JP3345301B2 - Video signal switching device for endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is connected to a plurality of video processors for an endoscope and is capable of switching and outputting a video signal output from the video processor for an endoscope to an output device. The present invention relates to a video signal switching device for an endoscope system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope system has at least two or more photoelectric conversion units for transmitting an image picked up by a solid-state image pickup device of a different color imaging system to one endoscope video processor. A flexible electronic scope (also referred to as a video scope) is known (for example, see JP-A-63-200735).

A plurality of television monitors are connected to the endoscope video processor as output devices.
A built-in identification circuit for discriminating which imaging type electronic scope is connected and automatically switching the output destination is provided, and the output destination is determined according to the type of electronic scope connected to the video processor for the endoscope. Are automatically selected. This type of endoscope video processor is convenient because, when an electronic scope having a different imaging method is connected, the output destination of the video signal is automatically switched.

[0004]

However, video scopes include a flexible optical fiber scope that transmits an image formed by an objective lens. Even if this type of fiber optic scope is connected to an endoscope video processor that can automatically select this type of output destination, it cannot build a video signal, so a dedicated endoscope video You need to prepare the processor. In addition, a television monitor must be prepared corresponding to the video processor for an endoscope.

Therefore, when a video scope having a different imaging system is connected, a user of a dedicated endoscope video processor other than an endoscope video processor capable of automatically switching the output destination of a video signal is required. One dedicated TV monitor must be prepared for each dedicated endoscope video processor, making it inconvenient to construct an endoscope system that monitors multiple TV monitors at once. It is.

Therefore, a video signal switching device for an endoscope system that can switch the connection of a plurality of dedicated video processors for an endoscope and output the video signal to a television monitor is considered.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an endoscope system using the video signal switching device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a video signal switching device; 102, a video processor for an endoscope dedicated to a video scope 103;
Reference numeral 04 denotes an endoscope video processor dedicated to the optical fiber scope 105, and reference numerals 106 and 107 denote television monitors as output devices. A video device can be connected to the video signal switching device 1 as an output device.

The video signal switching device 101 is provided with a changeover switch 101A as selection means.
By operating this changeover switch 101A,
The connection between the endoscope video processors 102 and 104 can be switched to output the video signals to the television monitors 106 and 107, which is convenient.

The video processors 102, 10
In an endoscope system that selectively connects the endoscope video processors 102 and 104 to the TV monitors 106 and 107 with the video signal switching device 101 interposed between the TV monitor 106 and the TV monitors 106 and 107, An endoscope video processor 102, 104 is a video signal switching device 101
It is connected to the.

For this purpose, the television monitors 106 and 107
Noise enters the video processors 102 and 104 via the video signal switching device 101 and affects the video signals from the endoscope video processors 102 and 104. As a result, phenomena such as an image displayed on the television monitor 106 being disturbed occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video signal switching device for an endoscope system which can prevent the influence of noise on a video signal. .

[0012]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a plurality of endoscopes for generating a video signal representing a captured inspection portion and outputting the generated video signal are provided. In the video signal switching device for an endoscope system containing a mirror device and at least one output device that outputs an image of an inspection portion based on the received video signal, an instruction to select an endoscope device is issued. When input, an input unit that outputs a switching signal indicating a selection instruction, an insulating unit that is provided corresponding to each endoscope device and that insulates electrical connection, and that is specified by a switching signal from the input unit A video signal switching device for an endoscope system, comprising: a switching unit that receives a video signal from the endoscope device through an insulating unit and outputs the received video signal to an output device. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an instruction for selecting an endoscope device is input to the operation unit. Thereby, the operation unit outputs a switching signal indicating the selection instruction to the switching unit. When the input unit is designated by the switching signal from the operation unit, the switching unit receives the video signal from the designated input unit via the insulating unit. Then, the switching unit outputs the received video signal to the output unit.
At this time, the endoscope device is accommodated in a state in which the endoscope device is electrically insulated by the insulating unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the video signal switching device for an endoscope system according to the first aspect, wherein the insulating portion is a photocoupler. .

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a video signal switching device 1 for an endoscope system according to a first embodiment. The video signal switching device 1 includes an insulating circuit 11, a control circuit 12, a switch circuit 13 as an operation unit, input terminals 14, 15, 16 as an input unit, and output terminals 17, 18 as an output unit. In the first embodiment, the switching unit includes the insulating circuit 11 and the control circuit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, video processors 2 and 5 for endoscopes are connected to the input terminals 14 and 15, respectively. As a result, the video signals from the endoscope video processors 2 and 5 are input to the insulating circuit 11 via the input terminals 14 and 15.

The keyboard 4 is connected to the input terminal 16 via the video processor 2 for an endoscope. In addition,
The endoscope video processor 2 includes a processing unit 21 that generates a video signal from a signal of the scope 3 and a control unit 22 that controls generation of a video signal and the like. Further, a keyboard 4 for inputting various instructions and the like is connected to the endoscope video processor 2. A switching signal from the switch circuit 4A of the keyboard 4 is input to the insulating circuit 11 via the input terminal 16.

The output terminals 17, 18 are connected to the monitor device 7,
8 are respectively connected. Via terminals 17 and 18
Video signals from the insulating circuit 11 are input to the monitor devices 17 and 18, respectively.

The switch circuit 13 includes a switch 13A and a resistor 13B. Switch 13A is operated by the operator. By this operation, a selection instruction of the endoscope video processors 2 and 5 is input. Switch 13A
Are connected in series to the resistor 13B. As a result, the switch 13A outputs a "high" level or "low" level signal. Thus, when the operator selects the endoscope video processor 2, the switch 13A is closed, and the switch circuit 13 generates a "low" level signal. When the operator selects the endoscope video processor 5, the switch 13A is opened, and the switch circuit 13 generates a "high" level signal.

The switch circuit 13 sends the generated signal to the control circuit 12.

The control circuit 12 includes a resistor 12A, an OR circuit 1
2B, NOT circuit 12C and switch 12
D, 12E.

A signal generated by the resistor 12A is applied to one input terminal of the OR circuit 12B, and a signal from the switch circuit 13 is applied to the other input terminal. The OR circuit 12B calculates the logical sum of the signals applied to these input terminals. That is, the endoscope video processor 2
, The OR circuit 12B generates a “low” level switching signal, and the “end” video processor 5 generates a “high” level switching signal. The OR circuit 12B outputs the generated switching signal to the NOT circuit 12C and the switch circuit 12E.

The NOT circuit 12C inverts the switching signal from the OR circuit 12B. The knot circuit 12C sends the inverted switching signal to the switch 12D.

The switch 12D is closed when it receives a "high" level switching signal from the knot circuit 12C, and is opened when it receives a "low" level switching signal. Similarly, the switch 12E is closed when it receives a “high” level switching signal from the OR circuit 12B, and is opened when it receives a “low” level switching signal.

The insulating circuit 11 includes photocouplers 11A, 11B, 11C, resistors 11D, 11E, 11
F, 11H, 11J and an operational differential amplifier 11G.

The resistors 11D, 11E, 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11G form an amplifier circuit for amplifying a video signal. This amplifier circuit sends the video signal to the output terminal 17 via the resistor 11H, and sends the video signal to the output terminal 18 via the resistor 11J.

The operation state of the photocoupler 11A is controlled by opening and closing the switch 12D. That is, switch 1
When 2D closes, DC voltage from the power supply circuit (is not shown) is applied to the phototransistor 11A ₂ is a light receiving side of the photocoupler 11A. As a result, the photocoupler 11A operates. Conversely, when the switch 12A opens, the photocoupler 11A does not operate.

[0029] When the photocoupler 11A is in a non-operating state, since between the collector and emitter phototransistor 11A ₂ becomes nonconductive, photocoupler 11A becomes a high impedance state. In this state, the photocoupler 1
The circuit including 1A does not affect other circuits.

When in operation, the photocoupler 11A is connected to the resistors 11D, 11E, 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11A.
It electrically insulates between the amplifier circuit formed by G and the input terminal 14. That is, the photocoupler 11A
The video signal which is an electric signal from the input terminal 14 is received. Then, the light emitting diode 11A ₁ is a light emitting side of the photocoupler 11A converts the video signal into an optical signal. Phototransistor 11A of photocoupler 11A ₂ is again converted into an electrical signal an image signal converted into light.

As described above, the photocoupler 11A converts the video signal, which is an electric signal, into a light signal, and then converts the light video signal into an electric signal, thereby forming the resistors 11D,
The input terminal 14 is electrically insulated from the amplifier circuit formed by 11E and 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11G.

Further, since Hototoranjisu 11A ₂ is disposed apart from the light emitting diode 11A _1, the photocoupler 11A is in a non-operating state, photocoupler 11A is
The input terminal 14 is electrically insulated from an amplifier circuit formed by the resistors 11D, 11E, 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11G.

Similarly, the photocoupler 11B whose operation state is controlled by the switch 12E includes a resistor 11D,
An amplifier circuit formed by 11E and 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11G is electrically insulated from the input terminal 15, and the photocoupler 11C is electrically connected between the input terminal of the OR circuit 12B and the input terminal 16. Insulate. Also, the photocoupler 11B
Is in a high-impedance state as in the case of the photocoupler 11A.

The configuration of the video signal switching device 1 has been described above. Next, the operation of the video signal switching device 1 will be described.

The operator of the video signal switching device 1 is:
For example, the switch 13A or the switch circuit 4A of the keyboard 4 is closed to select the endoscope video processor 2. As a result, the OR circuit 12B generates a "low" level switching signal. This switching signal is applied to the switch 12E and also to the switch 12D via the knot circuit 12C.

The switching signal from the OR circuit 12B causes the photocoupler 11A to be in an operating state among the photocouplers 11A, 11B, and 11C that electrically insulate the input terminals 14, 15, and 16 and the photocoupler 11B to be inoperative. State. At this time, since the photocoupler 11B is in the high impedance state, the resistors 11D, 11E, 11F
And the amplification circuit formed by the operational differential amplifier 11G is not affected.

When a video signal from the endoscope video processor 2 is applied to the input terminal 14, this signal passes through a photocoupler 11A, and is formed by an amplifier circuit formed by resistors 11D, 11E, 11F and an operational differential amplifier 11G. Join. This amplification circuit amplifies the video signal and outputs the output terminals 17 and 18.
Send video signal to

Thereafter, the monitor devices 7 and 8 capture an image captured by the scope 3 in accordance with the video signal from the video signal switching device 1.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the connection with the video processors 2 and 5 for the endoscope can be made electrically insulated. Moreover, since the photocouplers 11A, 11B and 11C are used, electrical insulation can be achieved with a simple configuration. Thereby, it is possible to prevent noise from the monitor devices 7 and 8 from being sent to the endoscope video processors 2 and 5.

When the video signal from the endoscope video processor is not received, the photocoupler connected to the endoscope video processor becomes high impedance. It can be prevented from affecting.

According to the first embodiment, the video signals from the endoscope video processors 2 and 5 are transmitted to the resistors 11D and 1D.
An amplification circuit formed by 1E, 11F and the operational differential amplifier 11G, that is, only one amplification circuit can be used. Thereby, the circuit configuration can be simplified.

In the first embodiment, the photocouplers 11A, 11B, and 11C are used as the insulating portions. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, insulation by an acoustic coupler whose input and output are coupled by a sound wave or insulation by electromagnetic coupling may be used.

Although one video signal switching device 1 is used in the first embodiment, the video signal switching devices 1 may be connected in multiple stages. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to use the video signal switching device 1 connected in two stages. As a result, the number of endoscope video processors to be accommodated can be increased. Further, a two-stage connection as shown in FIG. 4 is also possible. Thereby, it is possible to increase the number of monitor devices to be accommodated.

In the first embodiment, the photocoupler 11
A, phototransistor 11A on the light receiving side of 11B, 11C
_{Although 2} was used, a photodiode may be used as the light receiving side.

Further, in the first embodiment, the insulating portion is provided on the input side, that is, on the input terminals 14, 15, and 16, but may be provided on the output side, that is, on the output terminals 17 and 18.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, a switch circuit is used instead of the switches 12D and 12E of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the switch circuit that replaces the switch 12D includes an NPN transistor 12F and a resistor 12G.

The collector of transistor 12F is connected to the collector of the phototransistor 11A ₂ of photocoupler 11A, the emitter of transistor 12F is connected to ground. Resistor 12G has a collector of phototransistor 11A ₂ of photocoupler 11A, is connected between the power supply line.

A switching signal is applied to the base of the transistor 12F.

In this switch circuit, when a "high" level switching signal is input to the base, the switching signal turns on the transistor 12F. Thus, since the voltage at the collector of phototransistor 11A ₂ of photocoupler 11A is zero, photocoupler 11A is
It is in a non-operating state and does not transmit a video signal from the input terminal 14. Conversely, when a "low" level switching signal is input to the base of the transistor 12F, the switching signal turns off the transistor 12F. As a result, a DC voltage is applied to the photocoupler 11A, so that the photocoupler 11A is activated and transmits a video signal.

The switch circuit used in place of the switch 12E is the same as the switch circuit shown in FIG. 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

With this switch circuit, the video signals from the photocouplers 11A and 11B can be turned on and off with a simple configuration.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, a switch circuit is used instead of the switches 12D and 12E of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the switch circuit that replaces the switch 12D includes a PNP transistor 12H and resistors 12J and 12K.

[0053] The collector of the transistor 12H is connected to the collector of the phototransistor 11A ₂ of photocoupler 11A, the emitter of transistor 12H is connected to the power supply line for supplying the DC voltage from the power supply circuit.
A series circuit of the resistors 12J and 12K is connected between the power supply line and the knot circuit 12C. Further, a connection point between the resistor 12J and the resistor 12K is connected to the transistor 12H.
Connected to the base.

In this switch circuit, when a "high" level switching signal is input to a series circuit of the resistor 12J and the resistor 12K, the switching signal turns off the transistor 12F. As a result, the DC voltage from the power supply line is applied to the phototransistor 1 of the photocoupler 11A.
Since not supplied to the collector of 1A _2, photocoupler 11
A is in a non-operating state and does not transmit a video signal from the input terminal 14. Conversely, when a "low" level switching signal is input to a series circuit of the resistors 12J and 12K, a voltage is applied to the base of the transistor 12H by this series circuit, so that the transistor 12H is turned on. . As a result, the DC voltage from the power supply line is supplied to the photocoupler 11A, so that the photocoupler 11A enters an operating state and transmits a video signal.

The switch circuit used in place of the switch 12E is the same as the switch circuit shown in FIG.

With this switch circuit, the video signal from the photocouplers 11A and 11B can be turned on and off with a simple configuration, as in the second embodiment.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the switching device is connected via the insulating portion, the endoscope device is housed in an electrically insulated state. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent noise from a device connected to the output unit from being sent to the endoscope device.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, since the photocoupler is used as the insulating section, the insulating section can be made simple and small.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the selection of the input unit, that is, the selection of the endoscope apparatus can be performed by the instruction from the external keyboard.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the video signal switching device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a connection example of a video signal switching device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a connection example of a video signal switching device.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a switch circuit used in a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a switch circuit used in a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional video signal switching device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Insulation circuit 12 Control circuit 13 Switch circuit 14, 15, 16 Input terminal 17, 18 Output terminal

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-107878 (JP, A) JP-A-5-176885 (JP, A) JP-A-2-84929 (JP, A) JP-A-7-78 307939 (JP, A) JP-A-9-68958 (JP, A) JP-A-4-304789 (JP, A) JP-A-6-233352 (JP, A) JP-A-6-152849 (JP, A) Registered utility model 3005222 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32 H03K 17/00 H04N 5/14-5/217 H04N 5/262- 5/28 H04N 5/38-5/46 G06F 3/02-3/027 G11B 31/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope having a plurality of input sections for inputting video signals from a plurality of endoscope apparatuses, and outputting a video signal from one input section from a plurality of output sections. In an image signal switching device for a system, when an instruction to select an endoscope device is input, an operation unit that outputs a switching signal indicating the selection instruction, and an operation unit that is provided corresponding to each input unit and is electrically connected When the input unit is designated by the switching unit from the operation unit and the switching unit, the video signal from the designated input unit is received via the insulation unit, and the received video signal is sent to the output unit. A video signal switching device for an endoscope system, comprising: a switching unit for outputting. 2. The video signal switching device for an endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the insulating unit is a photocoupler. 3. The video signal switching device for an endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein the photocoupler includes a light emitting diode and a phototransistor, and the switching unit controls the operation state of the phototransistor based on the switching signal. A video signal switching device for an endoscope system, which switches the presence or absence of a video signal from a photocoupler. 4. The video signal switching device for an endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit receives a switching signal from a keyboard provided in a video processor for the endoscope device. ,
A video signal switching device for an endoscope system, which receives a video signal from an input unit specified by the switching signal via an insulating unit.