 125, the portion irradiated with the illumination light from the baby scope 103 has a higher color reproducibility than the other portions because the mixed light of the special light and the RGB surface sequential light occurs. Inferior. However, in the special observation image 126, since the baby scope 103 captures an image very close to the subject 104, the ratio of the RGB plane sequential illumination light mixed into the illumination light of the special light is very small, and in particular, It does not hinder unless accuracy is required.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the main light source 131 and the sub light source 132 are set so that their wavelengths do not overlap with each other, as shown in FIGS. That is, when the main light source 131 is R, the sub-light source 132 has λ1 belonging to the G wavelength band, and when the main light source 131 is G, the sub-light source 132 has λ2 belonging to the R wavelength band. When the main light source 131 is B, the sub light source 132 is set to have a wavelength λ3 in the infrared region. This allows
Since the color reproduction is completely different between the region of the normal observation image 125 irradiated with the special light and the other region,
It is possible to easily identify which region in the normal observation image 125 is the region where special observation is currently performed. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 14, the parent scope read signal 133 and the baby scope read signal 134 are read alternately in respective plane-sequential lights.

FIG. 15 shows a first example in which the electronic endoscope device provided with a plurality of solid-state imaging devices shown in FIG. 9 is composed of a plurality of electronic endoscopes and an image processing device. As shown in FIG. 15, the image processing apparatus 108 includes a plurality of scopes 141.
, 141n are connectors 142a, 142
b,... 142n.
.. 143n are provided at the tips of the scopes 141a, 141b,.
Are provided, and these CCDs 143a, 143b,.
The read signal of 43n is supplied to buffers 144a, 144b,
.. 144n to the image processing apparatus 108.

The image processing device 108 includes CCD driving means 145a, 145b,
.. 145n are provided, and each CCD 143a, 1
143n are driven by supplying drive signals to them. Further, preprocessing means 146a, which performs signal processing corresponding to each CCD and converts the signal into a common signal format,
. 146n are provided, and the buffer 1
.. 144n. The pre-processing unit 146 (representing a to n) matches the read signal amplitude level, DC level, and positional relationship on the time axis in accordance with each CCD, and outputs the read signal to the switching unit 147. Has become. This switching means 147 is provided for each preprocessing means 146.
Is switched so as to be suitable for the display mode of the image, time-division multiplexing is performed, and output to the signal processing means 148. Here, the display form is such that, for example, the image of the scope 1 is displayed at the center as the main image, the image of the scope 2 is displayed at the lower left, and the image of the scope 3 is displayed at the upper left. The signal processing means 148 performs the known signal processing as described above, converts the signal into a signal conforming to the standard TV signal, and outputs the signal to the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97. Display and recording of images are performed.

Here, two CCDs as shown in FIG.
In the case where the CCD 1.62 and the CCD 2.62 are provided, the switching means 65 controls the CCD 1.6 so that one signal processing means 66 can process a plurality of image signals.
1. Time-division multiplexing for switching the output of CCD 2.62 will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with the switching means 65.

As shown in FIG. 17, two CCDs 1.6
1. CCD 2.62 is provided, and these CCD 1.61,
CCD2.62 is CCD1 driving means 63, CC2 respectively.
It is designed to be driven by D2 driving means 64. The outputs of the CCD 1.61 and CCD 2.62 are input to the switching means 65 via buffers 68 and 69, respectively. This switching means 65 is provided by the CCD
1.61, the output signal of the CCD 2.62 is switched and multiplexed for each screen and output to the signal processing means 66. The image signal processed by the signal processing means 66 is A / D converted by an A / D converter 70, synchronized by a synchronization means 67, and read as one image. The output of this synchronization means 67 is D /
The data is D / A converted by the A converter 71 and output as a video signal. In addition, these CCD1
Driving means 63, CCD2 driving means 64, signal processing means 6
6. The A / D converter 70, the synchronizing means 67, and the D / A converter 71 are connected to the control means 72, and the control means 72 controls the timing and the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 18, CCD1 and CCD2 are read alternately, and the read output signals are switched by the switching means 65 to be multiplexed and output to the signal processing means 66. You. Then, various signal processes are performed, and a multiplexed video signal is output. The driving of the CCD1 and the CCD2 can be switched in synchronization with the frame frequency of the video signal output, or can be driven at other speeds, for example, at a double speed. When the switching of the CCD output signal coincides with the frame frequency, the image of one of the CCDs is multiplexed in an updated state for each screen, and when reading is performed at double speed, both images are displayed on one screen. It is multiplexed in the updated state. As described above, by alternately reading the outputs of the plurality of CCDs and switching the output signals by the switching means, it is possible to generate a multi-screen image signal by one signal processing means. In this example, the read times of CCD1 and CCD2 are the same, but multiplexing can be performed in the same manner even when CCDs having different numbers of pixels are used.

As an example 2 of the CCD reading operation,
In the case of an electronic endoscope apparatus that performs color imaging in a plane sequential method,
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a time chart showing exposure of each illumination light of RGB, readout pulse of each CCD, and readout operation of each CCD. here,
After each of the RGB illumination lights is exposed, CCD1 and CCD2 are read out in time series for each color, and output signals are switched and multiplexed by the switching means 65 and output as multi-screen image signals. . As described above, in the case of the image pickup by the frame sequential method, the outputs of a plurality of CCDs are alternately read for each color, and the output signals are switched by the switching means, so that a multi-screen image signal is generated by one signal processing means. can do.

FIG. 2 shows a third example of the CCD reading operation.
0 is shown in the time chart. As shown in FIG. 20, Example 3 of the read operation is an example in which the read timing of Example 2 is changed. In Example 3, the output signal of the CCD is switched every time one set of RGB is read, that is, every one color frame. In Example 2, when the CCD reading frequency is the same, there is a problem that the time of one color frame becomes longer and the color shift increases as compared with the case of one CCD. CC for each color frame
By switching the D output signal, an increase in color shift can be prevented.

As a fourth example of the read operation, a modification of the third example is shown in the time chart of FIG. Example 4 of the read operation is an example in which the read timing of the CCD of Example 3 is modified.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an example in which reading is performed for each color frame, the output signal is switched, and the ratio of the image update cycle is set to 1: 2. In this way, for example, the output of the CCD1
When the output of D2 is used as the sub-screen, the movement of the screen can be made smooth by shortening the update cycle of the image of the main screen.

As shown in FIG. 22, as a fifth example of the reading operation, the main screen CCD1 performs RGB color imaging, and the sub-screen CCD2 performs imaging of only a single color component (here, the G component). It can also be done. As described above, by reading out one CCD only with a single color component, the main screen can obtain a screen with little color shift and a smooth motion similar to the case of one CCD, and the sub-screen can be obtained. A multi-screen image signal can be generated.

As described above, the outputs of the plurality of CCDs are alternately read and the output signals are switched by the switching means, so that the signal processing can be performed in a time-series manner. Processing can be performed.

Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 15 will be described. Multiple scopes 141a, 141
.. 141n are connected to connectors 142a, 142b,.
2n, and connected to the image processing device 108 via the scope 1
41a, 141b,... 143n, CCD 143a, 1 in 141n
At 143n, an image of the test portion is taken. At this time,
The CCDs 143a, 143b,... 143n are CCD driving means 145a, 145b,.
45n drives the CCD so that the read signals of the CCDs do not cross each other. Further, the CCD 143a, 1
143n, the read signals of 43b,... 143n are matched in amplitude level, DC level, and positional relationship on the time axis by preprocessing means 146a, 146b,. Is entered. The signals are switched by the switching means 147 and time-division multiplexed, and various known signal processing such as γ correction, clamping,
Clip, blanking, contour correction, etc. are performed.
The signal is converted into a signal in accordance with the V signal, and an image is displayed and recorded by the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of image signals can be processed by one image processing device by providing the image signal processing means and the switching means corresponding to the plurality of solid-state imaging devices. In addition, it is possible to simultaneously or alternately display images of a plurality of solid-state imaging devices according to the scene of an endoscope inspection. Moreover, since a single-screen image signal can be generated by one signal processing unit without complicating the apparatus, observation by a plurality of imaging units can be easily performed.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a second example of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of electronic endoscopes. As shown in FIG. 23, in the second example, a plurality of scopes 151a,
.. 151n, CCDs 153a, 153b,
... CCD driving means 155a and 155 for driving 153n
, 155n and the CCD 153
, 153b,... 153n are divided into a pre-stage and a post-stage, and the pre-processing units A 156a, 156b,.
.. 156n are provided. The image processing apparatus 150 includes a pre-processing unit B157 at the subsequent stage of the pre-processing unit.
157m, and the CCD driving means 15
155n are provided with a synchronization control means 158.

A plurality of scopes 151a, 151b,... 1
51n are connected to the image processing device 150 via connectors 152a, 152b,.
155n, 5a, 155b,.
153n are driven to capture an image of the target portion. Here, the CCD driving means 155a, 155
155n are synchronized by the synchronization control means 158. The CCDs 153a and 153
, 153n are supplied to buffers 154a,
. 154n through the preprocessing means A156
., 156n, and the characteristics of the signals unique to each CCD are corrected by the preprocessing means A 156a, 156b,. This allows, for example, a scope
Since the output signal of 1.151a and the output signal of the scope 1'.151b can be signal-processed by the same pre-processing means 1B157a, one pre-processing means B157 has a plurality of types of pre-processing means A156. Can be connected. Then, the preprocessing means B157a, 157b,.
After being converted into a common signal format by the signal processing means 57m, the signal processing means 1
48 converts the signal into a signal conforming to a standard TV signal.

As described above, according to this embodiment, different types of scopes can be connected to one connector, and the number of connectors provided in the image processing apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the number of circuits of the preprocessing unit B157 and the switching unit 147 can be reduced, the apparatus can be simplified.

The other structures, operations and effects are the same as in the first example.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a third example of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of electronic endoscopes. As shown in FIG. 24, in the third example, a plurality of scopes 161a,
.. 163n provided to the scopes 161b,... 161n to output a determination signal for determining the type of each CCD 163a, 163b,.
167n are provided. The discrimination signal generating means 167a, 167b,.
7n are CCD driving means 165a and 165b and pre-processing means 166a and 166a provided in the image processing apparatus 160.
66b, and these CCDs
Driving means 165a, 165b and preprocessing means 166
The characteristics of a and 166b can be changed according to the determination signal.

Scope 1.161a, Scope 2.161b
Through the connectors 162a and 162b.
60, and are connected to CCD 1.163a, CCD 1.163a by CCD1 driving means 165a and CCD2 driving means 165b, respectively.
The CCD 2.163b is driven to capture an image of the test portion. The read signals from the CCD 1.163a and CCD 2.163b are sent to the preprocessing means 1.166a and the preprocessing means 2.
The signal is converted into a common signal format by 166b and input to the switching means 147. Here, the CCD1 driving means 165a, the CCD2 driving means 165b and the preprocessing means 1.166a and the preprocessing means 2.166b have their characteristics changed according to the type of the connected scope, and the CCD according to the type is changed. Is driven and signal processing is performed. Then, it is switched by the switching means 147 and time-division multiplexed,
The signal is converted into a signal conforming to a standard TV signal by the signal processing means 148, and an image is displayed and recorded by the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97.

As described above, the characteristics of the CCD driving means and the pre-processing means can be changed according to the type of CCD, so that a plurality of types of scopes can be connected to one connector. The number of connectors to be provided can be minimized. As a result, the size, simplification, and cost of the device can be reduced. In addition,
In this example, the case of displaying images of two scopes at the same time has been described. However, according to the number of images that need to be displayed at the same time, the number of connectors, CCD driving means, pre-processing means, switching means, etc. are required. The same applies even if the minimum number is set.

Other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the first example.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of image signals can be processed by one image processing apparatus by providing image signal processing means and switching means corresponding to a plurality of image pickup means. Thus, there is an effect that images obtained by a plurality of imaging means can be displayed simultaneously or alternately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video signal processing unit in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a frame sequential signal synchronization unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the frame sequential signal synchronizing means.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a time axis correction unit.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an operation of a time axis correction unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of solid-state imaging devices.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the electronic endoscope device of FIG. 9 is configured using a parent-child scope.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen by the parent-child scope of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of a main light source device.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of spectra of a main light source and a sub light source.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing illumination timing of a main light source and a sub light source, and a combination of planes.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a first example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with two solid-state imaging devices.

FIG. 17 is a configuration explanatory view showing an example of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with the switching unit of FIG. 16;

18 is a time chart showing an example 1 of a read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a second example of the reading operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 17;

20 is a time chart showing a third example of the reading operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a time chart showing Example 4 of the reading operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a time chart showing Example 5 of the reading operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a second example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a third example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a solid-state imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope control apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Monitor apparatus 4 ... Image recording apparatus 6 ... CCD 9 ... Video signal processing means 14 ... Time axis correction means 20 ... Surface sequential illumination means 92a-92n ... CCD drive means 93a ９３93n: Pre-processing means 94: Switching means 95: Signal processing means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akinobu Uchikubo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masahiko Sasaki 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-1-259833 (JP, A) JP-A-1-185240 (JP, A) JP-A-61-234834 (JP, A) JP-A-1 JP-A-10-21035 (JP, A) JP-A-3-37028 (JP, A) JP-A-4-27285 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope having at least one image pickup means, at least one endoscope, a plurality of image pickup element driving means corresponding to the total number of the image pickup means for driving the image pickup means, and different spectral characteristics from each other. Generating illumination light having the endoscope
Illuminates the inside of the body cavity via a mirror, corresponding to the total number of the imaging means
A plurality of illumination means, a plurality of imaging signal pre-processing means corresponding to the total number of the imaging means for processing a video signal output from the imaging means, and an image for switching an output of the plurality of imaging signal pre-processing means. A signal switching unit, and a video signal processing unit that processes an output of the video signal switching unit and obtains an output video signal for simultaneously or alternately monitoring and displaying images captured by the plurality of imaging units. An electronic endoscope apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.