JP3228621B2 - Electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with an image pickup device for picking up a subject image at a distal end portion of the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD for converting a subject image into an electric signal is provided at the distal end of a scope as an endoscope device for observing a part that cannot be directly viewed, such as a body cavity or a lumen. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic endoscope apparatus including an electronic endoscope that has been described, and a processor that performs signal processing in a form capable of displaying an electric signal from the electronic endoscope on a monitor.

[0003] An imaging method in an electronic endoscope apparatus includes a simultaneous imaging method of irradiating a subject with white light, performing color separation by a color filter array provided in front of a CCD, and capturing an image to obtain a video signal. A CCD without a color filter array that irradiates R, G, and B irradiation light to a subject in time series
There is a plane-sequential imaging method in which a video signal is obtained by synchronizing and then obtaining a video signal.

An imaging method of the simultaneous imaging method will be described based on an example of the configuration of the endoscope apparatus of the simultaneous imaging method shown in FIG.

The electronic endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope 51 having a CCD disposed at a distal end thereof, a light source device 52 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 51, and an image of a subject imaged by the endoscope 51. And a video processor 53 that processes signals.

A light source lamp 55 such as a xenon lamp connected to a power supply 54 is provided in the light source device 52, and the light source lamp 55 emits illumination light. The illumination light is condensed by a lens 56, is incident on an end face of a light guide 57 inserted into the endoscope 51, and is emitted to the subject from the end of the endoscope through the light guide 57. Then, an image of the illuminated subject is captured by the CCD 58 at the end of the endoscope.

At this time, the timing pulse generated by the timing generator 59 in the video processor 53 is converted by the driver 60 into a driving pulse for driving the CCD 58 of the endoscope 51, and the signal is transmitted via a signal line in the endoscope 51. It is supplied to the CCD 58. The CCD 58 is driven by the driving pulse of the CCD, and the subject image is
The image signal is photoelectrically converted by 8 and transmitted to the video processor 53.

[0008] The image signal obtained by the endoscope 51 is amplified by a preamplifier 61 in a video processor 53, and then converted into a baseband band by a CDS circuit 62. The output of the CDS circuit 62 is supplied to an A / D converter 63
Is converted into a digital signal by a color separation circuit 64, is separated into a luminance signal (Y) and a color difference signal (RY, BY), and is converted into an RGB signal by a matrix circuit 65. Then, the RGB signals are converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 66, and then converted by the encoder 67 into video signals such as NTSC signals that can be displayed on a monitor, and output to the monitor.

Here, the operation of color separation in the simultaneous imaging method will be described. The color filter array disposed on the front surface of the CCD 58 is composed of four color filters of Cy, Mg, Ye, and G in a unit array of two columns and four rows as shown in FIG. In this filter arrangement called a color difference sequential system, charges of two adjacent pixels in the vertical direction are mixed in the vertical transfer path on the n lines of the odd-numbered field scanning, and (Mg + Ye) and (G + Cy) are repeated.
Similarly, in the (n + 1) line, (Mg + Cy), (G +
Ye) is repeated. Therefore, in the n line, (Mg +
Ye), (G + Cy), and (n + 1) lines have (Mg +
By taking the difference between (Cy) and (G + Ye), a color difference signal is obtained as in the following equation. (Mg + Ye)-(G + Cy) = 2R-G = RY (Mg + Cy)-(G + Ye) = 2BG-BY Similarly, a color difference signal can be obtained. As for the luminance signal, (Mg + Ye) and (G + Cy)
In the (n + 1) line, (Mg + Cy) and (G + Y
e) is obtained by adding

Next, an imaging method of the frame sequential imaging system will be described based on a configuration example of the endoscope apparatus of the frame sequential imaging system shown in FIG.

Light source device 6 for supplying illumination light to endoscope 51
8, a rotary filter 70 is inserted in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source lamp 55, and the rotation filter 70 is rotated by the drive control of the motor 71 and the motor driver 72, and the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 55. Is the rotation filter 7
0, the illumination light becomes R, G, B time-series illumination light, and the endoscope 5
It is emitted to 1. The R, G, and B illumination light passes through the light guide 57 and is applied to the subject from the distal end of the endoscope.
At this time, the timing pulse from the timing generator 59 is sent to the motor driver 72, and the rotation drive of the rotary filter 70 is controlled to take the timing of the illumination light.

The illuminated image of the subject is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 58 into an image signal and transmitted to the video processor 69. In the video processor 69, after the image signal is amplified by the preamplifier 61, the image signal is converted into a baseband band by the CDS circuit 62, and the output of the CDS circuit 62 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 63, and Sent. The switching timing of the selector 73 is controlled by the timing generator 59, and the R signal is supplied to the first memory 74, the G signal is supplied to the second memory 75, and the B signal is supplied to the third memory 76 and stored. These time-series color signals are read out from each memory in a synchronized manner, converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 66, and then displayed on the monitor by the encoder 67.
It is converted to a video signal such as a TSC signal and output to a monitor.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation in the frame sequential imaging system, showing the timing of CCD reading and illumination light, the contents stored in each memory, and combinations of R, G, and B signals in each field.

The use of the CCD used in the simultaneous imaging method in the field sequential imaging method has advantages in terms of common use of CCDs and common use of drivers. In the case of the frame sequential imaging method, as shown in FIG. 10, a color filter array is not required on the front surface of the CCD, and R, G, and B images are sequentially photoelectrically converted in each pixel.

When the same CCD as that of the simultaneous imaging method is used in the case of the frame sequential imaging method, charges are read out by mixing charges of two adjacent pixels in the vertical transfer path in the vertical transfer path in the same manner as in the simultaneous imaging method. . At this time, if the combination of mixing the charges in the odd-field scanning and the even-field scanning is changed, the R, G, and B signals are shifted by one line to cause line flicker. Do not change between field scan and even field scan. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, in each of the odd-field scanning and the even-field scanning, charges are added and read out in a combination of pixels indicated by broken lines.

Recent advances in integrated circuit technology have brought CCDs to hundreds of thousands of pixels, and the number of pixels is expected to increase. However, as the number of pixels increases, the area of one pixel decreases, and the sensitivity decreases. In addition, it is desirable to share the CCD of the simultaneous imaging method and the field-sequential imaging method in terms of circuit commonization. Since the light is formed in a series, the light amount of the irradiation light, particularly the light amount of the irradiation light of B, is lower than that of the simultaneous white light. For this reason, when performing frame-sequential imaging using a multi-pixel CCD with low sensitivity, there is a problem that in a dark part of the subject, the amount of irradiation light is reduced, sensitivity is reduced, and image quality is deteriorated.

[0017]

As described above, the area per pixel is reduced due to the increase in the density of the image pickup device, and the sensitivity is reduced. In the case of performing sequential imaging, for example, in a dark part of a subject, the amount of light applied to a corresponding pixel is reduced, sensitivity is reduced, and there is a possibility that a problem that image quality is deteriorated may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image quality of a low-luminance portion of a subject even in a field sequential imaging method which is disadvantageous in terms of sensitivity, and to provide an observation image with good image quality. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining the following.

[0019]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an electronic endoscope having an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject image and outputting an image signal; calculating means for adding output signals of the pixels, the
High sensitivity mode by calculation means and not through said calculation means
Operating means for selecting one of the high resolution modes
The operation means based on the operation of the operation means.
Signal that has been subjected to the addition and the signal that has not been subjected to the addition.
Selection means for selecting either Re, selected by said selection means
Signal processing means for processing a signal into a displayable image signal
And characterized in that: Also, according to the present invention,
The endoscope device photoelectrically converts the subject image and outputs an image signal
An electronic endoscope with an image sensor that can be detachably connected
Connecting means and pixels adjacent to the image sensor in the horizontal direction
Calculating means for adding an output signal, connected to said connection means
And discriminating means for discriminating the type of the endoscope that is, the determination hand
The addition by the arithmetic means is performed based on the determination result of the stage.
Signal that does not perform the addition
Selecting means for processing the signal selected by the selecting means
Signal processing means for converting the image signal into a displayable image signal.
It is characterized by the following. Further, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image and outputs an image signal.
Connecting means for detachably connecting an electronic endoscope with a probe
And an output signal of a pixel horizontally adjacent to the image sensor.
And an endoscope connected to the connecting means.
And discriminating means for discriminating the type of mirror, discrimination formation of said discriminating means
Based on the result,
A selection means for selecting any one of the signals not to be added
And the signal selected by the selection means can be processed and displayed.
Signal processing means for the ability of the image signal, determine the discriminating means
Illumination light of a light source supplied to the endoscope based on another result
Illumination light selecting means for outputting a selection signal for selecting
It is characterized by having.

[0020]

In the above construction, the operating means allows the user to move in the horizontal direction.
Sensitivity priority mode that adds the charge of the pixel adjacent to
And resolution priority mode that does not perform addition processing.
This makes normal observation and detailed observation advantageous for sensitivity.
Switch the observation mode of possible high-resolution observation to
Observation and signal processing are performed according to the situation . Also, the discriminator
The type of endoscope connected is determined by the stage,
Switch the imaging method according to the type of
Signals that have been added and signals that have not been added according to the type of mirror
Select one of the issues. Furthermore, depending on the type of endoscope
Select the illumination light .

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic endoscope apparatus.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an addition circuit in the video processor. FIG. 3 is an operation waveform diagram of each part for explaining the operation of the addition circuit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a CCD pixel added in the addition circuit. It is an operation explanatory view showing a combination of.

This embodiment shows an apparatus configuration in the case where an image is picked up by a frame sequential imaging method. Electronic endoscope devices
An endoscope 1 having a CCD disposed at a distal end thereof, a light source device 2 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 1, and a video processor 3 for performing signal processing on an image signal of a subject imaged by the endoscope 1. It is provided with.

The light source device 2 includes a light source lamp 5 such as a xenon lamp connected to a power supply 4, a rotary filter 6 inserted in an optical path of light emitted from the light source lamp 5, and a rotary drive of the rotary filter 6. A motor driver 8 for supplying a driving current to the motor 7 to control the driving of the rotary filter 6, and a lens 9 for condensing illumination light from the light source lamp 5. The illuminating light emitted from the rotating filter 6 becomes illuminating light in a time series of R, G, and B by the rotation filter 6, and is condensed by the lens 9 and emitted to the endoscope 1.

A light guide 10 is inserted through the endoscope 1 from the hand side to the distal end, and the rear end of the light guide 10 is connected to the light source device 2 so that the illumination light from the light source device 2 is transmitted to the light source. The light enters the end face of the guide 10. This illuminating light is transmitted by the light guide 10 and illuminates the subject from the end of the endoscope. In addition, a CCD 11 as an image pickup device is disposed at the end of the endoscope, and photoelectrically converts a subject image into an image signal.

Video processor 3 connected to endoscope 1
Is provided with a timing generator 12 for generating a timing pulse for controlling the operation timing of each section, and a driver 13 for generating a driving pulse for the CCD based on the timing pulse, and the CCD 11 is driven by the driving pulse. ing.

The video processor 3 has a CCD 11
And a CDS circuit 1 for amplifying an image signal from the A / D converter and converting the image signal into a baseband band by performing a CDS
5 and an addition circuit 16 for adding the horizontally adjacent pixel outputs of the CCD 11 are provided, and these are connected in order. Then, the CDS circuit 15 and the addition circuit 1
6 are connected to a selection switch 17, and the selection switch 17 selects an output signal of the addition circuit 16 or an output signal of the CDS circuit 15 not passing through the addition circuit 16. The output terminal of the selection switch 17 is connected to a selector 19 via an A / D converter 18, and the output terminal of the selector 19 is connected to a first memory 20, a second memory 21, and a third memory 22. The R, G, and B image signals converted into signals are stored in each memory. The D / A converter 2 is connected to the output terminals of the first memory 20, the second memory 21, and the third memory 22.
3, the encoder 24 is connected in order, and the time-series R, G, B signals stored in each memory are read out synchronously and converted into analog signals, and then the encoder 24
Is converted into a video signal such as an NTSC signal that can be displayed on a monitor.

Further, the video processor 3 is provided with an operation switch 25 for instructing whether or not to perform addition by the addition circuit 16 on a front panel or the like. The operation switch 25 is connected to a CPU 26.
Thus, switching of the selection switch 17 is controlled based on an instruction from the operation switch 25.

Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

The illuminating light emitted from the light source lamp 5 becomes three-color illuminating light of R, G, and B time series by the rotating filter 6, condensed by the lens 9, and the end face of the light guide 10 of the endoscope 1. To the subject through the light guide 10 from the end of the endoscope. Here, the motor driver 8 is connected to the timing generator 12 in the video processor 3 via the connection cable 27,
The rotational drive of the rotary filter 6 is controlled by the timing pulse from the timing generator 12, and the timing of the illumination light is set.

The timing pulse generated by the timing generator 12 is converted into a driving pulse for driving the CCD 11 of the endoscope 1 by the driver 13.
The driving pulse is supplied to the CCD 11 via a signal line in the endoscope 1, and the CCD 11 is driven by the driving pulse. The image of the subject illuminated by the illuminating light is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 11 into an image signal, and charges of two adjacent pixels in the vertical direction are mixed in the vertical transfer path.
Transmitted to

In the video processor 3, after the image signal is amplified by the preamplifier 14, it is converted into a baseband band by the CDS circuit 15, and the CDS output is input to the adding circuit 16. A timing pulse from the timing generator 12 is supplied to the adding circuit 16, and the adding circuit 16 adds output signals of horizontally adjacent pixels in the CCD. The output signal of the adder circuit 16 and the output signal of the CDS circuit 15 not passing through the adder circuit 16 are input to the selection switch 17, and one of them is selected and sent to the A / D converter 18.

At this time, the operator selects one of the sensitivity priority mode in which the addition circuit 16 adds the charges of the horizontally adjacent pixels and the resolution priority mode in which the addition circuit 16 does not perform the addition. And
The CPU 26 controls switching of the selection switch 17 according to a selection instruction from the operation switch 25.

The output of the selection switch 17 is the A / D converter 1
The signal is converted into a digital signal by 8 and sent to the selector 19. The switching timing of the selector 19 is controlled by a timing pulse from the timing generator 12. The R signal is supplied to the first memory 20, the G signal is supplied to the second memory 21, and the B signal is supplied to the third memory 22. It is memorized. These time-series color signals are read out in synchronization from each memory, converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 23, and then converted into video signals such as NTSC signals that can be displayed on a monitor by the encoder 24. Is output to the monitor.

Here, the configuration and operation of the adder circuit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The addition circuit 16 is a sample-and-hold circuit (SH) that samples and holds the output of the CDS circuit 15.
(1) 28, an adder 29 for adding the output of the CDS circuit 15 and the output of the sample and hold circuit (1) 28, and a sample and hold circuit (2) 30 for sampling and holding the output of the adder 29 It is configured. The sample and hold circuit (1) 28 and the sample and hold circuit (2) 30 are adapted to hold input signals by sample and hold pulses SHP1 and SHP2 from the timing generator 12, respectively.

The image signal output from the CCD 11 shown in FIG. 3A is converted by the CDS circuit 15 into a baseband signal as shown in FIG. This CDS circuit 1
The output of 5 is the sample and hold circuit (1) 28 and the adder 2
9 is input to one end. Here, among the CDS outputs, signals of n pixels, (n + 2) pixels, (n + 4) pixels,...
The sample and hold circuit (1) 28 samples and holds the signal at the SHP1 timing shown in FIG. The sample-and-hold signal in the adder 29 and the sample-and-hold circuit (1)
The signal that does not pass through the adder 28 is added, and the output of the adder 29 is input to the sample and hold circuit (2) 30. In the sample and hold circuit (2) 30, the SH shown in FIG.
By sampling and holding at the timing of P2, pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction in the CCD, that is, n pixels and (n + 1) pixels, (n + 2) pixels and (n + 3)
The signals are added by the combination of the pixel, the (n + 4) pixel and the (n + 5) pixel,..., And an image signal is obtained by adding the charges of horizontally adjacent pixels as shown in FIG.

Accordingly, the addition circuit 16 generates a signal obtained by adding the charges of the four pixels adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions as shown in FIG. As described above, by adding the image signal of each pixel output from the CCD to the image signal of the pixel adjacent in the horizontal direction and outputting the added signal, the sensitivity can be improved.

In this embodiment, the switching between the sensitivity priority mode in which the addition processing of the pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction is performed and the resolution priority mode in which the addition processing is not performed can be externally controlled. The observation mode can be switched between observation and high-resolution observation that enables detailed observation, and observation and signal processing can be performed according to the situation of a subject or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the level of the image signal even in the field sequential imaging method, which is disadvantageous in terms of sensitivity, and the image quality is deteriorated in the low luminance portion of the subject. Can be prevented, and an observation image with good image quality can always be obtained depending on the situation.
In addition, since it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating in the low-luminance portion of the subject, it is possible to use the CCD used for the simultaneous imaging method in the field sequential imaging method, which is disadvantageously sensitive.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment shows an apparatus configuration which can switch between a frame sequential imaging system and a simultaneous imaging system.
The description of the same components as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

The endoscope 31 is provided with a ROM 34 for storing scope ID data for type discrimination, while the video processor 33 is provided with a CPU 35 to which the ROM 34 is connected.
The type of the connected endoscope is determined based on the information of No. 34, and an instruction to switch the imaging system is transmitted.

The light source device 32 is provided with a filter drive unit 36 for inserting and removing the rotary filter 6 from the optical path of the illumination light in response to a switching instruction from the CPU 35.

The video processor 33 performs color separation of an image signal based on white illumination light into a luminance signal (Y) and color difference signals (RY, BY) for signal processing in the simultaneous imaging method. A color separation circuit 37 and a matrix circuit 38 for converting a luminance signal and a color difference signal into RGB signals are provided, and are connected to an output terminal of the A / D converter 18.
The output terminals of the first memory 20, the second memory 21, the third memory 22 and the output terminal of the matrix circuit 38 are connected to the selection switch 3
9 respectively, and the RGB signals output from the respective memories at the same time or the R signals of the output of the matrix circuit 38.
One of the GB signals is selected and the D / A converter 23
To be entered.

In this embodiment, the type of the endoscope connected is determined by the CPU 35, and a switching instruction is transmitted to the selection switch 17, the selection switch 39, and the filter driving unit 36 of the light source device 32 to switch the imaging system. I do.

The illumination light emitted from the light source device 32 passes through the light guide 10 of the endoscope 31 and irradiates the subject from the distal end. The subject image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 11 into an image signal, and charges of two adjacent pixels in the vertical direction are mixed on the vertical transfer path, and then transmitted to the video processor 33.

In the video processor 33, the image signal is amplified by the preamplifier 14, converted into a baseband band by the CDS circuit 15, and input to the adding circuit 16. In the adder circuit 16, as in the first embodiment, C
The output signals of horizontally adjacent pixels in the CD are added together, and as shown in FIG. 4, a signal is obtained in which the charges of the four vertically and horizontally adjacent pixels are added. The output signal of the addition circuit 16 and the CD not passing through the addition circuit 16
The output signal of the S circuit 15 is input to the selection switch 17, and one of them is selected by the control of
It is sent to the D converter 18.

The output of the selection switch 17 is the A / D converter 1
8, after being converted into a digital signal, the color separation circuit 3
7, the process of simultaneous imaging signal processing which is converted into R, G, B signals via the matrix circuit 38, and the time series of R, G, B signals by the selector 19, the first memory 20, the second memory 21, and the third memory 22. G and B signals are sent to a process of plane-sequential imaging signal processing in which the signals are synchronized. The outputs of these signal processing steps are input to a selection switch 39, and one of the outputs is selected under the control of the CPU 35. Selection switch 39
Are converted into analog signals by the D / A converter 23, then converted into video signals such as NTSC signals that can be displayed on a monitor by the encoder 24, and output to the monitor.

Here, the operation of the CPU 35 will be described. When the endoscope 31 is connected to the video processor 33,
The scope ID data stored in the ROM 34 is
Sent to 35.

The CPU 35 determines whether the connected endoscope is a scope for plane-sequential imaging or a scope for simultaneous imaging based on the ID data. Then, the CPU 35 switches the selection switch 17 to the addition circuit 16 side and the selection switch 39 to the memory side when the scope for the frame sequential imaging is connected based on the endoscope discrimination result. The signal subjected to the addition processing is selected via the line 16 and sent to the A / D converter 18, and the signal subjected to the frame sequential imaging signal processing is selected and the D / A converter 23 is selected.
The selection switch 39 is controlled so as to send the data to. When a scope for simultaneous imaging is connected, the selection switch 1
7 is switched to the CDS circuit 15 side, and the selection switch 39 is switched to the matrix circuit 38 side.
In addition to sending the signal to the / D converter 18, the selection switch 39 is controlled so that the signal subjected to the same image signal processing is selected and sent to the D / A converter 23.

The CPU 35 also sends the endoscope discrimination result to the light source device 32 and controls the filter drive unit 36. When a scope for field-sequential imaging is connected, the rotary filter 6 is inserted on the optical axis of the illumination light by the filter driving unit 36 so that the subject is irradiated with the R, G, and B time-series illumination light. When a scope for simultaneous imaging is connected, the rotary filter 6 is removed from the optical axis of the illumination light by the filter driving unit 36 so that the object is irradiated with white illumination light.

As described above, in this embodiment, the mounted endoscope is identified, and the image signal for each pixel output from the CCD is shifted in the horizontal direction only when the scope of the frame sequential imaging system is mounted. The image signal of the adjacent pixel is added and output. This makes it possible to improve the sensitivity of the field sequential imaging method, which is disadvantageous in sensitivity. In addition, in the case of the scope of the simultaneous imaging method in which the sensitivity does not matter so much, the addition processing is not performed, and the color separation according to the arrangement of the filter array is performed.

Therefore, according to the type of the connected endoscope, when a plane-sequential imaging scope is mounted, the processing of adding the electric charges of horizontally adjacent pixels is performed, which is disadvantageous in terms of sensitivity. In the field sequential imaging method, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the level of the image signal, and it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating in the low-luminance part of the subject, and always observe good image quality depending on the situation. Images can be obtained.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image quality of a low-luminance portion of a subject even in the field sequential imaging method which is disadvantageous in terms of sensitivity, and obtain an observation image with good image quality. This has the effect that it becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the electronic endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an addition circuit in the video processor.

FIG. 3 is an operation waveform diagram of each section for explaining the operation of the addition circuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing combinations of CCD pixels to be added in an adding circuit;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an endoscope apparatus using a simultaneous imaging method.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a color filter array provided on the front surface of a CCD used in a simultaneous imaging method.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an endoscope apparatus using a frame sequential imaging method.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an operation in the frame sequential imaging method.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a front surface of a CCD used in a simultaneous imaging method.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a combination of pixels for adding charges in the vertical direction when a CCD used in a simultaneous imaging method is used in a plane sequential imaging method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Light source device 3 ... Video processor 11 ... CCD 12 ... Timing generator 16 ... Addition circuit 17 ... Selection switch 25 ... Operation switch 26 ... CPU

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-56354 (JP, A) JP-A-5-41835 (JP, A) JP-A-4-225687 (JP, A) JP-A-4-256364 (JP) JP-A-4-337983 (JP, A) JP-A-64-48014 (JP, A) JP-A-1-259833 (JP, A) JP-A-1-113021 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32 G02B 23/24-23/26 H04N 5/30-5/335

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An electronic endoscope having an imaging device as claimed in claim 1] by photoelectrically converting an object image to output an image signal, and calculating means for adding output signals of pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction of the image sensor, the operation High sensitivity mode by means of
No operation hand to select one of the high resolution modes
A step and an operation by the calculating means based on the operation of the operating means.
Either a signal that has been calculated or a signal that has not been added
Selecting means for selecting a displayable by processing the signal selected by said selecting means image
An electronic endoscope apparatus, comprising: signal processing means for converting an image signal . 2. An image signal is output by subjecting a subject image to photoelectric conversion.
An electronic endoscope with an image sensor that can be detachably connected
And an output signal of a pixel horizontally adjacent to the image sensor.
Calculating means for calculating the type of endoscope connected to the connecting means
Means , based on the determination result of the determination means,
Signal that has been subjected to the addition and the signal that has not been subjected to the addition.
Selecting means and, viewable by processing the signal selected by said selection means image for selecting whether Re
An electronic endoscope apparatus , comprising: signal processing means for converting an image signal . 3. An image signal is output by subjecting a subject image to photoelectric conversion.
An electronic endoscope with an image sensor that can be detachably connected
And an output signal of a pixel horizontally adjacent to the image sensor.
Calculating means for calculating the type of endoscope connected to the connecting means
Means , based on the determination result of the determination means,
Signal that has been subjected to the addition and the signal that has not been subjected to the addition.
Selecting means and, viewable by processing the signal selected by said selection means image for selecting whether Re
Signal processing means for the image signal, based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means, supplied into the endoscope
Illumination light illumination light source for outputting a selection signal for selecting the
An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: a selection unit .