JP4025766B2 - Receiver and transmitter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission device that transmits a captured video signal and a reception device that receives the video signal, and more particularly to a transmission device and a reception device that can obtain good video information by aligning the average DC level of the transmission signal. It is.

  In recent years, swallowable capsule endoscopes have appeared in the field of endoscopes. This capsule endoscope is provided with an imaging function and a wireless communication function. Capsule endoscopes are peristaltic in the body cavity, for example, the stomach, small intestine, etc., after being swallowed from the patient's mouth for observation (examination) and before being spontaneously discharged from the human body. It has the function to move according to and to image sequentially.

  While moving inside the body cavity, image data imaged inside the body by the capsule endoscope is sequentially transmitted to the outside by wireless communication and stored in a memory provided in an external receiver. When the patient carries the receiver having the wireless communication function and the memory function, the patient can freely act even during the period from swallowing the capsule endoscope until it is discharged. Thereafter, the doctor or nurse can make a diagnosis by displaying an organ image on the display based on the image data stored in the memory.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-19111

  By the way, in order to increase the reception sensitivity of the video signal, it is necessary to make the average DC level of the transmission signal uniform. Here, it is conceivable to insert a dummy pulse in the horizontal blanking period or the vertical blanking period of the video signal on the transmission side. However, during this blanking period, particularly during the horizontal blanking period, reading and transfer of a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is performed. When a dummy pulse is inserted in this horizontal blanking period, a fixed pattern is added to the video signal by this dummy pulse. There is a problem that good video information cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to make the average DC level of the transmission signal uniform while preventing the noise accompanying the addition of the dummy signal during the blanking period, and to obtain good video information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission device and a reception device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a transmission apparatus according to claim 1 is an average of transmission signals during at least one of a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period in an imaged video signal. A dummy signal adding means for adding a dummy signal for giving a direct current level; and setting means for setting at least the presence / absence of the dummy signal or the contents of the dummy signal to be added, according to the setting contents of the setting means The dummy signal is added during the blanking period.

  In the transmission device according to claim 2, in the above invention, the setting unit includes: a holding unit that holds the content set by the setting unit as an operation mode; and a selection unit that selects the operation mode. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the content of the dummy signal includes the clock frequency of the dummy signal.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the dummy signal is a dummy pulse, and the rising and falling times of the dummy pulse are other than image information in the signal sequentially read by the image sensor. It occurs in the part of.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the transmission apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the dummy signal is a clock signal that is 1 / integer of a readout clock of the image sensor.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the dummy signal is a clock signal that is 1 / integer of a data transfer clock.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the content of the dummy signal is obtained by alternately adding a high level signal and a low level signal whose polarity is inverted during the continuous horizontal blanking period. It is characterized by including.

  The receiving device according to claim 8 is a receiving device for receiving a video signal transmitted from a transmitting device, wherein the detecting device detects a horizontal blanking period or a vertical blanking period in the video signal, and the blanking. And an adding means for adding a dummy signal that gives an average DC level of the transmission signal during the period.

  In the receiving device according to claim 9, in the above invention, the adding unit includes a dummy signal generating unit that generates a dummy signal, and a dummy signal from the dummy signal generating unit during a blanking period detected by the detecting unit. Switching means for switching and outputting a signal as the video signal.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the adding means includes a dummy signal generating means for generating a dummy signal and a dummy signal from the dummy signal generating means during the blanking period detected by the detecting means. Adding means for adding a signal to the video signal and outputting the added signal.

  In the transmission device according to the present invention, dummy signal adding means for adding a dummy signal that gives an average DC level of the transmission signal to at least one of the horizontal blanking period and the vertical blanking period in the captured video signal; Setting means for setting at least the presence or absence of the dummy signal or the content of the dummy signal to be added, and adding the dummy signal during the blanking period according to the setting content of the setting means, in particular imaging Since the rise and fall times of the dummy pulse are generated in a portion other than the image information in the signals sequentially read out by the image pickup device using an element read clock or the like, a dummy signal is added and added. The signal content can be selectively set according to the characteristics of the receiver. While preventing mixing of noise due to the dummy signal adding blanking period, it is possible to align the average DC level of the transmission signal, an effect that it is possible to obtain a good image information.

  In the receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means detects each blanking period of the horizontal blanking period or the vertical blanking period in the video signal, and the adding means detects the blanking period detected by the detecting means. Since the dummy signal that gives the average DC level of the transmission signal is added, even if there is no dummy signal in the blanking period of the received signal, the dummy signal can be added in all blanking periods, and always The average direct current level of the received signals can be made uniform, and it is possible to obtain good video information.

  Hereinafter, a wireless in-vivo information acquiring system including a transmitting device and a receiving device, which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless in-vivo information acquiring system. This wireless intra-subject information acquisition system uses a capsule endoscope as an example of an intra-subject introduction apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless in-vivo information acquiring system is a capsule that is introduced into the body of a subject 1 and images a body cavity image and wirelessly transmits data such as a video signal to the receiving device 2. Type endoscope 3, receiving device 2 that receives in-vivo image data wirelessly transmitted from capsule endoscope 3, and display device 4 that displays an in-vivo image based on a video signal received by receiving device 2 And a portable recording medium 5 for transferring data between the receiving device 2 and the display device 4. The receiving device 2 also includes a wireless unit 2a having a plurality of receiving antennas A1 to An attached to the external surface of the subject 1, and a radio signal received through the plurality of receiving antennas A1 to An. And a receiving body unit 2b that performs processing and the like, and these units are detachably connected via a connector or the like. Each of the receiving antennas A1 to An is provided, for example, in a jacket that can be worn by the subject 1, and the subject 1 wears the receiving antennas A1 to An by wearing this jacket. Also good. In this case, the receiving antennas A1 to An may be detachable from the jacket.

  The display device 4 is for displaying an in-vivo image captured by the capsule endoscope 3 and is realized by a workstation that displays an image based on data obtained by the portable recording medium 5. The Specifically, the display device 4 may be configured to directly display an image using a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or the like, or may be configured to output an image to another medium such as a printer.

  The portable recording medium 5 uses a compact flash (registered trademark) memory or the like, is detachable with respect to the receiving main unit 2b and the display device 4, and can output or record information when being inserted into both. Have Specifically, the portable recording medium 5 is inserted into the receiving body unit 2 b while the capsule endoscope 3 is moving in the body cavity of the subject 1 and transmitted from the capsule endoscope 3. Data is recorded on the portable recording medium 5. Then, after the capsule endoscope 3 is ejected from the subject 1, that is, after imaging of the inside of the subject 1 is finished, the capsule endoscope 3 is taken out from the receiving body unit 2b and inserted into the display device 4 to display the display. Data recorded by the device 4 is read out. By passing data between the receiving body unit 2b and the display device 4 using the portable recording medium 5, it becomes possible for the subject 1 to act freely during imaging in the body cavity, and the display device 4 This also contributes to shortening the data transfer period between the two. It should be noted that the data transfer between the receiving main unit 2b and the display device 4 may be configured to use a wired or wireless connection with the display device 4 using another recording device built in the receiving main unit 2b. .

  Here, the capsule endoscope 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the capsule endoscope 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule endoscope 3 includes an LED 19 for irradiating an imaging region when photographing the inside of the subject 1, an LED driving circuit 20 for controlling the driving state of the LED 19, and the LED 19. It includes a CCD 21 that is an image pickup device that picks up an image of an irradiated region, and a signal processing circuit 22 that processes an image signal output from the CCD 21 into image information in a desired format. The capsule endoscope 3 includes a CCD driving circuit 25 that controls the driving state of the CCD 21 and an RF transmission unit that generates an RF signal by modulating image data captured by the CCD 21 and processed by the signal processing circuit 22. 23, a transmission antenna unit 24 that transmits an RF signal output from the RF transmission unit 23, and a system control circuit 26 that controls the operation of the LED drive circuit 20, the CCD drive circuit 25, and the RF transmission unit 23. The CCD 21, the signal processing circuit 22, and the CCD driving circuit 25 are collectively referred to as an imaging circuit 27.

  By providing these mechanisms, the capsule endoscope 3 acquires image information of the region to be examined illuminated by the LED 19 by the CCD 21 while being introduced into the subject 1. The acquired image information is signal-processed into a video signal by the signal processing circuit 22, and this video signal is converted into an RF signal in the RF transmission unit 23 and then transmitted to the outside via the transmission antenna unit 24.

  The capsule endoscope 3 includes a sensor unit 35 that detects a signal such as predetermined magnetism, light, and radio waves, and an LED drive circuit, a CCD drive circuit 25, An RF transmission unit 23 and a drive control unit 34 that controls driving of a system control circuit 26 that controls the overall processing of each unit are provided. The sensor unit 35 is realized by, for example, a pH sensor, and detects whether or not the capsule endoscope 3 has reached a predetermined position in the subject. Based on this result, the drive control unit 34 performs the control of each unit. Control the drive. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, the drive control unit 34 receives power supplied from the battery 40 as an energy supply source via the power switch 33 in the power switch circuit 30. The battery 40 is realized by a button type battery such as silver oxide. The power switch 33 is a main power switch of the capsule endoscope 3 so to speak. The power switch circuit 30 further includes a signal detection circuit 31 and a switch control circuit 32. A signal detection circuit 31 as an external signal detection means for detecting a signal from the outside of the capsule endoscope 3 is realized by a reed switch, and is turned on and off by the proximity and separation of the magnet 50 with respect to the reed switch. In other words, the switch control circuit 32 that performs an on / off operation depending on whether or not a magnetic force acts on the reed switch is configured to toggle the on / off of the power switch 33 based on the control signal from the signal detection circuit 31, that is, the on / off signal. Control. The power switch 33 is turned on and off by the magnet 50 before being introduced into the subject, and an operation check of the capsule endoscope 3 is performed.

  Here, the signal processing circuit 22 includes a dummy signal adding unit 22a. The dummy signal adding unit 22a is synchronized with a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal of a video signal, and is either a vertical blanking period or a horizontal blanking period (hereinafter referred to as a horizontal blanking period). Within the blanking period), a dummy pulse for adjusting the average DC level of the transmission signal is added.

  On the other hand, the drive control unit 34 has a setting register 34a. In the setting register 34a, whether or not dummy pulses are added by the dummy signal adding unit 22a, and dummy pulses when dummy pulses are added. The content is retained. The setting contents of the setting register 34a are held as a plurality of setting modes, and one setting mode is set by the selection setting by the selection setting unit 36. The drive control unit 34 controls the addition of the dummy signal by the dummy adding unit 22a according to the setting mode.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting contents set in the setting register 34a. As shown in FIG. 3, the setting register 34a stores register values and dummy signal processes, and holds eight dummy signal processes corresponding to the register values “0” to “7”. The register value “0” is associated with processing that does not add a dummy signal, and the register values “1” to “3” are 1/2 times, 1/4 times, 1 / times of the imaging clock that is the readout clock of the CCD 21. The use of a clock pulse having a frequency of 8 times as a dummy pulse is associated, and the register values “4” to “6” are 1/2 times and 1/4 times the digital data transfer clock in the signal processing circuit 22. , A clock pulse having a frequency of 1/8 times is used as a dummy pulse, and the register value “7” is an alternating pattern in which ON (high level) and OFF (low level) are repeated in consecutive blanking periods. Processes (see FIG. 7) are associated with each other.

  Here, each dummy signal processing set by the setting register 34a will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the processing of the imaging signal has a data processing period of one line and a blanking period, and one line of pixel signal is read from the CCD 21 during the blanking period. When the register value “0” is selected and set, no dummy pulse is added during this blanking period.

  With the register values “1” to “3”, dummy pulses are generated using the imaging clock as described above. This dummy pulse has a frequency that is 1 / integer multiple of the imaging clock, and is set to 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 in FIG. The imaging clock is a readout clock for the imaging signal. By using this imaging clock, the dummy pulse can be synchronized with the imaging clock. At this time, the rise time t1 and the fall time t2 of the dummy pulse are entered in a period other than the period T having substantial pixel information in the imaging signal. As a result, noise due to the dummy pulse is not substantially mixed into the information of the period T, and good image information can be transmitted, and the average direct current level during reproduction on the receiving side can be increased by adding the dummy pulse. The image information can be aligned and good image information can be obtained.

  In the register values “4” to “6”, as described above, a clock of 1 / integer multiple of the transfer clock is set as a dummy pulse. When this dummy pulse is input to the receiving side, the receiving side can easily generate a timing pulse for data capture by multiplying the dummy pulse using a PLL or the like. That is, the dummy pulses can have the same average DC level, and the dummy pulses can be effectively used to easily generate timing pulses for data capture on the receiving side.

  Further, in the register value “7”, the high level pulse PH and the low level pulse PL are alternately inserted in the blanking period. In other words, it is only necessary to turn on the blanking period in which the pulse PH is inserted. In this case, by providing the receiving side with an AC coupling circuit having a time constant of two lines or more, the average DC level can be made close to the amplitude center of the intermittent dummy pulse.

  The selection setting unit 36 selects one setting mode for the setting register 34a in which the type of dummy pulse or the presence / absence of addition of the dummy pulse is held as a setting mode. The dummy pulse can be added flexibly and appropriately. In the case of the setting register 34a shown in FIG. 3, the selection setting unit 36 can be realized by, for example, a 3-bit dip switch.

  In the first embodiment, a setting register 34a holding a plurality of setting modes related to dummy pulses is provided on the side of the capsule endoscope 3 that is a transmission device, and the setting mode is set by the selection setting unit 36. It is possible to add or not add dummy pulses or add various dummy pulses. In this case, a dummy pulse is generated using an imaging clock, and noise is not mixed into the image information by setting a change point such as a rise or fall of the dummy pulse in a period other than a substantial pixel signal, and the average The DC level can be made uniform. Further, by generating a dummy pulse using the data transfer clock, it is possible to easily generate a data capturing clock on the receiving side and to make the average DC level uniform. Further, by adding a pulse whose polarity is inverted every blanking period, it is possible to easily make the average DC level uniform without mixing noise in the image information.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment described above, the capsule endoscope 3 as a transmitting device can select and insert a plurality of types of dummy pulses in the blanking period. In the second embodiment, the receiving device 2 A dummy pulse can be inserted on the side. The system configuration is the same as the wireless in-vivo information acquiring system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the receiving apparatus 2 shown in FIG. The radio unit 2a receives the radio signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope 3 and demodulates it into a baseband signal. As shown in FIG. 8, the wireless unit 2a is connected to a selector switch SW that performs connection switching processing for selectively switching any one of the receiving antennas A1 to An, and to a subsequent stage of the selector switch SW. And a receiving circuit 11 that amplifies and demodulates radio signals from the receiving antennas A1 to An that are switched and connected by SW.

  The receiving body unit 2b receives and processes the baseband signal demodulated by the wireless unit 2a. As shown in FIG. 8, the reception main unit 2 b includes a signal processing circuit 12 and an A / D conversion unit 13 that are connected to the subsequent stage of the reception circuit 11, and a display unit 14 that displays image data processed by the signal processing circuit 12. , A storage unit 15 for storing various information, a portable information recording medium 5, a control unit C for controlling each of these components, and a power supply unit 16 for supplying power to the receiving main unit 2b and the wireless unit 2a. . The control unit C includes a switching control unit Ca that performs antenna switching control.

  The receiving circuit 11 amplifies the radio signal output from the changeover switch SW, outputs the demodulated baseband signal S1 to the signal processing circuit 12, and outputs a received intensity signal S2 indicating the signal strength of the amplified radio signal to the A / A. The data is output to the D conversion unit 13. The image data processed by the signal processing circuit 12 is stored in the portable information recording medium 5 by the control unit C and displayed on the display unit 14 as necessary. The reception intensity signal S2 converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 13 is taken into the control unit C. The switching control unit Ca receives the receiving antenna received at the highest signal strength based on the received strength signal S2 obtained by sequentially switching the receiving antennas A1 to An, and receives the image data. And a switching signal S3 instructing switching to the antenna is output to the selector switch SW. Further, the control unit C stores the signal strength received by each receiving antenna together with the image data in the portable information recording medium 5 in association with the selected receiving antenna. The stored signal strength of each receiving antenna is used as information for calculating the position of the capsule endoscope 3 in the body when image data is received.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the receiving circuit 11. As shown in FIG. 9, the radio signal input from the selector switch SW is input to the demodulation circuit 61, down-converted and demodulated into an analog baseband signal, amplified by the amplifier 62, and then to the adder circuit 63. Entered.

  On the other hand, the reference binarization circuit 71 branches and inputs an analog baseband signal from the amplifier 62, generates a digital baseband signal, and outputs it to the blank detection circuit 72. The blank detection circuit 72 detects a blanking period based on the input baseband signal, and outputs a signal instructing a mask to the pulse circuit 73 during a period other than the blanking period. The pulse circuit 73 generates a pulse signal that becomes a source of the dummy pulse, and outputs the dummy pulse during a period other than the mask input from the blank detection circuit 72. The gain / offset adjustment circuit 74 adjusts the gain and offset of the dummy pulse so that the dummy pulse input from the pulse circuit 73 matches the baseband signal input from the amplifier 62 to the addition circuit 63. The adjusted dummy pulse is output to the adder circuit 63.

  The adder circuit 63 adds the analog dummy pulse input from the gain / offset adjustment circuit 74 to the analog baseband signal input from the amplifier 62, and outputs the result to the low pass filter (LPF) 64. As a result, the signal output from the LPF 64 has dummy pulses inserted in all blanking periods. The baseband signal with the dummy pulse inserted is converted into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 65 and output to the signal processing circuit 12. In the signal processing circuit 12, since the dummy pulses are inserted in all blanking periods, the average DC level is uniform and good image information can be obtained.

  Here, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. In the receiving circuit 11 shown in FIG. 9, the mask processing and the adding circuit 63 are used to form a state where dummy pulses are inserted in all blanking periods. In this modification, however, a switch is used. In the second embodiment described above, the dummy pulse is inserted in the entire blanking period using the switch.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a receiving circuit 11 which is a modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the radio signal input from the selector switch SW is input to the demodulation circuit 61, down-converted and demodulated into an analog baseband signal, amplified by the amplifier 62, and then input to the switch 80. Is done.

  On the other hand, the reference binarization circuit 71 branches and inputs an analog baseband signal from the amplifier 62, generates a digital baseband signal, and outputs it to the blank detection circuit 72. The blank detection circuit 72 detects a blanking period based on the input baseband signal, and performs control to switch the switch 80 depending on the presence or absence of the blanking period. Here, the pulse circuit 73 generates a pulse signal that becomes a source of the dummy pulse, and outputs it to the gain / offset adjustment circuit 74. The gain / offset adjustment circuit 74 outputs the dummy pulse input from the pulse circuit 73 to the switch circuit 80.

  When the blanking period is not detected, the switch 80 outputs the baseband signal input from the amplifier 62 to the LPF 64, and when the blanking period is detected, the switch 80 outputs the dummy pulse input from the gain / offset adjustment circuit 74 to the LPF 64. The switching control to output to is performed.

  In the baseband signal output from the LPF 64, dummy pulses are inserted in all blanking periods. The baseband signal with the dummy pulse inserted is converted into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 65 and output to the signal processing circuit 12. In the signal processing circuit 12, since the dummy pulses are inserted in all blanking periods, the average DC level is uniform and good image information can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, even when no dummy signal is added to the blanking period on the transmission side, dummy signals are added to all blanking periods on the reception side. On the other hand, the average DC level can be surely aligned, and good image information can always be obtained.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the radio | wireless type in-vivo information acquisition system which has the capsule endoscope which is the transmitter concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the capsule type endoscope shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the content stored in the setting register. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a data processing period and a blanking period. It is a timing chart which shows generation of a dummy pulse using an imaging clock. It is a figure which shows an example of the dummy pulse using the transfer clock of digital processing. It is a figure which shows an example of the dummy signal at the time of inserting the high level pulse and low level pulse from which polarity differs alternately in a blanking period. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a receiver. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the receiving circuit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of a receiving circuit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2 Reception apparatus 2a Wireless unit 2b Reception main body unit 3 Capsule type endoscope 4 Display apparatus 5 Portable recording medium 11 Reception circuit 12 Signal processing circuit 13 A / D conversion part 14 Display part 15 Storage part 16 Power supply part 19 LED
20 LED drive circuit 21 CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Signal processing circuit 22a Dummy signal addition part 23 RF transmission unit 24 Transmission antenna part 25 CCD drive circuit 26 System control circuit 27 Imaging circuit 30 Power switch circuit 31 Signal detection circuit 32 Switch control circuit 33 Power switch 34 Drive control part 34a Setting register 35 Sensor unit 36 Selection setting unit 50 Magnet C1 control unit Ca switching control unit SW switch A1-An receiving antenna

Claims (10)

Dummy signal adding means for adding a dummy signal that gives an average DC level of the transmission signal to at least one of the horizontal blanking period and the vertical blanking period in the imaged video signal;
Setting means for setting at least the presence or absence of the dummy signal or the content of the dummy signal to be added;
And transmitting the dummy signal during the blanking period according to the setting content of the setting means. The setting means includes
Holding means for holding the content set by the setting means as an operation mode;
Selecting means for selecting the operation mode;
The transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the dummy signal includes a clock frequency of the dummy signal.   4. The dummy signal according to claim 1, wherein the dummy signal is a dummy pulse, and rising and falling times of the dummy pulse are generated in a portion other than image information in a signal sequentially read by the image sensor. The transmitting device according to any one of the above.   5. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the dummy signal is a clock signal that is 1 / integer of a readout clock of the imaging device. 6.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dummy signal is a clock signal that is a fraction of an integer of a data transfer clock.   3. The transmission according to claim 1, wherein the content of the dummy signal includes alternating addition of a high level signal and a low level signal whose polarity is inverted during the continuous horizontal blanking period. apparatus. In a receiving device that receives a video signal transmitted from a transmitting device,
Detecting means for detecting a horizontal blanking period or a vertical blanking period in the video signal;
An adding means for adding a dummy signal that gives an average DC level of the transmission signal during the blanking period;
A receiving apparatus comprising: The adding means includes
Dummy signal generating means for generating a dummy signal;
Switching means for switching the dummy signal from the dummy signal generating means as the video signal during the blanking period detected by the detecting means;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: The adding means includes
Dummy signal generating means for generating a dummy signal;
An adding means for adding the dummy signal from the dummy signal generating means to the video signal and outputting it during the blanking period detected by the detecting means;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

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