JP3115877B2 - Video signal transmission device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improvement in a video signal transmission device between video devices.

[Related Art] In recent years, with the diversification of video devices, it has become necessary to operate a plurality of video devices in association with each other.

In particular, the above-described relevance is extremely high between a medical electronic endoscope apparatus and an image file apparatus for filing a video image captured by the electronic endoscope apparatus.

Therefore, the present applicant has proposed an endoscope system in which an electronic endoscope device and a still image file device are connected, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-270306.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the endoscope system described above. The endoscope device 911 and the image file device 921 are connected to a cable 920,
They are connected by 926 and operate in conjunction with each other by the cables 920 and 296.

The electronic endoscope device 911 includes, for example, an endoscope 913 inserted into a body cavity 912, a light source device 914 that supplies illumination light to a distal end of the endoscope 913, and a distal end of the endoscope 913, for example. An image input device 916 that drives an image sensor such as a solid-state image sensor (CCD) provided on the surface and performs signal processing such as converting an image signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor into a video signal;
A monitor 9 for displaying a video signal from the image input device 916
15, a keyboard 917 for inputting patient information and the like, the endoscope 913 is connected to the light source device 914, and the endoscope 913 and the monitor are connected to the image input device 916.
915 and the keyboard 917 are connected.

The endoscope 913 includes, for example, an elongated and flexible insertion portion 9.
13a, a large-diameter operating portion 913b connected to the proximal side of the insertion portion 913a, a universal cord 913c extending from the side of the operating portion 913b, and a universal cord 91c.
The connector 913d provided at the end of 3c and the connector 91
A signal line 913e extending from 3d, and a connector 913f provided at an end of the signal line 913e, the connector 913d is connected to the light source device 914, the connector 913
f is connected to the image input device 916.

The image file device 921 is
Image file controller 922 for controlling each device
A still image file device 924 that records video signals and the like on a large-capacity recording medium such as an optical or magneto-optical disk, a monitor 925 that displays video signals from the image file controller 922, and input of patient information and the like. Keyboard 9
27 and the image file controller 922.
Is connected to a monitor 925, a still image file device 924 via a signal line 923, and a keyboard 927.

The electronic endoscope device 911 has a configuration shown in FIG.

The light source device 914 includes a lamp 930 that generates white light.
And a rotating color filter 93 provided with filters 932R, 932G, 932B for dispersing the white light into R (red), G (green), and B (blue).
2 and a motor 931 that rotationally drives this rotary color filter 932
The illumination light separated into the R, G, and B wavelength regions by the rotating color filter 932 is supplied to the incident end face of the light guide 933.

The light guide 9 is provided at the distal end portion 913a of the endoscope 913.
33, an exit end face, a light distribution lens 934, and an objective lens 935,
A CCD 936, which is a solid-state image sensor, is provided, illumination light guided by the light guide 933 is radiated into a body cavity by a light distribution lens 934, and a subject light flux due to reflection of the illumination light is imaged by the objective lens 935. An image is formed on the surface.

Further, a release switch 947 is provided in, for example, the operation unit 913b of the endoscope 913, and an image input device 916 described later is provided.
Is connected to a character code transmission circuit 950.

The image input device 916 includes an amplifier 937 connected to the CCD 936 and a gamma correction circuit 93 connected to the amplifier 937.
8, an A / D converter 939 connected to the gamma correction circuit 938,
A selector 940 connected to the A / D converter 939, and R memory 941R, G memory 941G,
B memory 941B, D / A converters 942R, 942G, 942B respectively connected to the R memory 941R, the G memory 941G, and the B memory 941B;
Image signal synthesizing circuits 943R, 943 connected to the D / A converters 942R, 942G, 942B and a character signal generating circuit 946 described later, respectively.
G, 943B, connectors 948J respectively connected to the image synthesizing circuits 943R, 943G, 943B, the A / D converter 939, the selector 94.
0, R memory 941R, G memory 941G, B memory 941B, D / A converter
A control signal generator 944 connected to 942R, 942G, 942B and a synchronization signal generation circuit 945 to be described later;
A character signal generating circuit 946 connected to a keyboard 917 described below, a character code transmitting circuit 950 connected to the release switch 947 and a keyboard 917 described below, and a connector 949J connected to the character code transmitting circuit 950. Is provided.

The keyboard 917 is connected to a character signal generation circuit 946 of the image input device 916 and a character code transmission circuit 950.

In the endoscope system described above, the light source of the lamp 930 provided in the light source device 914 is rotated by a motor 931 that is rotated by a synchronization signal from a control signal generator 944 of the image input device 916. Filter 932R, 932G, 9
The light is split into R, G, and B light by 32B, and is irradiated on the incident end face of the light guide 933.

As described above, the light source split into R, G, and B light is guided through the light guide 933, is emitted from the emission end face, and is radiated by the light distribution lens 934 to a not-shown test portion and the like.

The subject light flux by the above-described R, G, B illumination light forms an image on the photoelectric conversion surface of the CCD 936 by the objective lens 935.

The CCD 936 is driven by a signal line (not shown), and converts a subject light beam formed on the photoelectric conversion surface into an image signal and outputs the image signal to the amplifier 937.

The amplifier 937 amplifies the input imaging signal as appropriate and outputs it to the gamma correction circuit 938.

In the γ correction circuit 938, for example, the imaging signal is γ corrected, converted into a video signal, and output to the A / D converter 939.

The A / D converter 939 converts a video signal, which is an analog signal, into a digital signal according to the control signal of the control signal generator 944, and outputs the digital signal to the selector 940.

The selector 940 switches the output of the A / D converter 939 to the R memory 941R, the G memory 941G, and the B memory 941B under the control of the control signal generator 944, and outputs the same. This switching is equal to the wavelength region R, G, B of the illumination light irradiating the subject described above. For example, when the illumination light is R, it is output to the R memory 941R.

The video signals stored in the R memory 941R, the G memory 941G and the B memory 941B are simultaneously read out under the control of the control signal generator 944, and output to the D / A converters 942R, 942G, 942B. That is, the video signal of the subject light flux input in time series in the R, G, and B wavelength regions becomes a synchronized video signal.

The D / A converters 942R, 942G, 942B convert the input digital video signals into analog signals and output the analog signals to the image synthesizing circuits 943R, 943G, 943B.

The image synthesizing circuits 943R, 943G, and 943B are also supplied with a signal from a character signal generating circuit 946 in addition to the video signal described above.

The character signal generation circuit 946 outputs a patient identification number (hereinafter referred to as a patient ID), a name, and the like input from the keyboard 917 as a signal that can be superimposed (superimposed) on the above-described video signal.

Thereby, a video signal obtained by superimposing (superimposing) a patient ID or the like indicated by reference numeral 960 in FIG. 23 on the video signal of the subject or the like from the image synthesizing circuits 943R, 943G, and 943B and the control signal generating unit The SYNC (synchronization signal) generated by the synchronization signal generation circuit 945 according to the control signal of 944 is output to the monitor 915 and output to the connector 948J so that it can be derived.

A connector 948P is connected to the connector 948J, and the image synthesizing circuit 9 described above is sent to the image file controller 922 by a signal line 920 connected to the connector 948P.
43R, 943G, and 943B output signals, that is, a video signal in which a patient ID and the like are superimposed (superimposed) on a video signal of a subject or the like and a SYNC (synchronization signal) generated by the synchronization signal generation circuit 945 are output. Is done.

The patient ID and the like input from the keyboard 917 are also input to the character code transmission circuit 950. As a result, the character code transmission circuit 950 displays the input patient ID.
Is converted to an information exchange code specified by JIS C 9220, etc., and the connector 949J is converted to a physical interface specified by RS-232C and a unique protocol (communication procedure).
Is output so that it can be derived.

The connector 949J has a signal line 92
6 is connected, and this signal line 926 is connected to the image file controller 922. Thereby, the patient I
An information exchange code such as D is output to the image file controller 922.

Further, a release switch 947 is also connected to the character code transmission circuit 950, and an endoscope system operator operates the character code transmission circuit 950 as needed, whereby the character code transmission circuit 950 operates the image file controller 922. Then, a control information exchange code is output so that the currently input image is recorded in the still image file 924.

Thereby, the image file controller 922
The patient data such as the patient ID input as described above and the video signal input as described above are recorded in the still image file 924.

However, in the endoscope system as an example of the above-described video equipment, a cable for transmitting an information exchange code is required in addition to a cable for transmitting a video signal, and furthermore, this cable is provided. There is a problem that must be.

Furthermore, in order to transmit the information exchange code, the physical interface and protocol (communication procedure) of both devices are required.
Has to be matched.

As for the image input device, it is possible to output an image, but there is a problem that some devices cannot output an information exchange code.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-60071 proposes an imaging system in which a control signal of an imaging unit is superimposed on a synchronization signal, and a state signal of the imaging unit is superimposed on a video signal by a frequency multiplexing unit and transmitted. .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described imaging system, frequency multiplexing means for superimposing a control signal on a synchronizing signal and superimposing a state signal on a video signal are required for each device. There is a problem that it cannot be applied to a device that cannot output the exchange code.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, does not require a cable for transmitting an information exchange code, does not require a physical interface and a protocol (communication procedure) of both devices to match, and provides information exchange. It is possible to exchange information even with devices that cannot output codes,
It is another object of the present invention to provide a video signal transmission device that does not require any special device such as a frequency multiplexing device in at least one device.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] A video signal transmission device according to the present invention includes: a video device that outputs a video signal; and an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input. In a video signal transmission device for transmitting a signal from the video device to the external device, an image combining device provided in the video device and superimposing a character signal representing predetermined character information on the video signal by being displayed on a display unit. Means, provided in the external device, character information identification means for identifying the character information superimposed on the video signal, corresponding to the character information identified by the character information identification means, the operation of the external device Control signal output means for outputting a control signal to be controlled, and a video signal transmission device according to the present invention, a video device for outputting a video signal, And an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input. The video signal transmission device transmits the video signal from the video device to the external device. The video signal transmission device is provided in the video device and displayed on display means. Character signal generating means for generating a character signal representing predetermined character information by being performed, and the character signal is displayed such that the predetermined character information is synthesized and displayed on an image displayed based on the video signal. An image synthesizing unit that is superimposed on the video signal; a character information identification unit that is provided in the external device and that identifies character information synthesized with the image by extracting a feature point in the video signal; Recording means for recording the character information identified by the identification means, further comprising: a video signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, wherein Device, and an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input, a video signal transmission device that transmits the video signal from the video device to the external device, provided in the video device, Control graphic signal generating means for generating a graphic signal representing predetermined graphic information corresponding to a predetermined control state by being displayed on the means; and the predetermined graphic information on an image displayed based on the video signal. Image synthesizing means for superimposing the graphic signal on the video signal so as to synthesize and display the graphic signal; graphic information provided on the external device and synthesized with the image by extracting characteristic points in the video signal And a control signal output means for outputting a control signal for controlling the operation of the external device in accordance with the graphic information identified by the graphic information identifying means. , Characterized by comprising a.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an entire system including a video signal transmission device, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image input device, and FIG. 4 is an ultrasonic endoscope system. 5, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the system, FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of an image filing device, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a recording format (format) of the image filing device, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a method.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a video signal transmission device includes an observation image generating means 1 for generating a video signal which is an observation image by an endoscope, for example, to an image device on a sending end side, and a receiving end side described later. The control graphic signal generating means 2 to be controlled and an identification number (hereinafter referred to as a patient ID
Character signal generating means 3 for generating a character signal such as the above-mentioned image signal of the observation image generating means 1, the graphic signal of the control graphic signal generating means 2 and the character of the patient data character signal generating means 3. Image synthesizing means 4 for synthesizing a signal into one video signal, transmitting means 5 for transmitting the image signal of the image synthesizing means 4 to the receiving end, and wired or wireless output signals of the transmitting means 5 to the receiving end , A receiving means 7 for receiving an output signal of the transmitting means 5 transmitted by the video signal transmitting means 6, and an image signal obtained by the receiving means 7 on an optical disk or a magneto-optical device. A file device 8 for recording on a large-capacity recording medium such as a disk, and a graphic signal of the control graphic signal generating means 2 are extracted from the image signal obtained by the receiving means 7, And figure identification means 9 for controlling the file system control unit 10 for predicates, the file system control unit for controlling the image filing apparatus 8 by graphic signal described above
It consists of 10 and so on.

The image synthesizing unit 4 has an input terminal connected to the observation image generating unit 1, the control graphic signal generating unit 2, and the patient data character signal generating unit 3, and an output terminal connected to the transmitting unit 5.
Is connected to the input terminal of

The video signal transmitting means 6 has one end connected to the output end of the transmitting means 5 and the other end connected to the input end of the receiving means 7.

An output terminal of the receiving means 7 is connected to a video signal input terminal of the file device 8 and an input terminal of the graphic identification means 9.

An output end of the graphic signal identification means 9 is connected to an input end of the file device control means 10, and an output end of the file device control means 10 is connected to a control end of the image file device 8.

As a specific example of the video signal transmission device described above, for example, a configuration of an endoscope system shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

The endoscope system includes an endoscope device 11 and an image file device 21, and these two devices are connected by a cable 20.

The electronic endoscope device 11 includes, for example, an endoscope 13 inserted into a body cavity 12, a light source device 14 that supplies illumination light to a distal end of the endoscope 13, and a distal end of the endoscope 12, for example. An image input device 16 that drives an image sensor such as a solid-state image sensor (CCD) provided on the surface and performs signal processing such as converting an image signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor into a video signal; A monitor 15 that projects a video signal from the device 16, and a keyboard 17 for inputting patient information and the like, the endoscope 13 is connected to the light source device 14, The image input device 16 includes the endoscope 13 and a monitor.
15 and the keyboard 17 are connected.

The endoscope 13 is, for example, an elongated and flexible insertion portion 13.
a, a large-diameter operating portion 13b connected to the proximal base of the insertion portion 13a, a universal cord 13c extending from the side of the operating portion 13b, and an end portion of the universal cord 13c. A connector 13d, a signal line 13e extending from the connector 13d, and a connector 13f provided at an end of the signal line 13e.The connector 13d is connected to the light source device 14, The connector 13f is connected to the image input device 16.

The image file device 21 includes an image file controller 22 that controls each device of the image file device 21,
A still image file device 24 for recording video signals and the like on a large-capacity recording medium such as an optical or magneto-optical disk, and a monitor 25 for displaying video signals from the image file controller 22
A still image file device 24 is connected to the image file controller 22 via a monitor 25 and a signal line 23.

The electronic endoscope device 11 has a configuration shown in FIG.

The light source device 14 includes a lamp 30 that generates white light,
A rotating color filter 32 provided with filters 32R, 32G, and 32B for separating the white light into R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and a motor 31 that rotationally drives the rotating color filter 32. The illuminating light provided in the R, G, and B wavelength regions by the rotating color filter 32 is supplied to the incident end face of the light guide 33.

The light guide 33 is provided at the distal end portion 13a of the endoscope 13.
, A light distribution lens, an objective lens, and a CCD, which is a solid-state image sensor, are provided.
The illumination light guided by the illumination light is irradiated into the body cavity by the light distribution lens, and the subject light flux due to the reflection of the illumination light is imaged on the imaging surface of the CCD by the objective lens.

Further, a release switch 47 is provided in, for example, the operation unit 13b of the endoscope 13, and is connected to a character signal generation circuit 46 of the image input device 16 described later.

The image input device 16 includes an amplifier 37 connected to the CCD 36, a γ correction circuit 38 connected to the amplifier 37,
The A / D converter 39 connected to the gamma correction circuit 38 and the A / D
A selector 40 connected to the converter 39, and an R memory 41R, a G memory 41G, and a B memory 41B connected to the selector 40, respectively.
And D / A converters 42R, 42G, and 42B respectively connected to the R memory 41R, the G memory 41G, and the B memory 41B, and the D / A converters 42R, 4
2G, 42B and image signal synthesizing circuits 43R, 43G, 43B respectively connected to a character signal generating circuit 46 to be described later, and the image synthesizing circuit 4
The connector 48J connected to each of the 3R, 43G, 43B, the A / D converter 39, the selector 40, the R memory 41R, the G memory 41G, and the B memory.
41B, a control signal generator 44 connected to the D / A converters 42R, 42G, 42B and a synchronization signal generation circuit 45 described below, the synchronization signal generation circuit 45, and the keyboard 17 and the release switch 47 described later. A character signal generating circuit 46 is provided.

The keyboard 17 is connected to a character signal generation circuit 46 of the image input device 16.

The image file device 21 includes, as shown in FIG. 6, a connector 20P provided at an end of the cable 20 or a connector 70J to which a connector 56P provided at an end of a cable 56 described later can be detachably connected, R, G, B of this connector 70J
A / D converter 71 whose input terminal is connected to the video signal line,
A frame memory 72 having an input terminal connected to the / D converter 71,
An input terminal is connected to a SYNC (synchronization signal) terminal of the connector 70J, and an output terminal is connected to the A / D converter 71 and the frame memory 72.
And a controller 73 for controlling each of the blocks.
And the controller 73 and character signal identification means described later.
An output terminal is connected to 75, and an observation device specifying means 74, for example, a switch for specifying an observation device connected to the connector 70.
Connected to a G signal output terminal of the frame memory 72,
A character / figure of a video signal is identified by the G signal, a release signal and an information exchange code (hereinafter, referred to as a character code).
Character signal identification means 75 to output to the still image file device 24 by the signal line 23 described later, one of the R, G, B signal output terminal of the frame memory 72, the character code output terminal of the character signal identification circuit 75, A cable 23 connected to the release signal output terminal and the SYNC terminal of the connector 70J, the other of which is connected to the still image file device 24, and an input character code and R, G, B image signals are transmitted to an optical disk or a magneto-optical device. And a still image file device 24 for recording on a large-capacity recording medium such as a disk.

Further, as another specific example of the above-described video signal transmission device, a configuration of, for example, an ultrasonic endoscope system shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

The ultrasonic endoscope system includes an ultrasonic endoscope device 50 and the image file device 21, and these two devices are connected by a cable 56. The description of the above-described image file device 21 is omitted.

The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 50 includes, for example, an ultrasonic endoscope 51 having an ultrasonic probe inserted into a body cavity and an electronic endoscope, and a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 51. A light source unit that supplies illumination light, an image pickup device such as a solid-state image pickup device (CCD) provided on the distal end surface of the ultrasonic endoscope 51 is driven, and an image pickup signal photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device is converted into a video signal. Image input unit for performing signal processing such as conversion into an image, the ultrasonic endoscope
For example, an ultrasonic diagnostic device 52 provided with a keyboard 55 for inputting patient information and the like, and an ultrasonic diagnostic unit for driving a probe disposed on the distal end surface of the probe 51 for performing ultrasonic observation, and the like. A monitor 53 that projects an image signal of endoscopic observation from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 52, and a monitor 54 that projects an image signal of ultrasonic observation from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 52, The ultrasonic endoscope 51 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 52.

The ultrasonic endoscope 51 includes a distal end 51a in which an ultrasonic probe, a solid-state imaging device, and the like are installed, and a curved portion, which can be bent up and down / left and right, for example, connected to the rear end of the distal end 51a. Part 51b
And a flexible tube portion 51c, which is, for example, elongated and flexible, connected to the rear end of the curved portion 51b, and a large-diameter operating portion 51d connected to the proximal base of the flexible tube portion 51c. And a universal cord 51e extending from a side of the operation unit 51d, and a connector 51f provided at an end of the universal cord 51e, and the connector 51f is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 52.
Is to be connected to.

The operation of the system including the video signal transmission device thus configured will be described using an endoscope system. In addition, regarding the ultrasonic endoscope system, only the video signal will be described.

The endoscope system described above, as shown in FIG. 3, uses a light source of a lamp 30 provided in the light source device 14 as an image input device.
A filter of a rotary color filter 32 rotated by a motor 31 driven to rotate by a synchronization signal from a control signal generator 44 of 16
The light is split into R, G, and B light by 32R, 32G, and 32B, and is irradiated on the incident end face of the light guide 33.

As described above, the light source split into R, G, and B light is guided through the light guide 33, is emitted from the emission end face, and is radiated by the light distribution lens 34 to a not-shown test portion and the like.

The object light flux by the above-described R, G, and B illumination light forms an image on the photoelectric conversion surface of the CCD by the objective lens.

The CCD 36 is driven by a signal line (not shown), and converts a subject light beam formed on a photoelectric conversion surface into an image signal and outputs the image signal to the amplifier 37.

The amplifier 37 appropriately amplifies the input imaging signal,
Output to the gamma correction circuit 38.

In the γ correction circuit 38, for example, γ correction of the imaging signal,
The signal is converted into a video signal and output to the A / D converter 39.

The A / D converter 39 converts a video signal, which is an analog signal, into a digital signal according to the control signal of the control signal generator 44, and outputs the digital signal to the selector 40.

The selector 40 outputs the output of the A / D converter 39 to the R memory 41R and the G memory under the control of the control signal generator 44.
The output is switched to 41G and B memory 41B. This switching is performed in the wavelength ranges R, G,
Equal to B, for example, when the illumination light is R, the R memory 41R
Output to

The video signals stored in the R memory 41R, the G memory 41G, and the B memory 41B are simultaneously read under the control of the control signal generator 44 and output to the D / A converters 42R, 42G, and 42B. That is, the video signal of the subject light flux input in time series in the R, G, and B wavelength regions becomes a synchronized video signal.

The D / A converters 42R, 42G, and 42B convert the input digital video signals into analog signals and output the analog signals to the image synthesis circuits 43R, 43G, and 43B.

The image synthesizing circuits 43R, 43G, and 43B also receive signals from the character signal generating circuit 46 in addition to the video signals described above.

The character signal generating circuit 46 outputs a patient identification number (hereinafter, referred to as a patient ID), a name, and the like input from the keyboard 17 as a signal that can be superimposed (superimposed) on the above-described video signal.

Thereby, the image signals obtained by superimposing (superimposing) the patient IDs and the like indicated by reference numerals 62a to 62e in FIG. 5 (a) on the image signals from the image synthesizing circuits 43R, 43G, and 43B on the image to be inspected and the like. The SYNC (synchronous signal) generated by the synchronous signal generating circuit 45 according to the control signal of the control signal generating unit 44 is output to the monitor 15 and output to the connector 48J so as to be able to be derived.

To the connector 48J, a connector 48P is connected, and the above-described image synthesizing circuit 43R to the image file controller 22 through the signal line 20 connected to the connector 48P,
The patient ID is added to the video signal of the subject, etc.
The superimposed video signal and the SYNC (synchronous signal) generated by the synchronous signal generating circuit 45 are output.

Further, a release switch 47 is also connected to the character signal generating circuit 46, and the endoscope system operator operates the character signal generating circuit 46 as necessary.
In the image signal of the part to be inspected from the image synthesizing circuits 43R, 43G and 43B, for example, “RE” is added to the portion indicated by reference numeral 63 in FIG.
A signal is output so that characters such as C "are superimposed (superimposed).

As shown in FIG. 6, the image file device 21 is connected to a connector 70J and is provided with a connector 20P provided at the end of the cable 20. (Synchronization signal) Alternatively, a video signal and SYNC (synchronization signal) from the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 50 can be input by a connector 56P provided at an end of the cable 56.

Thus, the video signal of the analog signal input to the A / D converter 71 via the connector 70J is converted into a digital signal and stored in the frame memory 72. This A / D converter 7
1 and the frame memory 72 are controlled by a controller 73 that generates a control signal by SYNC (synchronous signal) input via a connector 70J.

Further, the controller 73 includes an observation device designation unit 74.
, The controller 73 determines an image signal to be read from the frame memory 72 and controls the frame memory 72.

 Details of this control will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 (a) is a video signal from the endoscope device 11,
FIG. 5 (b) shows an example of a video signal from another endoscope device, and FIG. 5 (c) shows a video signal from the ultrasonic endoscope device 50.

5 (a) to 5 (c), reference numeral 60 denotes an image projected on the monitor 25 of the image file device 21, and reference numeral 61 denotes a test object obtained by an endoscope or an ultrasonic probe. The reference numerals 62a to 62g denote character information such as the patient ID synthesized as described above. However, the character information described above is stored in the frame memory 72 as graphic information, which is a set of points.

The details of the above-mentioned reference numerals 62a to 62g will be described. For example, reference numeral 62a is a patient ID, reference numeral 62b is a patient name, reference numeral 62c is a birthday, reference numeral 62d is a remarks column, reference numeral 62e is a diagnosis (observation) date, and reference numeral 62e 'is a reference numeral. The diagnosis (observation) time, reference numeral 62f indicates the number of recorded (photographed) images, and reference numeral 62g indicates the hospital name.

Further, as described above, the image input device 16 of the endoscope device 11 is used.
As a result, the character "REC" superimposed (superimposed) on the video signal is displayed at the portion indicated by reference numeral 63 in FIG. 5 (a).

By the way, as described above, for example, the image signal of the image shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is input to the image file device 21 and stored in the frame memory 72.

Further, an observation device identification signal indicating which observation device is connected to the connector 70J is output from the observation device designation means 74 to the controller 73 and the character signal identification means 75.

An example of a character identification method of the character signal identification circuit 75 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 explains the identification of characters for the patient ID.

First, character identification is started in step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 100.

Next, in S101, the character size of the observation device is determined based on the observation device identification signal from the observation device designation means 74 as described above. At the same time, the controller 73 outputs the image information of the patient ID indicated by the reference numeral 62a of the connected observation device according to the observation device identification signal from the observation device designation means 74 as described above.

In addition, as described above in S102, the position where the patient ID (IDNo) of the observation device is displayed is recognized based on the observation device identification signal from the observation device designation means 74.

The character code represented by the set of points is analyzed in S103 based on the character size in S101 and the line position where the character in S102 is displayed. The analysis of this character code is described in, for example,
P.80 to P.85 ”, a recognition method using feature points, a recognition method using marginal distribution, or a recognition method using pattern matching is used.

The character code recognized as described above is transferred to the still image file device 24 in S104, and this processing ends in S105.

In addition, the transfer of the character codes of the codes 62a to 62g described above
The process is started when a control character for recording such as “REC” is displayed at the above-mentioned reference numeral 63. The analysis of the character code indicated by the reference numeral 63 is the same as the method of character identification of the patient ID described above.

As described above, the character code is transferred to the still image file device 24, and thereafter, the image data of the observation image is transferred. This transfer is performed by the controller 73 according to the observation device identification signal from the observation device designation means 74 as described above.
The position of the observation image of the observation device is identified, and only the image data of the observation image is transferred.

The recording format of the data recorded on the recording medium by the still image file device 24 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the patient ID and the like converted into the character code by the identification circuit 75 are recorded as character data at reference numerals 80a to 80g, and observation device identification data indicating the observation device type is recorded at the rear thereof as indicated by reference numeral 81. , N described above are recorded as indicated by reference numerals 82a, 82b,.

For example, the diagnosis (observation) time (TIME) of reference numeral 80e 'or the recording (photographing) of reference numeral 80f after the image data 2
The character data such as the number of sheets (the number of frames) is recorded as the character data before each image data.

The details of the aforementioned reference numerals 80a to 80g will be described. For example, reference numeral 80a denotes a patient ID (IDNO), and reference numeral 80b denotes a patient name (NA).
ME), code 80c is birthday (BIRTH), code 80d is remarks column (C
OMMENT), code 80e is diagnosis (observation) date (DATE), code 8
0e 'is diagnosis (observation) time (TIME), 80f is recording (photographing)
The number of frames (number of frames), 80 g is the hospital name.

By recording character data and image data separately as described above, the amount of recording of one image data is reduced as compared with the case where all images projected on the monitor are recorded as image data, and one recording medium is used. The number of recordable image data increases.

Also, by recording the observation device identification data indicating the type of the observation device as described above, the character data and the image data are combined and reproduced in the same screen format (image) as the observation device during reproduction. Can be.

As described above, by extracting the character data from the image data and restoring the character code, only the video signal needs to be transmitted between the video devices, such as between the endoscope device and the image file device. For example, the cable for the video signal only needs to be used for the video signal. Further, when the video from the control device has control characters / graphics, even if the interface / protocol (communication procedure) of the character code transmission means is different, the character code There is an effect that the controlled device can be controlled even if the video device does not have a function of transmitting

9 and 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, and FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an image input device. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the system including the video signal transmission device is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope system includes an endoscope device.
11, 11 'and an image file device 21.

The image input device 16 of the endoscope device 11, 11 'is replaced with an IC card reader 49 corresponding to an IC card used in medical institutions in recent years, instead of the keyboard 17 of the image input device of the first embodiment. The IC card reader 49 can be inserted with an IC card 49a.

Further, cables from the endoscope devices 11, 11 'can be connected to the image file controller 22' of the image file device 21 by connectors 20P, 20P '.

As shown in FIG. 10, an IC card reader 49 is connected to the image input device 16 in place of the keyboard 17 of the first embodiment, and an IC card 49 inserted into the IC card reader 49 is provided.
Patient data is input from a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the image file controller 22 'is provided with monitors 25, 25' for displaying image signals corresponding to the endoscope devices 11, 11 '. , 11 'can be selected and recorded.

In other words, patient data can be easily input with an IC card,
There is an effect that the input time can be reduced.

Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

11 to 15 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an entire system including a video signal transmission device, FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an image input device, and FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an image file device ,
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the endoscope system. In addition,
The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a video signal transmission apparatus includes an observation image generating means 1, a control graphic signal generating means 2, and a patient ID or the like for receiving an endoscopic diagnosis. Patient data character signal generating means 3 for generating a character signal based on character data of a patient data character identifying means 92 described later.
A search character signal generating means 93 for generating a search character signal such as a patient ID; an image signal of the observation image generating means 1; a graphic signal of the control graphic signal generating means 2; An image synthesizing unit 94 for synthesizing the character signal of No. 3 and the character signal of the search character signal generating unit 93 into one video signal; a transmitting unit 5 for transmitting the image signal of the image synthesizing unit 94 to the receiving end; A video signal transmitting means 6 for transmitting the output signal of the transmitting means 5 to the receiving end; a receiving means 7 for receiving the output signal of the transmitting means 5 transmitted by the video signal transmitting device 6; A file device 8 for recording the obtained image signal, and a graphic signal of the control graphic signal generating means 2 described above are extracted from the image signal obtained by the receiving means 7 to control a file device control means 10 described later. Figure identifying means 9; file apparatus controlling means 10 for controlling the image filing apparatus 8 based on the above-mentioned figure signal; transmitting means 90 for reversely sending the video signal of the image filing apparatus 8 to the sending end; Means 90
Video signal transmission means 91 for transmitting the output signal of the
The transmitting means transmitted by the video signal transmitting means 91
The receiving means 95 receives the output signal from the receiving means 90, and character data such as a patient ID is extracted from the image signal obtained by the receiving means 95, and a patient data character identifying means 92 for restoring is provided. I have.

The image synthesizing means 94 has an input terminal connected to the observation image generating means 1, the control graphic signal generating means 2, the patient data character signal generating means 3, and the search character signal generating means 93, respectively. The end is connected to the input end of the transmitting means 5.

The video signal transmission means 6 has one end connected to the output end of the transmission means 5 and the other end connected to the input end of the reception means 7.

An output terminal of the receiving means 7 is connected to a video signal input terminal of the file device 8 and an input terminal of the graphic identification means 9.

An output end of the graphic signal identification means 9 is connected to an input end of the file device control means 10, and an output end of the file device control means 10 is connected to a control end of the image file device 8.

The video signal output terminal of the image file device 8 is connected to the input terminal of the transmission circuit 90.

The video signal transmission means 91 has one end connected to the output end of the transmission means 90 and the other end connected to the input end of the reception means 7.

As a specific example of the above-described video signal transmission apparatus, for example, a configuration of an endoscope system shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

The endoscope system includes an endoscope device 11 and an image file device 21, and these two devices are connected by cables 20, 76.

The electronic endoscope device 11 includes an endoscope 13, a light source device 14,
And driving an imaging device such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) provided on the distal end surface of the endoscope 13 and converting an imaging signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging device into a video signal,
An image input device 16 'for performing signal processing such as obtaining character data such as a patient ID from a still image file device 22 "described later;
A monitor for displaying a video signal from the image input device 16 '.
15, 15 ', and a keyboard 17, the endoscope 13 is connected to the light source device 14,
The image input device 16 includes the endoscope 13, monitors 15, 15 '.
And the keyboard 17 is connected thereto.

The image file device 21 includes an image file controller 22 ″ for controlling each device of the image file device 21.
A still image file device 24 for recording video signals and the like on a large-capacity recording medium, and a monitor 25 for displaying a video signal from the image file controller 22 ″. The image file controller 22 ″ includes a monitor A still image filing device 24 is connected via a signal line 25 and a signal line 23.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electronic endoscope device 11 includes a first
A character signal identification circuit 100 in the endoscope apparatus of the embodiment and the image file controller 2 in the character signal identification circuit 100
A connector 49J for introducing an image from 2 "is provided. The connector 49J is connected to an input terminal of the character signal discriminating circuit 100 and to a monitor 15 '. An end is connected to a character data input end of a character signal generating circuit 46, a connector 49P is detachably connected to the connector 49J, a cable 76 is connected to the connector 49P, and the cable 76 is connected to the image file controller. Connected to 22 ″.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the image file device 21 includes a connector 70J to which a connector 20P provided at an end of the cable 20 can be detachably connected, and a connector 76P provided at an end of the cable 76. A connector 76J that can be detachably connected, an A / D converter 71 having an input terminal connected to the R, G, B video signal lines of the connector 70J, and an input terminal connected to the A / D converter 71. The connected frame memory 72 and the connector 70
An input terminal is connected to a SYNC (synchronization signal) terminal of J, and an output terminal is connected to the A / D converter 71 and the frame memory 72, and a controller (hereinafter, referred to as a recording controller) 73 that controls each block. An output terminal is connected to the recording controller 73 and a character signal identification unit 75 to be described later, and an observation device designation unit 74, for example, a switch that designates an observation device connected to the connector 70J, and the frame memory.
A character signal identifying means 75 connected to a G signal output terminal 72 for identifying a character / figure of a video signal based on the G signal and outputting a release signal and a character code to the still image file device 24 via a signal line 23 described later; An input terminal is connected to a SYNC (synchronous signal) terminal from the still image file device 24, and an output terminal is a control terminal of a D / A converter 78 to be described later and the connector 76.
Playback controller connected to the SYNC (sync signal) line
77, the input end is connected to the R, G, B signal output end of the still image file device 24, and the output end is the R, G, B of the connector 76J.
A D / A converter 78 connected to the video signal line, one of which is an R, G, B signal output terminal of the frame memory 72, a character code output terminal of the character signal identification circuit 75, a release signal output terminal thereof, A cable 23 connected to the SYNC terminal of the connector 70J, the D / A converter 78 and the SYNC terminal of the playback controller 77, and the other is connected to the still image file device 24, and the input character code and R, A still image file device 24 for recording G and B image signals on a large-capacity recording medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk.

The operation of the endoscope system configured as described above will be described.

When the patient ID is input from the keyboard 17, the screens of the monitors 15, 25 are displayed as shown in FIG.
The patient ID is superimposed (superimposed) on the portion of the reference numeral 95 indicated by. Further, the operator of the endoscope system inputs, for example, the characters “SERCH” to the still image file device to search whether or not the recording medium has the patient data relating to the patient ID. This “SERCH” character is the same as the patient ID.
15 Superimposed on the part indicated by reference numeral 96 in FIG.
Is done.

As a result, the image file controller 22 ″ reproduces the screen shown in FIG. 15 (b) relating to the patient ID from the still image file 24, displays it on the monitor 25, and sends it back to the image input device 16 via the cable 76. The video signal of the screen that has been sent back is input to the character signal identification circuit 100 and output to the monitor 15 'to be displayed on the monitor 15'.

The character signal identification circuit 100 extracts information such as a patient name indicated by reference numeral 98 relating to the patient ID from the image signal on the screen shown in FIG. 15B, and outputs the extracted information to the character signal generation circuit 46 as a character code.

As a result, the character signal generation circuit 46 inputs the information such as the patient name using the character code from the character signal identification circuit 100 instead of inputting the information from the keyboard 17.

Therefore, as shown by reference numeral 98 in FIG. 15 (c), the image input device 16 'superimposes the patient name and the like recorded in the still image file on the screen imaged by the endoscope 13. The superimposed screen is displayed.

Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Note that, instead of the keyboard 17, an endoscope device using an IC card reader may be used.

That is, in this embodiment, there is an effect that there is no need to input data such as a name of an existing patient.

Other effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

FIGS. 16 to 19 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of an image input device, FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a VTR control device, and FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the endoscope system. In addition, about the same thing as an above-mentioned Example, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol. The configuration of the system including the video signal transmission device is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The endoscope system includes an endoscope device 11 as shown in FIG.
, A VTR 110, and a VTR control device 111. The endoscope device 11 and the VTR 110 are connected by a cable 20, and the VTR 110 and the VTR control device 111 are connected by a signal line.

As shown in FIG. 17, the image input device 16 of the endoscope device 11 is provided with a VTR switch 47 'instead of the release switch 47 described in the first embodiment. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 18, the VTR control device 111 includes an A / D converter 71, a frame memory 72, a controller 73, and a character signal identification circuit 75. A connector 110J to which a connector 20P provided at an end of the VTR 110 is detachably connected, and a terminal to which a control signal line for controlling start / end of recording of the VTR 110 is connected.
110c is provided, and the connector 110J has a connector R of the image input device 16 through a connector 20P of the cable 20.
The G and B video signal lines and the SYNC (synchronization signal) line are connected. The R video signal line and the SYNC (synchronization signal) line are branched in the VTR 110, and the A / D converter 71 of the VTR control device 111 is connected. And the controller 73, and the terminal 110c is connected to the
The control signal line from the character signal identification circuit 75 of the VTR control device 111 is connected.

The operation of the endoscope system configured as described above will be described.

When the VTR switch 47 'provided on the operation unit 13b of the endoscope 13 is turned ON, that is, when the VTR 110 starts recording, for example, the portion indicated by the reference numeral 112 in FIG.
Is displayed in red letters.

This character is identified by the character signal identification circuit 75 of the VTR control device 111 as described in the first embodiment, whereby the character signal identification circuit 75 issues a control signal so that the VTR 110 starts recording. Output.

As a result, the VTR 110 records an image observed by the endoscope 13.

Further, a V provided on the operation unit 13b of the endoscope 13, for example,
When the TR switch 47 'is turned off, that is, when the VTR 110 stops recording, "O" in the portion indicated by reference numeral 112 in FIG.
The character "N" disappears, whereby the VTR 110 stops recording due to the opposite effect of "ON" described above.

Instead of taking out the R, G, B, and SYNC signals from the inside of the VTR 110, an intermediate connector may be provided between the connector 20P and the connector 110J to draw out the signal lines.

That is, by providing the VTR control device 111, there is an effect that the VTR can be controlled.

FIGS. 20 and 21 relate to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of the control device, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the endoscope system. In addition, about the same thing as an above-mentioned Example, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol. The configuration of the system including the video signal transmission device is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment is the endoscope apparatus described in the first embodiment and the like. From this endoscope apparatus, an image on which a control graphic is superimposed (superimposed) by the cable 20 will be described later. The data can be output to the diagnostic monitoring monitor 120.

The diagnostic monitoring monitor 120 is provided, for example, in a central management room that manages the state of an endoscopic examination. In this central control room, the video such as the above-mentioned inspection by the endoscope is monitored by the diagnostic monitoring monitor 120 and used for educational explanations and the like.

In addition, in the above-mentioned central management room, there are cases where the lighting, the temperature, and the like of the room where the endoscopy is performed are controlled.

In the present embodiment, the control device 1
21,121 'are connected.

The diagnostic monitoring monitor 120 has a connector 120P to which a connector 20P provided at an end of the cable 20 for transmitting a video signal from an endoscope device (not shown) is detachably connected.
J is provided, and the R video signal line and SYN of this connector 120J are provided.
The C (synchronization signal) line is connected to the control device 121, and the G video signal line and the SYNC (synchronization signal) line of the connector 120J are connected to the control device 120 '.

The control devices 121 and 121 'are the same as those of the VTR described in the fourth embodiment.
The configuration is the same as that of the control device 111, and the character signal identification circuit 75
, A graphic signal identification circuit 75 'is provided. The graphic signal identification circuit 75 'operates in the same manner as the character signal identification circuit 75 except for determining a graphic.

A control signal output terminal of the graphic signal identification circuit 75 'of the control device 121 is connected to an illumination controller 123 for controlling illumination of an endoscopic examination room, and a control signal of the graphic signal identification circuit 75' of the control device 121 '. The output end is connected to a temperature controller 124 that controls the temperature of the endoscopic examination room.

The operation of the endoscope system configured as described above will be described.

When increasing the illumination light amount in the endoscopic examination room, for example, a switch of “L.UP” of a keyboard (not shown) is pressed.
Thereby, the observation image of the endoscope includes the reference numeral 120 in FIG.
A red (R) “▲” is displayed in the portion indicated by. Also,
When decreasing the illumination light amount, for example, a switch “L.DOWN” of a keyboard (not shown) is pressed. As a result, in the observation image of the endoscope, a red (R) “▼” is displayed at a portion indicated by reference numeral 120 in FIG.

The control circuit 121 identifies the above-mentioned "▲" and "▼" by the graphic signal identification circuit 75 ', and the graphic signal identification circuit 75'
And outputs a control signal to the illumination controller 123 so as to increase or decrease the amount of illumination.

When raising the temperature of the endoscopic examination room, for example, a "T.UP" switch on a keyboard (not shown) is pressed. As a result, in the observation image of the endoscope, a green (G) “▲” is displayed at a portion indicated by reference numeral 120 in FIG. To lower the temperature, use a keyboard (not shown) such as “T.DOW”.
The switch "N" is depressed. As a result, a green (G) "▼" is displayed at the portion indicated by reference numeral 120 in FIG. 21 in the observation image of the endoscope.

The control circuit 121 'identifies the above-mentioned "▲" and "▼" by the graphic signal identification circuit 75', and
From 5 ', a control signal is output to the temperature controller 124 so as to raise or lower the temperature.

Note that the figure to be recognized is not limited to “▲” and “▼”, and another figure may be used.

That is, there is an effect that a plurality of devices can be controlled by one video signal cable.

 Other effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

Note that the endoscope system has been described as a specific example, but may be applied to other video devices.

In addition, although the description has been given of the case where the R, G, and B video signals are individually used, any combination may be used.

In addition, the character / graphic signal is superimposed (superimposed) so that the R, G, and B video signals have the maximum value, and the position of the character / graphic is determined based on the maximum value. Good.

Further, a character / graphic may be displayed at a specific address of the frame memory, and the specific address of the frame memory may be determined.

Further, the superimposing means may not be provided in the video device, but may be connected to the output terminal of the video device.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a cable for transmitting an information exchange code is unnecessary, and a physical interface and a protocol (communication procedure) of both devices do not need to match, It is possible to exchange information even in a device that cannot output an information exchange code, and it is not necessary to provide a special means such as a frequency multiplexing means in at least one device, and control / information between video devices can be easily performed. There is an effect that can be exchanged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an entire system including a video signal transmission device, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. Is a configuration diagram of an image input device, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope system, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the system, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image filing device, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a recording format of a file device, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of an image extracting method, FIGS. 9 and 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an endoscope system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image input device, FIGS. 11 to 15 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an entire system including a video signal transmission device. 12 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an image input device, FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an image file device, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of an image of the endoscope system, FIGS. 16 to 19 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of the endoscope system, and FIG. 17 is a configuration of the image input device. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the VTR control device, FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an image of the endoscope system, FIG. 20 and FIG.
FIG. 20 relates to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a control device, FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an image of an endoscope system, and FIG.
FIGS. To 24 are related to the prior art, FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the endoscope system, and FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of an image input input device. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Observation image generation means 2 ... Control graphic signal generation means 3 ... Patient data character signal generation means 4 ... Image synthesis means 5 ... Transmission means 6, ... Video signal transmission device 7 ... Reception means 8 ... figure identification means 9 ... file device control means 10 ... file device

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A video device for outputting a video signal; and an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input. A video signal transmission for transmitting the video signal from the video device to the external device. In the device, an image synthesizing unit provided in the video device and superimposing a character signal representing predetermined character information on the video signal by being displayed on a display unit; and an image synthesizing unit provided in the external device and superimposed on the video signal. Character information identifying means for identifying the extracted character information; and control signal output means for outputting a control signal for controlling the operation of the external device in accordance with the character information identified by the character information identifying means. A video signal transmission device characterized by the following. 2. A video signal transmitting device, comprising: a video device for outputting a video signal; and an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input, wherein the video signal is transmitted from the video device to the external device. In the device, provided in the video device, a character signal generating means for generating a character signal representing predetermined character information by being displayed on a display means, on the image displayed based on the video signal, the predetermined Image synthesizing means for superimposing the character signal on the video signal so as to synthesize and display character information; provided on the external device, and synthesized with the image by extracting feature points in the video signal A video signal transmission device comprising: character information identifying means for identifying character information; and recording means for recording character information identified by the character information identifying means. 3. A video signal transmission device comprising: a video device for outputting a video signal; and an external device to which a video signal output from the video device is input, wherein the video signal is transmitted from the video device to the external device. In the apparatus, a control graphic signal generating means provided in the video equipment and generating a graphic signal representing predetermined graphic information corresponding to a predetermined control state by being displayed on a display means, and displaying based on the video signal Image synthesizing means for superimposing the graphic signal on the video signal so as to synthesize and display the predetermined graphic information on the image to be provided, and provided on the external device to extract feature points in the video signal And a graphic information identifying means for identifying graphic information combined with the image, and controlling the operation of the external device in accordance with the graphic information identified by the graphic information identifying means. A video signal transmission device, comprising: control signal output means for outputting a control signal.