JP5137372B2 - Image processing system and endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system and an endoscope system, and more particularly to an image processing system and an endoscope system capable of performing a correction process on digital data (digital signal).

  An endoscope system is capable of being inserted into a body cavity and having an image capturing function for an image of a subject in a subject, and image processing for an image corresponding to the image of the subject. It has an image processing apparatus as a main configuration, and has been widely used in the medical field and the like. In particular, an endoscope system in the medical field is used when an operator or the like performs a treatment on a living body as a subject.

  In addition, A / D conversion is performed inside the endoscope for the captured subject image (or an imaging signal corresponding to the subject image), and the subject image (or the imaging signal) is converted into digital data (or a digital signal). In recent years, an endoscope system having a configuration that can be transmitted to an image processing apparatus has been proposed. An example of an endoscope apparatus having such a configuration is an endoscope imaging system proposed in Patent Document 1.

Furthermore, in recent years, image processing apparatuses capable of transmitting a large amount of data by high-speed serial transmission are becoming widespread.
JP 2005-191710 A

  However, the endoscope imaging system disclosed in Patent Document 1 causes, for example, a rapid voltage change or disturbance at the time of power-on with respect to digital data (or digital signal) transmitted from the endoscope to the video signal processing device. When the digital data (or digital signal) is received by the video signal processing device, it is restored as data (or signal) different from the data (or signal) before transmission. As a result, the image quality of the image output from the video signal processing device is degraded (compared to the state before transmission). In particular, when digital data is serially transmitted, image quality deterioration due to noise appears remarkably.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an image processing system capable of outputting an image of good quality even when noise is added to transmitted digital data (or digital signal). And it aims at providing an endoscope system.

An image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit including an imaging element that captures an image of a subject and can output the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal, and the analog imaging signal as a digital imaging signal. An A / D conversion unit that converts and outputs, a first reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount, and the predetermined reference pattern data are superimposed on the digital imaging signal A signal transmission unit comprising: a timing setting unit that sets timing; and a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at the timing set by the timing setting unit; A second reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data identical to that of the first reference data generation unit; A timing detection unit for detecting a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the digital imaging signal to be synchronized with a timing set by the timing setting unit; and a timing detection unit At the timing, data corresponding to the predetermined data amount is extracted from the digital imaging signal, the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data are compared, and correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result. A signal receiving unit comprising a data correction unit, and a time measuring unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the signal transmitting unit is turned on, and the timing setting unit includes the time measuring unit Based on the count value in, the signal transmission unit was turned on After a predetermined period of time only, the predetermined reference pattern data settings to be superimposed on the digital image signal, the data correction unit includes data the extracted in the digital imaging signal after the correction process Notification information indicating either a transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or a failure in a connection state of a signal line connecting the signal transmission unit and the signal reception unit when the predetermined reference pattern data does not match Process to output to the outside.
An image processing system according to another aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit including an imaging device that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal, and the analog imaging signal is converted into a digital imaging signal. An A / D converter that converts the data into a first output, a first reference data generator that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined amount of data, and the predetermined reference pattern data superimposed on the digital imaging signal. A signal transmission unit comprising: a timing setting unit that sets a timing to be transmitted; and a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at the timing set by the timing setting unit; A second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit; and the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the digital imaging signal that is input at a timing that is synchronized with a timing set by the timing setting unit, and is detected by the timing detection unit. At the same time, the data for the predetermined amount of data is extracted from the digital image pickup signal, the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data are compared, and correction processing for the digital image pickup signal is performed according to the comparison result. A signal receiving unit including a data correcting unit to perform, an image correction instruction to perform an image correction instruction to the signal transmitting unit and the signal receiving unit, and an instruction to perform the image correction. A time measuring unit that counts the time elapsed immediately after The ming setting unit performs setting to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period immediately after the image correction instruction is made based on the count value in the time measuring unit, The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal, or the signal transmission unit And processing for outputting the notification information indicating any one of the problems in the connection state of the signal line connecting the signal receiving unit to the outside .

An endoscope system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit including an imaging element that captures an image of a subject and can output the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal; and the analog imaging signal is converted into a digital imaging signal. An A / D converter that converts the data into a first output, a first reference data generator that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined amount of data, and the predetermined reference pattern data superimposed on the digital imaging signal. An endoscope comprising: a timing setting unit that sets a timing to be output; and a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at the timing set by the timing setting unit; A second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit, and the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the digital imaging signal at a timing synchronized with a timing set by the timing setting unit; and a timing detected by the timing detection unit Data correction for extracting data corresponding to the predetermined amount of data from the digital imaging signal, comparing the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data, and performing correction processing on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result And an image processing apparatus comprising: a time measurement unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the signal transmission unit is turned on , and wherein the timing setting unit counts in the time measurement unit Immediately after the signal transmitter is turned on based on the value Luo within a predetermined period of time only, the predetermined reference pattern data settings to be superimposed on the digital image signal, the data correction section, wherein the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction process Notification information indicating either a transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or a failure in a connection state of a signal line connecting the signal transmission unit and the signal reception unit when predetermined reference pattern data does not match Perform processing to output to the outside.
An endoscope system according to another aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit including an imaging device that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal, and digitally captures the analog imaging signal. An A / D converter that converts the signal into a signal, a first reference data generator that outputs a predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount, and the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal An endoscope comprising: a timing setting unit that sets a timing to be transmitted; and a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at the timing set by the timing setting unit. A second reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data identical to that of the first reference data generation unit, and an output from the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal at a timing synchronized with a timing set by the timing setting unit; and a timing detected by the timing detection unit The data for extracting the predetermined amount of data from the digital image pickup signal and comparing the extracted data with the predetermined reference pattern data and performing correction processing on the digital image pickup signal according to the comparison result Immediately after an image correction instruction is made, an image processing apparatus including a correction unit, one or a plurality of image correction instruction units for instructing image correction to the signal transmission unit and the signal reception unit A time measuring unit that counts the time elapsed since A setting unit configured to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period immediately after the image correction instruction is made based on the count value in the time measurement unit; The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal, or the signal transmission unit And processing for outputting the notification information indicating any one of the problems in the connection state of the signal line connecting the signal receiving unit to the outside.

  According to the image processing system and the endoscope system of the present invention, even when noise is added to transmitted digital data (or digital signal), it is possible to output an image with good image quality.

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

(First embodiment)
1 to 32 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an endoscope system according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state before digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 3 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state after the digital data (or digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 3 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIG. 4 of the timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of predetermined reference pattern data superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the monitor when predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at the timing shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIG. 2 of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIG. 3 of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. 10. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of a second timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit in FIG. 10. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an example of a third timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit in FIG. 10. FIG. 12D is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIGS. 2 and 10 of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIGS. 3 and 11 of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from those of FIGS. 2, 10, and 13. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIGS. 3, 11, and 14 of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIGS. 2, 10, 13, and 15 of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from those of FIGS. 3, 11, 14, and 16. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIGS. 2, 10, 13, 15, and 17 of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. . FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from those of FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, and 18. .

  FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from that of FIGS. 2, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 19. FIG. FIG. 22 shows an example of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from those in FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, and 20. FIG. FIG. 23 is different from FIG. 2, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 in the configuration of the signal transmission unit of the endoscope system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example. 24 is different from FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 in the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example. 25 shows the configuration of the signal transmission unit of the endoscope system shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the pattern insertion control unit included in the signal transmission unit of FIG. FIG. 27 shows the configuration of the signal receiving unit of the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, FIG. 16, FIG. FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the pattern removal unit of FIG. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an outline of processing performed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. 30 shows the configuration of the signal transmission unit of the endoscope system shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. It is a figure which shows the example different from FIG. FIG. 31 shows the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. It is a figure which shows the example different from FIG.25 and FIG.30. FIG. 32 shows the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. It is a figure which shows the example different from FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 as an image processing system includes an insertion portion 2a that can be inserted into a subject such as a living body, captures an image of a subject, and digitally converts the subject image. Illumination light for illuminating a subject to be imaged by the endoscope 2 is supplied via an endoscope 2 that outputs as an imaging signal and a light guide 6 that is partially disposed inside the endoscope 2. A light source device 3, an image processing device 4 that converts the digital imaging signal into an analog video signal by performing various signal processing on the digital imaging signal output from the endoscope 2, and the analog A monitor 5 that displays an image of the subject imaged by the endoscope 2 based on the video signal is provided as a main part. In addition, the light guide 6 has an end surface on the light incident side disposed on the light source device 3 side, and an end surface on the light emission side disposed on the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2a.

  The endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 3 and the image processing device 4 via a cable 7 provided with various signal lines and a part of the light guide 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 2 captures an image of a subject and outputs an image of the subject as an analog imaging signal, and a control signal output from the image processing device 4. , A drive circuit 22 for driving a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 21b included in the imaging unit 21 and a correlated double sampling (hereinafter abbreviated as CDS in the drawing) with respect to an analog imaging signal output from the imaging unit 21 The CDS circuit 23 that performs the processing, the pre-processing circuit (not shown) that performs processing such as signal level correction on the analog imaging signal output from the CDS circuit 23, and processing such as level correction that is performed by the pre-processing circuit. A / D conversion circuit 24 for converting the analog imaging signal into a digital imaging signal by performing A / D conversion processing on the analog imaging signal, and A / D A signal transmission unit 25 that performs predetermined processing on the digital imaging signal output from the conversion circuit 24 and outputs the digital imaging signal after the predetermined processing to the image processing device 4; Configured. The imaging unit 21 is an imaging device that can output an image of the subject as an analog imaging signal that is disposed at the imaging position of the objective optical system 21a and the objective optical system 21a. CCD 21b.

  The signal transmission unit 25 is configured by, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a, the enable signal generation unit 25b, the superposition unit 25c, , A P / S (parallel / serial) converter 25d and differential output amplifiers 25e and 25f.

  The bit reference pattern generation unit 25a as the first reference data generation unit has a predetermined amount (for example, 8 bits) of data as the predetermined reference pattern data, and superimposes the predetermined reference pattern data on the overlapping unit 25c. Output for.

  The enable signal generation unit 25b as a timing setting unit generates a bit reference pattern based on a synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). The timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the unit 25a is superimposed in the superimposing unit 25c is set.

  The superimposing unit 25c is output from the A / D conversion circuit 24 (for example, every 8 bits) at the timing set by the enable signal generating unit 25b based on the clock signal CLK supplied from the first clock generating circuit (not shown). The predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed on the digital image pickup signal to be output.

  The P / S conversion unit 25d outputs a digital image pickup signal in a state where predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed, which is output from the superimposition unit 25c, based on the clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). , P / S conversion processing is performed and output.

  Then, predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the superimposing unit 25c, and serialized based on a clock signal CLK × 8 (8 × speed clock) supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown) by the P / S conversion unit 25d. The digital image pickup signal in the state is output to the image processing device 4 as a differential signal through the differential output amplifier 25e. The clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown) is output as a differential signal to the image processing device 4 via the differential output amplifier 25f.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 4 controls the signal reception unit 41 and the light source device 3 such as light amount adjustment, and converts the digital imaging signal output from the signal reception unit 41 into an analog video signal. And a signal processing circuit 42 that outputs a control signal for driving the drive circuit 22.

  The signal receiving unit 41 is configured by, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a differential input amplifier 41a and 41b, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit 41c, It includes an S / P (serial / parallel) conversion unit 41d, a bit reference pattern generation unit 41e, an enable signal generation unit 41f, a data correction unit 41g, and a FIFO memory 41h.

  The PLL circuit 41c generates a synchronization signal that is synchronized with the clock signal CLK based on the clock signal CLK that is output from the differential output amplifier 25f and then input through the differential input amplifier 41b. Are output to the S / P converter 41d, the enable signal generator 41f, the data corrector 41g, and the FIFO memory 41h.

  The S / P conversion unit 41d performs S / P conversion on the digital imaging signal that is output from the differential output amplifier 25e and then input through the differential input amplifier 41a based on the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c. Perform P conversion and output.

  The bit reference pattern generation unit 41e as the second reference data generation unit is a predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount (for example, 8 bits), which is the same reference pattern data as the data included in the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a. The predetermined reference pattern data is output to the data correction unit 41g.

  The enable signal generation unit 41f as a timing detection unit is output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e based on the synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c. The timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is embedded (superimposed) in the digital imaging signal output from the S / P converter 41d is synchronized with the timing set by the enable signal generator 25b. To detect. Then, the enable signal generation unit 41f outputs the detection result to the data correction unit 41g.

  The data correction unit 41g performs S / S at the timing detected by the enable signal generation unit 41f based on the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e. Data corresponding to a predetermined data amount included in the predetermined reference pattern data is extracted from the digital imaging signal output from the P conversion unit 41d. Then, the data correction unit 41g compares the extracted data corresponding to the predetermined amount of data with predetermined reference pattern data, and outputs a digital image pickup signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d according to the comparison result. On the other hand, correction processing for correcting data is performed, and digital image signals after the processing are sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  The FIFO memory 41h receives the digital imaging signal output from the data correction unit 41g based on the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c and the clock signal SYSCLK supplied from the second clock generation circuit (not shown) (for example, 8 Accumulated and output sequentially (by bit).

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the user inserts the insertion part 2a of the endoscope 2 into the subject after turning on the power of each part of the endoscope system 1.

  When the image processing apparatus 4 is powered on, the signal processing circuit 42 outputs a control signal for driving the drive circuit 22 of the endoscope 2. Then, the drive circuit 22 drives the CCD 21 b based on the control signal output from the signal processing circuit 42.

  Thereafter, when the insertion unit 2a is inserted into the subject by the user, for example, an image of a subject existing in the subject is captured by the CCD 21b of the imaging unit 21. Then, the subject image picked up by the CCD 21b is output as an analog image pickup signal.

  The analog imaging signal output from the CCD 21 b is subjected to CDS processing by the CDS circuit 23, A / D conversion by the A / D conversion circuit 24, and then input to the signal transmission unit 25 as a digital imaging signal.

  The enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25 generates a bit reference pattern based on a synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). The timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the unit 25a is superimposed is, for example, (horizontal) existing before (or after) the imaging data of the subject image included in the digital imaging signal as shown in FIG. And vertical) set as a predetermined timing within the blanking period. Note that the predetermined timing is a timing at which no other data exists before and after the blanking period.

  The superimposing unit 25c is based on the clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown) from the A / D conversion circuit 24 (for example, 8 bits each) at a predetermined timing within the (horizontal and vertical) blanking period. ) The predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed and output on the output digital image pickup signal.

  The P / S conversion unit 25d outputs a digital image pickup signal in a state where predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed, which is output from the superimposition unit 25c, based on the clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). , P / S conversion processing is performed and output.

  The digital image pickup signal in a state in which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the superimposing unit 25c and serialized by the P / S conversion unit 25d is transmitted to the signal receiving unit 41 via the differential output amplifier 25e and the differential input amplifier 41a. It is output to the S / P converter 41d. The digital imaging signal input to the S / P conversion unit 41d is output to the data correction unit 41g after being subjected to S / P conversion processing.

  On the other hand, the enable signal generation unit 41f is a predetermined reference output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e based on the synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c. It is detected that the pattern data is embedded at a predetermined timing within the blanking period of the digital imaging signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d, and the detection result is output to the data correction unit 41g. .

  Then, the data correction unit 41g performs S / S at a predetermined timing within the blanking period based on the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e. Data corresponding to a predetermined data amount included in the predetermined reference pattern data is extracted from the digital imaging signal output from the P conversion unit 41d. Then, the data correction unit 41g compares the extracted data corresponding to the predetermined amount of data with predetermined reference pattern data, and outputs a digital image pickup signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d according to the comparison result. On the other hand, correction processing for correcting data is performed, and digital image signals after the processing are sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  Here, a specific example of correction processing performed when the data correction unit 41g of the present embodiment corrects data will be described.

  When the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e are shown as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the data correction unit 41g Detects that the extracted data is shifted by 1 bit with respect to the predetermined reference pattern data by comparing the respective data. Then, the data correction unit 41g, based on the detection result, processes for matching the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e with the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the entire digital imaging signal output from the S / P converter 41d is shifted by 1 bit. In other words, the data correction unit 41g performs the above-described processing, thereby correcting data (digital imaging signal) that matches the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e as shown in FIG. 5B. Are sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  In the correction processing described above, when the data correction unit 41g detects that the extracted data is shifted by N (N is an integer) bits from the predetermined reference pattern data, the data correction unit 41g and the predetermined data In order to match the reference pattern data, the entire digital imaging signal output from the S / P converter 41d is shifted by N bits.

  Also, the data correction unit 41g, for example, after performing the correction processing as described above on the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period, the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data If they do not match, the transmission of the digital imaging signal is interrupted, and the signal processing circuit 42 is caused to perform processing for outputting notification information indicating a transmission failure or cable disconnection. The notification information is, for example, indicated by displaying a predetermined character string or the like (indicating a transmission failure or cable disconnection) on the monitor 5, or a predetermined LED (not shown) provided in the image processing apparatus 4 or the like. It is assumed to be indicated by at least one of the indication by blinking or the indication by voice.

  The corrected digital imaging signal output to the FIFO memory 41h is temporarily stored and then sequentially output to the signal processing circuit. Then, the signal processing circuit 42 converts the corrected digital imaging signal into an analog video signal and outputs it.

  By performing each processing described above in the image processing device 4 or the like, an observation image with a good image quality corresponding to the image of the subject imaged by the endoscope 2 is output to the monitor 5.

  The enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25 uses the timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed as a predetermined timing within the (horizontal and vertical) blanking period. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the subject is not limited to the set value, and the subject in an OB (optical black) region of the CCD 21 b that exists between the blanking period and the image data of the subject image included in the digital image pickup signal. It may be set at a predetermined timing within the OB period, which is the period during which the image is captured. The predetermined reference pattern data to be superimposed at a predetermined timing within the OB period is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first 8 bits and the last 8 bits are “0”, and the middle 8 It is assumed that the bit is constituted by 24-bit data having predetermined data. As a result, the data correction unit 41g extracts 24 bits of data at a predetermined timing within the OB period, and compares the 24 bits of data with predetermined reference pattern data as shown in FIG. Based on the above, the correction processing as described above is performed on the digital imaging signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d.

  Note that the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25 has a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed, for example, as shown in FIG. It may be set at a timing corresponding to the beginning and the end of the imaging data of the subject image. The predetermined reference pattern data to be superimposed at the timing corresponding to the beginning and the end of the imaging data of the subject image included in the digital imaging signal is, for example, the first 8 bits and the last 8 bits as shown in FIG. Are each “0”, and the middle 8 bits have predetermined data, and are constituted by 24-bit data. As a result, the data correction unit 41g extracts the data for the first 24 bits and the last 24 bits from the imaging data of the subject image included in the digital imaging signal, and the extracted data and the data shown in FIG. Based on the comparison result with such predetermined reference pattern data, the digital imaging signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d is subjected to the correction processing as described above, and the corrected digital imaging signal is determined with respect to the predetermined value. The signal processing circuit 42 is instructed to perform mask processing so as to include a portion in which the reference pattern data is embedded.

  Thereafter, the signal processing circuit 42 performs a mask process on the corrected digital image pickup signal based on an instruction from the data correction unit 41g, and then outputs an analog video signal in a state of the mask process to the monitor 5. To do. As a result, on the monitor 5, an image in which the mask 5b is superimposed on the original image 5a and the reference pattern data 5c embedded in the original image 5a is not visible to the user as shown in FIG. It is displayed as 5d.

  2 and the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 are configured to be compatible with imaging signals input for a plurality of channels. For example, the signal transmitting unit 25A shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. The signal receiving unit 41A shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the signal transmission unit 25 </ b> A has a configuration capable of corresponding to each of imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the superimposition unit 25 c. A conversion unit 25d and three differential output amplifiers 25e are added. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the signal receiving unit 41A has a configuration that can handle each of imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, and based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. The S / P conversion unit 41d, the data correction unit 41g, and the FIFO memory 41h are added three by three.

  The enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25A is based on a synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). The timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed is set as a different timing for each channel.

  Specifically, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25A, for each of the superposition units 25c included in the signal transmission unit 25A, to which the digital imaging signal of the first channel is input, for example, As shown in FIG. 12A, setting is performed so that predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at a first timing within a (horizontal and vertical) blanking period. In addition, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25A, for each of the superimposition units 25c included in the signal transmission unit 25A, to which the digital imaging signal of the second channel is input is illustrated in FIG. As shown in the drawing, setting is performed so that predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at a second timing within the (horizontal and vertical) blanking period, which is a timing different from the first timing described above. Further, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25A has, for example, the one shown in FIG. 12C for the superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25A to which the digital imaging signal of the third channel is input. As shown, the setting is made so that the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at the third timing in the (horizontal and vertical) blanking period, which is a timing different from both the first timing and the second timing described above. Do. Then, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25A, for each of the superposition units 25c included in the signal transmission unit 25A, to which the digital imaging signal of the fourth channel is input, for example, in FIG. As shown, the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at the fourth timing in the (horizontal and vertical) blanking period, which is a timing different from any of the first timing, the second timing, and the third timing described above. Set to

  Thereafter, the data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the first channel, which is included in the signal reception unit 41A, extracts data at the first timing described above, and the extracted data and predetermined reference pattern data Based on the comparison result, the correction processing as described above is performed on the digital imaging signal of the first channel. The data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the second channel, which is included in the signal reception unit 41A, extracts data at the second timing described above, and the extracted data and predetermined reference pattern data Based on the comparison result, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the second channel. Further, the data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the third channel is input, which is included in the signal reception unit 41A, extracts data at the third timing described above, and the extracted data and predetermined reference pattern data Based on the comparison result, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the third channel. The data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the fourth channel, which is included in the signal reception unit 41A, extracts data at the above-described fourth timing, and the extracted data and predetermined reference pattern data Based on the comparison result, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the fourth channel.

  Note that each data correction unit 41g of the signal reception unit 41A, for example, after performing the correction processing as described above on the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period, When the predetermined reference pattern data does not match, the transmission of the digital imaging signal in the channel is interrupted, and the signal processing circuit 42 is made to output notification information indicating a transmission failure, cable disconnection, or cable miswiring. It is assumed that processing is performed. The notification information is, for example, indicated by displaying a predetermined character string or the like (indicating a transmission failure, cable disconnection or cable miswiring) on the monitor 5, or an illustration provided in the image processing apparatus 4 or the like. It shall be shown by at least any one of the indication by blinking a predetermined LED that is not flashing or the indication by voice.

  2 and the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 are configured to be compatible with imaging signals input for a plurality of channels. For example, the signal transmitting unit 25B and FIG. 14 shown in FIG. The signal receiving unit 41B shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the signal transmission unit 25 </ b> B has a configuration that can handle each of imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2, and the superimposition unit 25 c. A conversion unit 25d and three differential output amplifiers 25e are added. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the signal receiving unit 41B has a configuration that can handle each of the imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, and based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. The S / P conversion unit 41d, the data correction unit 41g, and the FIFO memory 41h are added three by three.

  Then, the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25B outputs different reference pattern data for each channel to each superimposition unit 25c.

  Specifically, the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25B, for each of the superposition units 25c included in the signal transmission unit 25A, to which the digital imaging signal of the first channel is input, for example, , Output a first reference pattern such as “10110001” consisting of 8 bits. The bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25B is, for example, 8 bits for each of the superimposition units 25c included in the signal transmission unit 25A to which the digital imaging signal of the second channel is input. A second reference pattern different from the above-described first reference pattern, such as “10110010”, is output. Further, the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25B has, for example, 8 bits for each superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25A to which the digital imaging signal of the third channel is input. A third reference pattern different from both the first reference pattern and the second reference pattern, such as “10110011”, is output. Then, the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25B is, for example, 8 bits for each of the superimposition units 25c of the signal transmission unit 25A to which the digital imaging signal of the fourth channel is input. A fourth reference pattern different from any of the first reference pattern, the second reference pattern, and the third reference pattern, such as “10110100”, is output.

  The enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25B is based on a synchronization signal VD supplied from a synchronization signal generation circuit (not shown) and a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). The timing at which the respective reference pattern data output from the pattern generation unit 25a is superimposed is set as, for example, a predetermined timing within a (horizontal and vertical) blanking period.

  Thereafter, the data correction unit 41g to which the first channel digital imaging signal is input, which the signal receiving unit 41B has, extracts and extracts data at a predetermined timing within the above-described (horizontal and vertical) blanking periods. Based on the comparison result between the obtained data and the first reference pattern data, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the first channel. The data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the second channel, which is included in the signal reception unit 41B, extracts and extracts data at a predetermined timing within the above-described (horizontal and vertical) blanking period. Based on the comparison result between the obtained data and the second reference pattern data, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the second channel. Further, the data correction unit 41g to which the digital imaging signal of the third channel, which is included in the signal reception unit 41B, extracts and extracts data at a predetermined timing within the above-described (horizontal and vertical) blanking period. Based on the comparison result between the obtained data and the third reference pattern data, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the third channel. Then, the data correction unit 41g to which the fourth channel digital imaging signal is input, which is included in the signal reception unit 41B, extracts and extracts data at a predetermined timing within the above-described (horizontal and vertical) blanking periods. Based on the comparison result between the obtained data and the fourth reference pattern data, the above-described correction processing is performed on the digital imaging signal of the fourth channel.

  Each data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41B, for example, after performing the correction processing as described above on the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period, When the predetermined reference pattern data does not match, the transmission of the digital imaging signal in the channel is interrupted, and the signal processing circuit 42 is made to output notification information indicating a transmission failure, cable disconnection, or cable miswiring. It is assumed that processing is performed. The notification information is, for example, indicated by displaying a predetermined character string or the like (indicating a transmission failure, cable disconnection or cable miswiring) on the monitor 5, or an illustration provided in the image processing apparatus 4 or the like. It shall be shown by at least any one of the indication by blinking a predetermined LED that is not flashing or the indication by voice.

  2 and the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 are configured to be capable of wireless transmission. For example, the signal transmitting unit 25C shown in FIG. 15 and the signal receiving unit 41C shown in FIG. It may have such a configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the signal transmission unit 25 </ b> C includes differential output amplifiers 25 e and 25 f from the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 illustrated in FIG. 2 so that wireless transmission can be performed to the signal reception unit 41 </ b> C. In addition, a 10-bit encoding unit 25g, a communication processing unit 25h that converts an input digital imaging signal into a radio signal, and an antenna 25i that can transmit a radio signal output from the communication processing unit 25h are added. It has a configuration. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the signal receiving unit 41C has a differential input amplifier 41a and a differential input amplifier 41a and a configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 41b, an antenna 41i that can receive a radio signal transmitted from the antenna 25i, a communication processing unit 41j that converts an input radio signal into a digital imaging signal, a CDR (Clock Data Recovery) circuit 41k, and 8 The bit decoding unit 41l is added.

  For example, the 10-bit encoding unit 25g of the signal transmission unit 25C encodes an 8-bit digital imaging signal on which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the superimposition unit 25c into a 10-bit digital imaging signal and outputs the encoded signal. The (10-bit) digital image pickup signal output from the 10-bit encoding unit 25g is supplied from the first clock generation circuit (not shown) by the P / S conversion unit 25d. P / S conversion processing based on (1) is performed, and is transmitted as a radio signal to the signal receiving unit 41C via the communication processing unit 25h and the antenna 25i, and further, the CDR circuit 41k via the antenna 41i and the communication processing unit 41j. Is input.

  The CDR circuit 41k extracts the clock signal CLK from the digital imaging signal input from the communication processing unit 41j, outputs the clock signal CLK to the PLL circuit 41c, and outputs the digital imaging signal to the S / P conversion unit 41d. Output for.

  Based on the synchronization signal output from the PLL circuit 41c, the 8-bit decoding unit 41l, for example, decodes an input 10-bit digital imaging signal into an 8-bit digital imaging signal and outputs the decoded 8-bit digital imaging signal.

  The configuration described above enables wireless transmission of digital imaging signals between the signal transmission unit 25C illustrated in FIG. 15 and the signal reception unit 41C illustrated in FIG.

  Further, the signal transmission unit 25C illustrated in FIG. 15 and the signal reception unit 41C illustrated in FIG. 16 are configured to be able to handle imaging signals input for a plurality of channels. For example, the signal transmission unit 25D illustrated in FIG. The signal receiving unit 41D shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the signal transmission unit 25 </ b> D has a configuration that can handle imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 </ b> C illustrated in FIG. 15, and the superimposition unit 25 c. Each of the unit 25d, the 10-bit encoding unit 25g, the communication processing unit 25h, and the antenna 25i is added. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the signal receiving unit 41D has a configuration that can handle imaging signals for a maximum of four channels, based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41C shown in FIG. A configuration in which three P conversion units 41d, a data correction unit 41g, a FIFO memory 41h, an antenna 41i, a communication processing unit 41j, a CDR circuit 41k, and an 8-bit decoding unit 41l are added. Have.

  Further, the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the signal reception unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 can use the pixel defect of the CCD 21b. For example, the signal transmission unit 25E shown in FIG. 19 and the signal reception unit 41E shown in FIG. It may have such a configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the signal transmission unit 25E has a configuration in which a pixel defect detection unit 25j and an amplifier 25k are added based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, the signal receiving unit 41E has a configuration in which an amplifier 41m and a pixel interpolation unit 41n are added based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG.

  The pixel defect detector 25j detects the pixel defect position of the CCD 21b via a signal line (not shown). Then, based on the detection result, the pixel defect detection unit 25j detects at which timing the data acquired at the pixel defect position is present among the imaging data of the subject image included in the input digital imaging signal. .

  Accordingly, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25E sets the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a to be superimposed at the timing detected by the pixel defect detection unit 25j. . The bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25E outputs, for example, (24 bits) reference pattern data as shown in FIG. 7 to the superposition unit 25c as the predetermined reference pattern data. To do.

  Further, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25E outputs the timing detected by the pixel defect detection unit 25j to the signal reception unit 41 via the amplifier 25k as an enable signal.

  On the other hand, the enable signal generation unit 41f of the signal reception unit 41E is configured to convert the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e into an S / P conversion unit 41d based on the enable signal input via the amplifier 41m. In the digital imaging signal output from, it is detected that the data is embedded at the pixel defect position at the timing of acquiring the data, and the detection result is output to the data correction unit 41g. It is assumed that the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e of the signal reception unit 41E outputs the same reference pattern data as the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25E to the data correction unit 41g.

  Thereby, the data correction unit 41g of the signal reception unit 41E extracts data at each timing detected by the enable signal generation unit 41f of the signal reception unit 41E, and the extracted data and the bit reference pattern of the signal reception unit 41E. Based on the comparison result with the reference pattern data output from the generation unit 41e, the correction processing as described above is performed.

  Thereafter, the pixel interpolating unit 41n of the signal receiving unit 41E is a pixel existing around the pixel defect position with respect to the data acquired at the pixel defect position among the imaging data of the subject image included in the corrected digital imaging signal. Interpolation processing based on is performed and output.

  When the pixel defect detection unit 25j detects that there is no pixel defect of the CCD 21b, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25E superimposes predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a. The timing to be applied corresponds to the predetermined timing in the (vertical and horizontal) blanking period, the predetermined timing in the OB period, or the start and end of the imaging data of the image of the subject included in the digital imaging signal. It is assumed that any one of the timings is set.

  Further, the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the signal reception unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 perform image correction only within a predetermined period after the power is turned on, for example, the signal transmission unit 25F shown in FIG. And you may have a structure like the signal receiving part 41F shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the signal transmission unit 25F is based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2, and a time measurement unit 25l that counts the time that has elapsed since the power of the endoscope 2 is turned on, Immediately after the power supply of the endoscope 2 is once turned off and then turned on again, a reset IC 25m for setting the count value of the time measuring unit 25l to 0 is added. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the signal receiving unit 41F is based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3, and counts the time that has elapsed since the power of the image processing device 4 is turned on. And a reset IC 41p for setting the count value of the time measuring unit 41o to 0 immediately after the image processing apparatus 4 is turned off and then turned on again.

  With this configuration, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25F allows the digital imaging signal to be received only within a predetermined period immediately after the endoscope 2 is turned on based on the count value in the time measurement unit 25l. The predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25F is superimposed on the captured image data of the subject image, and the predetermined reference pattern data is stored outside the predetermined period. Settings are made so that they are not superimposed on the image data.

  Note that the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25F has, for example, (vertical and horizontal) blanking in addition to the above-described one regarding the timing of superimposing the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a. Any one of a predetermined timing within the period, a predetermined timing within the OB period, or a timing corresponding to the start and end of the imaging data of the subject image included in the digital imaging signal is used in combination. It may be a thing.

  Further, the signal transmitting unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3 perform image correction only within a predetermined period immediately after the instruction in response to an instruction by an operation of a predetermined switch or the like. For example, the signal transmission unit 25G illustrated in FIG. 23 and the signal reception unit 41G illustrated in FIG. 24 may be configured.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the signal transmission unit 25G is a switch such as a scope switch provided in the endoscope 2 based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. An image correction instructing unit 25n for instructing image correction and a time measuring unit 25o for counting the time elapsed immediately after the instruction is given in the image correction instructing unit 25n are added. As shown in FIG. 24, the signal receiving unit 41G is a switch such as a white balance switch provided in the image processing device 4 based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3, and is operated by the user. An image correction instruction unit 41q for instructing image correction at the time, and a time measurement unit 41r for counting the time elapsed immediately after the instruction is issued in the image correction instruction unit 41q. Yes.

  The image correction instruction unit 25n is not limited to that provided in the signal transmission unit 25G, and the image correction instruction unit 41q is not limited to that provided in the signal reception unit 41G. Further, it is assumed that the image correction instruction made in the image correction instruction unit 25n is also output to the signal receiving unit 41G. Furthermore, it is assumed that the image correction instruction made in the image correction instruction unit 41q is also output to the signal transmission unit 25G.

  With such a configuration, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25G is instructed to perform image correction in either the image correction instruction unit 25n or the image correction instruction unit 41q based on the count value in the time measurement unit 25o. The predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25G is superimposed on the imaging data of the subject image included in the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period from immediately after, and the predetermined After this period, setting is performed so that the predetermined reference pattern data is not superimposed on the imaging data.

  Further, the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the signal reception unit 41 shown in FIG. For example, the signal transmission unit 25H illustrated in FIG. 25 and the signal reception unit 41H illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the signal transmission unit 25H includes a data amount conversion unit 25p based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 shown in FIG. 2, and a pattern insertion control unit 25q instead of the superposition unit 25c. Is provided. The bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25H outputs predetermined reference pattern data to the pattern insertion control unit 25q based on a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). And

  The data amount conversion unit 25p outputs the data amount of the input digital imaging signal from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25H based on the clock signal CLK supplied from the first clock generation circuit (not shown). Is increased by inserting zero data (blank data) having the same data amount as the predetermined reference pattern data, and the digital image pickup signal after the zero data is inserted is sent to the pattern insertion control unit 25q. Output.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the pattern insertion control unit 25q inputs / outputs digital imaging signals in the FIFO memory 25r based on the FIFO memory 25r and the clock signal CLK supplied from the first clock generation circuit (not shown). It has a FIFO memory control unit 25s to be controlled and a selector 25t.

  The FIFO memory 25r temporarily stores the digital imaging signal output from the data amount conversion unit 25p based on the clock signal CLK supplied from the first clock generation circuit (not shown) and the control of the FIFO memory control unit 25s. At the same time, the stored digital imaging signals are sequentially output to the selector 25t.

  On the other hand, the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25H determines the timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a to the selector 25t is superimposed on the amount of data included in the predetermined reference pattern data. The timing is set at the time when 0 data of the same data amount is inserted, and the setting is output as an enable signal to the selector 25t. At this time, it is assumed that the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25H to the selector 25t is 24-bit reference pattern data as shown in FIG.

  The selector 25t is based on a clock signal CLK supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown) and an enable signal output from the enable signal generation unit 25b. Data for one pixel of the data and predetermined reference pattern data are output together.

  Specifically, the data amount conversion unit 25p patterns, for example, 32-bit data obtained by adding 24-bit 0 data to a digital imaging signal in which 8-bit imaging data is sequentially output as data for one pixel. Output to the insertion control unit 25q. In other words, the data amount conversion unit 25p outputs the input digital imaging signal by multiplying the data amount per unit time by four times. Then, the digital image pickup signal having 32-bit data output from the data amount conversion unit 25p is accumulated 8 bits at a time in the FIFO memory 25r and sequentially output to the selector 25t 8 bits at a time.

  Based on the enable signal output from the enable signal generator 25b of the signal transmitter 25H, the selector 25t inserts 24-bit reference pattern data as shown in FIG. The 8-bit imaging data that is data for one pixel and the 24-bit reference pattern data are output together.

  The outline of the processing in the signal transmission unit 25H described above is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the signal receiving unit 41H is provided with a pattern removing unit 41s instead of the FIFO memory 41h based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the pattern removal unit 41s is a FIFO memory control unit that controls input / output of digital imaging signals in the FIFO memory 41t based on the FIFO memory 41t and the clock signal CLK output from the PLL circuit 41c. 41u.

  The FIFO memory 41t is a digital imaging input based on the clock signal CLK output from the PLL circuit 41c, the clock signal SYSCLK supplied from the second clock generation circuit (not shown), and the control of the FIFO memory control unit 41u. The predetermined reference pattern data inserted into the signal is removed, and the digital imaging signal after the predetermined reference pattern data is removed is output. The digital imaging signal output from the FIFO memory 41t is output as a signal having a data amount similar to the data amount before being input to the data amount conversion unit 25p under the control of the FIFO memory control unit 41u. To do.

  Specifically, the FIFO memory control unit 41u receives, for example, when 32-bit data including 8-bit imaging data, which is data for one pixel, and the 24-bit reference pattern data is input. The FIFO memory 41t is controlled to remove 24-bit reference pattern data. Furthermore, the FIFO memory control unit 41u controls the FIFO memory 41t, and does not insert 0 data or the like (without an interval between the respective imaging data), and captures 8-bit imaging that is data for one pixel. Output only data sequentially. Under such control of the FIFO memory control unit 41u, the digital imaging signal output from the FIFO memory 41t is output as a signal having the same data amount as that before being input to the data amount conversion unit 25p.

  Note that the signal transmission unit 25H illustrated in FIG. 25 may be configured as the signal transmission unit 25I illustrated in FIG. 30 from which the data amount conversion unit 25p is removed.

  Assume that the predetermined reference pattern data output from the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a of the signal transmission unit 25I to the selector 25t is reference pattern data (24 bits) as shown in FIG. The selector 25t of the signal transmission unit 25I inserts (24-bit) reference pattern data as shown in FIG. 7 after the imaging data for one pixel based on the enable signal output from the enable signal generation unit 25b. At the same time, the data imaging data for one pixel and the reference pattern data (24 bits) are output together.

  Further, the signal transmission unit 25A shown in FIG. 10 and the signal reception unit 41A shown in FIG. 11 are configured to transmit an imaging signal input for four channels as a signal for three channels, for example, as shown in FIG. The signal transmission unit 25J and the signal reception unit 41J illustrated in FIG. 32 may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the signal transmission unit 25J includes one superimposition unit 25c, one P / S conversion unit 25d, and one differential output amplifier 25e based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25A shown in FIG. Each (one channel) is removed, and a channel conversion unit 25u is added to the preceding stage of each superimposing unit 25c. Further, as shown in FIG. 32, the signal receiving unit 41J includes a differential input amplifier 41a, an S / P conversion unit 41d, and a data correction unit 41g based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41A shown in FIG. Each one (one channel) is removed, and a channel conversion unit 41v is added after each data correction unit 41g and before each FIFO memory 41h.

  For example, when a 12-bit digital imaging signal is input for 4 channels, the channel conversion unit 25u of the signal transmission unit 25J converts the 12-bit data included in any one channel into three 4-bit data. To divide. Then, the channel conversion unit 25u of the signal transmission unit 25J adds, for example, 4 bits of data divided as described above to the end of each of the remaining 3 channels of data, thereby adding 3 bits of 16 bits. The digital imaging signal is output.

  Further, the channel conversion unit 41v of the signal receiving unit 41J, for example, when the digital imaging signal for 3 channels consisting of 16 bits is input, the 3 data consisting of 4 bits existing at the end of the data of each channel. Are combined to restore and output data (digital imaging signal) consisting of 12 bits (for one channel), which is data in a state before being divided by the channel conversion unit 25u.

  The endoscope 2 can be reduced in diameter by the signal transmitter 25J and the signal receiver 41J having the above-described configurations.

  As described above, the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is based on the predetermined reference pattern data added to the digital imaging signal in the endoscope 2 on the transmission side, and the image processing apparatus 4 on the reception side. 1 has a configuration capable of correcting the digital imaging signal. In other words, the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment has the predetermined reference pattern data even if noise is added to the digital imaging signal when the digital imaging signal is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side. By performing a correction process based on the above (as described above), it is possible to output an observation image having a good image quality.

(Second Embodiment)
33 to 37 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 35A is a diagram showing a state before digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 34 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 35B is a diagram illustrating a state after the digital data (or digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 34 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIG. 33 of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example different from FIG. 34 of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.

  Note that detailed description of portions having the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted. Moreover, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.

  The signal transmission unit 25K in FIG. 33 is based on the configuration of the signal transmission unit 25 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the bit number conversion unit 251 provided in the preceding stage of the superposition unit 25c and additional data such as ID information of the endoscope 2 Are added to the bit number conversion unit 251 and a 10-bit encoding unit 253 provided after the superposition unit 25c and before the P / S conversion unit 25d, A byte reference pattern generation unit 255 is provided instead of the pattern generation unit 25a.

  For example, the bit number conversion unit 251 adds the 4-bit additional data output from the additional data generation unit 252 to the digital imaging signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 24 and outputs the added signal.

  The byte reference pattern generation unit 255 has, for example, data consisting of 2 bytes (16 bits) as the predetermined reference pattern data, and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data to the superimposing unit 25c.

  Thereby, the superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25K converts the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 255 to the digital imaging signal at the predetermined timing set by the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25K. Superimpose on. Then, the superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25K divides the digital imaging signal and the predetermined reference pattern data into data for two channels and outputs the divided data.

  For example, the 10-bit encoding unit 253 converts the data for the two channels including the first number of bits output from the superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25K into the data of the second number of bits and outputs the data. To do.

  The P / S conversion unit 25d generates two channels of data output from the 10-bit encoding unit 253 based on a clock signal CLK × 10 (10 × speed clock) supplied from a first clock generation circuit (not shown). The P / S conversion process is performed on the output.

  34 is based on the configuration of the signal receiving unit 41 shown in FIG. 3, and is a CDR circuit 411 provided at the subsequent stage of the differential input amplifiers 41a and 41b and the preceding stage of the S / P conversion unit 41d. And an 8-bit decoding unit 412 provided in the subsequent stage of the S / P conversion unit 41d and a data synthesis unit 413 provided in the previous stage of the data correction unit 41g and the subsequent stage of the 8-bit decoding unit 412, A byte reference pattern generation unit 414 is provided instead of the bit reference pattern generation unit 41e.

  The CDR circuit 411 extracts the first synchronization signal superimposed on the data for two channels input via the differential input amplifiers 41a and 41b, outputs the first synchronization signal to the PLL circuit 41c, and the data for the two channels. Is output to the S / P converter 41d.

  Then, the PLL circuit 41c generates a second clock signal CLK2 (synchronized with the first clock signal CLK1) based on the first clock signal CLK1 output from the CDR circuit 411, and an S / P conversion unit The second clock signal CLK2 is output to 41d, the 8-bit decoding unit 412, the enable signal generation unit 41f, the data correction unit 41g, and the FIFO memory 41h.

  The 8-bit decoding unit 412 converts the data for two channels having the second number of bits into the data having the first number of bits after the S / P conversion process is performed in the S / P conversion unit 41d. Convert and output.

  The data synthesizer 413 synthesizes the digital imaging signal and the predetermined reference pattern data for one channel each by synthesizing the data for two channels consisting of the first number of bits output from the 8-bit decoder 412. Are sequentially output to the correction unit 41g.

  The byte reference pattern generation unit 414 has predetermined reference pattern data composed of, for example, 2 bytes (16 bits), which is the same data as the data included in the byte reference pattern generation unit 255, and the predetermined reference pattern data is stored as data. Output to the correction unit 41g.

  Thereby, the data correction unit 41g of the signal reception unit 41K receives the signal based on the second clock signal CLK2 output from the PLL circuit 41c and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 414. At the timing detected by the enable signal generation unit 41f of the unit 41K, data corresponding to the predetermined number of bytes included in the predetermined reference pattern data is extracted from the digital imaging signal output from the data synthesis unit 413. The data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41K compares the extracted data for the predetermined number of bytes with predetermined reference pattern data, and outputs the digital output from the data synthesis unit 413 according to the comparison result. Correction processing for correcting data is performed on the imaging signal. Thereafter, the data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41K outputs the additional data included in the corrected digital imaging signal to the signal processing circuit 42, and the digital imaging signal after the additional data is removed. Are sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  The bit number conversion unit 251 adds 16-bit additional data output from the additional data generation unit 252 to the 12-bit digital imaging signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 24, for example, Outputs digital imaging signals.

  The byte reference pattern generation unit 255 has, for example, data consisting of 2 bytes (16 bits) as the predetermined reference pattern data, and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data to the superimposing unit 25c.

  Thereby, the superimposition unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25K is a predetermined output output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 255, for example, at a predetermined timing within the blanking period set by the enable signal generation unit 25b of the signal transmission unit 25K. The reference pattern data is superimposed on a 16-bit digital imaging signal. Then, the superimposing unit 25c of the signal transmitting unit 25K divides the 16-bit digital imaging signal and the 16-bit predetermined reference pattern data into data for two channels each consisting of upper 8 bits and lower 8 bits, and outputs the divided data. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the 4-bit additional data output from the additional data generation unit 252 is output as being included in the lower 8-bit data in the 16-bit digital imaging signal.

  For example, the 10-bit encoding unit 253 converts the data for two channels including the upper 8 bits and the lower 8 bits output from the superimposing unit 25c of the signal transmission unit 25K into 10-bit data and outputs the data. .

  The P / S conversion unit 25d outputs, for example, upper 8-bit data to the signal reception unit 41K via the differential output amplifier 25e for each of the two channels of data output from the 10-bit encoding unit 253. At the same time, the lower 8 bits of data are output to the signal receiver 41K via the differential output amplifier 25f.

  The CDR circuit 411 extracts the first clock signal CLK1 superimposed on the data of two channels composed of the upper 10 bits and the lower 10 bits, which are input via the differential input amplifiers 41a and 41b, and extracts the PLL circuit 41c. Are output to the S / P converter 41d.

  The 8-bit decoding unit 412 converts the data of two channels consisting of the upper 10 bits and the lower 10 bits after the S / P conversion processing is performed in the S / P conversion unit 41d into 8-bit data, respectively. And output.

  The data synthesizer 413 synthesizes the data for two channels composed of the upper 8 bits and the lower 8 bits output from the 8-bit decoder 412, thereby obtaining a 16-bit digital imaging signal and a 16-bit predetermined reference. The pattern data is sequentially output to the correction unit 41g.

  The data correction unit 41g of the signal reception unit 41K is based on the second clock signal CLK2 output from the PLL circuit 41c and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 414. At the timing detected by the enable signal generation unit 41f, data of 2 bytes (16 bits) is extracted from the digital imaging signal output from the data synthesis unit 413. Then, the data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41K compares the extracted data of 2 bytes (16 bits) with predetermined reference pattern data, and is output from the data synthesis unit 413 according to the comparison result. Correction processing for correcting data is performed on the digital imaging signal. Thereafter, the data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41K outputs the 4-bit additional data included in the corrected digital imaging signal to the signal processing circuit 42, and after the additional data is removed. A 12-bit digital imaging signal is sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  Here, a specific example of correction processing performed when the data correction unit 41g of the present embodiment corrects data will be described.

  When the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period and the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 414 are shown as shown in FIG. 35A, for example, the data correction unit 41g Detects that the upper 8 bits and the lower 8 bits of the extracted data are inverted with respect to the predetermined reference pattern data by comparing the respective data. Based on the detection result, the data correction unit 41g matches the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 414 with the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period. For example, as shown in FIG. 35B, a process of swapping (replacement) adjacent 8-bit data with each other for the entire digital imaging signal output from the S / P conversion unit 41d. In other words, the data correction unit 41g performs the above-described processing, thereby correcting data (digital imaging signal) that matches the predetermined reference pattern data output from the byte reference pattern generation unit 414 as shown in FIG. 35B. Are sequentially output to the FIFO memory 41h.

  Note that the data correction unit 41g, for example, after performing the correction processing as described above on the data extracted at a predetermined timing within the blanking period, the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data If they do not match, the transmission of the digital imaging signal is interrupted, and the signal processing circuit 42 is caused to perform processing for outputting notification information indicating a transmission failure or cable disconnection. The notification information is, for example, indicated by displaying a predetermined character string or the like (indicating a transmission failure or cable disconnection) on the monitor 5, or a predetermined LED (not shown) provided in the image processing apparatus 4 or the like. It is assumed to be indicated by at least one of the indication by blinking or the indication by voice.

  The 12-bit digital imaging signal that is the digital imaging signal after correction and after the additional data is removed is temporarily stored in the FIFO memory 41h, and then sequentially output to the signal processing circuit. Then, the signal processing circuit 42 converts the digital image pickup signal after the correction and the additional data is removed into an analog video signal and outputs it.

  By performing each processing described above in the image processing device 4 or the like, an observation image with a good image quality corresponding to the image of the subject imaged by the endoscope 2 is output to the monitor 5. At this time, the additional data output to the signal processing circuit 42 may be displayed on the monitor 5 together with the observation image.

  The signal transmission unit 25K in FIG. 33 may have a configuration combined with the signal transmission unit 25 in FIG. 2, like the signal transmission unit 25L in FIG. Further, the signal receiving unit 41K in FIG. 34 has a configuration combined with the signal receiving unit 41 in FIG. 3 like the signal receiving unit 41L in FIG. 37 shown in the description of the first embodiment. May be.

  The first superimposing unit 256 provided at the subsequent stage of the bit number converting unit 251 has substantially the same configuration as the superimposing unit 25c of the signal transmitting unit 25K. The second superimposing unit 257 provided at the subsequent stage of the first superimposing unit 256 has substantially the same configuration as the superimposing unit 25c of the signal transmitting unit 25. With such a configuration, the digital imaging signal input to the signal transmission unit 25L is output from the additional data output from the additional data generation unit 252 and the byte reference pattern generation unit 255 and the bit reference pattern generation unit 25a. Different (two types) reference pattern data are output in a superimposed state.

  The first data correction unit 415 provided at the subsequent stage of the data synthesis unit 413 has substantially the same configuration as the data correction unit 41 g of the signal reception unit 41. Further, the second data correction unit 416 of the signal receiving unit 41L provided at the subsequent stage of the first data correction unit 415 has substantially the same configuration as the data correction unit 41g of the signal receiving unit 41K. With such a configuration, the first image correction unit 415 performs correction processing as described in the description of FIGS. 5A and 5B of the first embodiment on the digital imaging signal input to the signal receiving unit 41L. After that, the second data correction unit 416 performs a correction process as described in the description of FIGS. 35A and 35B of the second embodiment.

  As described above, the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is based on the predetermined reference pattern data added to the digital imaging signal in the endoscope 2 on the transmission side, and the image processing apparatus 4 on the reception side. 1 has a configuration capable of correcting the digital imaging signal. In other words, the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment has the predetermined reference pattern data even if noise is added to the digital imaging signal when the digital imaging signal is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side. By performing a correction process based on the above (as described above), it is possible to output an observation image with good image quality even when the data transmission amount is relatively large (not only when the data transmission amount is relatively small). Can do.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the endoscope system which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the timing with which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state before digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 3 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state after digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 3 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 4 of the timing with which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission part of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the predetermined | prescribed reference pattern data superimposed in the signal transmission part of FIG. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.4 and FIG.6 of the timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission part of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a monitor when predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed at the timing shown in FIG. 8. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 2 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 3 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of first timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of second timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of third timing at which predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission unit of FIG. 10. The figure which shows an example of the 4th timing when predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed in the signal transmission part of FIG. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.2 and FIG.10 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.3 and FIG.11 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.2, FIG.10 and FIG.13 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.3, FIG.11 and FIG.14 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.2, FIG.10, FIG.13 and FIG. 15 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.3, FIG.11, FIG.14 and FIG. 16 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.2, FIG.10, FIG.13, FIG.15 and FIG. 17 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.3, FIG.11, FIG.14, FIG.16 and FIG. 18 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.2, FIG.10, FIG.13, FIG.15, FIG.17 and FIG. 19 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG.3, FIG.11, FIG.14, FIG.16, FIG.18 and FIG.20 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 1st Embodiment. In the first embodiment, a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1, which is different from FIGS. 2, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21. . FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the signal receiving unit included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, which is different from those shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. . In the first embodiment, an example of the configuration of the signal transmission unit included in the endoscope system in FIG. 1 is different from those in FIGS. 2, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. FIG. The figure which shows an example of a structure which the pattern insertion control part which the signal transmission part of FIG. 25 has has. In the first embodiment, an example of the configuration of the signal receiver included in the endoscope system of FIG. 1 is different from those of FIGS. 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the structure which the pattern removal part of FIG. 27 has. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the process performed in the signal transmission part of FIG. In the first embodiment, FIG. 2, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 19, FIG. 21, FIG. Is a diagram showing a different example. In the first embodiment, FIG. 2, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 19, FIG. 21, FIG. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. In the first embodiment, FIG. 3, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, FIG. 16, FIG. 18, FIG. 20, FIG. Is a diagram showing a different example. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state before digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 34 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state after digital data (or a digital signal) input to the signal receiving unit in FIG. 34 is subjected to correction processing based on predetermined reference pattern data. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 33 of the structure of the signal transmission part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 34 of the structure of the signal receiving part which the endoscope system of FIG. 1 has in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system, 2 ... Endoscope, 2a ... Insert part, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... Image processing apparatus, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Light Guide, 7 ... Cable, 21 ... Imaging unit, 22 ... Drive circuit, 23 ... CDS circuit, 24 ... A / D conversion circuit, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E , 25F, 25G, 25H, 25I, 25J, 25K, 25L... Signal transmission unit, 41, 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F, 41G, 41H, 41J, 41K, 41L. 42 ... Signal processing circuit

Claims (8)

An imaging unit including an imaging device capable of capturing an image of a subject and outputting the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal;
An A / D converter that converts the analog imaging signal into a digital imaging signal and outputs the digital imaging signal;
A first reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount; a timing setting unit that sets a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal; and the timing setting A signal transmitting unit comprising: a superimposing unit that superimposes the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal and outputs the superimposed data at the timing set by the unit;
The second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit, and the predetermined reference pattern data are superimposed on the digital imaging signal output from the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing synchronized with the timing set by the timing setting unit, and data corresponding to the predetermined data amount from the digital imaging signal at the timing detected by the timing detection unit. A signal receiving unit comprising: a data correcting unit that extracts and compares the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data, and performs a correction process on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result;
A time measuring unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the signal transmission unit is turned on, and
The timing setting unit is configured to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period from immediately after the signal transmission unit is turned on based on the count value in the time measurement unit. Done
The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or the signal transmission An image processing system for performing a process for outputting notification information indicating any one of problems in a connection state of a signal line connecting a signal processing unit and the signal receiving unit to the outside. An imaging unit including an imaging device capable of capturing an image of a subject and outputting the captured image of the subject as an analog imaging signal;
An A / D converter that converts the analog imaging signal into a digital imaging signal and outputs the digital imaging signal;
A first reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount; a timing setting unit that sets a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal; and the timing setting A signal transmitting unit comprising: a superimposing unit that superimposes the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal and outputs the superimposed data at the timing set by the unit;
The second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit, and the predetermined reference pattern data are superimposed on the digital imaging signal output from the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing synchronized with the timing set by the timing setting unit, and data corresponding to the predetermined data amount from the digital imaging signal at the timing detected by the timing detection unit. A signal receiving unit comprising: a data correcting unit that extracts and compares the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data, and performs a correction process on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result;
One or more image correction instruction units for instructing image correction to the signal transmission unit and the signal reception unit;
A time measuring unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the image correction instruction is made, and
The timing setting unit is configured to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period immediately after the image correction instruction is made based on the count value in the time measurement unit,
The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or the signal transmission An image processing system for performing a process for outputting notification information indicating any one of problems in a connection state of a signal line connecting a signal processing unit and the signal receiving unit to the outside. The signal transmission unit has the same number of the superimposing units as the plurality of channels corresponding to the digital imaging signals input from the plurality of channels,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the signal reception unit includes the same number of data correction units as the plurality of channels corresponding to each of the digital imaging signals output from the signal transmission unit. . 4. The image processing according to claim 3, wherein the first reference data generation unit outputs different reference pattern data for each of the overlapping units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of channels. 5. system. 5. The data correction unit according to claim 1, wherein the data correction unit performs a process of shifting the entire digital imaging signal by N (N is an integer) bits as the correction process for the digital imaging signal. The image processing system according to 1. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the data correction unit performs a process of swapping adjacent 8-bit data with respect to the entire digital imaging signal as a correction process for the digital imaging signal. system. An image pickup unit including an image pickup device capable of picking up an image of a subject and outputting the picked-up image of the subject as an analog image pickup signal; and an A / D converter for converting the analog image pickup signal into a digital image pickup signal and outputting the digital image pickup signal A first reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount, a timing setting unit that sets a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal, and the timing An endoscope including a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at a timing set by a setting unit;
The second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit, and the predetermined reference pattern data are superimposed on the digital imaging signal output from the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing synchronized with the timing set by the timing setting unit, and data corresponding to the predetermined data amount from the digital imaging signal at the timing detected by the timing detection unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a data correction unit that extracts and compares the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data, and performs a correction process on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result;
A time measuring unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the signal transmission unit is turned on, and
The timing setting unit is configured to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period from immediately after the signal transmission unit is turned on based on the count value in the time measurement unit. Done
The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or the signal transmission A process for outputting notification information indicating one of the problems in the connection state of the signal line connecting the signal receiving unit and the signal receiving unit to the outside
An endoscope system characterized by that. An image pickup unit including an image pickup device capable of picking up an image of a subject and outputting the picked-up image of the subject as an analog image pickup signal; and an A / D converter for converting the analog image pickup signal into a digital image pickup signal and outputting the digital image pickup signal A first reference data generation unit that outputs predetermined reference pattern data having a predetermined data amount, a timing setting unit that sets a timing at which the predetermined reference pattern data is superimposed on the digital imaging signal, and the timing An endoscope including a superimposing unit that superimposes and outputs the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal at a timing set by a setting unit;
The second reference data generation unit that outputs the same predetermined reference pattern data as the first reference data generation unit, and the predetermined reference pattern data are superimposed on the digital imaging signal output from the signal transmission unit. A timing detection unit that detects a timing synchronized with the timing set by the timing setting unit, and data corresponding to the predetermined data amount from the digital imaging signal at the timing detected by the timing detection unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a data correction unit that extracts and compares the extracted data and the predetermined reference pattern data, and performs a correction process on the digital imaging signal according to the comparison result;
One or more image correction instruction units for instructing image correction to the signal transmission unit and the signal reception unit;
A time measuring unit that counts a time elapsed immediately after the image correction instruction is made, and
The timing setting unit is configured to superimpose the predetermined reference pattern data on the digital imaging signal only within a predetermined period immediately after the image correction instruction is made based on the count value in the time measurement unit,
The data correction unit, when the extracted data in the digital imaging signal after the correction processing and the predetermined reference pattern data do not match, the transmission failure of the digital imaging signal or the signal transmission A process for outputting notification information indicating one of the problems in the connection state of the signal line connecting the signal receiving unit and the signal receiving unit to the outside
An endoscope system characterized by that.

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