JP4441248B2 - Processor, electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the image signal to an external monitor, and an electronic endoscope apparatus including the processor.

  In general, a medical electronic endoscope apparatus is an electronic endoscope that transmits an observation image of a living tissue in a body cavity as an image signal to an external apparatus by a solid-state imaging device provided at a distal end portion of a flexible tube. A processor including a light source device that illuminates the inside of the body cavity, an image processing device that performs predetermined processing on the image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the image signal to an external monitor; And a monitor for displaying a video signal output from the computer.

Generally, at the stage of product development, it is difficult to completely eliminate the defects included in the software related to the operation and functions of the product. Therefore, if a defect is found, the manufacturer analyzes the cause of the problem. To do. Then, firmware is created to solve the problem, and the firmware is provided to the user. In the case of an electronic endoscope apparatus, main software incorporated in the apparatus is image processing software provided in a processor. Even when a defect is discovered in such an electronic endoscope apparatus, the manufacturer creates firmware and provides the firmware to the user. The malfunctions here are mainly image disturbances and malfunctions. In the case of an electronic endoscope apparatus, if such a problem occurs, the inspection is hindered, so that maintenance needs to be performed quickly. In addition to software, when a product breaks down, the manufacturer repairs the product and re-provides the product to the user with the problem solved. Various repair services are proposed and put into practical use. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-15082 A (3rd, 4th term, Fig. 3)

  The above-mentioned software defects may be caused by operating the processor in a normal procedure, or may be generated by operating the processor in a special procedure that is not normally performed. Since the cause of the failure that occurs in normal operation is relatively easy, the manufacturer can analyze the content of the failure and create firmware that eliminates the failure without taking time.

  However, a problem that occurs only in a certain combination, that is, a problem that occurs due to a special condition, is difficult to clarify the cause of the occurrence, and thus takes time-consuming work. Furthermore, in the case of such software, even if a defect is intentionally generated, the probability of reproducing the defect is low, which makes analysis work difficult.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a processor that can quickly analyze a software defect that has occurred, and an electronic endoscope apparatus including the processor.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to an external monitor Has a processor. The processor includes an extraction unit that extracts an image signal at a predetermined timing, a conversion unit that converts the extracted image signal into an image signal having a format different from that of a video signal output to an external monitor, and the converted image signal. Storage means for storing.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to an external monitor A processor is provided. The processor includes an extraction unit that extracts an image signal in synchronization with a predetermined operation, a conversion unit that converts the extracted image signal into an image signal having a format different from that of a video signal output to an external monitor, and Storage means for storing image signals.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the predetermined operation includes at least one of a copy operation, a freeze operation, a move operation, and an erase operation for an image signal that is a basis of the video signal.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the extraction unit further extracts information on setting values related to image processing of the processor in synchronization with the timing at which the image signal is extracted. The converting unit converts the extracted setting value information together with the extracted image signal, and the storage unit stores the converted setting value information in association with the extracted image information.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the set value information includes at least one of set enhancement, color information, and a value indicating white balance.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the storage means stores the converted information in time series.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the storage means is built in the processor.

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the storage means is a memory card that is removable from the processor.

  In the above electronic endoscope apparatus, the processor includes image signal storage means for storing the image signal when performing predetermined processing on the image signal, and the storage means is a data bus common to the image signal storage means. Connected on top.

  In order to solve the above problems, a processor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an extraction unit that extracts an image signal at a predetermined timing, and an image having a format different from that of a video signal that outputs the extracted image signal to an external monitor. Conversion means for converting into a signal and storage means for storing the converted image signal are provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, a processor according to another aspect of the present invention is different from an extraction unit that extracts an image signal in synchronization with a predetermined operation and a video signal that outputs the extracted image signal to an external monitor. Conversion means for converting the image signal into a format, and storage means for storing the converted image signal.

  In the processor, the extraction unit further extracts information on setting values related to the image processing of the processor in synchronization with the timing at which the image signal is extracted. The storage means stores the setting value information in association with the extracted image signal.

  The processor and the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention store data extracted at a predetermined timing in a dedicated memory provided for countermeasures against software defects. Since the medical device manufacturer can obtain data when a problem occurs, the cause of the problem can be quickly analyzed. As a result, the medical device manufacturer can provide the user with the correction program in a shorter time than before.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic endoscope apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic endoscope apparatus 500 includes an electronic endoscope 100, a processor 200, and a monitor 300.

  The electronic endoscope 100 has a flexible tube for insertion into a body cavity, and is provided with a CCD 110 at its distal end. Moreover, the light guide 120 which guides the light irradiated from a light source device to an observation object is provided inside, and the observation in a body cavity with little light quantity is enabled. Since the electronic endoscope 100 is connected to the processor 200, the image signal of the living tissue in the body cavity obtained by the CCD 110 is output to the amplifier 212 provided in the processor 200.

  The processor 200 performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope 100, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the image signal to the monitor 300, and the light guide 120. And a light source device that illuminates the living tissue observed by the mirror 100.

  The light source device provided in the processor 200 includes a light source lamp 282, an RGB rotation filter 284, and a condenser lens 286. The electronic endoscope apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment employs a frame sequential imaging system, and includes an RGB rotation filter 284 in the optical path of white illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 282. The RGB rotation filter 284 includes a filter that transmits light of three colors of R, G, and B. A process for generating a color image by the frame sequential method will be described below.

  First, a motor that rotates the RGB filter rotation 284 is driven by a motor driver (not shown). As the RGB filter rotation 284 rotates, the illumination light of the light source lamp 282 sequentially passes through the R, G, and B filters.

  The illumination light that has passed through each filter is incident on the light guide 120 via the condenser lens 286. The illumination light is guided to the tip of the electronic endoscope 100 by the light guide 120, and illuminates the living tissue with illumination light of each color via a light distribution lens (not shown). The reflected light from the living tissue illuminated with the illumination light of each color is sequentially received by the CCD 110 via an objective lens (not shown). The received light image of each color is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by the CCD 110. This image signal is transmitted to the processor 200 and subjected to image processing to be described later. The processed signal is output to the monitor 300 as a video signal (video signal), and the living tissue is displayed as a color image on the monitor. Hereinafter, a process of image processing performed by the processor 200 will be described.

  In addition to the amplifier 212 described above, the processor 200 includes an S / H circuit 214, an A / D converter 216, a memory controller 220, memories 232, 242, 252 and a D / A converter 260, and an image. The signal output circuit 270 and a memory backup circuit 290 (including backup memories 292, 294, and 296) are included.

  The biological tissue image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 and input to the amplifier 212 provided in the processor 200 is amplified by the amplifier 212. The amplified image signal is sampled and held by the S / H circuit 214, and further converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D converter 216.

  The image signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 216 is synchronized with driving of the CCD 110 by a timing circuit (not shown) and separated into R, G, and B color image signals. The separated image signals of each color are sequentially stored in different memories by the memory controller 220. Here, the R signal is stored in the memory 232, the G signal is stored in the memory 242, and the B signal is stored in the memory 252.

  The image signal stored in each memory is simultaneously read from each of the memory 232, the memory 242, and the memory 252 by the memory controller 220 and is output to the D / A converter 260. The D / A converter 260 converts the digital signal into an analog signal. The image signal converted into the analog signal is input to the video signal output circuit 270, and the video signal output circuit 270 converts the image signal into a video signal such as a composite video signal, an S video signal, or an RGB video signal that can be displayed on the monitor 300. Is done. When the converted video signal is input to the monitor 300, an observation image of the living tissue is displayed on the monitor 300.

  In addition to the memories 232, 242, and 252, each of the image signals that are synchronized with the driving of the CCD 110 by the timing circuit and separated into R, G, and B colors is further included in the memory backup circuit 290. Are stored in backup memories 292, 294, and 296, respectively. Here, the R signal is stored in the backup memory 292, the G signal is stored in the backup memory 294, and the B signal is stored in the backup memory 296. These memories are connected on a common data bus.

  Each of the image signals transmitted from the CCD 110 is sequentially stored in the memories 232, 242, and 252. On the other hand, each of the image signals is stored in the backup memories 292, 294, and 296 at every predetermined timing. Here, storing at a predetermined timing indicates, for example, storing an image signal for one screen per minute in the backup memory or storing an image signal for one screen per second. . The image signals stored in these backup memories are used by a medical device manufacturer that provides the processor 200 in order to analyze the contents of the malfunction when a malfunction occurs in the image processing software included in the processor 200. This is image data to be used. Therefore, the predetermined timing is a timing set by the medical device manufacturer and is not set by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each backup memory control and a timing chart of stored image signals. In the first embodiment, each backup memory has a storage area of m blocks (for example, m = 30), and is configured to store an image signal for one screen in one block. That is, the image signal stored in each backup memory is m screens. In FIG. 2, blank blocks are blocks in which no data is stored, and blocks in which Dn (n is a natural number) are blocks in which image signals transmitted from the CCD 110 are stored. . Note that the backup memory illustrated in FIG. 2 is only the backup memory 292, but the backup memories 294 and 296 have the same configuration, and thus description of these backup memories using the drawings is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 is stored as image data “D1” in the backup memory 292 at a predetermined timing. Then, the next image data “D2” is stored at a predetermined timing set in the processor 200. As described above, the backup memory 292 stores the image data at every predetermined timing. As shown in FIG. 2, when the image data “D _{m + 1} ” (showing the m + 1-th image data stored) is stored in the backup memory 292, the oldest image data “D1” is erased. That is, the backup memory 292 sequentially stores new image data. When all the blocks storing the image data are filled, the old image data is sequentially deleted every time new image data is stored. The backup memory 292 is updated.

  The image signals stored in each of the backup memories 292, 294, and 296 are converted into image signals of a format different from the video signals output from the video signal output circuit 270 by the memory controller 220 and stored. In the first embodiment, the image signal stored in each backup memory is converted into image data in a file format such as JPEG or BMP by a CPU (not shown). Further, since these backup memories are rewritable nonvolatile ROMs, that is, flash memories, EEPROMs, memories with batteries, and the like, even when the power of the processor 200 is turned off, the power supply monitoring of the memory backup circuit 290 is performed. Since the power supply to the backup memory is switched to a battery (not shown) by a circuit (not shown), the recorded information is retained.

  In the first embodiment, data stored in each of the backup memories 292, 294, and 296 is an image signal obtained by the electronic endoscope 100. When a software defect occurs and the image of the living tissue displayed on the monitor 300 is noisy or disturbed, the medical device manufacturer analyzes the cause of the occurrence based on the image data collected from each backup memory. To do.

  When a problem occurs in software of a certain user's electronic endoscope device, the medical device manufacturer, for example, dispatches a salesperson to the user. The salesperson connects the terminal 600 to the processor 200 through a connection unit (not shown). The processor 200 is provided with a mode called a service mode that is activated by a password known only by the medical device manufacturer, and the salesperson activates the service mode and reads an image signal stored in each of the backup memories. And displayed on the display unit of the terminal 600. When it is determined from the image signal displayed on the terminal 600 that the problem can be easily solved by introducing a simple correction program, the salesperson operates the terminal 600 and uses the correction program as a processor. The program related to the operation / function of 200 is written in an EEPROM (not shown) in which programs are stored. On the other hand, if it is determined from the read image signal that the problem cannot be resolved easily, the sales staff will take the read image signal home, and another technician will review and create a more rigorous correction program. To provide. In any case, since the manufacturer can confirm the image of the processor in which the problem has occurred, the contents of the problem can be quickly analyzed. As a result, the medical device manufacturer can provide the user with the correction program in a shorter time than before. In addition, during the activation of the service mode, the timing of writing image data to each backup memory can be changed, and image data more suitable for analysis can be obtained for software defects.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electronic endoscope apparatus 500z according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic endoscope apparatus 500z of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the electronic endoscope apparatus 500 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted. The electronic endoscope apparatus 500z includes an electronic endoscope 100, a processor 200z, and a monitor 300.

  In the second embodiment, the image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 is separated into R, G, and B color image signals and stored in the memories 232, 242, and 252 as in the first embodiment. . Then, the same image processing as in the first embodiment is performed, and the image is output to the monitor 300.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the image signal transmitted from the CCD 110, the backup memories 292, 294, and 296 store setting value information related to the image processing of the processor 200z. The information on the setting values relating to the image processing of the processor 200z here relates to the state of the image displayed on the monitor 300 such as the enhancement, red level, blue level, and white balance currently set in the processor 200z.

  Information on setting values related to image processing of the processor 200z is input and stored in the respective backup memories 292, 294, and 296 by the CPU 290 provided in the processor 200z. The CPU 240 outputs information on this set value to each of the backup memories 292, 294, 296 in synchronization with a predetermined timing at which image signals are stored in the backup memories 292, 294, 296. In other words, in the second embodiment, one block of these backup memories relates to the image signal stored at a predetermined timing and the image processing of the processor 200z that is set when the image signal is displayed. Information on setting values is stored.

  In the second embodiment, the data stored in each of the backup memories is information on an image signal obtained by the electronic endoscope 100 and setting values related to image processing of the processor 200z corresponding to the image signal. In the event that software malfunctions and the image of the living tissue displayed on the monitor 300 is noisy or distorted, the medical device manufacturer can set the image signal stored in each backup memory and the settings related to the image. Based on the value information, analyze the cause. In other words, if a problem occurs in the software in the second embodiment, the medical device manufacturer can check the settings of the image and the processor, so that it understands the situation when the problem occurs more accurately. It is possible to quickly analyze the contents of the defect. As a result, the medical device manufacturer can provide the user with the correction program in a shorter time than before.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electronic endoscope apparatus 500y according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic endoscope apparatus 500y of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the electronic endoscope apparatus 500 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted. The electronic endoscope apparatus 500y includes an electronic endoscope 100, a processor 200y, a monitor 300, and a memory card 400.

  In the third embodiment, the image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 is separated into R, G, and B color image signals and stored in the memories 232, 242, and 252 as in the first embodiment. . Then, the same image processing as in the first embodiment is performed, and the image is output to the monitor 300.

  The processor 200y is provided with an insertion port (memory card slot, not shown) into which a removable card-type recording medium is inserted, and the memory card 400 is inserted into the insertion port. The image signal output from the A / D converter 216 is converted into image data in a file format such as JPEG or BMP by a CPU 240 (not shown) and stored in the memory card 400. Note that, under the control of the memory controller 220, image data is recorded on the memory card 400 at a predetermined timing, as in the first embodiment. If a software failure of a user's electronic endoscope device occurs, a salesperson dispatched from a medical device manufacturer to the user can collect the memory card 400 on which the image data is recorded from the insertion port as it is. Good.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ranges.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, each backup memory 292, 294, 296 or memory card 400 stores an image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 at a predetermined timing. The image signals may be stored in each backup memory 292, 294, 296 or memory card 400. The predetermined operation here refers to an operation that is performed when an image displayed on the monitor 300 is copied, frozen, or image data recorded in the processor is moved or deleted. . That is, when an operation key (not shown) provided in the processor is operated, an image signal transmitted from the CCD 110 in synchronization with a signal input to a control unit (not shown) is stored in each backup memory 292, 294, 296, or It is stored in the memory card 400.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, each backup memory 292, 294, 296, or memory card 400 stores image signals transmitted from the CCD 110 and information on setting values related to image processing of the processor 200z. However, it may be configured to store access information for the processor from an external device. If the processor is configured in this way, the cause of the occurrence can be quickly analyzed even when a software problem occurs due to access from an external device. Alternatively, an image signal may be stored in each backup memory 292, 294, 296, or memory card 400, triggered by access from an external device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control of each backup memory of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the timing chart of the image signal memorize | stored. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic endoscope apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic endoscope apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electronic endoscope 200 Processor 220 Memory controller 300 Monitor 500 Electronic endoscope apparatus

Claims (12)

In an electronic endoscope apparatus including a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the image signal to an external monitor.
The processor includes extraction means for extracting the image signal at predetermined time intervals;
Conversion means for converting the extracted image signal into an image signal of a format different from the video signal output to the external monitor;
Storage means for storing the converted image signal;
When storing a new image signal in the storage means , if the capacity of the storage means is full, the oldest image signal of the image signals stored in the storage means is deleted before the new image signal is stored. It possesses an updating means for storing an image signal, a,
The image signal stored in the storage means is read only in a service mode for maintenance work set to be activated by a specific password in the processor,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time interval can be set only in the service mode . In an electronic endoscope apparatus including a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope, converts the image signal into a video signal, and outputs the image signal to an external monitor.
The processor is configured to extract the image signal in synchronization with a predetermined operation;
Conversion means for converting the extracted image signal into an image signal of a format different from the video signal output to the external monitor;
Storage means for storing the converted image signal;
When storing a new image signal in the storage means , if the capacity of the storage means is full, the oldest image signal of the image signals stored in the storage means is deleted before the new image signal is stored. Updating means for storing the image signal ,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image signal stored in the storage means is read out only in a service mode for maintenance work set to be activated by a specific password in the processor .   The electronic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined operation includes at least one of a copy operation, a freeze operation, a movement operation, and an erasure operation on the image signal that is a basis of the video signal. apparatus. The extraction means further extracts information on setting values related to image processing of the processor in synchronization with the timing at which the image signal is extracted,
The converting means converts the extracted setting value information together with the extracted image signal,
4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the converted setting value information in association with the extracted image information. Mirror device.   The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the setting value information includes at least one of a set enhancement value, color information, and a value indicating white balance.   6. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the converted information in time series.   The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is built in the processor.   The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a memory card that is detachable from the processor. The processor includes image signal storage means for storing the image signal when the predetermined processing is performed on the image signal,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is connected to a common data bus with the image signal storage unit. In a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope to convert it to a video signal and outputs it to an external monitor.
Extraction means for extracting the image signal at predetermined time intervals;
Conversion means for converting the extracted image signal into an image signal of a format different from the video signal output to the external monitor;
Storage means for storing the converted image signal;
When storing a new image signal in the storage means , if the capacity of the storage means is full, the oldest image signal of the image signals stored in the storage means is deleted before the new image signal is stored. It possesses an updating means for storing an image signal, a,
The image signal stored in the storage means is read only in a service mode for maintenance work set to be activated by a specific password in the processor,
The processor according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time interval can be set only in the service mode . In a processor that performs predetermined processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope to convert it to a video signal and outputs it to an external monitor.
Extraction means for extracting the image signal in synchronization with a predetermined operation;
Conversion means for converting the extracted image signal into an image signal of a format different from the video signal output to the external monitor;
Storage means for storing the converted image signal;
When storing a new image signal in the storage means , if the capacity of the storage means is full, the oldest image signal of the image signals stored in the storage means is deleted before the new image signal is stored. Updating means for storing the image signal ,
The processor according to claim 1, wherein the image signal stored in the storage means is read out only in a service mode for maintenance work set to be activated by a specific password in the processor. The extraction means further extracts information on setting values related to image processing of the processor in synchronization with the timing at which the image signal is extracted,
12. The processor according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit stores information on the setting value in association with the extracted image signal.

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