JP5838082B2 - Endoscope intermediate module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system including an intermediate module, and an endoscope intermediate module used in the endoscope system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope system configured by connecting an endoscope that captures an image of the inside of a body and the like to generate an image signal and a processor that performs image processing on the input image signal is widely used. In an endoscope system, various processors and endoscopes having light sources having different characteristics, CCDs, and the like are generally used in appropriate combination. Therefore, since it is necessary to perform different image processing on the image signal captured by the endoscope according to the characteristics of each endoscope or processor, the endoscope system is different for each endoscope and processor. It is necessary to store parameters and firmware for image processing.

  Further, when the type of CCD is changed and a new function is added to the endoscope or the processor, it is necessary to update the firmware or the like stored in the endoscope or the processor each time (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2005-185691 A JP 2008-149027 A

  By the way, since an endoscope normally operates by being connected to a processor, it is necessary to connect to the processor when updating the firmware and parameters of the endoscope. However, according to such a configuration, when the processor is used while connected to another endoscope, there is a problem that the firmware of the endoscope cannot be updated, and it can be said that the system configuration is efficient. Absent.

  Furthermore, since an endoscope needs to be lightweight and small, it is desirable that most image processing is performed on the processor side. However, with such a configuration, it is necessary for the processor to hold parameters and the like corresponding to each of the plurality of endoscopes, which may complicate the configuration of the endoscope system. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to add a new function to the endoscope and the processor because the modification of the endoscope and the processor is large and costly.

  Therefore, the present invention constructs an efficient endoscope system, for example, can easily update the firmware and parameters of the endoscope and processor, and can easily add new functions. An object is to provide a mirror system.

  The present invention is provided separately from an endoscope that images a subject and generates an image signal, and an endoscope processor that performs image processing on the image signal, and at least for an endoscope and an endoscope One feature is to provide an intermediate endoscope module that can transmit or receive data to any of the processors.

  It is preferable that the intermediate module for endoscope can transmit or receive data to both the endoscope and the processor for endoscope.

  The endoscope intermediate module includes, for example, an image processing circuit. In this case, the intermediate module receives the image signal generated by the endoscope as data, performs image processing on the image signal by the image processing circuit, and uses the image signal subjected to the image processing for the endoscope processor Send to. The intermediate module for endoscope may further include a memory. In this case, it is preferable that the image processing circuit performs image processing based on image processing parameters stored in the memory.

  The data transmitted / received to / from the endoscope or the endoscope processor is, for example, an image signal, firmware data, an image processing parameter, or identification information for identifying the endoscope or the endoscope processor.

  When the endoscope intermediate module includes a memory, the data stored in the memory can be transmitted to the endoscope or the endoscope processor or received from the endoscope or the endoscope processor. Preferably, the data can be stored in a memory.

  The endoscope intermediate module preferably includes a power supply module, and is preferably supplied with power from the endoscope processor. The power supply module charges, for example, power supplied from an endoscope processor.

  An endoscope system according to the present invention includes an endoscope that images a subject and generates an image signal, a processor that performs image processing on an input image signal, and an endoscope and a processor that are separate from the endoscope and the processor. And an intermediate module capable of transmitting or receiving data to at least one of the endoscope and the processor.

  In the present invention, by using the intermediate module, the endoscope system is made efficient, for example, the firmware and parameters of the endoscope and the processor can be easily added / updated, or a new one is added to the endoscope system. Make it easy to add functionality.

In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows the endoscope system at the time of normal image observation. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows an endoscope system when an intermediate module is used. The flowchart in 1st Embodiment is shown. It is a schematic diagram which shows the endoscope system in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart in 2nd Embodiment is shown.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are schematic views showing an endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  An endoscope system according to the first embodiment includes an endoscope 10 that captures an image of the inside of a body and generates an image signal, a processor 11 that performs image processing on the image signal, the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. And an intermediate module 12 provided separately and a monitor 13. The endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 14 made of a flexible tube and inserted into the body or the like, and is connected to the processor 11 and the intermediate module 12 via a connector portion 15. A light guide 16 is inserted into the endoscope 10, and a distal end portion thereof is disposed at a distal end portion of the insertion portion 14, and a proximal end portion is disposed so as to protrude from the connector portion 15.

  The endoscope 10 includes an imaging element 17 made of a CCD or the like at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 14. The endoscope 10 also includes an analog signal processing circuit 20 for image processing of an analog image signal, a drive circuit 21 for driving and controlling the image sensor 17, and imaging in the endoscope 10 inside the connector unit 15. A timing controller 22 that controls the drive timing of the element 17 and other circuits, a CPU 23 that controls the entire endoscope 10, and a memory 24 are provided. The memory 24 stores image processing parameters and firmware. Further, the CPU 23 controls the endoscope 10 based on firmware stored in the memory 24.

  The processor 11 includes a CPU 33 that controls the entire processor 11, a front-stage signal processing circuit 41, an image memory 42, a rear-stage signal processing circuit 43, and circuits 41, 43 for applying an image signal sent from the endoscope. And a timing controller 32 for controlling the drive timing of the image memory 42. The processor 11 further includes a memory 34, and the CPU 33 controls the processor 11 based on firmware stored in the memory 34. Further, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 41 and the post-stage signal processing circuit 43 perform image processing based on image processing parameters and the like stored in the memory 34.

  The processor 11 includes a light source 35 and also has a function as a light source device. The processor 11 includes a diaphragm 36 that adjusts the light amount of the light source 35, and the opening degree of the diaphragm 36 is adjusted by a motor 38 controlled by a motor driver 37. The light source device may be provided separately from the processor 11.

  The processor 11 is provided with an interface 40. A storage medium such as a memory card that holds firmware data for updating / adding firmware such as the endoscope 10 is connected to the interface 40. However, the interface 40 may be omitted, and the firmware data may be written in the memory 34 by, for example, a service person. In the processor 11, when the front panel 45 is operated, an instruction signal is input from the front panel 45 to the CPU 33 of the processor 11. The CPU 33 controls the processor 11 according to the instruction signal, or the CPU 23 of the endoscope 10. In addition, a control signal for controlling the endoscope 10 is output.

  In the processor 11, a voltage from a commercial power supply (not shown) is supplied to the system power supply 46 and the light source power supply 47. Electric power is supplied from the system power supply 46 to the various circuits of the processor 11 and the endoscope 10 and the intermediate module 12. Further, power is supplied to the light source 35 from the light source power source 47.

  Hereinafter, an operation during normal image observation in the endoscope system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. During normal image observation, the endoscope 10 is directly connected to the processor 11 via the connector unit 15 as shown in FIG. That is, the proximal end portion of the light guide 16 is inserted into the processor 11, and an adapter (not shown) provided in the connector portion 15 is inserted into an insertion port (not shown) of the processor 11, so that the endoscope The 10 analog signal processing circuits 20, the timing controller 22, and the CPU 23 are electrically connected to the previous stage signal processing circuit 41, the timing controller 32, and the CPU 33 of the processor 11, respectively.

  The light source 35 is turned on by the instruction signal from the front panel 45 and emits illumination light. The illumination light is condensed by the condensing lens 44 and the amount of light is adjusted by the diaphragm 36 and then incident on the proximal end portion of the light guide 16. The illumination light incident on the proximal end portion is transmitted by the light guide 16 and is irradiated onto the subject from the distal end portion of the endoscope 10 via the light distribution lens 18.

  The image sensor 17 captures a subject irradiated with illumination light. That is, a subject image is formed on the imaging element 17 by the imaging lens 19, and an image signal is generated by photoelectric conversion. The image signal is amplified by the output amplifier 29 and then input to the analog signal processing circuit 20. In the analog signal processing circuit 20, predetermined image processing such as gamma correction, white balance adjustment, noise reduction, and enhancement processing is performed on the image signal based on the image processing parameters read from the memory 24. Thereafter, the image signal is A / D converted in the analog signal processing circuit 20 and transmitted to the pre-stage signal processing circuit 41 of the processor 11 as a digital signal.

  The pre-stage signal processing circuit 41 amplifies the input image signal and performs various image processing according to a predetermined image processing parameter, and then outputs the image signal to the image memory 42. The image signal is stored in the image memory 42 in units of frames, and then output to the subsequent-stage video signal processing circuit 43 for each frame unit.

  In the post-stage video signal processing circuit 43, image processing such as RGB adjustment is further performed on the image signal in accordance with an instruction signal from the front panel 45, and a video signal (for example, according to the standard of the monitor 13) , NTSC system) and output to the monitor 13. As a result, the monitor 13 displays the captured image captured by the image sensor 17 as a subject image.

  Next, the configuration of the intermediate module 12 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate module 12 includes a CPU 53 for controlling the operation of the entire intermediate module 12, an interface 51, a power supply module 52, and a memory 54.

  The intermediate module 12 has two cables 55 and 56, one of which is inserted with an adapter (not shown) of the endoscope 10, and electrically connects the intermediate module 12 to the endoscope 10, and the other is a processor. 11, and the intermediate module 12 is electrically connected to the processor 11. 2 shows a configuration in which the intermediate module 12 is connected to both the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 via cables 55 and 56. However, the intermediate module 12 in the present embodiment is normally configured as an internal module. It is used by being connected to either the endoscope 10 or the processor 11. Further, even when the intermediate module 12 is connected to both the endoscope 10 and the processor 11, data is not directly transmitted and received between the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. For example, the analog signal processing circuit 20 and the previous signal processing are performed. Data transmission / reception between the circuits 41 is blocked by the intermediate module 12.

  The intermediate module 12 is activated by connecting to one or both of the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. When the intermediate module 12 is connected to the processor 11, the power supply module 52 is supplied with power from the system power supply 46 and can charge the power. The power supply module 52 drives each circuit of the intermediate module 12 by charging or power supplied from the processor 11. Further, when the intermediate module 12 is connected to the endoscope 10, the power supply module 52 supplies the endoscope 10 with the power supplied from the processor 11 or the power charged in the intermediate module 12. 10 circuits are driven.

  A storage medium such as a memory card that holds firmware data for updating / adding firmware of the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 is connected to the interface 51. However, the interface 51 is omitted, and the firmware data is stored in the memory 54 in advance, or may be written in the memory 54 by a service person or the like during maintenance. Further, the firmware data may be sent from the processor 11 and stored in the memory 54 as will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the intermediate module 12 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Note that the routine shown in FIG. 3 is executed when the intermediate module 12 is activated, or when a storage medium such as a memory card is connected to the interface 11 of the processor 11 or the intermediate module 12. 12 is implemented.

  In this routine, first, in step S100, it is determined whether or not the intermediate module 12 is connected to the processor 11. If it is determined that the intermediate module 12 is connected, the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection is not established, step S110 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S <b> 110, when data to be transmitted to the intermediate module 12 or the processor 11 is held in the processor 11 or the intermediate module 12, data transmission / reception is performed between the processor 11 and the intermediate module 12.

  For example, update data (firmware data) for updating the firmware of the endoscope is held in the memory 34 of the processor 11, or a memory card is connected to the interface 40, and the firmware data is stored in the memory card. If stored, the firmware data is transmitted to the intermediate module 12 and stored in the memory 54. On the other hand, when firmware data for updating the firmware of the processor 11 is held in the memory 54 of the intermediate module 12 or the memory card connected to the interface 51, the firmware data is stored in the processor 11. Sent. The firmware data is input to the memory 34 of the processor 11, and the processor 11 updates the firmware in the memory 34 with the firmware data.

  Next, in step S120, it is determined whether or not the intermediate module 12 is connected to the endoscope 10. If it is determined that the intermediate module 12 is connected, the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection is not established, this routine ends.

  In step S130, when data to be transmitted is held in the endoscope 10 or the intermediate module 12 and in the intermediate module 12 or the endoscope 10, data transmission / reception is performed between the endoscope 10 and the intermediate module 12. This routine is terminated.

  That is, in step S130, for example, if data for updating the firmware of the endoscope 10 is stored in the memory card connected to the memory 54 or the interface 51 of the intermediate module 12, the firmware is updated. Data is transmitted to the endoscope 10 and input to the memory 24. Then, the endoscope 10 updates the firmware in the memory 24 with the transmitted firmware data.

  Note that the firmware data usually includes identification information that identifies the types of the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. In this embodiment, firmware data is transferred from the intermediate module 12 to the endoscope 10 or processor only when the endoscope 10 or the processor 11 which is a model specified by the identification information is connected to the intermediate module 12. 11 is transmitted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the intermediate module 12 is provided, the firmware of the endoscope 10 can be updated at any time without using both the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 at the same time. . In other words, in this embodiment, if data is sent from the processor 11 to the intermediate module 12 in advance and stored in the intermediate module 12, the firmware of the endoscope 10 can be obtained only by connecting the intermediate module 12 to the endoscope 10. Can be updated.

  For example, even when firmware data is sent from the processor 11 to the plurality of endoscopes 10, if the data is sent only once from the processor 11 to the intermediate module 12, then the intermediate module 12 is stored in the internal module 12. The firmware of the endoscope 10 can be updated only by connecting to the endoscope 10. Thereby, in this embodiment, in order to update the firmware of the plurality of endoscopes 10, it is not necessary to connect the endoscope 10 to the processor 11 many times, and the configuration of the endoscope system is efficient. It will be a thing.

  Further, by connecting a memory card holding firmware data to the intermediate module 12 or directly writing firmware data to the memory 54 of the intermediate module 12, the firmware of the endoscope 10 can be used without using the processor 11. The software can be updated. Similarly, the firmware of the processor 11 can be updated using the intermediate module 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to cause the processor 11 to capture firmware data, so that updating of firmware and the like becomes easier.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the intermediate module 12 is connected to a connector (adapter or insertion port) used to connect the endoscope and the processor, so that the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 are special. A connector or the like need not be provided, and a conventional endoscope or processor can be used as it is. Further, since the intermediate module 12 can be connected to a plurality of types of endoscopes and processors, the firmware of a plurality of types of endoscopes and processors can be updated with one intermediate module.

  In this embodiment, the firmware data is transmitted and received between the endoscope 10 and the intermediate module 12 and between the intermediate module 12 and the processor 11. However, instead of the firmware data, image processing parameters and the like are shown. Other data may be transmitted and received. In this case, parameters sent from the intermediate module 12 to the processor 11 and the endoscope 10 are input to the memories 34 and 24, and for example, image processing parameters are updated.

  Further, the image processing parameters stored in the endoscope 10 may be transmitted to the processor via the intermediate module. Specifically, the color adjustment parameters (RGB gain values) stored in the memory 24 of the endoscope 10 and used in white balance adjustment are sent to the intermediate module 12 and stored in the memory 54 in step S130. Also good. The color adjustment parameter is further sent from the intermediate module 12 to the processor 11 and stored in the memory 34 of the processor 11 in step S110.

  The color adjustment parameters stored in the memory 34 are used, for example, in image processing performed by the pre-stage signal processing circuit 41. Specifically, the RGB signal of the image signal is adjusted by adding a color adjustment parameter with an offset corresponding to the characteristics of the processor 11. Thereby, image processing according to the characteristics of both the processor 11 and the endoscope 10 can be performed by the processor 11. At this time, the white balance adjustment in the endoscope 10 may be omitted.

  Note that the color adjustment parameter is obtained, for example, by photographing a white subject such as a white chart in an endoscope system including the processor 11 and the endoscope 10 before image observation is performed. Then, the color adjustment parameter may be stored in the memory 24 of the endoscope 10 together with the identification information indicating the model of the processor 11 used when the white subject is photographed. Thus, the color adjustment parameter is sent to the processor 11 in step S110 only when the processor 11 represented by the identification information is connected to the intermediate module 12.

  Further, the color adjustment parameter is usually sent from the endoscope 10 to the intermediate module 12 together with identification information for identifying the endoscope 10. Thus, the color adjustment parameter is used by the processor 11 only when the endoscope 10 that matches the identification information is connected to the processor 11. Note that the color adjustment parameters stored in the memory 24 are not obtained by photographing a white subject, but may be set at the time of product shipment according to the characteristics of the endoscope 10.

  In the routine shown in FIG. 3, when the intermediate module 12 is connected to both the endoscope 10 and the processor 11, step S <b> 120 (in some cases, step S <b> 130) is followed by step S <b> 100 (in some cases, S <b> 110). It is preferable to carry out again and finish. In this case, various data held in the endoscope 10 is sent to the processor 11 via the intermediate module 12 in one routine.

  In the above description, data such as image processing parameters stored in the endoscope 10 or the processor 11 is sent to the intermediate module 12 for use in image processing performed by the processor 11 or the endoscope 10. May be sent to the intermediate module 12 for other purposes. For example, when the data in the memory 24 of the endoscope 10 is initialized by replacing the CPU board, if the intermediate module 12 receives data such as image processing parameters before the replacement, the received data is transferred to the board. By returning to the memory 24 after the replacement, the data can be easily updated.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an endoscope system according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the following description, members having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The intermediate module 62 in the second embodiment includes an image processing circuit 63 and an interface is omitted. The intermediate module 62 includes an insertion port and an adapter (not shown), and these are attached to the adapter of the endoscope 10 and the insertion port of the processor 11, so that the endoscope 10 includes the intermediate module 62. Is connected to the processor 11. Further, the light guide 16 is inserted into the processor 11 through the intermediate module 62.

  The image processing circuit 63 performs various image processing such as gamma correction, noise reduction, enhancement processing, and white balance adjustment on the input image signal. These various image processes are performed based on the image processing parameters transmitted from the endoscope 10. In the present embodiment, since the intermediate module 62 performs image processing, the analog signal processing circuit 20 of the endoscope 10 performs part of image processing such as gamma correction performed in the first embodiment. I will not.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the intermediate module 62 in the second embodiment will be described in detail using the routine of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, this routine is started when the endoscope 10 is connected to the processor 11 via the intermediate module 62.

  In this routine, first, in step S200, image processing parameters stored in the memory 24 of the endoscope 10 and used for image processing of the image processing circuit 63 are transmitted to the intermediate module 62, and the memory 54 of the intermediate module 62 is transmitted. Saved in. Here, the image processing parameter is changed according to the model or characteristic of the endoscope 10, or represents the characteristic of the endoscope 10, and the filter size and filter coefficient of various filters used in the image processing. , Data relating to color adjustment parameters, the number of pixels of the image sensor 17, gamma characteristics, and the like.

  Next, in step S <b> 210, the image signal converted into a digital signal by the analog signal processing circuit 20 is received from the endoscope 10. Thereafter, in step S220, the image processing circuit 63 performs various image processing on the received image signal. Specifically, the image signal is subjected to various image processing such as gamma correction, noise reduction, enhancement processing, and white balance adjustment.

  Various image processing performed by the image processing circuit 63 is performed based on image processing parameters received from the endoscope 10 and stored in the memory 54, and processing according to the endoscope 10 connected to the intermediate module 62 Is implemented. For example, a gamma curve (gamma characteristic) used in gamma correction is set based on the characteristic of the image sensor 17 and is transmitted from the endoscope 10 as an image processing parameter. The filter size and filter coefficient of various filters such as a low-pass filter used in noise reduction and enhancement processing are set by the CPU 53 based on the pixel number data of the image sensor 17 transmitted from the endoscope 10, or The image processing parameters are directly transmitted from the endoscope 10. Furthermore, as described above, the color adjustment parameters are obtained by photographing a white subject with the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. The color adjustment parameter is sent to the intermediate module 62 together with the identification information for identifying the processor 11 as described above, and may be used only when the processor 11 of that model is connected.

  The image signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 63 is transmitted to the previous signal processing circuit 41 of the processor 11 in step S230. In the processor 11, as in the first embodiment, various image processing is performed by the front-stage signal processing circuit 41, the image memory 42, and the rear-stage signal processing circuit 43, and then the video is output to the monitor 13.

  In step S240, it is determined based on an instruction signal from the front panel 45 whether or not an instruction to stop image capturing has been issued. If an instruction is issued, this routine ends. On the other hand, if no instruction is issued, steps S210 to S240 are repeated, and the video continues to be output to the monitor 13.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the intermediate module 62 with the image processing circuit 63, new image processing can be performed on the image signal without modifying the endoscope 10 or the processor 11. For example, even if the endoscope 10 cannot perform image processing in detail, the image processing according to the model and characteristics of the endoscope 10 is performed without modifying the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. Can do. Further, the image processing that has been conventionally performed by the endoscope 10 can be performed instead by the intermediate module 62, and the configuration of the endoscope 10 can be simplified. In addition, since the intermediate module 62 can be connected to a plurality of types of endoscopes and processors, a new function can be added to many endoscope systems.

  In the present embodiment, in step S200, various image processing parameters used for image processing may be sent from the processor 11 (that is, the memory 34) as well as the endoscope 10. In this case, for example, the parameter sent from the processor 11 is a parameter such as an offset set in accordance with the characteristics and model of the processor.

  In the image processing circuit 63, image processing may be performed based on characteristics and models of both the processor 11 and the endoscope 10. For example, in the image processing circuit 63, white balance adjustment may be performed by adding the offset to the color adjustment parameter. Of course, the image processing parameter may not be transmitted from the endoscope 10 but may be transmitted only from the processor 11 side.

  The color adjustment parameter may be obtained by photographing a white subject such as a white chart in an endoscope system including the processor 11, the intermediate module 62, and the endoscope 10. In this case, since the color adjustment parameter is stored in the memory 54 of the intermediate module 12 when it is acquired, it is not necessary to transmit it from the endoscope 10 in step S200.

  Further, the various image processing performed by the image processing circuit 63 described above is an example, and may be other image processing. The image processing may or may not be performed based on image processing parameters sent from the processor 11 or the endoscope 10.

  Furthermore, the data sent from the endoscope 10 or the processor 11 in step S200 may be identification information for identifying the model of the endoscope 10 or the processor 11. In this case, for example, the memory 54 of the intermediate module 12 holds a plurality of image processing parameters corresponding to the types of the endoscope 10 and the processor 11. Then, an image processing parameter corresponding to the identification information is read from the memory 54, and the image processing circuit 63 performs image processing according to the model and characteristics of the endoscope 10 and / or the processor 11 based on the parameter. The

  In the present embodiment, after the routine (see FIG. 3) performed in the first embodiment is performed, the routines after step S200 may be performed. In this case, the intermediate module may have an interface as in the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, the intermediate module may have a conversion adapter function. That is, the adapter of the endoscope 10 and the insertion port of the processor 11 have different shapes, and even if the connection is impossible, the shapes of the insertion port of the intermediate module and the adapter are matched with these. Thus, the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 can be connected via the intermediate module.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the intermediate module 12 is omitted from the adapter and the insertion port, and is not physically connected between the endoscope 10 and the processor 11 or both, and wirelessly. Data transmission / reception may be performed. Further, the intermediate module 12 may be provided with a power adapter, and a voltage may be directly supplied from a commercial power supply without going through the processor 11.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a cable for connecting the intermediate module 62 and the endoscope 10 or the processor 11 is not provided, but a cable may be provided. On the other hand, also in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the connection between the intermediate module 12 and the endoscope or the processor may not be via a cable.

  Note that operations such as image processing of each endoscope and each processor may be different from those described above. For example, the image signal may be sent to the processor 11 or the intermediate module 62 as an analog signal without being A / D converted by the endoscope 10. The intermediate module 62 may include an A / D converter and the like, and may have a function capable of processing both a digital image signal and an analog image signal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 11 Processor 12, 62 Intermediate module 24, 34, 54 Memory 40, 51 Interface 52 Power supply module 63 Image processing circuit

Claims (9)

An endoscope that captures an image of a subject and generates an image signal, and an endoscope processor that performs image processing on the image signal are provided separately from at least one of the endoscope and the endoscope processor. against either Ri send or receivable der data,
The data transmitted / received to / from the endoscope or the endoscope processor includes image signals, firmware data, image processing parameters, and identification information for identifying the endoscope or the endoscope processor. Including
When the image processing parameter or the firmware data is stored in advance and connected to the endoscope or the processor for endoscope, when the stored data matches the identification information, the endoscope And an endoscope intermediate module which transmits / receives the corresponding data to any of the endoscope processors .   The endoscope intermediate module according to claim 1, wherein the data can be transmitted or received by either the endoscope or the endoscope processor.   An image processing circuit is provided, and an image signal generated by the endoscope is received as the data, the image processing circuit performs image processing on the image signal, and the image signal subjected to the image processing is subjected to the image processing. The endoscope intermediate module according to claim 2, wherein the endoscope intermediate module is transmitted to an endoscope processor.   The endoscope intermediate module according to claim 3, further comprising a memory, wherein the image processing circuit performs the image processing based on an image processing parameter stored in the memory.   A memory is further provided, and data stored in the memory can be transmitted to the endoscope or endoscope processor, or data received from the endoscope or endoscope processor is stored in the memory The intermediate module for an endoscope according to claim 1, which is possible.   The endoscope intermediate module according to claim 1, wherein electric power is supplied from the endoscope processor.   The endoscope intermediate module according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply module. The endoscope system according to claim 7 , wherein the power supply module charges power supplied from the endoscope processor. An endoscope that images a subject and generates an image signal;
A processor that performs image processing on the input image signal;
Together provided separately from said endoscope and the processor, for any of at least the endoscope and the processor, Ri send or receivable der data,
The data transmitted to and received from the endoscope or the processor includes an image signal, firmware data, image processing parameters, and identification information for identifying the endoscope or the processor,
When the image processing parameter or the firmware data is pre-stored in a memory and connected to the endoscope or the processor, when the pre-stored data matches the identification information, the endoscope and the An endoscope system comprising: an intermediate module that transmits and receives the corresponding data to any of the processors .

Images