JP3081682B2 - Endoscope image recording and playback system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope image recording / reproducing system for displaying a plurality of images on one screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes capable of observing organs and the like in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity have been widely used. Also in industrial use, it is used for observing and inspecting an object inside a pipe of a boiler, a chemical plant, or the like, or inside a machine.

[0003] The endoscope includes an electronic endoscope in addition to an optical endoscope (so-called fiberscope) capable of observing the naked eye. A solid-state imaging device such as a (CCD) is provided, and an image of a subject captured by the solid-state imaging device is displayed on a monitor.

The electronic endoscope has a higher resolution than the optical endoscope, and can easily record and reproduce an image by a VTR, a still image recording device, etc. There is an advantage that image processing such as comparison can be easily performed.

[0005] For this reason, it is easy to construct a database by recording the inspection image captured by the electronic endoscope as an image file, and the present applicant has previously disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-259880. Has proposed an image recording / reproducing system in which the inspection images recorded in the past are reduced and a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed on a monitor so that the entire inspection can be seen at a glance and the diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

[0006]

However, at the time of creating the image file, information of the image captured by the electronic endoscope and character information such as inspection data are combined into one image. An image in which the captured image information and the character image information are mixed is reduced, and a plurality of images are displayed on a screen of one monitor, for example, a screen of a computer graphic monitor having a display capability of 1280 pixels horizontally × 1024 pixels vertically. Then, due to the limitation of the resolution of the monitor, the limit is to display a total of 2 × 2 = 4 reduced images, two horizontally and two vertically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a series of a plurality of endoscope images having character information and captured image information is relaxed by the monitor resolution to form one group of data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope image recording / reproducing system which can be displayed on a screen.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a series of a plurality of endoscope images having character information and captured image information.
A recording unit that edits the captured image information of the designated display area of each image and the character information common to each image, and records the edited data as a group of data; And reproduction means for reproducing and displaying the captured image information and the character information in separate areas on one screen.

[0009]

According to the present invention, for a series of a plurality of endoscope images having character information and captured image information, the captured image information in a designated display area of each image and character information common to each image are edited. The data is recorded as a group of data, and among the group of data, a plurality of captured image information and character information are reproduced and displayed in separate areas on one screen.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproducing system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a conference device, and FIG. 4 is an operation of the image recording device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conference apparatus, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a monitor for a video processor, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a monitor for a computer graphic.

In FIG. 1, an endoscope image recording / reproducing system is an electronic endoscope 1 provided with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD.
A video processor 2 that processes an image signal from a CCD disposed in the electronic endoscope 1 and generates an image signal.
A video processor monitor 3 for displaying an image signal from the video processor 2, an image recording device 4 for recording an image signal from the video processor 2, and a conference device 5 installed in a conference room. ing.

The conference device 5 includes an image reproducing device 6 for reading and reproducing image data recorded by the image recording device 4 and a computer graphic monitor for displaying a reproduced image from the image reproducing device 6 at a high resolution. 7 is provided. The video processor 2 and the image recording device 4 are, for example, RS-232C
It is connected by a standard communication line 8 and an image signal line 9 connected to the video processor monitor 3.

The electronic endoscope 1 has an elongated insertion portion 10 formed to be insertable into a subject, and a large-diameter operation portion 11 connected to a rear end of the insertion portion 10. The insertion part 1
An illumination window (not shown) and an observation window (not shown) are provided at the end of the “0”. A light distribution lens is provided inside the illumination window,
A light guide is connected to the rear end of the light distribution lens.

A base end of the light guide is connected to a light source device (not shown) built in the video processor 2, and inside the observation window,
An objective lens system (not shown) is provided, and a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD (not shown) is provided at an image forming position of the objective lens system.

The operation unit 11 is provided with a release switch (not shown) for instructing on / off of a release. Each time the release switch is pressed, a release on / off signal is sent to the video processor 2. It is being sent.

The video processor 2 performs video signal processing on an observation image of the subject captured by the electronic endoscope 1, and processes the video signal processed captured image and characters input from input means such as a keyboard (not shown). The information and the information are combined so as to correspond to the respective display areas, and output as one endoscope image to the video processor monitor 3 and the image recording device 4 through the image signal line 9.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the screen 3a of the video processor monitor 3 has a character display area 12
And a captured image display area 13. The character display area 12 includes, for example, a patient identification (ID) and a first and last name (NAM).
E), character information including patient data such as date of birth (BT) and test data such as test findings written in a comment (COMMENT) column at the bottom of the screen is displayed. An observation image captured by the electronic endoscope 1 is displayed.

The video processor 2 transmits the character information, a release command, an inspection end command, and the like to the image recording device 4 through the communication line 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording device 4
The video processor 2 through the communication line 8
A communication unit 14 for receiving data sent from the CPU, a CPU 15 for controlling the entire apparatus, and the image signal line 9.
R sent from the video processor 2 through
A / D converters 16, 17, 18 for converting GB image signals into digital signals, and R, G, B frame memories 19, 20 for storing R, G, B signals converted into digital signals , 21 and the R, G, B frame memories 19, 20, 21 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 15.
Write and read data to and from the synchronization signal SY
A memory controller 22 for controlling according to NC, and a SCSI for controlling signals between the CPU 15 and peripheral devices
(Small Computer System Interface) A controller 23, a magneto-optical disk drive 24 connected to the CPU 15 via the SCSI controller 23, and a magneto-optical disk 25 as a recording medium.

From the video processor 2 to the communication line 8
Data such as patient data, examination data, release command, and examination end command transmitted through the communication unit 14 are received by the communication unit 14 and transmitted to the CPU 15. Of these data, patient data and examination data are sent by the CPU 15 to the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the SCSI controller 23,
It is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 25.

On the other hand, the release command and the examination end command are used by the CPU 15 for controlling the recording of the image data taken by the electronic endoscope 1,
In response to the release command, the R, G, and B image signals corresponding to the captured image display area 13
The digital signals are converted into digital signals by 6, 17, and 18, and are temporarily stored in the R, G, and B frame memories 19, 20, and 21.

Then, each of the R, G, B frame memories 1
The captured image data stored in 9, 20, 21 is read out by the memory controller 22 at a predetermined timing, sent to the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the SCSI controller 23, and
5 is recorded.

Further, the conference device 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image reproducing apparatus 6 includes a magneto-optical disk drive 26, a SCSI controller 27,
8, memory controller 29, R, G, B frame memories 30, 31, 32 for reproduction, and R, G, B
D / A converters 3 that convert digital signals stored in frame memories 30, 31, 32 for use into analog signals
The computer graphic monitor 7 has a resolution of, for example, 1280 (horizontal) × 1024 (vertical) pixels.

The data on the magneto-optical disk 25 recorded by the image recording device 4 is read and edited by the CPU 28 via the magneto-optical disk drive 26 and the SCSI controller 27, and is edited by the memory controller 29. In each of the R, G, and B frame memories 30, 31, 32, character information and captured image information are separately written.

The R, G, B frame memories 3
The data written in 0, 31, 32 are read under the control of the memory controller 29, converted into analog signals by the D / A converters 33, 34, 35 and displayed on the computer graphic monitor 7. You.

Next, the operation of the image recording device 4 and the conference device 5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

The flowchart of FIG. 4 is a routine showing the processing of the image recording apparatus 4. First, in step S101, character information such as patient data and examination data transmitted from the video processor 2 through the communication line 8 is transmitted to the CPU 15 in step S101.
Receives the character information in step S102.
The data is written to the magneto-optical disk 25 mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the CSI controller 23.

The next step S103 is the video processor 2
This is a loop waiting for a release command from the server, and when a release command is received, the process proceeds to step S104,
The CPU 15 outputs an image capture start signal to the memory controller 22.

Then, the memory controller 22 sends the image signal line 9 from the video processor 2 in step S105.
A / D converters 16, 17, and 18 convert only the image in captured image display area 13 to the image signal sent through
The writing of the captured image data is controlled by converting the captured image data into a digital signal and controlling the writing into the respective R, G, and B frame memories 19, 20, and 21.
In S106, the magneto-optical disk 25 mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the SCSI controller 23
To record.

Next, proceeding to step S107, the CPU 15 determines whether or not a test end command from the video processor 2 has been received via the communication means 14. If the test end command has not been received, the above-described step is performed. Returning to S103, the processing described above is repeated, and upon receiving the examination end command, the processing exits from the routine from step S107 and ends the processing for one endoscopic examination.

That is, for a plurality of endoscopic images sent from the video processor 2 in one endoscopic examination, character information common to each image is collected into one, and the character information and the designated display area are combined. Is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 25 as a group of data.

On the other hand, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is a routine showing the processing of the conference device 5, and is a step S2.
In step 01, when the CPU 28 reads out the character information in the magneto-optical disk 25 via the magneto-optical disk drive 26 and the SCSI controller 27, in step S202, the read-out character information is read into each of the R, G, B frames. Memory 3
Data is written in predetermined areas 0, 31, and 32.

Next, proceeding to step S203, the CPU 28 sequentially reads out the picked-up image data recorded in the magneto-optical disk 25, and in step S204, the read-out picked-up image data is reduced by the memory controller 29 to 1/2 each in the vertical and horizontal directions. Decimate and reduce the size of each of the R, G, B frame memories 30, 3
Write to another area of 1,32.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S205, in which it is determined whether or not all the captured image data of one endoscopic examination has been read from the magneto-optical disk 25. If data remains, the process returns to step S203. Repeat the same steps,
If the reading of all the data of the inspection is completed, the process proceeds to step S206, where the R, G, and B frame memories 30,
The D / A converter 3 reads out the data of 31 and 32
The signals are converted into analog signals by 3, 34 and 35, displayed on the computer graphic monitor 7, and the processing is terminated.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, on the screen 7a of the computer graphic monitor 7, character information common to one examination, that is, patient identification (ID), last name (NAME), date of birth ( BT) and other patient data,
Inspection data such as inspection findings written in a comment (COMMENT) column at the bottom of the screen is displayed in a character display area 36 at the end of the screen, and a plurality of imaging images are displayed in a captured image display area 37 next to the character display area 36. The image is displayed (Fig. 7
, 9 images with numbers 1 to 9 in circles).

That is, for a plurality of endoscopic images having character information and captured image information, character information common to each image is collected, and the character information and a plurality of captured image information attached to the character information are collected. Are recorded as a group of data, and the character information and a plurality of reduced captured image information are displayed in separate areas on one screen. As compared with the case where an image is displayed in a reduced scale, it is possible to display more information by relaxing the restriction imposed by the resolution of the monitor.

FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image recording apparatus.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a computer graphic monitor.

This embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that the procedure for recording character information recorded on the magneto-optical disk 25 by the image recording device 4 is different.

In the present embodiment and thereafter, since the conference device 5 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, in step S301, character information (patient data) transmitted from the video processor 2 through the communication
5 is received, the CPU 15 records the received character information on the magneto-optical disk 25 mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the SCSI controller 23 in step S302.

Next, the process proceeds to step S303, in which it is determined whether or not a release command has been received from the video processor 2. If a release command has not been received, a loop for waiting for reception is made in step S303. If received, the process advances to step S304 to determine whether comment data from the video processor 2 has been received.

In step S304, the video processor 2
If the comment data has not been received, the process jumps to step S306. If the comment data has been received, the process proceeds from step S304 to step S305, where CP
U15 records the received comment data on the magneto-optical disk 25 in association with the number of the image data to be recorded.

That is, during the diagnosis, it may be desired to write a comment for each captured image. In such a case, before the release command from the video processor 2, the individual The observation data for the captured image is transmitted.

Therefore, the release signal is received and the CPU 1
Before outputting an image capture signal to the memory controller 22, the video processor 2 determines whether new comment data has been transmitted from the video processor 2, and if comment data has been transmitted, the comment data is assigned to the number of the captured image. It is recorded in association with.

In step S306, when the CPU 15 outputs an image capture start signal to the memory controller 22, in step S307, the memory controller 22 stores only the image in the captured image display area into each of the R, G, B frame memories 19, The writing of the memory is controlled so as to take in the data 20 and 21.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S308, where the memory controller 22 records the image data of the captured image display area fetched into the memory on the magneto-optical disk 25 mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive 24 via the SCSI controller 23.

Thereafter, the flow advances to step S309 to determine whether or not an inspection end command has been received from the video processor 2. If no inspection end data has been received, the flow returns to step S303 to repeat the same procedure. When the inspection end data has been received, the process exits from the routine and ends.

[0048] As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the screen 7a of the computer graphic monitor 7 conference device 5, a comment column of the character display area 36 (C OMM
In ENT), the observation data corresponding to the captured images of the circle numbers 1, 5, and 8 displayed in the captured image display area 37 are displayed together with the numbers.

10 to 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a partial configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproducing system, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording device, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a video processor monitor, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a computer graphic monitor.

The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an image recording device 40 is provided in place of the image recording device 4 so that a user can specify a desired captured image display area from outside.

As shown in FIG. 10, the video processor 2
Is not directly connected to the video processor monitor 3, but once the image signal from the video processor 2 is input to the image recording device 40, and the image signal line 41 is connected to the image recording device 40. The monitor 3 for a video processor is connected via the video processor. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the image recording device 40 is provided in the image recording device 4 of the first embodiment with a picked-up image display area designating means 42 for designating a display region of a picked-up image. For example, a display area information input unit 43 such as a mouse for inputting display area information to the captured image display area designating unit 42 is added.

The captured image display area designating means 42
The R, G, and B image signals and the synchronization signal SYNC are input, and transmitted from the video processor 2 through the image signal line 9 in accordance with the information that specifies the display area of the captured image input by the user through the display area information input unit 43. The captured image display area designation line 13a as shown in FIG. 12 is superimposed on the obtained endoscope image and output, and a signal of the captured image display area designation line 13a is output to the memory controller 22.

That is, on the screen 3a of the video processor monitor 3, a captured image display area designating line 13a is displayed in a superimposed manner within the captured image display area 13, and the user sets the captured image display area designating line 13a. It is possible to designate only a required display area while viewing and confirming, for example, only a central part where an observation region is actually imaged.

Then, the picked-up image display area designating means 4
2, the signal of the picked-up image display area designation line 13a is input to the memory controller 22, and a release command is sent from the video processor 2 through the communication line 8 to the CPU.
15, the memory controller 22
Only the image data corresponding to the area in the picked-up image display area designation line 13a is read out from each of the R, G, B frame memories 19, 20, 21 and optically read through the SCSI controller 23 and the magneto-optical disk drive 24. The information is recorded on the magnetic disk 25.

As a result, in the present embodiment, the amount of information to be recorded on the magneto-optical disk 25 is reduced, and in the first embodiment described above, the number of captured images to be reduced and displayed on the screen 7a of the computer graphic monitor 7 Was nine, but as shown in FIG.
It can be increased to zero.

FIGS. 14 to 25 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a partial configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproducing system, FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording device, 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image recording apparatus, FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a copy process, FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a deletion process, FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a movement process, FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a connection process, and FIG. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a deleting process, FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving process, and FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a connecting process.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, an image recording device 50 capable of performing various editing processes is employed in place of the image recording device 4 as shown in FIG. An image editing monitor 51 is connected to the apparatus 50, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the image recording device 5
0, a communication means 52 for receiving data transmitted from the video processor 2 through the communication line 8, a CPU 53 for controlling the entire apparatus, an editing instruction input means 54 such as a mouse connected to the CPU 53, an image signal line A / D converters 5 for converting RGB image signals sent from the video processor 2 into digital signals
5, 56, 57, and each R converted into a digital signal,
A writing frame memory 58 comprising R, G, B frame memories 58a, 58b, 58c for storing G, B signals, and n frames for temporarily storing a plurality of images at the time of editing processing And an R, G, B frame memory 60a, 60b, 60 for displaying on the image editing monitor 51.
c, and each of the D / A converters 61, 62, 63 for converting a digital signal stored in the display frame memory 60 into an analog signal.
A memory controller 64 that controls writing and reading of data to and from the writing frame memory 58 and the display frame memory 60 according to a synchronization signal SYNC; and a SCSI controller 65 that controls signals between the CPU 53 and peripheral devices. A magneto-optical disk drive 66 connected to the CPU 53 via the SCSI controller 65 and a magneto-optical disk 67 as a recording medium are provided.

The RGB image signals sent from the video processor 2 are transmitted to the A / D converters 55 and 5 respectively.
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal by the write frame memory 57 and stored in the write frame memory 58. The image stored in the writing frame memory 58 is stored in the CPU 5.
3 and temporarily stored in the image storage memory 59.

The image recording memory 59 has a capacity capable of storing a plurality of images.
3 creates a reduced image by thinning out the image stored in the image recording memory 59 and writes the reduced image in the display frame memory 60. By repeating this operation a plurality of times, the images recorded during the inspection can be multi-displayed on the image editing monitor 51.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 50 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, in step S401, the character information sent from the video processor 2 through the communication line
When the PU 53 receives the information, the CPU 53 records the received character information on the magneto-optical disk 67 mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive 66 via the SCSI controller 65 in step S402.

Next, when the flow advances to step S403, a loop for waiting for a release command from the video processor 2 is entered, and
If the release command has been received, the process exits the loop and proceeds to step S404, in which only the image in the captured image display area is written via the memory controller 64 to the writing frame memory 5.
Then, the CPU 53 reads the image written in the writing frame memory 58, writes the image in the image recording memory 59, and temporarily stores the image.

Thereafter, in step S405, a loop for waiting for receiving an inspection end command from the video processor 2 is performed, and
If the inspection is not being received from the video processor 2 during the inspection, the process returns to step S403 described above.
When the inspection is completed and an inspection end command is received from the video processor 2, the process proceeds to step S406, where the image data stored in the image recording memory 59 is read, reduced, and then written to the display frame memory 60. .

The plurality of reduced images written in the display frame memory 60 are read out by the memory controller 64 in step S407, and are sequentially sent to the image editing monitor 51 via the D / A converters 61, 62 and 63. Is displayed as the inspection image (captured image).

Next, in step S 408, the user uses the editing instruction input means 54 to perform editing processing such as copy, delete, move, and link while viewing the series of inspection images displayed on the image editing monitor 51. Instruct and step S409
Then, the CPU 53 edits a series of inspection data in the image recording memory 59 in accordance with the instruction of the editing process, and records the edited image in the magneto-optical disk 67 via the SCSI controller 65 and the magneto-optical disk drive 66. I do.

Hereinafter, the editing process of the image data in the image recording memory 59 will be described in the order of copy process, delete process, move process, and link process.

The flowchart of FIG. 17 is a routine showing the copy processing. When the recorded image (captured image) is read from the image recording memory 59 in step S501,
In step S502, a reduced image of the read image is created,
Next, in step S503, the reduced image is written to the display frame memory 60 and displayed on the image editing monitor 51. In step S504, an input waiting loop for checking whether the number of the image to be copied has been input is repeated.

For example, three images are taken by endoscopy, and as shown in FIG.
When the images are stored in the image recording memory 59 and displayed on the screen 51 a of the image editing monitor 51, the user inputs an editing instruction input means 54 such as a mouse or a keyboard.
Use to enter the number of the image you want to copy.

Then, for example, when an image copy of the circled numbers 1 and 3 is instructed, the CPU 53 recognizes this copy instruction, and in step S505, the reduced image of the image of the inputted number is stored in the display frame memory 60. Writing, as shown in FIG. 21, the images of circle numbers 1 and 3 are displayed in the lower column of the screen 51a of the image editing monitor 51.

The user checks the image 51a of the image editing monitor 51 by looking at the screen 51a, and inputs an instruction as to whether or not the copy is OK by using the editing instruction input means 54. This instruction is determined in step S506, and if OK, the process proceeds to step S507.
Then, the image to be copied in the image recording memory 59, for example, the image of the circled numbers 1 and 3 is transferred to the SCSI controller 65.
Then, the data is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 67 via the magneto-optical disk drive device 66, and the process is terminated.

When recording is to be performed in another magneto-optical disk, the magneto-optical disk 67 is replaced and the same processing is repeated.

The flowchart of FIG. 18 is a routine of the deleting process. When the recorded image is read from the image recording memory 59 in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602.
In step S603, a reduced image of the read image is created.
Then, the reduced image is written into the display frame memory 60,
The image is displayed on the image editing monitor 51.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22, six images are picked up by endoscopy, and six images of circle numbers 1 to 6 are taken.
When the captured images are stored in the image recording memory 59 and displayed on the screen 51 a of the image editing monitor 51, the user looks at this screen 51 a and sees the number of the image to be deleted, such as the image that failed to be captured. Is input using the editing instruction input means 54.

In step S604, it is checked whether or not the number of the image to be deleted has been input. For example, when the deletion of the images with circle numbers 1, 2, and 5 is instructed, this deletion instruction is sent to the CPU 5.
In step S605, the reduced images of the circled numbers 1, 2, and 5 are deleted from the display frame memory 60, and the screen 51a of the image editing monitor 51 is displayed as shown in FIG. , Only the images of circle numbers 3, 4, and 6 are displayed.

Then, the user checks this screen 51a and inputs an instruction as to whether or not the deletion is OK by using the editing instruction input means 54. Then, this instruction is discriminated in step S606, and if OK, in step S607, the image recording memory 5 of the circled numbers 3, 4, and 6 that have not been deleted
The image in 9 is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 67 via the SCSI controller 65 and the magneto-optical disk drive device 66, and the process ends.

The flowchart of FIG. 19 is a routine of the moving process. When the recorded image is read from the image recording memory 59 in step S701, a reduced image of the read image is created in step S702, and step S703 is performed. Then, the reduced image is written into the display frame memory 60 and displayed on the image editing monitor 51.

In this movement processing, for example, during a series of examinations, an image of a lesion to be photographed first is photographed, and as shown in FIG.
The captured images are displayed on a screen 51 a of the image editing monitor 51.
If displayed out of order,
The number of the image to be moved while viewing this screen 51a, for example,
When the original shooting order is the order of the circle numbers 1, 2, 6, 3, 4, and 5, the image of the circle number 6 is replaced with the circle numbers 2 and 3.
An instruction is issued using the editing instruction input means 54 to move between the images of the number.

Then, in step S704, it is checked whether or not the number of the image to be moved has been input.
At step 05, it is checked whether or not the position to be moved has been designated, so that the contents of the movement instruction are recognized by the CPU 53, and at step S706, the write position of the reduced image in the display frame memory 60 and beyond is designated. Then, in step S707, the reduced image of the input number is written to the designated location in the display frame memory 60.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, circles 1, 2, 6, 3, and 3 are displayed on the screen 51a of the image editing monitor 51.
No. 4 and 5 images in the original order are displayed. The user checks the screen 51a, and inputs an instruction as to whether or not the movement is OK using the editing instruction input unit 54. This instruction is determined in step S708. If the movement is OK, the process proceeds to step S709, and the images in the image recording memory 59 are recorded on the magneto-optical disk 67 in the order after the movement.

The flowchart in FIG. 20 is a routine of the linking process. For example, if two different electronic endoscopes are used for the same patient and two tests A and B are performed in succession, the image is later searched and referred to as one test. It is desirable to record the data. In such a case, the captured image data of the inspection A and the captured image data of the inspection B are connected and recorded as a group of data.

First, in step S801, the recorded image of the inspection A is read from the image recording memory 59. In step S802, a reduced image of the read image is created, and the reduced image is displayed on the display frame. The data is written in the memory 60 and displayed on the image editing monitor 51.

Next, in step S804, the recorded inspection B
Is read from the image recording memory 59, and
In step S805, a reduced image of the read image is created. In step S806, the reduced image is written in the display frame memory 60 and displayed in the lower column of the image editing monitor 51.

In this state, for example, on the screen 51 a of the image editing monitor 51, for example, the image of the round numbers 1 and 2 of the test A is in the upper column, and the image of the round numbers 1 and 2 of the test B is in the lower column. The user sees and confirms this screen 51a, and gives an additional connection instruction using the edit instruction input means 54.

Then, this connection instruction is recognized by the CPU 53, and in the display frame memory 60, the circled numbers 1 and 2 of the inspection A are followed by the circled numbers 1 and 2 of the inspection B. 24, the images of circle numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are displayed on the screen 51a of the image editing monitor 51 as a single test by connecting the test A and the test B. Is displayed.

Then, when the user confirms by looking at this screen 51a and inputs an instruction as to whether or not the connection is OK by using the edit instruction input means 54, this instruction is determined in step S807, and the connection is determined to be OK. If so, the images of the inspection A and the inspection B in the image recording memory 59 are recorded on the magneto-optical disk 67 as one inspection in step S808.

Incidentally, the endoscope image recording / reproducing system is used as an image file system for managing a large amount of images together with patient data such as patient names. In this image file system, usually, as shown in FIG. An electronic endoscope device 101 to which the endoscope 100 is connected and an image file device 102 are connected by a communication line 103 and an image signal line 104.

Then, patient data such as a patient ID and a patient name input to the electronic endoscope apparatus 101 through the communication line 103 and a release command are exchanged. The image input by the release command is transmitted to the image file apparatus 102. Is managed based on the patient data and recorded on the magneto-optical disk 102a. Further, the image file device 102 can search for an image recorded on the magneto-optical disk 102a based on the patient data.

Here, there are two types of image recording methods in the image file device 102, an analog type and a digital type. The former is capable of recording large-capacity images, and the latter is capable of recording high-resolution images. Is possible
Each has its advantages. For this reason, at present, there are image file devices of two recording systems of an analog system and a digital system, and two devices having different recording systems may be connected to the endoscope device 101 at the same time.

However, when two image file devices are connected to one endoscope device, two types of the same inspection image are created for the same endoscopic inspection, and the same When a plurality of examinations are performed on a patient, it may be difficult to determine the relationship between the examination data recorded in each image file device, and the examination data of two image file devices may be difficult. It has been difficult to combine data for centralized management by combining data.

The image file system shown in FIG. 25 solves such a problem, and records an image in a digital system on an electronic endoscope device 71 to which an electronic endoscope 70 is connected, for example, on a magneto-optical disk. A first image file device 73 for performing recording is connected through a communication line 75a and an image signal line 76a, and a second image file device 7 for performing recording on a magneto-optical disk in an analog system, for example.
4 are connected via a communication line 75b and an image signal line 76b. A keyboard 72 is connected to the electronic endoscope device 71.

The operation at the time of endoscopy in the above system will be described based on the communication procedure shown in FIG.

First, when the patient data is input from the keyboard 72, the patient data is transmitted from the electronic endoscope device 71 to the communication lines 75a and 75a as shown in a communication procedure P1 (hereinafter simply referred to as P...) Of FIG. 75b to the first and second image file devices 73 and 74, respectively.
Upon receiving the patient data, the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 return an acknowledgment (ACK) signal to the electronic endoscope device 71.

Next, when a release switch (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 70 is operated, the electronic endoscope device 71 is operated at P2.
A release command is transmitted from the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 to the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 via the communication lines 75a and 75b. An ACK signal is returned to the mirror device 71.

As a result, from the electronic endoscope device 71 to the first,
Image data is sent to the second image file devices 73 and 74 through image signal lines 76a and 76b, respectively, and the image data is transferred to the magneto-optical disk by the first and second image file devices 73 and 74, respectively. The recording method is used.

First and second image file devices 73 and 74
When the recording of the image data is completed, a release completion command is transmitted through the communication lines 75a and 75b at P3, and when the release command is received by the electronic endoscope device 71, an ACK signal is transmitted from the electronic endoscope device 71. Is returned.

When the recording of the first image of one inspection is completed, for example, the first image file device 73
Create a patient database for the test. At this time, an examination number is created, and at P4, the examination number is transmitted to the electronic endoscope device 71 through the communication line 75a, and an ACK signal is returned from the electronic endoscope device 71 to the first image file device 73. You.

Next, at P5, the electronic endoscope device 71 transmits the examination number from the first image file device 73 to the second image file device 74 through the communication line 75b,
In the second image file device 74, the electronic endoscope device 71
ACK signal. Then, the second image file device 74 combines the received examination number with the currently input patient data to create an examination database.

Thereafter, when the examination is completed and the examination end key on the keyboard 72 is pressed, the patient data of the electronic endoscope 71 is cleared, and the communication lines 75a, 75b are transmitted from the electronic endoscope 71 at P6. , An inspection end command is transmitted to the first and second image file devices 73 and 74, and an ACK signal is transmitted from the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 in response to the inspection end command.

Subsequently, the first and second image file devices 7
At 3,74, the patient data file is closed and P
At 7, an examination end completion command is transmitted to the electronic endoscope apparatus 71, an ACK signal is returned from the electronic endoscope apparatus 71, and one examination ends.

As described above, even when the two first and second image file devices 73 and 74 are connected to one endoscope device 71, the examination number is transmitted via the electronic endoscope device 71. The transmission is easy to adapt to the conventional system, the relation between the inspection data recorded in each of the image file devices 73 and 74 can be easily determined, and the two image file devices 73 and 74 It is easy to combine data for centralized management by combining inspection data.

The first and second image file devices 73,
The data transmitted between the 74 is not limited to the examination number. For example, the data transmitted from the first image file device 73 to the second image file device 74 includes a diagnosis name, a diagnosis degree, an observation part name, and the like. Data required as a file device may be transmitted.

In the above description, when the second image file device 74 is not set up in the state of P4, the electronic endoscope device 71 temporarily stores the examination number in the internal memory. Alternatively, the inspection number may be transmitted when the second image file device 74 is set up. Further, although the generation of the examination number is performed by the first image file device 73, the examination number is generated by both the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 and transmitted to the electronic endoscope device 71. Is also good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 27, a communication line 77 is added between the first and second image file devices 73 and 74 to the image file system shown in FIG. By exchanging the examination numbers, the examination numbers can be exchanged without interrupting the communication operation and the normal operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus 71,
Electronic endoscope device 71 and first and second image file devices 7
It is possible to increase the degree of freedom of communication with the communication devices 3, 74.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the electronic endoscope device 71 and the second image file device 74 are not directly connected by a communication line, and the second image file device 74
The image file device 73 may be connected to the electronic endoscope device 71 via the communication line 77, and may be connected to the electronic endoscope device 71 via the image signal line 76b. Thus, only one communication channel is required for the electronic endoscope device 71, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention, a series of a plurality of endoscope images having character information and captured image information are reduced to one set as a group of data by alleviating the restrictions imposed by the monitor resolution. It can be displayed on the screen. Therefore, an excellent effect is obtained, such as that a large amount of information can be displayed on one screen, as compared with a conventional method in which an endoscope image in which character information and captured image information are mixed is reduced and displayed. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproducing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the conference device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the conference apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a video processor monitor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a computer graphic monitor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a screen display on a computer graphic monitor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproduction system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a monitor for a video processor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display on a computer graphic monitor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial configuration diagram of an endoscope image recording / reproduction system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a copy process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a deletion process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a moving process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a connection process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing copy processing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a deletion process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of an image file system.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure in the image file system.

FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram of an image file system.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of an image file system.

FIG. 29 shows a conventional example and is a configuration diagram of an image file system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope 2 Video processor 4 Image recording device 6 Image reproducing device 7 Computer graphic monitor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Keiichi Hiyama, Inventor 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside O-Limpus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshitaka Miyoshi 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenji Matsunaka 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-259880 (JP, A) JP JP-A-4-357927 (JP, A) JP-A-3-231625 (JP, A) JP-A-3-159490 (JP, A) JP-A-62-266026 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/91-5/956 A61B 1/04 370 H04N 7/18

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. For a series of a plurality of endoscopic images having character information and captured image information, edit the captured image information in a designated display area of each image and the character information common to each image. Recording means for recording as a group of data; and reproducing means for reproducing and displaying the plurality of pieces of captured image information and the character information in a separate area on one screen, of the group of data recorded by the recording means. And an endoscope image recording / reproducing system.