JP3709120B2 - Endoscope device and wireless video camera for endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus using a wireless video camera for endoscope that wirelessly transmits a captured biological image to a receiving side.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
A conventional endoscope apparatus has a configuration in which an operation unit or a monitor device arranged outside a human body and an imaging unit introduced into the human body are connected by a flexible tube, but the bedside or the like is narrow. In order to eliminate the inconvenience at the time of use in a place, in recent years, a wireless video camera for an endoscope which is not connected to a monitor device or the like by a pipe is used. This endoscope wireless video camera is used by being connected to an endoscope, and transmits an in-vivo image taken through the endoscope to an monitor device wirelessly as an electric image signal.
However, when diagnosing and examining with an endoscopic device using a wireless video camera for endoscope, a video camera is provided for a doctor to take an image of a body cavity while observing an image projected on a monitor device. Current settings such as what is set for each function could not be easily recognized.
[0003]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a small and lightweight endoscope apparatus that can display and confirm an adjustment (setting) state of an imaging unit on a television monitor.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an objective optical system provided at a distal end portion of an in-vivo insertion unit; an imaging unit that captures an image formed by the objective optical system and outputs an electrical image signal; an electrical image signal of the imaging unit Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting information; an information display signal outputting means for inputting operation setting information of the imaging means or transmitting means to generate a corresponding information display signal and adding the information display signal to the electric image signal; and an operation member A video camera provided with a control means for changing the operation setting of the imaging means or the transmission means in accordance with the operation and supplying the operation setting information to the information display signal output means, and the video camera, And a monitor device that receives and displays an electrical image signal and an information display signal wirelessly transmitted from the video camera, and the control means is an imaging means or an imaging means when the operation member is first operated. Without changing the operation setting of the transmission means, the current setting information is output to the information display signal output means and displayed on the monitor device; every time the operation member is operated and re-operated before a predetermined time elapses. , Changing the operation setting of the imaging means or the transmission means, outputting the changed operation setting information to the information display signal output means for display on the monitor device; and when a predetermined time has elapsed without operating the operation member Further, it is characterized in that the change of the operation setting is confirmed, the output of the operation setting information to the information display signal output means is stopped, and the operation setting information display is turned off from the monitor device. According to this configuration, both the image captured by the video camera and the setting information of the video camera (imaging unit or transmission unit) can be recognized on the monitor, and the operation setting of the video camera is facilitated.
[0005]
Preferably, the information display signal output means adds the information display signal to a period not overlapping with the electric image signal and outputs the information display signal to the transmission means. According to this configuration, since the setting information of the imaging unit is displayed outside the display range of the captured image, the captured image and the setting information of the imaging unit do not overlap, and the visibility is improved.
The endoscope apparatus further includes image mask means for adding an image mask signal for masking the periphery of the image picked up by the image pickup means to the electric image signal and outputting it to the transmission means, and the information display signal output means includes an image mask. It is preferable to add an information display signal to the signal and output it to the transmission means. According to this configuration, since the setting information is displayed on the mask portion formed around the captured image, it becomes easy to visually recognize the setting information.
[0006]
In this endoscope apparatus, the endoscope is a fiberscope or a rigid mirror provided with an eyepiece portion to which the video camera can be connected, or a solid-state imaging device is provided at the distal end portion of the body insertion portion. An electronic endoscope is preferable.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An endoscope apparatus 100 to which the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is applied includes a video camera 10, an endoscope 20, a receiver 40, a printer 50, an image recording apparatus 60, and a monitor apparatus 70. An image captured by the video camera 10 via the endoscope 20 is transmitted to the receiver 40 by radio as an electronic image signal. The electronic image received by the receiver 40 can be used by the printer 50, the image recording device 60, and the monitor device 70. When the setting of the video camera 10 is changed or adjusted, the changed content can be confirmed on the monitor device 70 together with the in-vivo image.
[0008]
FIG. 2 schematically shows main components of the video camera 10 and the endoscope 20 shown in FIG. The endoscope 20 is a fiberscope including an operation unit 22 and a flexible tube 23. Although not shown in detail, the operation unit 22 includes various operation members such as a bending operation mechanism that directs the flexible tube 23 in an arbitrary direction. The flexible tube 23 includes an illuminating means 24 and an objective optical system 25 for illuminating the inside of the body. When the flexible tube 23 is introduced into the body of the subject, an image of the portion illuminated by the illumination means 24 is formed on the end face 26 a of the optical fiber 26 by the objective optical system 25. The image formed on the end surface 26 a is transmitted through the optical fiber 26 and emitted from the other end surface 26 b, and is observed by the eyepiece unit 21 through the eyepiece optical system 27.
[0009]
The video camera 10 can be attached to the eyepiece 21 of the endoscope 20. The video camera 10 captures an imaging optical system 11, an image formed by the imaging optical system 11, an image processing unit 12 that performs image processing, a transmitter 13 that transmits an image signal output from the imaging unit 12, and a transmission antenna 14. A battery 15 serving as a driving power source for the imaging unit 12 and the transmitter 13 and an operation switch group 19 for changing or adjusting the settings of the video camera 10 are provided.
[0010]
Hereinafter, the control system of the video camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. This control system wirelessly transmits a function for capturing an image and transmitting it wirelessly, a function for changing or adjusting the settings of the video camera 10, and an information display signal (character pattern signal) for displaying the change or adjustment together with the image signal. It has a function to do.
[0011]
The imaging unit 12 includes an image sensor 110, a sample hold circuit (hereinafter referred to as “S / H circuit”) 113, an A / D converter 115, a video processing circuit 117, a D / A converter 119, and a clock signal from the oscillator 101. A timing generator 121 that generates a synchronization signal is provided.
The image sensor 110 is a MOS type image sensor having an image unit 111 that photoelectrically converts received light for each cell and stores it, a horizontal shift register 112H that specifies an address of each cell of the image unit 111, and a vertical shift register 112V. It is. Each of the horizontal shift register 112 </ b> H and the vertical shift register 112 </ b> V sequentially scans the cells of the image unit 111 based on the synchronization signal supplied from the timing generator 121 and sequentially reads the accumulated charges. The read accumulated charge is converted into a voltage for each cell by the S / H circuit 113, A / D converted by the A / D converter 115, converted into an image signal by the video processing circuit 117, and the D / A converter. In 119, the signal is D / A converted and output to the adder 103.
[0012]
The transmitter 13 includes a modulator 131 that converts the signal input from the adder 103 into a modulation signal, an oscillator 132 that generates a carrier wave, a multiplier 133 that multiplies the modulation signal and the carrier wave, and amplifies the carrier wave on which the modulation signal is carried. A transmission amplifier 134 is provided. The carrier wave amplified by the transmission amplifier 134 is wirelessly transmitted from the transmission antenna 14 to the receiver 40 (FIG. 1) as a transmission signal. In this embodiment, the TV broadcast channel frequency is used as the transmission frequency, and the transmission frequency can be switched and set by the frequency change switch 16.
[0013]
The operation switch group 19 includes the frequency switch 16 described above, an image rotation switch 17 that changes the scanning direction of the image sensor 110 to rotate the image left or right in units of 90 °, and a color correction switch that corrects the RGB output level. A plurality of operation switches such as 18 for changing or adjusting the settings of the video camera 10 are provided. The on / off state of each operation switch is checked by the microcomputer 105. When the operation switch is turned on once, the microcomputer 105 outputs the current setting information to the character generator 107, and the setting information changed every time the operation switch is turned on again within a predetermined time after being turned on once. While outputting to the character generator 107, the state change signal corresponding to the turned-on operation switch is given to the imaging unit 12 or the transmitter 13 to change the setting.
[0014]
The character generator 107 generates a character pattern signal under the control of the microcomputer 105. In the present embodiment, a character pattern is placed for each horizontal scanning line, and one row of pictures and characters is formed by seven horizontal scanning lines. (See FIG. 4). The character generator 107 normally generates an image mask signal that masks the periphery of the image captured by the imaging unit 12 and generates an information display signal as a part of the image mask signal only when setting information is input from the microcomputer 105. To do. The information display signal is a character pattern signal that displays setting information input from the microcomputer 105.
[0015]
The image mask signal and the information display signal generated by the character generator 107 are output based on the synchronization signal of the timing generator 121 so as to mask the periphery of the image captured by the image capturing unit 12, and are converted into an image signal by the adder 103. It is added and output to the transmitter 13. FIG. 5 shows signals output from the adder 103 to the transmitter 13 when the frequency selector switch 16, the scanning direction change switch 17, and the color tone correction switch 18 are turned on. In the figure, A indicates a video signal period, B indicates an image mask signal period, C indicates an information display signal period, and D indicates a vertical blanking period. When this signal is transmitted from the transmitter 13, received by the receiver 40 having the receiving antenna 41 and output to the monitor device 70, an image mask is formed around the image captured by the video camera 10 as shown in FIG. Since the portion is formed and the character pattern is displayed on this image mask portion, the user can recognize the setting change of the video camera 10 together with the captured image.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, when the operation switch group 19 is turned on once, the current setting information is displayed on the monitor device 70, and the setting is changed every time the operation switch group 19 is turned on again within a predetermined time after the operation switch group 19 is turned on. The information is displayed on the monitor device 70, the setting is changed, and when the predetermined time elapses without the operation switch group 19 being turned on, the displayed setting is confirmed and the microcomputer 105 displays the setting display on the monitor device 70 disappears. Is controlled by. Therefore, in order to change or adjust the setting of the video camera 10, the user may turn on the operation switch group 19 until the desired setting is displayed on the monitor device 70.
[0017]
In this embodiment, the operation switch group 19 including a plurality of operation switches is provided as an operation member for changing the setting of the video camera 10, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the display position of the character pattern is not limited to the above and can be variously modified. However, if the character pattern is displayed on the formed image mask portion as in the present embodiment, it is easier to recognize visually.
[0018]
In the above, the endoscope apparatus 100 is configured using a fiberscope as the endoscope 20, but the present invention can of course be applied to an electronic endoscope. Moreover, it is applicable not only to an endoscope provided with a flexible tube but also to a rigid endoscope.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, when an operation member for changing the setting of the video camera is operated, an information display signal for displaying the setting information changed by the operation is generated, wirelessly transmitted together with the image signal, and displayed on the monitor device. In addition to observing the captured in-vivo image, it is possible to easily recognize the adjustment (setting) state of the imaging means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an endoscope and a video camera of the endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the video camera.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character pattern generated by a character generator.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal output from an adder to a transmitter.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a monitor device on which a character pattern is displayed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Video camera 11 Shooting optical system 12 Image pick-up part 13 Transmitter 14 Transmitting antenna 15 Battery 19 Operation switch group 20 Endoscope 21 Eyepiece part 40 Receiver 50 Printer 60 Image recording apparatus 70 Monitor apparatus 105 Microcomputer 107 Character generator 110 Image sensor 113 Sample hold (S / H) circuit 115 A / D converter 117 Video processing circuit 119 D / A converter 121 Timing generator 131 Modulator 133 Multiplier 134 Transmission amplifier

Claims (9)

An objective optical system provided at the distal end of the body insertion portion; an imaging means for capturing an image formed by the objective optical system and outputting an electrical image signal; a transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the electrical image signal of the imaging means; An information display signal output means for inputting the operation display information of the means or the transmission means to generate a corresponding information display signal and adding the information display signal to the electric image signal; and according to the operation of the operation member, A video camera having control means for changing operation settings of the imaging means or the transmission means and supplying the operation setting information to the information display signal output means; and the video camera formed separately from the video camera. And a monitor device that receives and displays the wirelessly transmitted electrical image signal and information display signal,
  The control means includes
  When the operation member is first operated, the current setting information is output to the information display signal output means and displayed on the monitor device without changing the operation setting of the imaging means or the transmission means;
  Each time the operating member is operated again before a predetermined time elapses, the operation setting of the imaging unit or the transmission unit is changed, and the changed operation setting information is output to the information display signal output unit. Displaying on the monitor device; and
  When a predetermined time has passed without the operation member being operated, the change of the operation setting is confirmed, the output of the operation setting information to the information display signal output means is stopped, and the operation setting information is displayed from the monitor device. Endoscope device characterized by erasing. In the endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information display signal output means, the information display signal, the endoscope apparatus to be outputted to the transmission means in addition to a period which does not overlap with the electrical image signal. 3. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the video camera further adds an image mask signal for masking a periphery of an image captured by the imaging unit to the electrical image signal and outputs the signal to the transmission unit. Image mask means,
The information display signal output means is an endoscope apparatus that adds the information display signal to the image mask signal and outputs it to the transmission means. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the endoscope is a fiberscope or a rigid endoscope having an eyepiece, and the video camera is connectable to the eyepiece. An endoscopic device. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the endoscope is an electronic endoscope including a solid-state imaging device at a distal end portion of the in-vivo insertion portion. A wireless video camera for an endoscope that can be attached to and detached from an endoscope having an objective optical system at a distal end portion of an in-vivo insertion portion, picks up an image formed by the objective optical system, and outputs an electric image signal Imaging means; transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an electric image signal of the imaging means to a separate monitor device; operation setting information of the imaging means or the transmission means is input to generate a corresponding information display signal, and the information display An information display signal output means for adding a signal to the electrical image signal; and an operation setting of the imaging means or the transmission means is changed according to an operation of an operation member, and the operation setting information is sent to the information display signal output means. Providing control means;
  The control means includes
  When the operation member is first operated, the current setting information is output to the information display signal output means and displayed on the monitor device without changing the operation setting of the imaging means or the transmission means;
  Each time the operating member is operated again before a predetermined time elapses, the operation setting of the imaging unit or the transmission unit is changed, and the changed operation setting information is output to the information display signal output unit. Displaying on the monitor device; and
  When a predetermined time has passed without the operation member being operated, the change of the operation setting is confirmed, the output of the operation setting information to the information display signal output means is stopped, and the operation setting information is displayed from the monitor device. A wireless video camera for endoscopes, characterized by turning off the camera. In endoscopic wireless video camera according to claim 6, wherein the information display signal output means, an endoscope for outputting the information display signal to the transmitting unit in addition to a period which does not overlap with the electrical image signal Wireless video camera. The radio video camera for endoscope according to claim 6 or 7 , further comprising: an image mask signal for masking a periphery of an image captured by the image capturing unit added to the electric image signal and output to the transmitting unit. Comprising mask means,
The information display signal output means is an endoscopic wireless video camera that adds the information display signal to the image mask signal and outputs the signal to the transmission means. The wireless video camera for an endoscope according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein the endoscope is a fiberscope or a rigid endoscope having an eyepiece, and the wireless video for the endoscope A wireless video camera for an endoscope which can be connected to the eyepiece.

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