JP3147337B2 - Endoscope film cassette - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film cassette for an endoscope in which an engagement shaft disposed in a film winding section is rotated by a winding engagement claw provided on an endoscope camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional endoscope photographing apparatus, unlike ordinary photographing, a subject is limited to a body cavity, so that there are few types of films, and a film in a film cassette loaded on the camera side is used. There is no need to automatically switch the control operation on the camera side by detecting or discriminating the type. For this reason, as a method of representing the type of film, the user has visually distinguished the type of film cassette by, for example, attaching tapes of different colors to the film cassette itself.

However, in recent years, an endoscope photographing apparatus has been more professionally developed, and an electronic endoscope which realizes high image quality by arranging a solid-state image pickup device at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion section, and an inexpensive and small-sized endoscope. With the improvement of devices such as a light source device using a tungsten light source, there is a demand for the highest quality image taking advantage of the characteristics of the device in endoscope photography.

[0004] For this reason, to increase the sensitivity of the film, increase the number of films, the number of films, the type of color temperature, etc., in order to make the film emulsion finer and to enable photographing even in a dark illumination device, various special films are used depending on the application. There is a need to use differently, and as a result, the types of films have increased.

When the type of film increases, visual confirmation by the user becomes complicated. To prevent erroneous recognition of the type of film, the camera automatically identifies information provided in the film cassette and automatically sets the photographing conditions. It is required to be switched.

As an example of the automatic identification means, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1
No. 08042 is disclosed. In the automatic identification means disclosed in this publication, an electric element is provided on a film cassette, the difference in the characteristic value of the electric element is read, the type of the film is identified, the number of films, the sensitivity of the film, the type of the film, The camera is made to read the color temperature type and the like. In this technique, an electric element such as a fixed resistor is attached to a film cassette.

[0007]

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-108042, since a fixed resistor or the like is attached to the film cassette as an electric element, the entire film cassette becomes large or the number of parts is reduced. As the number of parts increases, the amount of troublesome work for mounting the parts increases, which causes a cost increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope film cassette which can more reliably identify film information such as film sensitivity and color temperature with a simple configuration. It is intended to provide.

[0009]

The film cassette for an endoscope of the present invention is disposed so as to be able to protrude and retract from the film winding section, and is housed in the film winding section in a natural state and loaded into an endoscope camera. An end portion of an engagement shaft that is moved by being pushed by a push-up pin provided on the endoscope camera, and includes an engagement portion that engages with a winding engagement claw provided on the endoscope camera. the endoscopic film cassette, the engaging portion against the kind of the film
Correspondingly, a plurality of grooves are provided, and both ends of these grooves
Forming a plurality of transmitting portions that are opened and transmit light rays from the light emitting portion provided in the endoscope camera, and when the engagement shaft is rotated by a predetermined amount by the winding engagement claw, the light passes through the transmission portion. The type of film is identified by the number of light rays incident on the light receiving unit provided in the endoscope camera.

According to this configuration, when the endoscope camera is loaded with the endoscope film cassette and the engagement shaft is rotated by the winding engagement claw for empty winding, the light emission provided on the camera is provided. Light rays emitted from the part toward the transmission part pass through the transmission part and enter the light receiving part provided in the camera. At this time, the type of film in the film cassette is identified by the number of light rays that pass through the transmission part and enter the light receiving part.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 show the first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a plan view of a film cassette for an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a front view including a partial cross-sectional view of the film cassette for an endoscope, and FIG. 3 is a view of a film information section provided in an engagement section. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a film information unit and an endoscope camera, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a groove constituting a film winding unit, a light emitter, and a light receiver; FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of the endoscope camera, and FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram showing an engagement state between the engagement portion and the winding engagement claw,
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation, and FIGS. 9 to 11 are views for explaining the operation of the film information section when the engagement between the engagement portion and the winding engagement claw is viewed from above, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a non-light receiving state, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a light receiving state, and FIG. 12 is a light receiving signal diagram when a transmitted light beam is received.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endoscope film cassette (hereinafter abbreviated as a film cassette) 10 of this embodiment is formed by winding films 10a having different film sensitivity, the number of films, the color temperature type, and the like. A film supply unit 11 mounted thereon, a film winding unit 12 for winding the film 10a having been photographed, and a bridge unit 13 connecting the film winding unit 12 and the film supply unit 11 integrally formed. An engaging shaft 14 provided at one end with an engaging portion 14a having a film information portion into which a winding engaging claw 31 provided on the endoscope camera 30 is engaged is provided in the film winding portion 12. It is arranged rotatably. Reference numeral 32 denotes the engagement shaft 14.
In order to engage the engaging portion 14a provided at the distal end of the endoscope with the winding engagement claw 31 of the endoscope camera 30,
It is a push-up pin provided on the endoscope camera 30 which comes into contact with the rear end surface of the engagement shaft 14 and presses and moves the engagement shaft 14 toward the engagement claw.

As shown in FIG. 3, a winding engaging claw 31 provided on the endoscope camera 30 is engaged with an engaging portion 14a provided at one end of the engaging shaft 14, and the engaging portion 14a is provided for each film type. A plurality of groove portions 15a constituting the film information portion 15 indicating the information of (1) are formed. The grooves 15a are formed to have predetermined widths and depths from one outer peripheral surface side to the other outer peripheral surface side so as to be orthogonal to the central axis of the engagement shaft 14, and the number of the groove portions 15a depends on the film type. Is changing. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, four grooves 15a are formed radially at regular intervals, and as shown in FIG. 4B, three grooves 15a are formed radially at regular intervals. The type can be identified.

As shown in FIG.
In the endoscope camera 30 in which the 0 film winding unit 12 is mounted, a light emitting unit 33 serving as a pair of light emitting units and a light receiving unit 34 serving as a light receiving unit are provided to face each other. The engaging claw 31 is located on an optical axis that blocks a light beam emitted toward the light receiver 34.

When the engaging shaft 14 is moved toward the winding engaging claw 31 by the push-up pin 32 and the engaging portion 14a projects from the film winding portion 12, as shown in FIG. The film information section 15 formed on 14a is arranged between the light emitting device 33 and the light receiving device. Specifically, the central axis of the engagement shaft 14 and the light emitting device 33
And the optical axis of the light beam emitted toward the light receiver 34 is orthogonal to the optical axis. Therefore, when the groove 15a is positioned on the optical axis of the light beam emitted from the light emitter 33 toward the light receiver 34, the light beam emitted from the light emitter 33 passes through the groove 15a and Reach 34. In this figure, the winding engagement claws 31 are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope camera 30 has a pair of light emitting devices 33, for example, light emitting diodes.
And a light receiver 34, for example a phototransistor,
Film 10 wound in film cassette 10
an identification circuit 35 which is a circuit for identifying the type of a, a camera driving circuit 36 which is a circuit for setting imaging conditions based on the identification result of the identification circuit 35, and a circuit for imaging an endoscope image, etc. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the engaging shaft 14 is moved by the push-up pin 32 toward the winding engaging claw 31, the winding engaging claw 31 is formed on the engaging portion 14a of the engaging shaft 14. The engagement shaft 14 is engaged with one of the plurality of groove portions 15a, so that the engagement shaft 14 can be rotated.

Further, the engagement shaft 1 of the winding engagement claw 31
The tip on the fourth side has a thickness that can be engaged with the width of the groove 15a, and is formed in a plate shape having a substantially U-shaped notch opened to the engagement shaft 14 side. Further, the width of the notch is such that the hoisting engagement pawl 31 is
a, all the remaining grooves 15a that are not engaged with the winding engagement claws 31 can penetrate in the diameter direction of the engagement shaft 14.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the film cassette 10 is loaded into the endoscope camera 30 as shown in step S1. Then, the push-up pin 32 moves the engagement shaft 14 to the winding engagement claw 31 side, and the engagement portion 1 of the winding engagement claw 31 and the engagement shaft 14 is moved.
As shown in FIG. 7 and, for example, FIG. 9, the film 4a is engaged with the film so that the film can be wound up. At step S2, the light emitting device 33 is turned on. For this reason, the film type detection state in which light rays are emitted from the light emitter 33 toward the light receiver 34 is set.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where the film 1
0a, the winding engagement claw 31
To rotate. Then, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the engagement portion 14a engaged with the winding engagement claw 31 is rotated, and the engagement shaft 14 is rotated. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device 33 is blocked by the winding engaging claw 31 and does not reach the light receiving device 34, and the engaging shaft 14 rotates in the direction of the arrow. FIG.
0, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device 33 is not blocked by the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 14a and does not reach the light receiving device 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 15a, the light reaches the light receiver 34, and it is determined whether or not the light has reached the light receiver 34. When the light from the light emitter 33 enters the light receiver 34, as shown in step S5, The number of light rays incident on the light emitter 33 is counted.

Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether or not the initial winding operation has been completed. When it is determined in step S6 that the initial winding operation is continued, the process returns to step S4, and the number of light rays from the light emitter 33 incident on the light receiver 34 is continuously counted. When it is determined in step S6 that the initial winding operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S7 to output the number of light beams reaching the light receiver 34 from the light emitting device 33 to the identification circuit 35, and then proceeds to step S8 to emit light. After stopping the light emission of the detector 33, the process proceeds to step S9, and based on the last value output to the identification circuit 35, the camera drive circuit 36 identifies the film type from the numerical value of the detection result,
After the identification, the process proceeds to step S9 to control the camera-side control mechanism using a comparator, a CPU, and the like (not shown) in the camera 30 to set photographing conditions and the like, thereby setting an endoscope image photographing state.

For example, if four grooves 15a are formed in the engaging portion 14a as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the light receiving device 34 has 6
The light beam passes through the groove 15a. In addition, if three grooves 15a are formed in the engaging portion 14a as shown in FIG. 3B, the light receiving device 34 may be provided four times per rotation as shown in FIG. The light beam passes through the groove 15a.

As described above, a groove serving as a film information portion for identifying the type of film wound around the film cassette is provided in the engaging portion at one end of the engaging shaft constituting the film cassette. Correspondingly, a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element are provided on the camera side, and when the engagement shaft is rotated by a predetermined amount, the number of times that light is emitted from the light emitting element and passes through the groove to reach the light receiving element is detected. Thus, the information of the film cassette can be reliably identified.

Further, by newly providing a film information portion, a simple configuration in which a groove portion is provided in an engaging portion of an existing engaging shaft without changing the external shape, without a significant design change, A film information section can be provided.

In this embodiment, the film type of the film cassette 10 is identified by the difference in the number of grooves 15a provided in the engaging portion 14a. However, the structure of the film information section is limited to the number of grooves. Instead, as shown in FIG. 13, a through hole 15b extending from one outer peripheral surface to the other outer peripheral surface side perpendicular to the central axis of the engagement shaft 14 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 14, a light beam emitted from a light emitting element 33 provided on the camera 30 side is guided to a predetermined position through an optical fiber 37 which is a light guide, and emitted. The emitted light is transmitted to the optical fiber 3.
A configuration may be made such that the light is guided to the light receiving element 34 disposed at a predetermined position through the light receiving element 7. This makes it possible to design the arrangement positions of the light emitting element 33 and the light receiving element 34 in consideration of the space in the camera, so that the degree of freedom in design is greatly improved.

FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a non-light receiving state, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a light receiving state.

Instead of having a pair of light emitting element 33 and light receiving element 34 on the camera side in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 16 (a), a light emitting section is provided. A photo reflector 40 having a light receiving unit 41 and a light receiving unit 42 is provided on the camera side.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, in the photoreflector 40 of the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 41 is reflected on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 14a, and the reflected light is received. It is configured to be incident on the part 42. For this reason, as shown in FIGS.
The light emitted from the groove 15a is emitted to the groove 15a,
When the light is emitted toward the winding engagement claw 31 engaged within 5a, the reflected light does not enter the light receiving portion. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, if the engagement portion 14a is formed with four grooves 15a as shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. The incidence of the light beam is detected twice. Then, by transmitting this detection result to the camera driving circuit 36, the camera driving circuit 36 identifies the film type from this numerical value. If three grooves 15a are formed in the engaging portion 14a as shown in FIG. 3B, the light receiving portion is provided four times per rotation as shown in FIG. 12B. Light rays are detected.

By arranging the photoreflector having the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion in the camera as described above, it is possible to more effectively utilize the space in the camera and identify the film type. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 17, the light beam emitted from the light emitting portion 41 of the photo reflector 40 provided on the camera side is guided to a predetermined position via an optical fiber 37, and the light beam is emitted to the film information portion 15. , This optical fiber 3
The light emitted from 7 and reflected by the film information unit 15 may be guided to the light receiving unit 42 via another optical fiber 37. This makes it possible to appropriately set the arrangement position of the photoreflector, thereby improving design flexibility.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of shallow depressions 45 are provided at equal pitches on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 14a, and this surface is mirror-finished in order to improve the reflectance of the outer peripheral surface indicated by oblique lines. I have. In addition, the surface of the depression 45 is set to have a rough surface roughness to reduce the reflectance and increase the difference in reflectance. The reflectance is increased by depositing a metal film on the outer peripheral surface, and the effect of the difference in reflectance is increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a ring member 46 having high reflectance portions 46a and low reflectance portions 46b alternately provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 14a by printing or painting. You may make it cover the engaging part 14a.

Instead of alternately providing the high reflectance portions 46a and the low reflectance portions 46b, as shown in FIG. 20, the width of the high reflectance portion and the width of the low reflectance portion are changed. By changing the pattern, a pattern may be formed for each film type, and a ring may be put on the engaging portion 14a.
As a result, for example, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the difference in pattern can be read on the camera side to identify the film.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a high reflectance portion 46a and a low reflectance portion 46b may be directly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 14a by printing or painting. At this time, the high reflectance portion 46a and the low reflectance portion 46b can be provided at equal pitches or provided in a pattern.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A seal member 47 in which a high-reflectance portion 46a and a low-reflectance portion 46b are provided at an equal pitch or in a pattern by printing, painting, or the like may be adhered to the outer peripheral surface.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) It is arranged in the film winding section,
An endoscope provided at an end of an engagement shaft that is moved by being pushed by a push-up pin provided on the endoscope camera, and provided with an engagement portion that engages with a winding engagement claw provided on the endoscope camera. In the film cassette, a plurality of transmitting portions for transmitting light from a light emitting portion provided in the endoscope camera are formed in the engaging portion, and the engaging shaft is rotated by a predetermined amount by the winding engaging claw. An endoscope film cassette for identifying the type of film based on the number of light rays passing through the transmission part and entering the light receiving part provided in the endoscope camera.

(2) A plurality of reflecting portions and non-reflecting portions for reflecting light rays from the light emitting portion provided in the endoscope camera are formed in the engaging portion, and the engaging shaft is positioned by the winding engaging claw. 2. The endoscope film cassette according to claim 1, wherein the type of the film is identified by a light beam reflected by the reflecting portion and incident on a light receiving portion provided in the endoscope camera when the fixed rotation is performed.

(3) The film cassette for an endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the type of the film is identified by the number of light beams incident on the light receiving unit at equal intervals.

(4) The film cassette for an endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein a film type is identified by a difference in a pattern of light rays incident on the light receiving unit.

(5) The film cassette for an endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the transmitting portions are radially formed grooves formed at equal intervals.

(6) The endoscope film cassette according to appendix 1, wherein the transmitting portions are holes formed at equal intervals.

(7) The endoscope film cassette according to appendix 2, wherein the reflecting portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion, and the non-reflecting portion is a groove formed radially at equal intervals.

(8) The film cassette for an endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein a film type is identified based on a difference in reflectance of the reflecting section.

(9) The endoscope film cassette according to appendix 8, wherein the difference in the reflectance of the reflecting portion is formed by the unevenness of the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion.

(10) The endoscope film cassette according to appendix 9, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion is mirror-finished or vapor-deposited to improve the reflectance.

(11) A reflecting portion is provided on the engaging portion,
3. The endoscope film cassette according to claim 2, wherein a ring member having a non-reflective portion or a low-reflection portion is disposed.

(12) The endoscope film cassette according to appendix 2, wherein a reflection portion, a non-reflection portion or a low reflection portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement portion by printing or painting.

(13) A film cassette for an endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein a seal printed with a reflective portion and a non-reflective portion or a low-reflection portion is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion.

(14) The endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the difference in the pattern of the light beam incident on the light receiving portion is patterned by changing the width of the reflected portion and the width of the non-reflected portion. Film cassette.

(15) A light emitting device serving as a projecting portion for projecting a light beam toward the film information portion of the engaging portion engaged with the winding engaging claw of the endoscope camera, and a light beam emitted from the light emitting device A light receiver, which is a light receiving unit on which reflected light or a passing light beam enters, an identification circuit for identifying information received by the light receiver, and a drive circuit for driving a camera based on a result identified by the identification circuit, Endoscope camera equipped.

(16) The endoscope camera according to appendix 15, wherein the light emitting device and the light receiving device are integrated.

(17) The endoscope camera according to appendix 15, wherein a light guide for guiding a light beam is provided at least between the light emitting device and the engaging portion or between the light receiving device and the engaging portion.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a film cassette for an endoscope which can identify film information such as film sensitivity and color temperature more reliably with a simple structure. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 12 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a plan view of an endoscope film cassette.

FIG. 2 is a front view including a partial cross-sectional view of an endoscope film cassette;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a film information section provided in an engagement section.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a film information unit and an endoscope camera.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a groove constituting a film winding section, and a light emitting device and a light receiving device.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope camera.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an engagement state between an engagement portion and a winding engagement claw.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the film information unit when the engagement state between the engagement portion and the winding engagement claw is viewed from above, and shows an example of a non-light receiving state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a non-light receiving state.

FIG. 11 shows a light receiving state.

FIG. 12 is a light reception signal diagram when a transmitted light beam is received.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the film information section provided in the engagement section.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing another positional relationship between the groove, the light emitting device and the light receiving device.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a light receiving state.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing another positional relationship between the light emitting device and the light receiving device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the film information unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the film information section.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a patterned film information section.

FIG. 21 is a light reception signal diagram of a light beam reflected on a patterned film information portion.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a film information section is provided by printing or painting.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a film information section is provided with a seal;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 10: film cassette 10a: film 14a: engaging portion 15: film information portion

Continued on the front page. (72) Kazuma Kaneko 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo O-limpus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Takemura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo O-limpus Inside the Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Ryoichi Hosoya, Inventor Ryoichi Hatagaya, 2-34-2, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Oh Rinpa Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Inside Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadayoshi Hara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-8-36240 (JP, A) JP-A-55 JP-A-127554 (JP, A) JP-A-58-120237 (JP, A) JP-A-11-143024 (JP, A) JP-A-5-506320 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. . ⁷ , DB name) G03C 3/00 G03B 7/24

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A push-up pin provided on the endoscope camera when it is disposed in the film wind-up section so as to be freely retractable from the inside of the film wind-up section and is loaded in the endoscope camera in a natural state. In the endoscope film cassette provided with an engaging portion provided at the distal end portion of the engaging shaft that is moved and moved, and engaged with a winding engaging claw provided on the endoscope camera, the engaging portion is Multiple sets are provided according to the type of film
Both ends of these grooves are opened to form a plurality of transmitting portions for transmitting light rays from the light emitting portion provided in the endoscope camera, and the engagement shaft is positioned by the winding engagement claw. when was quantified rotating endoscopic <br/> film characterized by identifying the type of the film by the number of times of light rays entering the light receiving portion through said transmissive portion provided in the endoscope camera cassette.