JP6230026B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video camera that captures moving images.

Video cameras that capture moving images and output video signals have been known for a long time. There are various types of images captured by the video camera.
In particular, when a video camera is used for observing an object to be imaged, a video camera that can capture various types of moving images is useful. For example, when imaging with light having a wavelength in the ultraviolet region or infrared region as illumination light, and when some image processing is performed on the captured image, the amount of information obtained by observation may increase. This is because observation different from observation may be realized.

  From such a viewpoint, video cameras capable of capturing various types of moving images have been proposed and put into practical use. Of course, the applicant of the present application has made such proposals in the past.

Japanese Patent No. 3007978

However, a conventional video camera that can capture a plurality of types of moving images captures one moving image selected from the plurality of types of moving images, and then picks up another moving image by subsequent selection. That is, a plurality of types of moving images that can be captured by a conventional video camera are alternative, and a plurality of types of images are not captured at the same time.
On the other hand, if multiple types of images can be captured at the same time, it can be recognized at the same time when viewed with the user's eyes, and at the same time when viewed with the user's eyes. If there is a video camera that can capture moving images at the same position, that is, two types (or more types) of moving images at the same time, it is possible to increase the amount of information obtained by observation. Thus, observation using a moving image taken by a video camera seems to be more effective. Moreover, there is a possibility that other effects such as beauty and fun can be obtained without aiming at observation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a video camera capable of obtaining a plurality of types of images at substantially the same position at substantially the same time.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor proposes the following video camera. The video camera of the present application is roughly divided into two types. In the present application, for the sake of convenience, the former will be referred to as the first invention and the latter as the second invention.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit that captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged, outputs a video signal having a large number of continuous frames of data, and the video signal output by the imaging unit. The data about the first frame group, which is a set of frames, that allows the user who has continuously viewed the frames included in the data from a plurality of the included frames to recognize it as a moving image, and Generates data about the second frame group, which is a set of frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group, so that the user who continuously viewed the included frames can recognize it as a moving image. Frame data distribution means; first output means for outputting data of frames included in the first frame group; and the second frame. A second output means for outputting data of frames included in the frame group, a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the first frame group, and included in the second frame group A moving image that is played back based on the data of the frame to be played is a video camera that is made different.

This video camera includes frame data distribution means. The frame data allocating means is configured so that a user who has continuously viewed the frames included in the data included in the video signal output from the imaging means can recognize it as a moving image. Frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group so that the user can recognize the data about the first frame group as a set of frames and the frames included in the data as a moving image. For the second frame group, which is a set of. The fact that the data of the first frame group and the data of the second frame group are created means that the frames captured by the imaging means are divided into the first frame group and the second frame group. Due to the presence of the following illumination switching means, the moving image reproduced by the frames included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced by the frames included in the second frame group are different moving images.
The video camera according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with two (or more) video signals made up of a large number of continuous frames of data produced by a single imaging means. ) Video signal. The data of the frames included in the first frame group corresponding to each video signal and the data of the frames included in the second frame group are different from each other in moving images reproduced by them. . As a result, the video camera according to the first aspect of the invention can obtain a plurality of types of images at the same position substantially simultaneously.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of frames (frame rate) that can be imaged per second by the image sensor used for the imaging means is a frame rate necessary for a human to recognize a moving image as smooth (generally 24). It is said that if the frame rate exceeds 120, it is said that humans cannot recognize the difference in frame rate.) For example, when the frame rate when the image pickup device used for the image pickup device picks up a moving image is 48, two video signals are generated from the video signal generated by the image pickup device without dropping the frames. By setting the frame rate to 24, the moving image reproduced based on the two video signals generated from the original video signal becomes smooth to the extent that the viewer does not feel uncomfortable. Since the frame rate when an image pickup device that actually exists at the present time captures a moving image is not 48, it is actually possible to generate a plurality of video signals from one original video signal and drop a frame. It is possible.
In short, the video camera of the first invention allows the video signal generated by the image pickup means to drop the frame rate of the frame included in the video signal (however, the image quality and the number of pixels may be reduced as necessary). Although it is possible, it is also possible not to drop it.), Two types of moving images in which the same object is imaged substantially at the same time by allocating to the frame included in the first frame group and the frame included in the second frame group Is what you get. This reasoning is also followed in the second invention.
Note that the first output means and the second output means in the first invention do not necessarily output data to a display outside the video camera, and may output data to a display provided in the video camera. However, the data may be output to a recording medium outside the video camera or provided in the video camera. When data is output to the recording medium, the user can view two types of images based on the data later. The same applies to the output means of the second invention. That is, the output means of the second invention does not necessarily output data to a display outside the video camera.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit that captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged and outputs a video signal having a large number of continuous frames of data, and the video output by the imaging unit The data about the first frame group, which is a set of frames, that allows the user who has continuously viewed the frames included in the signal to recognize it as a moving image from the data about a large number of the frames included in the signal; Data about the second frame group, which is a set of frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group, so that a user who continuously viewed the frames included in the frame can recognize it as a moving image; Generating a frame data distribution unit, a first moving image based on frame data included in the first frame group, and the second frame. A synthesizing unit that generates moving image data for a moving image that can be displayed on a single screen by a predetermined display, and an output unit that outputs the moving image data generated by the synthesizing unit. And a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group is different from a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group. It is a video camera that is designed to be a natural thing.

The video camera of the second invention adopts the same configuration as the main part of the video camera of the first invention.
The image pickup means and the frame data distribution means are the same as the video cameras of the first invention and the second invention. Further, the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the second frame group are different. This is the same as in the first invention.
On the other hand, in the video camera of the second invention, the predetermined display displays the first moving image by the data of the frames included in the first frame group and the second moving image by the data of the frames included in the second frame group on one screen. A synthesizing unit that generates moving image data about a moving image that can be displayed, and an output unit that outputs the moving image data generated by the synthesizing unit are provided.
For example, when the output means is connected to an appropriate display, the display includes the first moving image based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the frame included in the second frame group, based on the moving image data combined by the combining means. A moving image including both the second moving image and the data is displayed. As a result, only one display is required.

The frame data distribution means in the present invention distributes the frame data included in the video signal, and generates the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group as described above. The meaning of the word “frame” used in the present invention may include a meaning other than the word “frame”, which is a technical term in the technical field of moving images and video signals. In addition, the frame data distribution means will be further described.
First, as already described, the data for all the frames included in the video signal created by imaging by the imaging means is distributed to either the frame data of the first frame group or the frame data of the second frame group. There is no need to be done.
For example, the frame data distribution unit extracts a certain number of frames of data from a large number of the frames included in the video signal output by the imaging unit and distributes the data to the frames of the first frame group. In addition, a certain number of frames of data may be extracted from frame data not included in the frame data of the first frame group and used as frame data of the second frame group. By including data of a certain number of frames in the first frame group and the second frame group, the frame rate of the moving image by the frame included in the first frame group and the moving image by the frame included in the second frame group is always Because it is constant, there is no unnaturalness in the video. If the imaging means can perform imaging at a high frame rate and the display does not support drawing at a high frame rate, the frame rate may be reduced as described above.
As described above, the first invention and the second invention of the present application basically display two types of moving images from a video signal for displaying one moving image by allowing the frame rate to drop. Therefore, if it is considered that the frame rate is not further reduced, the data for all the frames included in the video signal created by the imaging means is It is better to include the data in one frame group frame data or the second frame group frame data.
For example, the frame data allocating means converts one of the even-numbered data and the odd-numbered data of the plurality of frames included in the video signal output from the imaging means to the frame data of the first frame group. The other may be assigned to the frame data of the second frame group. According to this method, the frame data included in the first frame group and the second frame group data are alternately allocated to the first frame group frame data and the second frame group frame data. Frame data of a frame group can be easily generated.

By the way, there are a progressive (non-interlace) method and an interlace method as a moving image transmission method.
The display drawn by the progressive method is configured to display one screen image at a time in a certain direction such as from top to bottom, and the data for one frame in the progressive video signal is equivalent to one screen. The data is used for drawing. In the progressive method, the data for drawing one screen of the display is the data for one frame referred to in the present application.
On the other hand, in the interlace method, an image on one screen is divided into, for example, an odd-numbered line and an even-numbered line of scanning lines. In a display drawn by the interlace method, for example, after the odd-numbered lines are drawn by the data for drawing the odd-numbered scanning lines, the even-numbered lines are drawn by the data for drawing the even-numbered lines. Drawing will be performed. Data for drawing an odd-numbered row and data for drawing an even-numbered row are data for drawing an image for one screen of the display.
When generating an interlaced video signal, the imaging unit alternately generates data for drawing odd-numbered scanning lines and data for drawing even-numbered lines on the display. If an interlace method is employed, each of these may be used as data for one frame in the present invention, or data for drawing an odd-numbered scan line and an even-numbered scan line. The data for the image of one screen of the display, which is the sum of the data for drawing, may be used as the data for one frame in the present invention. Both the data for drawing the odd lines and the data for drawing the even lines are different from the data of one frame, which can be handled in the present invention. The meaning of the term “frame” used in the present invention has been described above in some cases other than the word “frame”, which is a technical term in the field of moving images, in general.
If the sum of the data for drawing the odd-numbered scan lines and the data for drawing the even-numbered lines is used as data for one frame of two types of moving images, the data is displayed. In this case, the frame rate of the moving image to be displayed is allowed to be reduced (in this case, the image quality, that is, the number of scanning lines or the number of pixels may not be reduced). Frame data and frame data of the second frame group can be generated. This is not different from the case of the progressive method.
On the other hand, in the case of handling interlaced video signals, the data for drawing the odd-numbered scanning lines of the display and the data for drawing the even-numbered lines are each one frame of data in the present invention. If so, the situation will be different. The frame data distribution means uses one of the even-numbered and odd-numbered frames included in the video signal output from the imaging means as the first frame group and the other as the second frame group. Take the case as an example. When the data for drawing the odd-numbered scanning lines of the display and the data for drawing the even-numbered scanning lines are data for one frame in the present invention, for example, the odd-numbered lines of the display The data for drawing the scanning line of the eye is assigned to the data of the frame of the first frame group, and the data for drawing the scanning line of the even-numbered row of the display is assigned to the data of the frame of the second frame group. Become. In this case, the frame rate of the original video signal is the same as the frame rate of the moving image reproduced by the frame data of the first frame group and the moving image reproduced by the frame data of the second frame group. Can do. On the other hand, in this case, since the number of scanning lines or the number of pixels in the image pickup means is the same as (substantially) halved, both types of moving images are originally obtained from the video signal imaged by the image pickup means. Image quality is lower than video.

Regardless of how each frame included in the video signal is divided into the first frame group and the second frame group, in the present invention, the data included in the video signal generated by the imaging means is included in the first frame group. It is necessary to measure the timing for distributing the frame data to the frame data included in the second frame group. For this purpose, for example, a vertical synchronization signal that is typically included in the video signal, more typically in a state of being superimposed on the data of each frame, may be used. The vertical synchronization signal is normally included in a video signal generated by an existing CCD or CMOS, and indicates the end of data of each frame (or the start of the next frame data). Therefore, it is suitable for use in the operation of distributing the data of each frame into the first frame group and the second frame group. In the video signal used in the interlace method, the vertical synchronization signal is input at both the end of the data for drawing the odd-numbered scanning lines and the end of the data for drawing the even-numbered rows. Even when both the data for drawing the odd-numbered scanning lines and the data for drawing the even-numbered lines are used as data for one frame in two types of moving images, the timing is adjusted using the vertical synchronization signal. There is no problem in deciding.
In this case, the first invention and the second invention are as follows, for example. That is, the video camera according to the first and second inventions in this case detects the first vertical signal that is synchronized with the timing of the vertical synchronization (frame switching) of the video signal output from the imaging means. Synchronization signal detection means is provided. Then, the frame data distribution means of the video cameras, based on the timing at which the first vertical synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal, the frame data included in the first frame group, and the first The frame data included in the two frame groups is distributed.
When a vertical synchronization signal included in a video signal is used, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit detects a vertical synchronization signal included in the video signal output from the imaging unit.
On the other hand, a vertical synchronization signal generating means for sending a vertical synchronization signal to the imaging means for synchronizing the frame data output from the imaging means with the vertical synchronization signal is not included in the video signal. If provided, the first vertical synchronization signal detection means detects a vertical synchronization signal from a signal different from the video signal received from the vertical synchronization signal generation means.
Alternatively, the vertical synchronization signal is not included in the video signal, and a vertical synchronization signal for synchronizing the frame data output from the imaging unit is sent to the imaging unit outside the video camera of the present application. When there is a vertical synchronization signal generator (this is a so-called external synchronization method), the first vertical synchronization signal detection means outputs a vertical synchronization signal for synchronizing the frame data output from the imaging means with the vertical synchronization signal. The vertical synchronization signal may be detected from a signal received from an external vertical synchronization signal generator to be sent to the image pickup means.

The frame data allocating means outputs a plurality of frames of data included in the video signal output from the imaging means each time the first vertical synchronizing signal detecting means detects the vertical synchronizing signal. The frame data included in the frame group and the frame data included in the second frame group may be alternately allocated.
The video camera according to the first and second inventions includes a first memory that holds the latest data of the frames included in the first frame group until the next frame data is received, and the second memory You may provide the 2nd memory which hold | maintains until it receives the data of the next frame of the data of the flame | frame contained in a frame group. As described above, the present invention basically creates data for displaying two types of moving images from a video signal for displaying one moving image by allowing the frame rate to drop. is there. Therefore, both of the two types of moving images extend from one frame to the next frame, and any one of the two types of moving images is displayed on the display. There is a risk of flickering due to the occurrence of the above idle time. If there is the first memory and the second memory as described above, such a problem can be suppressed.

  In both the video camera of the first invention and the video camera of the second invention, a moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the frame data included in the second frame group are used. The video to be played is different. In the present application, a movie reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group and a movie reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group are “different”. When viewing both videos, it is possible for the viewer to perceive a difference other than the difference based on the difference in time at which both videos were captured or the difference in position on the object. It means that. The difference between the moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the second frame group is the presence / absence of edge enhancement (or its degree) Difference), brightness reversal, white balance adjustment, whiteout correction, blackout correction, calibration correction, magnification difference, depth of field difference, color If they are different, at least both moving images are assumed to be different.

The video camera of the first invention and the video camera of the second invention are, in short, the data of two moving images that are finally output in the first invention and the two moving images that are once created before the composition is performed in the second invention. It can be said that this data is generated from the data of the moving image created by one imaging means. Then, the data of the two moving images is synchronized with the timing of creating the frame data included in the moving image data created by one imaging means with “something” upstream from the generation of the two moving image data. Each of them is made to be different. The “something” may be light, data or a signal, or an imaging condition in an imaging device. In other words, the video camera performs illumination with illumination light (which may not exist), image light is generated by the illumination light (or naturally existing external light), and the image light is captured by the image sensor. The data of one moving image generated by is output. One of these, that is, illumination light, image light, imaging conditions in the image sensor, a part of data of one moving image generated by the image sensor, or data of one moving image generated by the image sensor By causing a change in at least one of the two moving image data generated by the distribution, the data of the two moving images can be made different.
1st invention and 2nd invention make the moving image by the data of the frame which will be contained in the said 1st frame group different from the moving image by the data of the frame which will be contained in the said 2nd frame group For this purpose, a changing means for changing any one of the following 1-4 may be provided.
1. 1. Illumination light for the object 2. Image light from the object to the imaging means 3. Imaging conditions when imaging is performed by an imaging unit that captures the image light; Of the frame data included in the video signal generated by the imaging means, at least one of the frame data to be included in the first frame group and the frame data to be included in the second frame group. Or at least one of the data of the frame of the first frame group and the data of the frame of the second frame group Illumination light, image light, imaging conditions by the imaging means, and the first of the video signals generated by the imaging means At least one of data of a frame to be included in one frame group and data of a frame to be included in the second frame group or data of a frame of the first frame group and data of a frame of the second frame group is changed. Thus, the moving image reproduced by the data of the frame to be included in the first frame group, and the second frame group The moving image reproduced by the data of the frame to be included in can be different.
In addition, if the moving image reproduced by the data of the frame to be included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced by the data of the frame to be included in the second frame group can be different, Illumination light, image light, imaging conditions by the imaging means, and some of the video signals generated by the imaging means may be changed.

In the case of changing the illumination light, that is, in the above case 1, the changing means selectively irradiates the object with the first illumination light and the second illumination light, which are two kinds of illumination lights having different properties. Illuminating means and the first illumination light when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included in the first frame group, and a frame that is to be included in the second frame group when the imaging means is imaging And an illumination switching means for controlling the illumination means so as to irradiate the second illumination light respectively when taking an image.
This is because when the imaging unit is imaging a frame that will be included in the first frame group, and when the imaging unit is imaging a frame that is to be included in the second frame group. It changes light.

As described above, the illuminating means can irradiate two types of illumination light, the first illumination light and the second illumination light. Any device for enabling the illumination means to irradiate two types of illumination light may be used.
For example, the illumination means may include a first illumination that is turned on when the first illumination light is irradiated, and a second illumination that is turned on when the second illumination light is irradiated. In this case, the illumination switching means controls the first illumination and the second illumination so that the first illumination and the second illumination are alternately turned on. In this way, by using a plurality of light sources, it is possible to irradiate two types of illumination light.
The illuminating means is configured to transmit a light source and light emitted from the light source, and to change between a first state and a second state in which the properties of the light transmitted through the light source are different from each other. 1st permeation | transmission means may be provided. In this case, the illumination switching means controls the first transmission means so that the first transmission means can alternately take the first state and the second state. In this way, it is possible to irradiate two types of illumination light by changing the state of the first transmission means that is provided on the optical path of the illumination light emitted from the light source and transmits the illumination light.
The illuminating means transmits a light source and light emitted from the light source, and can be in a state where it is on the optical path of the light emitted from the light source or not, and transmits the light. There may be provided a second transmitting means adapted to make the property of the light different from the property of the light that did not pass through it. In this case, the illumination switching unit controls the second transmission unit so that the second transmission unit repeats a state where the second transmission unit is on an optical path of light emitted from the light source and a state where the second transmission unit is not. In this way, two types of illumination light can be irradiated by the movement of the second transmission means that repeats the state of being on the optical path of the illumination light emitted from the light source and the state of being absent. The movement of the second transmission means is, for example, a reciprocating movement or a rotating movement.

As described above, the illumination switching means includes the first illumination light in the second frame group when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included in the first frame group. The illuminating means is controlled so as to irradiate the second illumination light, respectively, when the imaging means is imaging a frame. For that purpose, it is necessary to measure the timing for irradiating the illumination means with the first illumination light and the second illumination light at an appropriate timing. For this purpose, a vertical synchronization signal included in the data of each frame included in the video signal is typically used. The reason why the vertical synchronization signal can be used for controlling the timing is the same as the reason why the frame data distribution means can use the vertical synchronization signal to control the timing.
The video camera in this case is as follows, for example. The video camera includes second vertical synchronization signal detection means for detecting a vertical synchronization signal synchronized with the vertical synchronization timing of the video signal output from the imaging means, and further includes second vertical synchronization signal detection means. The illumination switching means alternately irradiates the first illumination light and the second illumination light based on the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal. The illumination means is controlled to be switched.
As in the case of the first vertical synchronization signal detection means, the second vertical synchronization signal detection means may detect a vertical synchronization signal included in the video signal output by the imaging means. Further, when the video camera includes a vertical synchronization signal generating means for sending a vertical synchronization signal for synchronizing the frame data output from the imaging means to the imaging means, the second vertical synchronization signal detecting means The vertical sync signal may be detected from a signal different from the video signal received from the vertical sync signal generating means. Further, if the video camera adopts a so-called external synchronization method, the second vertical synchronization signal detection means sends an external synchronization signal to the imaging means for synchronizing the data of the frame output from the imaging means to the imaging means. The vertical synchronization signal may be detected from the signal received from the vertical synchronization signal generator. All of these are the same in the second vertical synchronization signal detecting means described below.
The second vertical synchronization signal detection means and the first vertical synchronization signal detection means detect the same vertical synchronization signal, and the former is omitted as the latter is used as the latter, or the latter is also used as the former. It is also possible to do. For example, in the case where only the first vertical synchronization signal detection means exists (this is equivalent to the case where only the second vertical synchronization signal detection means exists), the timing at which it detects the vertical synchronization signal is set as frame data. The frame data distribution means and the illumination switching means are synchronized even if the first vertical synchronization signal detection means is only one means for detecting the vertical synchronization signal by sending it to both the distribution means and the illumination switching means. Can be controlled. All of these are the same in the second vertical synchronization signal detecting means described below.

In addition, the illumination switching unit alternately switches the irradiation of the first illumination light and the irradiation of the second illumination light every time the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit detects the vertical synchronization signal. As described above, the illumination unit may be controlled.
The illumination switching means detects the second vertical synchronizing signal when the imaging means outputs the data for the frame after a certain time has elapsed since the image of the frame was taken. The illumination means alternately switches between irradiation of the first illumination light and irradiation of the second illumination light after elapse of a time corresponding to the certain time after the means detects the vertical synchronization signal. The lighting means may be controlled. Existing imaging means such as CCD and CMOS may cause a slight delay in order to output data of a frame after imaging a frame. If there is such a delay, there is a possibility that there is a difference between the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit detects the vertical synchronization signal and the timing at which the imaging unit actually performs imaging. After the time corresponding to a certain time (this corresponds to the delay time generated by the imaging means) has elapsed, the illumination switching means alternately irradiates the first illumination light and the second illumination light. The above-described deviation can be prevented from being switched to.

As described above, the illumination means provided in the video camera of the present application emits the first illumination light and the second illumination light, which are two types of illumination lights having different properties. Any combination of the first illumination light and the second illumination light may be used. What is necessary is just to select suitably according to the classification of the object, the classification of the information to obtain from the object, and the like.
One of the first illumination light and the second illumination light may be linearly polarized light, and the other may be light including light in a vibration direction other than the vibration direction of the linearly polarized light. Thereby, a moving image including reflected light and a moving image not including reflected light can be obtained. The light including the light in the vibration direction other than the vibration direction of the linearly polarized light may be light that is not polarized light, or may be polarized light in one of the linearly polarized light of the first illumination light and the second illumination light and the vibration direction. Different linear polarizations may be used.
One of the first illumination light and the second illumination light is epi-illumination light having an incident angle on the object of 40 ° or less, and the other is an incident angle on the object larger than 40 °. It may be side light that is light. Roughly speaking, epi-illumination light is illumination light applied to the object from the front, and side-emission light is illumination light applied to the object from the side. Since the appearance of the unevenness on the surface of the object changes depending on which one is selected, it becomes easier to grasp the unevenness on the surface of the object more accurately by combining two moving images using these as illumination light.
The first illumination light and the second illumination light can be visible light having different colors. For example, one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light may be white light and the other may be green light. For example, when a tissue such as skin is viewed using green light as illumination light, blood vessel travel becomes very easy to see, but the colors of other tissues cannot be seen. On the other hand, when white light is used as illumination light, it becomes easy to correctly grasp the colors of tissues other than blood vessels. Therefore, by combining the two moving images that use the first illumination light and the second illumination light as illumination light, it becomes possible to grasp the color of the tissue and the running of the blood vessel collectively.
The first illumination light and the second illumination light may be light having different wavelengths. An example of using illumination light of different colors is that the obtained image changes when the wavelength of the illumination light is different.
For example, one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light may be visible light, and the other may be infrared light. For example, according to an image using infrared light as illumination light, characters and the like that have disappeared so that they cannot be seen with the naked eye after being written in ink on a tree can be seen well. On the other hand, the shape color and the like of the entire tree can not be seen by an image using infrared light as illumination light, but can be seen by an image using visible light such as white light as illumination light. By combining these two types of moving images using illumination light, it becomes possible to collectively grasp the characters written on the wooden letters, the shape of the whole wooden letters, the positions where the letters are written, and the like.
Alternatively, one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light may be visible light, and the other may be ultraviolet light. For example, when the skin is irradiated with illumination light that is ultraviolet light, a square plug on the skin emits yellow light, but the other portions are not reflected in the image. On the other hand, if the visible light, for example, white light is used, the skin condition and color can be seen. By combining these two types of moving images using illumination light, it becomes possible to collectively grasp the number and position of horn plugs on the skin, the state and color of the skin, and the like.

When one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light is linearly polarized light and the other is light including light in a vibration direction other than the vibration direction of the linearly polarized light, for example, the first illumination light and the second illumination light When one of the illumination lights is linearly polarized light and the other is natural light, the first invention and the second invention can be as follows.
If the illumination means includes the first illumination and the second illumination, the video camera is provided with an imaging-side polarizing plate on the optical path until the image light from the object reaches the imaging means. And the imaging on one of the optical path until the illumination light from the first illumination reaches the object and one on the optical path until the illumination light from the second illumination reaches the object. A side polarizing plate and an illumination side polarizing plate whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other are provided, and the illumination light from the first illumination or the second illumination on the side where the illumination side polarizing plate is not on the optical path is linear. Components other than the vibration direction of the illumination light from the first illumination that is polarized light can be included.
In this case, the illumination light from the first illumination is such that the extinction ratio of the light passing through the imaging side polarizing plate and the illumination side polarizing plate whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other is 90% or more (preferably Only light in the wavelength range (such as 100%) may be included. When using a general polarizing plate, the amount of light that passes through two orthogonal polarizing plates is approximately 0 for light having a wavelength near the center of the visible light region, and the extinction ratio is close to 100%. Light having a wavelength near both ends of the visible light region has a low extinction ratio, and passes through the two polarizing plates more than light near the center of the visible light region. When such a situation occurs, the color of the image or moving image is biased to the color of light having a wavelength that is often lost, and the color of the image or moving image is lost. In fact, the present inventor confirmed that the color of an image or a moving image is biased blue when imaging a water or wet object using two polarizing plates, or when imaging a highly reflective metal surface. ing. If the illumination light from the first illumination as described above is used, that is, if the first illumination that irradiates only light in such a wavelength region is used, such a situation can be prevented and the color reproducibility is improved. Such first illumination can also be applied to combinations of the following first transmission means and polarizing plate, and the following second transmission means and polarizing plate.
If the illuminating means includes the first transmitting means, the video camera is provided with an imaging-side polarizing plate on an optical path until the image light from the object reaches the imaging means, and the first One transmitting means is a state in which one of the first state and the second state functions as a polarizing plate in which the imaging-side polarizing plate and the polarization direction thereof are orthogonal to each other, and the other of the light passing through the imaging state polarizing plate It can be a liquid crystal plate that does not affect the polarization state.
If the illuminating means includes the second transmitting means, the video camera is provided with an imaging-side polarizing plate on the optical path until the image light from the object reaches the imaging means, and The two transmission means may be an illumination side polarizing plate in which the imaging side polarizing plate and the direction of polarization thereof are orthogonal to each other.

In the case of changing the image light, that is, in the above case 2, the changing means changes the image light from the object to the image pickup means with the first image light and the second image light that are two kinds of image lights having different properties. Image light alteration means for converting image light into image light, and when the image pickup means is picking up a frame to be included in the first frame group, the image light is converted into the first image light and the second frame group Image light switching means for controlling the image light alteration means so that the image light is changed to the second image light when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included. Good.
This is because when the imaging unit is imaging a frame that is to be included in the first frame group, and when the imaging unit is imaging a frame that is to be included in the second frame group. It changes light.

The image light alteration means transmits the image light between the object and the imaging means, and the first state and the second state in which the properties of the light transmitted through the image light alteration means are different from each other. First image light transmitting means adapted to be changed to a state, and the image light switching means causes the first image light transmitting means to alternately take the first state and the second state. Thus, the first image light transmitting means may be controlled so that the image light becomes the first image light and the second image light.
The details of the first image light transmitting means are not limited as long as the first image light transmitting means can be changed between the first state and the second state in which the properties of the light transmitted through the first image light transmitting means are different from each other. For example, the first image light transmitting means is a lens whose power is variable, and the image light switching means is in the first state when the power is a certain value, and the power is another value. By taking the second state, the first image light transmitting means may be controlled so that the image light becomes the first image light and the second image light. 2. Description of the Related Art Liquid crystal lenses that can change power by switching with electricity using liquid crystals are known. It can be adopted as the first image light transmitting means. The first image light transmitting means is a filter capable of selecting a state in which light having a wavelength in a specific wavelength region is transmitted and a state in which light is not transmitted, and the image light switching unit transmits light having a wavelength in a specific wavelength region. The first image light is converted into the first image light and the second image light by taking one of the state and the non-transmitting state as the first state and the other as the second state. The transmission means may be controlled. For example, the first image light transmitting means in this case can be configured by a variable color filter by MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) that causes a change in state by electrical control.

The image light alteration means is configured to be able to take a state where the image light is on the optical path from the object to the imaging means, and a state where the image light is transmitted, and transmits the property of the light transmitted therethrough. A second image light transmission means configured to be different from the nature of the light that has not existed, and the image light switching means is not in a state in which the second image light transmission means is on the optical path of the image light. The second image light transmitting means may be controlled so that the image light is changed to the first image light and the second image light by alternately repeating the state.
The second image light transmitting means can enter and exit the optical path of the image light, and changes the image light depending on whether or not it is on the optical path. The second image light transmission means can be, for example, a lens, or a filter that does not transmit light having a wavelength in a specific wavelength region.

  The image light alteration means is a diaphragm having a variable diameter existing between the object and the imaging means, and the image light switching means makes the diameter of the diaphragm a certain diameter. Thus, the image light may be changed to the first image light, and the image light may be changed to the second image light by setting the aperture to another diameter. In this case, the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the second frame group have different depths of field.

The illumination switching unit is configured to capture the first illumination light when the imaging unit is capturing the data of the frame to be included in the first frame group and the imaging unit to be the frame data to be included in the second frame group. The illumination means is controlled so as to irradiate the second illumination light when the camera is imaging. The imaging means captures images at a fixed frame rate, for example, 60 frames per second or 30 frame rates, but the illumination switching means simply puts the timing at which the imaging means images each frame, The timing with which the illumination unit irradiates the first illumination light and the second illumination light is synchronized. Thereby, the frames included in the first frame group are imaged with the first illumination light, and the frames included in the second frame group are imaged with the second illumination light.
As described above, the image light switching means uses the image light as the first image light and the second frame group when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included in the first frame group. The image light alteration unit is controlled so that the image light is converted into the second image light when the imaging unit is capturing a frame to be included in the image. Therefore, the image light switching means needs to measure the timing for switching the first image light and the second image light at an appropriate timing, like the illumination switching means. For this purpose, as described above, typically, a vertical synchronization signal included in data of each frame included in the video signal may be used.
The video camera in this case is as follows, for example. The video camera includes second vertical synchronization signal detection means for detecting a vertical synchronization signal synchronized with the timing of vertical synchronization of the video signal output from the imaging means, and the image light alteration means includes the second image light alteration means. The timing at which the first image light and the second image light are switched is controlled based on the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal.

Further, the image light alteration means may alternately switch the first image light and the second image light every time the second vertical synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal. Good.
In addition, when the image pickup unit outputs data for a certain frame after a certain time has elapsed since the image pickup of the frame is performed, the image light alteration unit is configured to output the second vertical synchronization signal. The first image light and the second image light may be alternately switched after a lapse of a time corresponding to the certain time after the detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal. The same effect as the compensation for the delay caused by the image pickup means described in the illumination switching means can be obtained.

In the case of changing the imaging conditions of the imaging means, that is, in the case of the above 3, the changing means is configured such that when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included in the first frame group, When the imaging unit is capturing a frame to be included in a two-frame group, the first condition that is a condition under which the imaging unit captures the image light is a condition different from the first condition. An imaging means control means for controlling the imaging means so as to change between two conditions may be included.
This is included in the second frame group when the imaging means is imaging a frame that will be included in the first frame group (when the imaging means is generating data for that frame). The image light for imaging is changed when the imaging means is imaging a frame (when the imaging means is generating data for the frame).
Any change in the conditions may be used. For example, the imaging means control means may be configured such that when the imaging means is imaging a frame to be included in the first frame group, the second frame The imaging unit may be controlled so that a range in which imaging is performed in the imaging unit is changed when the imaging unit is imaging a frame to be included in a group. In particular, a video that is played back based on frame data included in the first frame group and a video that is played back based on frame data included in the second frame group have equal aspect ratios and different sizes. In such a case, one moving image has a different magnification from the other moving image. In addition, the imaging means control means is configured such that when the imaging means is imaging a frame that is to be included in the first frame group, and the imaging means is a frame that is to be included in the second frame group. The imaging unit may be controlled so that the exposure time when the imaging unit performs imaging varies depending on when the image is being captured. In this case, the brightness of the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the second frame group can be changed. Become.

As described above, the imaging unit control unit captures the frame that is to be included in the first frame group when the imaging unit is capturing the frame that is to be included in the first frame group and the frame that is to be included in the second frame group. When the means is picking up an image, the condition under which the image pickup means picks up the image light is changed between a first condition which is a certain condition and a second condition which is a different condition. Therefore, the imaging means control means needs to measure the timing for switching between the first condition and the second condition at an appropriate timing, similarly to the illumination switching means. For this purpose, as described above, typically, a vertical synchronization signal included in data of each frame included in the video signal may be used.
The video camera in this case is as follows, for example. The video camera includes second vertical synchronization signal detection means for detecting a vertical synchronization signal synchronized with the timing of vertical synchronization of the video signal output from the imaging means, and the imaging means control means includes the second imaging signal control means. The timing at which the first condition and the second condition are switched is controlled based on the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal detecting means detects the vertical synchronization signal.

The imaging means control means may alternately switch between the first condition and the second condition every time the second vertical synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal.
Further, when the imaging means outputs the data for the frame after a certain time has passed since the imaging of the image of the certain frame, the imaging means control means is configured to output the second vertical synchronization signal. The first condition and the second condition may be switched alternately after a time corresponding to the certain time has elapsed after the detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal. The same effect as the compensation for the delay caused by the image pickup means described in the illumination switching means can be obtained.

When changing at least one of frame data to be included in the first frame group and frame data to be included in the second frame group among the frame data included in the video signal generated by the imaging means That is, in the case of the former example of 4 above, the changing means includes the frame data to be included in the first frame group among the frame data included in the video signal generated by the imaging means. Image processing means for performing image processing on at least one of the frame data to be included in the second frame group is provided, and the image processing means converts the video signal before being distributed by the frame data distribution means. Of the frame data included, the frame data to be included in the first frame group and the second frame group At least one of the data of the frame that will be Murrell may be adapted to perform image processing on. Alternatively, in the case of changing at least one of the data of the frame of the first frame group and the data of the frame of the second frame group, that is, in the case of the latter example of the above 4, the changing means is generated by the imaging means. Image processing means for performing image processing on at least one of the data of the frames of the first frame group and the data of the frames of the second frame group generated by distributing the video signal thus processed by the frame data distribution means You may have.
That is, the image processing by the image processing means may be performed on the video signal before being distributed by the frame data distribution means, or the first frame group of frames after being distributed by the frame data distribution means. It may be performed on one of the data and the data of the second frame group.
The image processing by the image processing means may be any image processing method for image data, for example, a known one may be performed as necessary. For example, the image processing by the image processing means may be such that light data of a specific wavelength is excluded from the frame data. Alternatively, the image processing means may perform any of edge enhancement, brightness reversal, white balance adjustment, whiteout correction, blackout correction, calibration, and electronic zoom.
When performing image processing on the frame data included in the video signal before being distributed by the frame data distribution unit, the image processing unit includes the frame data to be included in the first frame group and the second frame group. Different image processing may be performed on both of the frame data to be included in. Similarly, when image processing is performed on the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group generated by distributing the video signal by the frame data distribution means, the image processing means Different image processing may be performed on both the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group.

In the case of the former example 4 above, the image processing means needs to detect data of a frame to be subjected to image processing. Therefore, the image processing means needs to measure the timing for detecting a frame to be subjected to image processing, like the illumination switching means. For this purpose, as described above, typically, a vertical synchronization signal included in data of each frame included in the video signal may be used.
The video camera in this case is as follows, for example. The video camera includes second vertical synchronization signal detection means for detecting a vertical synchronization signal synchronized with the timing of vertical synchronization of the video signal output from the imaging means, and the image processing means includes the second vertical synchronization signal detection means. Based on the timing at which the synchronization signal detection means detects the vertical synchronization signal, from the frame data included in the video signal, the frame data to be included in the first frame group to be subjected to image processing, or The frame data to be included in the second frame group is detected.
In the case of the latter example of 4 above, image processing is performed on one of the frame data included in the first frame group already allocated and the data of the frame included in the second frame group. Since there is no need to synchronize the switching timing with any timing, the second vertical synchronization signal detecting means is unnecessary.

Both the video camera of the first invention and the second invention of the above case 1 may include a case for housing the imaging means, the illumination means, and the illumination switching means.
Since the imaging means, the illumination means, and the illumination switching means can be easily downsized, the case for storing them can be easily downsized and can be held by hand, and the video camera is an endoscope. In some cases, it can be attached to the tip. Furthermore, when the video camera is a capsule endoscope, the case can be housed in a capsule of the capsule endoscope or can be a capsule of the capsule endoscope.
A video camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is a first case which is a case that houses the imaging means, the illumination means, and the illumination switching means, the frame data distribution means, the first output means, And a second case that houses the second output means.
A video camera according to a second aspect of the present invention houses a first case which is a case for housing the imaging means, the illumination means, and the illumination switching means, the frame data distribution means, and the output means. And a second case.
The above-mentioned case that can be easily reduced in size is the first case, and a frame data distribution unit and a first output unit and a second output unit, or a second case that houses the frame data distribution unit and the output unit are separately provided. Is.
If it exists, the above-mentioned case or the first case may contain the second vertical synchronization signal detection means, and the second case may contain the first vertical synchronization signal detection means.
When the video camera of the present application is an endoscope, the endoscope has an image guide fiber formed by bundling optical fibers in a scope portion that is a generally bendable member inserted into the body. May be. The image guide fiber can be replaced with a rod lens or the like when it is not necessary to bend the scope portion. In this case, the imaging unit may be provided on the proximal end side of the scope unit. Further, the illumination means may be arranged on either the distal end side or the proximal end side of the scope unit.
As described above, the video camera of the present application can be an endoscope. When observing with a medical or industrial endoscope, the effect of being able to observe the same position almost simultaneously with a moving image with or without reflected light becomes extremely important. High affinity with illumination light.

The same effects as those of the first invention can be obtained, for example, by the following method.
The method captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged, outputs a video signal having a number of continuous frames of data, a control means, a first output means, a first output means, A method executed by a video camera comprising: two output means, wherein the control means is included in data from a number of the frames included in the video signal output by the imaging means. Data about the first frame group, which is a set of frames, so that the user who viewed the frame continuously can recognize it as a moving image, and the user who viewed the frame included in the frame continuously moves it And data for the second frame group that is a set of frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group. A process, a process in which the first output means outputs data of a frame included in the first frame group, and a process in which the second output means outputs data of a frame included in the second frame group; The control means includes a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group, and a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group. Is a way to make it heterogeneous.

Effects similar to those of the second invention can be obtained, for example, by the following method.
The method includes an imaging unit that captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged and outputs a video signal having a large number of continuous frames of data, a control unit, and an output unit. A method executed by the video camera, wherein the control means continuously views the frames included in the data from a number of the frames included in the video signal output from the imaging means. Can recognize it as a movie, and the user who has viewed the data of the first frame group, which is a set of frames, and the frames included in it can recognize it as a movie. Generating data for a second frame group that is a set of frames that do not overlap with frames included in the first frame group; and Moving image data about a moving image that allows a predetermined display to display a first moving image based on frame data included in a frame group and a second moving image based on frame data included in the second frame group on a single screen. A step of generating and a step of outputting the synthesized moving image data to the output means, and the control means includes a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the first frame group, In this method, the moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the second frame group is different.

1 schematically shows a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera shown in FIG. 1, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera shown in FIG. 1, and was shown typically. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram for explaining a video signal generated by an image sensor of the video camera shown in FIG. 1. The schematic diagram for description of one of two types of images imaged with the video camera shown in FIG. The schematic diagram for description of the other of two types of images imaged with the video camera shown in FIG. The wave form diagram which shows notionally the method to produce | generate the data of a 1st frame group, and the data of a 2nd frame group from the video signal which the image pick-up element produced | generated in the video camera of the modification 1. FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram conceptually showing a method for generating data of a first frame group and data of a second frame group from a video signal generated by an imaging device in a video camera of Modification 2. The schematic diagram for description of one of two types of images imaged with the video camera of the modification 3. FIG. The schematic diagram for description of the other of two types of images imaged with the video camera of the modification 3. FIG. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 4, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded and schematically showed a part of imaging part of the video camera of the modification 5. FIG. The figure which expanded the composite polarizing plate of the video camera of the modification 6, and was shown typically. The figure which showed typically the structure of the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 7. FIG. The figure which showed the structure of the video camera of the modification 8 typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 9, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 10, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 11, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 11, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 12, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 12, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 13, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 13, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 14, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 15, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 15, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 16, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera of the modification 17, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 18, and was shown typically. The figure which shows the video camera by the modification 19 schematically. The figure which expanded the video processor box of the video camera shown in FIG. 30, and was shown typically. The figure which showed typically the image displayed on a display using the video camera shown in FIG. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of 2nd Embodiment, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 20, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 21, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 22, and was shown typically. The (A) side view and (B) front view which show the structure of the composite filter contained in the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 23. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of the modification 24, and was shown typically. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of 3rd Embodiment, and was shown typically. The figure which shows the concept of the imaging condition in the video camera of 3rd Embodiment. The figure which expanded the imaging part of the video camera of 4th Embodiment, and was shown typically.

Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the description of each embodiment (and its modification), the same reference numerals are given to the overlapping objects, and the overlapping description will be omitted depending on the case.
In addition, the contents described in each embodiment and each modification can be applied to other embodiments or modifications unless there is a rational reason that cannot be applied to the other embodiments or modifications.

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a video camera in this embodiment.
The video camera of this embodiment is an endoscope 100. The endoscope 100 in this embodiment is a medical endoscope, but may be an industrial endoscope. The endoscope 100 of this embodiment is used by being connected to a display D1 and a display D2, which are two displays, and a cable C1 and a cable C2, respectively.

The overall configuration of the endoscope 100 is not different from the conventional one.
The endoscope 100 includes a scope unit 110 and a video processor box 120.

At least the distal end side of the scope unit 110 is inserted into the patient's body. The scope part 110 is thin as much as possible, and is flexible and bendable. In this embodiment, the scope part 110 has a cylindrical cross section, and is made of, for example, resin. The base end of the scope unit 110 is detachably connected to the video processor box 120.
An imaging unit 130 that performs imaging is provided at the distal end of the scope unit 110.

The imaging unit 130 is configured as shown in FIG.
The imaging unit 130 is surrounded by a case 131. Although not limited to this, the case 131 has a circular cross section having the same diameter as the scope portion 110, and is not limited to this, but is made of resin. The front surface of the case 131 captures light from a first hole 131A for allowing light from a first light source 133A described later to be irradiated to an object to be imaged and light from a second light source 133B described later A second hole 131 </ b> B for allowing the target object to be irradiated and a third hole 131 </ b> C for guiding image light from the target to an imaging device to be described later are provided. The end face is provided with a hole 131D for allowing a signal line 137A described later to pass therethrough. Note that not only the signal line 137A passes through the hole 131D but also a power supply line for supplying power to the image sensor 136 described later, but this is well known and is omitted from illustration and description.
The first hole 131A, the second hole 131B, the third hole 131C, and the hole 131D are not particularly limited in size and shape as long as the above-described role is secured. In this embodiment, each of them is a circular with an appropriate size.
The first hole 131A is provided with a first polarizing plate 132A for converting the light transmitted therethrough into linearly polarized light. The first polarizing plate 132 </ b> A covers at least the first hole 131 </ b> A in a watertight manner so that a patient's body fluid or the like does not enter the case 131 during use of the endoscope 100.
The second hole 131B is provided with a transparent sealing plate 132B that does not affect the polarization state of the light transmitted therethrough. The sealing plate 132B covers the second hole 131B at least in a watertight manner.
The third hole 131C is provided with a polarizing plate 132C for converting the light transmitted therethrough into linearly polarized light. The polarizing plate 132C covers the third hole 131C at least in a watertight manner. The polarization direction of the polarizing plate 132C is orthogonal to the polarization direction of the first polarizing plate 132A.

A first light source 133A is provided on the slightly rear end side of the first hole 131A. 133 A of 1st light sources irradiate illumination light required for the imaging of a target object through 131 A of 1st holes. The illumination light emitted by the first light source 133A is initially natural light. The illumination light passes through the first polarizing plate 132A and becomes linearly polarized light in a direction orthogonal to the polarizing plate 132C. This polarized illumination light is the first illumination light.
A second light source 133B is provided on the slightly rear end side of the second hole 131B. The second light source 133B irradiates illumination light necessary for imaging the target object through the second hole 131B. The illumination light irradiated by the second light source 133B is initially natural light. This illumination light is not polarized even if it passes through the sealing plate 132B. This illumination light is the second illumination light.

Both the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are repeatedly turned on and off at appropriate timing. The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are selectively turned on. That is, both are not turned on simultaneously, and the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are turned on alternately. However, there is a time gap between the time when the first light source 133A is turned off and the time when the second light source 133B is turned on, or the time when the second light source 133B is turned off and the time when the first light source 133A is turned on. It does not matter if it is free.
The illumination switching unit 134 turns on and off the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B. The illumination switching unit 134 is connected to the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B through signal lines 134A and 134B, respectively. The illumination switching unit 134 controls turning on / off of the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B based on a signal transmitted from a second vertical synchronization signal detecting unit 137, which will be described later, connected by the signal line 134C. The details of such control will be described later.

A lens 135 is provided on the slightly rear end side of the third hole 131 </ b> C, and an image sensor 136 is provided on the rear end side of the lens 135. The lens 135 is a magnifying lens and forms image light from the object on the image sensor 136. The lens 135 does not need to be a single lens as illustrated, and may be composed of a plurality of lenses.
The image pickup device 136 is, for example, a CCD or a CMOS, and picks up image light from an object and generates a video signal. The image sensor 136 includes a circuit for outputting a video signal. This video signal is a general one, for example, a VBS signal. That is, a CCD, CMOS, or the like used as the image sensor 136 may be a general one. The image sensor 136 of this embodiment outputs a video signal that allows the display D1 and D2 to perform progressive drawing.
As shown by v in FIG. 4, the video signal is repeated at regular intervals. Each of these signals corresponds to image data for one frame. In FIG. 4, each signal is represented by a rectangular wave, but it is natural that an actual signal is not necessarily a rectangular wave. In addition, the video signal includes a vertical synchronization signal as indicated by vsync in a form superimposed on the video signal in many cases, although not limited thereto. In FIG. 4, the video signal and the vertical synchronization signal are drawn separately for the sake of simplicity. The vertical synchronization signal is a signal indicating the end timing of the image signal for one frame. In this embodiment, the vertical synchronization signal is not limited to this. It has become. In this embodiment, the vertical synchronization signal is generated by means for generating a vertical synchronization signal (not shown) included in the image sensor 136.
The video signal is sent to a second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 connected to the image sensor 136 via a signal line 136A.

The second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 detects a vertical synchronization signal from the video signal received from the image sensor 136. The timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 detects the vertical synchronization signal is transmitted to the illumination switching unit 134 via the signal line 134C.
The illumination switching unit 134 controls turning on and off of the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B based on this timing transmitted from the second vertical synchronization signal detecting unit 137.
The video signal also passes through the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 and is sent to the video processor box 120 via the signal line 137A.

The video processor box 120 is configured as shown in FIG.
The video processor box 120 includes a case 121. The case 121 is made of resin, but is not limited to this, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment. A scope unit 110 is connected to the case 121, and a signal line 137A is drawn. The case 121 is provided with a first output terminal 121A and a second output terminal 121B. The first output terminal 121A is connected to the display D1, and the second output terminal 121B is connected to the display D2 via cables C1 and C2, which are cables. The case 121 is also provided with a hole 121C for drawing the signal line 137A into the case 121A.

  In the case 121, a first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is provided. The first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is connected to the signal line 137A and detects a vertical synchronization signal from the video signal received via the signal line 137A in the same manner as the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137. Yes. The timing at which the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 detects the vertical synchronization signal is transmitted to the output control unit 123 connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 via the signal line 122A.

The output control unit 123 is also connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 through a signal line 122B, and receives a video signal through the signal line 122B.
The output control unit 123 is also connected to the first output terminal 121A via the signal line 123A and the second output terminal 121B via the signal line 123B. The output control unit 123 outputs data included in each rectangular wave in the video signal from the first output terminal 121A to the display D1, and data included in any rectangular wave in the video signal. Control is performed as to whether the output from the second output terminal 121B to the display D2, that is, how the rectangular waves are distributed. Of these data, data that goes to the first output terminal 121A passes through the signal line 123A, and data that goes to the second output terminal 121B passes through the signal line 123B, respectively, to the first output terminal 121A or the second output terminal 121B. Head to.
Although the following relationship may be reversed, in this embodiment, the data output from the first output terminal 121A is the frame data of the first frame group, and is output from the second output terminal 121B. This is data of the second frame group. Both the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group can be recognized as a moving image by the user who continuously viewed the frames displayed on the display D1 or the display D2 according to the frame data included in the data. It has become. Further, there is no overlap between the frame corresponding to the data included in the data of the first frame group and the frame corresponding to the data included in the data of the second frame group.
The output control unit 123 includes which rectangular wave in the video signal includes data corresponding to the first frame group frame data, and which rectangular wave corresponds to the second frame group frame data. Control is performed based on the above-described timing at which the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 detects the vertical synchronization signal, which is transmitted from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122. The control method will be described later.
The output control unit 123 includes two memories 126A and 126B. The memories 126A and 126B respectively store the latest one-frame data for the images displayed on the displays D1 and D2 after being divided into the data of the first frame group and the data of the second frame group. The data is held until the next frame of data comes.

The signal line 123A1 branches from the signal line 123A, and the signal line 123B1 branches from the signal line 123B, and both the signal line 123A1 and the signal line 123B1 are connected to the recording unit 124. The recording unit 124 includes a recording medium built in the video processor box 120 such as a hard disk drive or a RAM, or a recording medium detachable from the video processor box 120 such as a DVD or a memory card. The recording unit 124 separately records the frame data of the first frame group received via the signal line 123A1 and the data of the frame of the second frame group received via the signal line 123B1.
The recording unit 124 also controls the recording unit 124 to output the data of the first frame group recorded in the recording unit 124 from the first output terminal 121A via the signal line 123A1 and the signal line 123A. A recording control unit 125 is connected to perform control to output the data of the frame of the second frame group from the second output terminal 121B via the signal line 123B1 and the signal line 123B. As a result, the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group recorded in the recording unit 124 can be stored at any time desired by the user after the video camera has taken an image. Can be output to the desired display. Such output is performed by the recording control unit 125 by operating a predetermined input device (switch, numeric keypad, keyboard, etc.) provided in the video processor box 120 or connected to the video processor box 120, for example. Note that the recording control unit 125 may control whether or not the recording unit 124 records the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group. When the recording control unit 125 does not perform such control, the recording unit 124 may always record the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group. .
If the recording unit 124 includes a portable recording medium, the user can record the data of the frame of the first frame group or the data of the frame of the second frame group recorded on the portable recording medium. The data can be reproduced on a desired display connected to a device (for example, a suitable moving image reproducing apparatus or personal computer) that can be read from a portable recording medium.

Next, a usage method and operation of the endoscope 100 will be described.
In order to use the endoscope 100, the scope unit 110 is inserted into the body of a patient. In this embodiment, the scope unit 110 is inserted from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach until the imaging unit 130 at the tip of the scope unit 110 reaches the stomach of the patient. And imaging is performed, inserting the scope part 110 to the stomach. The targets of imaging are the esophagus and the inner surface of the stomach, and these are the targets to be imaged.

The imaging unit 130 images a target object.
More specifically, the image sensor 136 in the imaging unit 130 captures image light coming from the object through the polarizing plate 132C and the lens 135 fitted in the third hole 131C.
The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are alternately turned on and off repeatedly. When the image sensor 136 captures an image, either the first light source 133A or the second light source 133B is lit. An image captured by the image sensor 136 when the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are turned on is as follows.

First, when the first light source 133A is turned on, the image light as shown in FIG. 5 is captured. 5A shows the behavior of the surface reflected light reflected from the surface of the object, and FIG. 5B shows the behavior of the internal reflected light reflected slightly by entering the object from the surface of the object. In addition, the straight line drawn in the bold circle ○ indicates the direction of polarization of the illumination light or image light in the part, and the circle in the square is drawn in all directions. It indicates that the polarization of the illumination light or the image light is disturbed (for example, natural light). The same applies to the following.
The illumination light emitted from the first light source 133A passes through the first polarizing plate 132A. For the sake of convenience, the direction of polarization of the first polarizing plate 132A is assumed to be equal to the direction of oblique lines. The same applies to the following. When passing through the first polarizing plate 132A, the illumination light becomes linearly polarized light that vibrates in the left-right direction. The steps so far are common to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
The first illumination light that is the illumination light that has passed through the first polarizing plate 132A hits the object X and becomes image light from the object X. The first illumination light reflected by the surface of the object X remains in its polarization state. This image light is blocked by the polarizing plate 132C whose polarization direction is orthogonal to the first polarizing plate 132A, and does not reach the image sensor 136 (FIG. 5A). On the other hand, the polarization state of the image light that has entered and is slightly reflected in the object X is disturbed. In this image light, a component whose polarization direction coincides with that of the polarizing plate 132C included in the image light passes through the polarizing plate 132C, so that at least about half of the image light passes through the polarizing plate 132C (FIG. 5B).
As a result, when the first light source 133A is lit, a matte image of the object without surface reflected light is obtained.
In this embodiment, it is preferable that the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B irradiate white light as illumination light considering the use of the endoscope. In this embodiment, at least the first light source 133A among the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B is in a wavelength region where the extinction ratio of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 132A and the polarizing plate 132C is 90% or more. It contains only light of the included wavelengths. More preferably, in this embodiment, the first light source 133A includes only light having a wavelength included in a wavelength region in which the extinction ratio of light is 100%. This can be realized, for example, by configuring the first light source 133 </ b> A by an LED formed by collecting a plurality of fine light sources that emit light included in such a wavelength region. Although it is possible to use light mixed with light of specific wavelengths as white light or light close to it (at least to make it visible to the human eye), using the first light source 133A as described above, The color reproducibility in the obtained moving image is improved. In this embodiment, the second light source 133B is the same as the first light source 133A.

On the other hand, when the second light source 133B is lit, image light as shown in FIG. 6 is captured. 6A shows the behavior of the surface reflected light that is reflected by the surface of the object, and FIG. 6B shows the behavior of the internally reflected light that is slightly reflected by entering the object from the surface of the object.
The illumination light emitted from the second light source 133B passes through the sealing plate 132B. Even if it passes through the sealing plate 132B, the illumination light is not polarized. The steps so far are common to FIGS. 6A and 6B.
The second illumination light that is the illumination light that has passed through the sealing plate 132B hits the object X and becomes image light from the object X. Originally, since it is not polarized light, the polarization state of the image light reflected on the surface of the object X and the image light reflected slightly after entering the object X are disturbed. Both of these image lights pass through the polarizing plate 132C because the component having the same polarization direction as that of the polarizing plate 132C contained therein passes through the polarizing plate 132C.
As a result, when the second light source 133B is lit, both the surface reflection light and the internal reflection light are imaged, so that a glossy image of the object is obtained.

  As described above, a matte image is obtained when the first light source 133A is lit, and a glossy image is obtained when the second light source 133B is lit. Then, how these images become moving images will be described.

As described above, the image sensor 136 outputs the video signal v as shown in FIG. The video signal v includes a vertical synchronization signal vsync.
The video signal v is sent to the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137. The second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 detects the vertical synchronization signal vsync included in the video signal v and transmits the timing to the illumination switching unit 134. The illumination switching unit 134 controls turning on and off of the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B based on the timing of the vertical synchronization signal transmitted from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137.
On the other hand, the video signal v is sent to the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 via the signal line 137A. The first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 detects the vertical synchronization signal vsync in the same manner as the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and transmits the timing to the output control unit 123. Since the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 detect the vertical synchronization signal vsync at the same time, the processing performed by each of the illumination switching unit 134 and the output control unit 123 that can transmit the timing is performed. It can be synchronized.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the output control unit 123 performs switching at the moment when the notification that the timing signal is detected is received from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122, and the signal line 122B. Each of the rectangular waves in the video signal v received via the one is alternately distributed to the signal line 123A and the signal line 123B. In FIG. 4, “1” is displayed on the rectangular wave distributed to the signal line 123A, and “2” is displayed on the rectangular wave distributed to the signal line 123B. A video signal from the signal line 123A to the display D1 via the first output terminal 121A and the cable C1 becomes data of a frame to be included in the first frame group, and from the signal line 123B to the second output terminal 121B and the cable C2. A video signal directed to the display D2 via the frame becomes data of a frame to be included in the second frame group.
As shown in FIG. 3, such data distribution is conceptually arranged such that the signal line 122B that sends the video signal v to the output control unit 123 is alternately connected to the signal line 123A and the signal line by the switch 123S. This can be realized by connecting to 123B. Such switching of the switch 123S can be realized by using, for example, a flip-flop circuit.

  A video signal generated from the signal line 123A through the first output terminal 121A and the cable C1 to the display D1 and the signal line 123B through the second output terminal 121B and the cable C2, which are generated by the above-described processing of the output control unit 123. Thus, both of the video signals directed to the display D2 display on the display D1 or the display D2 a moving image in which a half frame is dropped from the moving image reproduced by the original video signal v. In other words, they are both video signals that cause the display D1 or the display D2 to display a moving image in which the frame rate of the moving image reproduced by the original video signal v is halved.

At the same time as the above processing is performed, the illumination switching unit 134 notified of the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 detects the vertical synchronization signal operates as follows. Whenever the notification that the timing signal is detected is received from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, the illumination switching unit 134 performs switching, for example, at the moment when the notification is received, and the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B. Are alternately turned on and off. Specifically, when the rectangular wave shown in FIG. 4 that is distributed to the signal line 123A (that is, the frame allocated to the first frame group) is imaged, the first light source 133A is turned on and the second When the light source 133B is turned off and an image of the rectangular wave shown in FIG. 4 that is distributed to the signal line 123B (that is, a frame that is distributed to the second frame group) is captured, the second light source 133B is turned on. Then, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are controlled so that the first light source 133A is turned off. This can also be realized by switching of switches, but such switching of switches can be realized by using, for example, a flip-flop circuit.
As a result, when the image sensor 136 captures a frame allocated to the first frame group, the first light source 133A is turned on, and when the frame allocated to the second frame group is captured by the image sensor 136, the first light source 133A is turned on. The two light sources 133B are turned on. That is, the moving image displayed on the display D1 by the frame data distributed to the first frame group is a matte moving image, and the moving image displayed on the display D2 by the frame data distributed to the second frame group is a glossy moving image. It becomes.
A doctor can perform a more accurate diagnosis by viewing these two types of videos together.

  Note that depending on the type of the image sensor 136, there may be a slight delay between the time when an image of a certain frame is captured and the time when the data of that frame is output. If there is such a delay, there is a possibility that there is a difference between the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 detects the vertical synchronization signal and the timing at which the image sensor 136 actually performs imaging. This means that there is a difference between the timing at which the image sensor 136 performs imaging and the timing of turning on and off the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B. In such a case, a frame with the image sensor 136 is captured between the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and the illumination switching unit 134 or inside the illumination switching unit 134, and then the data of the frame is output. It is only necessary to provide a mechanism for delaying the switching timing of the illumination by the time of the above-mentioned delay that occurs until it is done. For example, if a delay circuit for delaying a predetermined signal by the above-described delay time is provided, it can be easily realized.

  The recording unit 124 records frame data of the first frame group and frame data of the second frame group. Using these data, you can display the above two types of video seen in real time on display D1 and display D2 each time you like, or display the same video on other displays when you like Is also possible.

<Modification 1>
The video camera of the first modification is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Only the following points are different.
The imaging device according to the first embodiment outputs a video signal that allows progressive drawing to be performed on the displays D1 and D2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “D”). On the other hand, the image sensor in this embodiment outputs a video signal that can cause the display D to draw in an interlaced manner.
The video signal v has a waveform as shown in FIG.
Unlike the first embodiment, each rectangular wave included in the video signal v is not an image for one frame of the display D, but an image in an odd row or an even row. In FIG. 7, the rectangular wave labeled O is data corresponding to the odd-numbered scanning lines of the display D, and the rectangular wave labeled E is the scanning line of the even-numbered lines of the display D. Is data corresponding to. Data O and data E form a set, and the odd-numbered and even-numbered lines of the scanning lines of the display D are drawn. In other words, in this modification, the data O and the data E are combined into one frame of data.
Although not shown, each rectangular wave included in the video signal v includes data O corresponding to the odd-numbered scanning lines of the display D and data E corresponding to the even-numbered scanning lines of the display D. Also includes a vertical synchronizing signal similar to that included in the video signal v of the first embodiment.

In the first modification, the following two types of processing can be realized on the premise that the video signal v is as described above.
The first process is as follows.
In the first process, each of the data O and the data E in the modified example 1 is handled as corresponding to the rectangular wave in the first embodiment (FIG. 7B). In this case, the processes performed by the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122, the output control unit 123, the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, and the illumination switching unit 134 are all the same as those in the first embodiment. However, the frame data to be included in the first frame group obtained as a result is that the moving image displayed on the display D1 has a half frame rate compared to when the moving image is displayed by the video signal v. The moving image displayed on the display D1 is not a data that becomes a moving image but a moving image in which the number of scanning lines (or the number of pixels) is halved compared to when the moving image is displayed by the video signal v. It becomes such data.
On the other hand, the second processing is as follows.
The second processing is to treat the data O and the data E in the modified example 1 as one corresponding to the rectangular wave in the first embodiment (FIG. 7A). In this case, the output control unit 123 and the illumination switching unit 134 execute the switching process described in the first embodiment every time the vertical synchronization signal is detected twice. This is, for example, the notification that the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 have detected the vertical synchronization signal described in the first embodiment every time the vertical synchronization signal is detected twice. Is sent to the output control unit 123 or the illumination switching unit 134, and each time the output control unit 123 and the illumination switching unit 134 receive the notification, the switching process described in the first embodiment is executed. Alternatively, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 send a notification that the vertical synchronization signal is detected every time the vertical synchronization signal is detected, and the output control unit 123 and the illumination switching unit 134 can be realized by executing the switching process described in the first embodiment every time the notification is received twice. These are all counters capable of counting up to two signals, and the operations of the output control unit 123 and the illumination switching unit 134 or the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 according to the count of the counter. This can be easily realized by arranging the means for changing the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 or the output control unit 123 and the illumination switching unit 134 as appropriate.

<Modification 2>
The video camera of the modification 2 is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Only the following points are different.
As shown in FIG. 4, the output control unit 123 of the first embodiment performs switching of the switch 123 </ b> S every moment when a notification that the timing signal is detected is received from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122. Each rectangular wave in the video signal v received via the signal line 122B is alternately distributed to the signal line 123A and the signal line 123B one by one. That is, in the first embodiment, all the frames corresponding to the rectangular wave are alternately distributed to the first frame group or the second frame group without being discarded.
On the other hand, the output control unit 123 of the endoscope according to this modification does not perform switching at all the moment when the notification that the timing signal is detected is received from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122, For example, the rectangular wave included in the video signal v is distributed to the signal line 123A and the signal line 123B as shown in FIGS.

In the example of FIG. 8A, each rectangular wave included in the video signal v is “first frame group” and “discarded” (things without “1” and “2” written on the rectangular wave), “Second frame group”, “discard”, “first frame group”, “discard”, “second frame group”, “discard”, and so on are assigned to the signal line 123A and the signal line 123B in this order. ing. That is, in the example of FIG. 8A, the output control unit 123 uses the data for a certain number of frames (more accurately, every three frames) from the data for many frames included in the video signal v. Is extracted as frame data included in the first frame group, and data for a certain number of frames (more precisely, every three frames) is extracted from data about frames not included in the first frame group. Thus, the frame data included in the second frame group is used.
In the example of FIG. 8B, each rectangular wave included in the video signal v is “first frame group”, “second frame group”, “discard”, “first frame group”, “second frame group”. ”,“ Discard ”, and so on, in order of signal line 123A and signal line 123B. That is, in the example of FIG. 8B, the output control unit 123 uses the data for a certain number of frames (more precisely, every two frames) from the data for many frames included in the video signal v. Is extracted as frame data included in the first frame group, and data for a certain number of frames (more accurately, every two frames) is extracted from data regarding frames not included in the first frame group. Thus, the frame data included in the second frame group is used.
The examples of FIGS. 8A and 8B are cases where a part of the data for a large number of frames included in the video signal v is discarded, and the video signal v displays interlace drawing. Unless the data O and the data E in the first modification are handled as corresponding to the rectangular waves in the first embodiment, the data of the frame of the first frame group or the second frame The frame rate of the moving image to be rendered by the group of frame data is less than half the frame rate of the moving image to be rendered by the original video signal v.
In these cases, the switching performed by the switch 123S in the output control unit 123 is “connection of the signal line 122B to the signal line 123A” and “signal line 122B to the signal line 123A and signal line 123B, respectively, in the case of FIG. 8A. "Connect signal line 122B to signal line 123B", "Do not connect signal line 122B to either signal line 123A or signal line 123B", "Connect signal line 122B to signal line 123A"", The signal line 122B is not connected to either the signal line 123A or the signal line 123B", "the signal line 122B is connected to the signal line 123B", "the signal line 122B is connected to either the signal line 123A or the signal line 123B" The process of “not connecting” is repeated. In the case of FIG. 8B, “the signal line 122B is connected to the signal line 123A”, “the signal line 122B is connected to the signal line 123B”, and “the signal line 122B is connected to either the signal line 123A or the signal line 123B”. Are not connected "," the signal line 122B is connected to the signal line 123A "," the signal line 122B is connected to the signal line 123B "," the signal line 122B is not connected to either the signal line 123A or the signal line 123B ", and so on. The process is repeated.
Such switching of the switch 123S can be realized by a known technique if a counter or the like is appropriately used.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8C, each rectangular wave included in the video signal v is converted into “first frame group”, “second frame group”, “first frame group”, “first frame group”, The signal line 123A and the signal in the order of “second frame group”, “first frame group”, “discard”, “first frame group”, “second frame group”, “first frame group”,. It is assigned to the line 123B. In this case, both the frame rate of the frame allocated to the first frame group and the frame rate of the frame allocated to the second frame group change with time.
This example is therefore not very useful. According to the present invention, such a modification can be realized.

<Modification 3>
The video camera of the third modification is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Only the following points are different.
In the first embodiment, the sealing plate 132B that does not affect the polarization state of the light passing therethrough is present in front of the second light source 133B. In Modification 3, the sealing plate 132B is replaced with a second polarizing plate 132B1 having the same polarization direction as the polarizing plate 132C in front of the image sensor 136.
In this case as well, a matte image is captured by the image sensor 136 when the first light source 133A is lit, and a glossy image is captured by the image sensor 136 when the second light source 133B is lit.
First, when the first light source 133A is lit, image light as shown in FIG. 9 is captured. The behavior of the surface reflection light and the internal reflection light at this time is not different from the case shown in FIG. The meaning of each symbol in FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 5, and the meaning of each symbol in FIG. 10 is the same as FIG.
On the other hand, when the second light source 133B is lit, image light as shown in FIG. 10 is captured.
The illumination light emitted from the second light source 133B passes through the second polarizing plate 132B1. The illumination light that has passed through the second polarizing plate 132B1 is polarized in the same direction as the polarizing direction of the polarizing plate 132C. The steps so far are common to FIGS. 10A and 10B.
The second illumination light, which is the illumination light that has passed through the second polarizing plate 132B1, hits the object X and becomes image light from the object X. The image light reflected from the surface of the object X is kept polarized, but passes through the polarizing plate 132C because the polarization direction is the same as the polarizing direction of the polarizing plate 132C. On the other hand, the polarization state of the image light that has entered and is slightly reflected in the object X is disturbed. In the image light by the internally reflected light, a component having the same polarization direction as that of the polarizing plate 132C contained therein passes through the polarizing plate 132C, so that at least about half of the image light passes through the polarizing plate 132C.
As a result, when the second light source 133B is lit, both the surface reflection light and the internal reflection light are imaged, so that a glossy image of the object is obtained.
As described above, even if the sealing plate 132B is changed to the second polarizing plate 132B1, which is a polarizing plate that affects the polarization state of the light that has passed through the sealing plate 132B, the same two types of moving images as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Images can be taken and the effects are preserved. The polarization direction of the second polarizing plate 132B1 theoretically ignores the darkness of the image when the second light source 133B is imaged. An image obtained when is turned on can be a glossy image.

<Modification 4>
The video camera of the modification 4 is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Only the following points are different.
An imaging unit 130 of a video camera of Modification 4 is shown in FIG.
Although the video camera of the first embodiment includes two light sources, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B, in the fourth modification, only the first light source 133A remains. The first light source 133A remains on during imaging. Further, in the video camera of the first embodiment, since there are two light sources, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B, there are two holes, the first hole 131A and the second hole 131B, in front of them. However, in the modified example 4 in which the second light source 133B is eliminated, only the first hole 131A is left and the second hole 131B is eliminated. Not the first polarizing plate 132A but the sealing plate 132B is fitted in the first hole 131A.
Further, the video camera according to the fourth modification includes a liquid crystal plate 138. The liquid crystal plate 138 exists on the optical path from the first light source 133A to the object. By changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal plate 138, a first state that functions as a polarizing plate and a second state that does not affect the polarization state of light transmitted through the liquid crystal plate 138 can be taken. Yes. The polarization direction in the first state is a direction orthogonal to the polarizing plate 132C.
In addition, the illumination switching unit 134 of the first embodiment switches between turning on and off the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B, but the illumination switching unit 134 of Modification 4 is replaced by a liquid crystal plate 138 instead. Control. Specifically, the illumination switching unit 134 according to the modified example 4 is configured so that the liquid crystal plate 138 changes from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state at a predetermined timing. To control.

The timing at which the illumination switching unit 134 changes the state of the liquid crystal plate 138 can be controlled by the same method as in the first embodiment. In the fourth modification, the first light source 133A is turned on in the first embodiment. The liquid crystal plate 138 instantly changes from the second state to the first state, and the liquid crystal plate 138 changes from the first state to the second state at the same moment when the second light source 133B is turned on in the first embodiment. It has become.
When the liquid crystal plate 138 is in the first state, the light emitted from the first light source 133A passes through the liquid crystal plate 138 and becomes polarized light whose polarization direction is perpendicular to the polarizing plate 132C. The liquid crystal plate 138 at this time is equivalent to the first polarizing plate 132A in the first embodiment. Therefore, the first illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A that has passed through the liquid crystal plate 138 is the sealing plate 132B that does not affect the polarization state of the light that passes through the first illumination light thereafter. In other words, this is equivalent to the first illumination light in the first embodiment.
On the other hand, when the liquid crystal plate 138 is in the second state, even if it passes through the liquid crystal plate 138, the light emitted from the first light source 133A is not polarized. The liquid crystal plate 138 at this time is equivalent to the sealing plate 132B in the first embodiment. Therefore, the second illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A that has passed through the liquid crystal plate 138 is equivalent to the second illumination light in the first embodiment.
That is, since the first illumination light and the second illumination light in the modification 4 are not different from those in the first embodiment, a matte moving image and a glossy moving image can be captured also in the modification 4.

<Modification 5>
The video camera of the modification 5 is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, the video camera of the modified example 5 is quite close to the video camera of the modified example 4.
An imaging unit 130 of a video camera of Modification 5 is shown in FIG.
Similar to the video camera of the modification 4, the video camera of the modification 5 has only the first light source 133A. The first light source 133A remains lit during imaging as in the case of the fourth modification. Further, in the video camera of Modification 5, as in Modification 4, the first hole 131A remains, but the second hole 131B does not exist. The point that the sealing plate 132B is fitted in the first hole 131A is the same as in the fourth modification.
The video camera of Modification 5 also includes a moving polarizing plate 139A that is a polarizing plate that moves as described later. The polarization direction of the movable polarizing plate 139A is the same as that of the first polarizing plate 132A, and is orthogonal to the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 132C. The movable polarizing plate 139A reciprocates between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. The movable polarizing plate 139A is not located on the optical path of the illumination light emitted from the first light source 133A when it is at the position indicated by the solid line, and is illuminated from the first light source 133A when located at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. Located on the light path. Note that the polarization direction of the movable polarizing plate 139A does not change between and between the positions.
The moving mechanism 139B realizes the movement of the moving polarizing plate 139A. The moving mechanism 139B reciprocates the moving polarizing plate 139A supported by a predetermined frame or the like by parallel movement.

The illumination switching unit 134 according to the first embodiment switches between turning on and off the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B. However, the illumination switching unit 134 according to the modified example 5 is replaced by the moving polarizing plate 139A. The movement mechanism 139B is controlled to control the movement timing. Specifically, the illumination switching unit 134 of Modification 5 moves the movable polarizing plate 139 from a position indicated by a solid line to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line at a predetermined timing, or a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. The moving mechanism 139B is controlled so as to move to the position indicated by the solid line.
The timing at which the moving mechanism 139B moves the moving polarizing plate 139A is controlled by the illumination switching unit 134 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In Modification 5, the moving polarizing plate 139A is in the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the time zone in which the first light source 133A is turned on in the first embodiment, and in the time zone in which the second light source 133B is turned on in the first embodiment. The illumination switching unit 134 controls the moving mechanism 139B so that the moving polarizing plate 139A is at the position indicated by the solid line.
When the moving polarizing plate 139A is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the light emitted from the first light source 133A passes through the moving polarizing plate 139A and becomes polarized light whose polarization direction is perpendicular to the polarizing plate 132C. . The moving polarizing plate 139A at this time is equivalent to the first polarizing plate 132A in the first embodiment. Therefore, the first illumination light, which is the illumination light from the first light source 133A that has passed through the moving polarizing plate 139A, is the sealing plate 132B that does not affect the polarization state of the light that passes through the first illumination light thereafter. In some cases, this is equivalent to the first illumination light in the first embodiment.
On the other hand, when the movable polarizing plate 139A is at the position indicated by the solid line, the light emitted from the first light source 133A is not polarized because it only passes through the sealing plate 132B. Therefore, in this case, the second illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A is equivalent to the second illumination light in the first embodiment.
That is, both the first illumination light and the second illumination light in the modified example 5 are not different from those in the first embodiment, and therefore, in the modified example 5, it is possible to capture a matte moving image and a glossy moving image.

<Modification 6>
The video camera of the modification 6 is an endoscope, and most of the video camera is the same as the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, the video camera of the modification 6 is almost the same as the video camera of the modification 5.
The video camera of the modification example 5 generates the first illumination light that is polarized light and the second illumination light that is not polarized light by the movement of the movable polarization plate 139A, but in the modification example 6, the composite polarization plate 141 shown in FIG. Is rotated to produce first illumination light that is polarized light and second illumination light that is not polarized light.
The composite polarizing plate 141 alternates between a fan-shaped polarizing plate 141A having a central angle of 90 degrees and a fan-shaped transmitting plate 141B having a central angle of 90 degrees that does not affect the polarization direction of light transmitted therethrough. Two pieces are combined into a circular shape. The composite polarizing plate 141 is fixed to a shaft 142 passing through the center thereof. The shaft 142 is connected to an actuator 143 that rotates the shaft 142, and is rotated by the actuator 143. Thereby, the composite polarizing plate 141 rotates around the shaft 142 in one direction, for example.

The illumination switching unit 134 according to the first embodiment switches between turning on and off the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B. However, the illumination switching unit 134 according to the modified example 6 uses the composite polarizing plate 141 instead. The actuator 143 is controlled to control the rotation speed and the position at that time.
The illumination switching unit 134 controls the speed at which the actuator 143 rotates the composite polarizing plate 141 and the position at a certain point in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In Modification 6, the polarizing plate 141A is in front of the first light source 133A in the time zone when the first light source 133A is turned on in the first embodiment, and the transmission plate is in the time zone in which the second light source 133B is turned on in the first embodiment. The illumination switching unit 134 controls the actuator 143 so that 141B is in front of the first light source 133A.
When the polarizing plate 141A is in front of the first light source 133A, the light emitted from the first light source 133A is transmitted through the polarizing plate 141A. Then, the illumination light becomes polarized light whose polarization direction is a direction orthogonal to the polarizing plate 132C. The polarizing plate 141A at this time is equivalent to the first polarizing plate 132A in the first embodiment. Therefore, the first illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A that has passed through the polarizing plate 141A is the sealing plate 132B that does not affect the polarization state of the light that passes through the first illumination light thereafter. In other words, this is equivalent to the first illumination light in the first embodiment.
On the other hand, when the transmission plate 141B is in front of the first light source 133A, the light emitted from the first light source 133A is not polarized even if it passes through the transmission plate 141B. Not polarized. Therefore, in this case, the second illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A is equivalent to the second illumination light in the first embodiment.
That is, since both the first illumination light and the second illumination light in the modified example 6 are the same as those in the first embodiment, a matte moving image and a glossy moving image can also be captured in the modified example 4.

<Modification 7>
The video camera of the modified example 7 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment. A video camera of Modification 7 is shown in FIG.
The biggest difference between the endoscope of the modified example 7 and the endoscope of the first embodiment is that the imaging device 136 is provided in the imaging unit 130 at the tip of the scope unit 110 in the endoscope of the first embodiment. However, in the endoscope of the modification example 7, the imaging device 136 is provided in the video processor box 120. That is, in the endoscope of the modification example 7, the scope unit 110 transmits image light.
Reference numeral 110 in FIG. 14 denotes a scope portion. In the scope unit 110, an image light transmission body 151 that is a means for transmitting the above-described image light is provided. Although not limited to this, the image light transmission body 151 is configured by bundling optical fibers in this embodiment. The optical fiber in the image light transmission body 151 is a known image guide fiber in which the mutual positional relationship in the bundle (in the cross section of the bundle) is fixed at least at both ends. However, this image guide fiber can also be constituted by a known rod lens if the flexibility of the scope section 110 is not required.
The scope unit 110 also includes a first illumination light transmitter 152A for transmitting the first illumination light and a second illumination light transmitter 152B for transmitting the second illumination light. Yes. Although these are not restricted to this, In this embodiment, it is comprised by bundling an optical fiber. Since the image light is not transmitted, the positional relationship between the optical fibers in the first illumination light transmitter 152A and the second illumination light transmitter 152B is fixed in the bundle (in the cross section of the bundle). It is not necessary to be in a state that has been made. If the flexibility of the scope unit 110 is not required, it can be configured by a rod lens as with the image light transmitter 151.

A distal end fixing member 153 for fixing the distal ends of the image light transmission body 151, the first illumination light transmission body 152A, and the second illumination light transmission body 152B is provided at the distal end of the scope unit 110. The tip fixing member 153 has a first tip hole 153A for fixing the tip of the first illumination light transmission body 152A inserted therein, and a second tip for fixing the tip of the second illumination light transmission body 152B inserted therein. A hole 153B and a third tip hole 153C for fixing the tip of the image light transmission body 151 inserted therein are provided. The image light transmission body 151, the first illumination light transmission body 152 </ b> A, and the second illumination light transmission body 152 </ b> B are fixed to the tip fixing member 153 by being caulked in these three holes.
Further, a front end lens 154 that is a magnifying lens is attached to the front side of the image light transmission body 151 in the third front end hole 153C. The front lens 154 guides the image light from the object to the end surface of the front end of the image light transmission body 151.

Roughly speaking, the video processor box 120 of the modified example 7 has a configuration in which the imaging unit 130 in the first embodiment and the video processor box 120 in the first embodiment are combined.
The case 121 of the video processor box 120 is provided with a first hole 131A, a second hole 131B, and a third hole 131C. These correspond to the first hole 131A, the second hole 131B, and the third hole 131C provided in the imaging unit 130 of the first embodiment. However, although the same polarizing plate 132C as in the first embodiment is fitted in the third hole 131C in the modified example 7, the first hole 131A and the second hole 131B in the modified example 7 In one embodiment, the first polarizing plate 132A and the sealing plate 132B that are fitted in the first hole 131A and the second hole 131B, respectively, are not fitted.
Instead, a focusing lens 155A that is a lens and a focusing lens 155B that is also a lens are fitted in the first hole 131A and the second hole 131B, respectively. The focusing lens 155A converges the light from the first light source 133A similar to the case of the first embodiment on the end face of the base end of the first illumination light transmitter 152A, and the focusing lens 155B is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. The same light from the second light source 133B is converged on the end face of the base end of the second illumination light transmitter 152B. Further, the first polarizing plate 132A existing in the first embodiment is disposed on the front side of the first light source 133A. Therefore, the illumination light when the first light source 133A is turned on passes through the first polarizing plate 132A and is polarized, and then enters the first illumination light transmitter 152A. On the other hand, the illumination light when the second light source 133B is turned on enters the second illumination light transmitter 152B as it is without being polarized. As in the first embodiment, the former is the first illumination light, the latter is the second illumination light, the former is polarized light, and the latter is natural light. The first illumination light is applied to the object from the end surface of the front end of the first illumination light transmitter 152A, and the second illumination light is applied to the object from the end surface of the front end of the second illumination light transmitter 152B. .
As described above, the case 121 of the video processor box 120 according to the modified example 7 includes the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B, and the lens 135, the image sensor 136, and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137. There is an illumination switching unit 134. The image sensor 136 is configured to capture the image light that has passed through the image light transmission body 151 and is imaged by the lens 135. Further, the image sensor 136, the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, the illumination switching unit 134, the first light source 133A, and the second light source 133B are signal lines 134A, 134B, 134C, and 136A as in the first embodiment. Are connected to each other. The image sensor 136, the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, and the illumination switching unit 134 all operate in the same manner as that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are repeatedly turned on and off under the control of the illumination switching unit 134 as in the case of the first embodiment.

In the case 121, there are almost all cases that were in the case 121 of the first embodiment. What does not exist is the signal line 137A and the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122.
The reason why the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 does not exist is that the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 also serves as the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122. In the modified example 7, the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 transmits the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected via the signal line 122A to the output control unit 123, and the video signal is transmitted via the signal line 122B. The signal is transmitted to the output control unit 123. Since the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 detect the vertical synchronization signal in the first embodiment is almost the same, the vertical synchronization signal is received from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137. Even if the detected timing is transmitted, the output control unit 123 can operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
The operations and functions of the members in the case 121 of the modification 7 or provided in the case 121 can all be the same as those of the first embodiment, and this modification 7 does so. Therefore, also with the video camera of the modified example 7, two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2 as in the case of the first embodiment.

<Modification 8>
The video camera of the modification 8 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, the video camera of the modification 8 is almost the same as the video camera of the modification 7 as shown in FIG.
The portion of the video camera according to the modified example 8 that is different from the video camera according to the modified example 7 is the positions of the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B.
In the modified example 7, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B that were in the case 121 of the video processor box 120 are fixed to the tip fixing member 153 in the modified example 8. Accordingly, in the modification 8, the first illumination light transmitter 152A and the second illumination light transmitter 152B in the modification 7 are eliminated, and accordingly, the modification 8 is in the modification 7. The focusing lens 155A and the focusing lens 155B are missing.
Further, in the video camera of the modification 8, the first polarizing plate 132A that exists in front of the first light source 133A and needs to transmit the light from the first light source 133A is in the first hole 153A of the tip fixing member 153. Installed. Further, in the video camera of the modification 8, the same sealing plate 132B as that in the first embodiment is fitted in the second hole 153B.
In the modification 8, the signal line 134A connecting the first light source 133A and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and the signal line 134B connecting the second light source 133B and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 include the scope unit. The inside of 110 is extended.
Other than that, the function and operation of each member are the same as in the modified example 7.
In the video camera of the modified example 8, when the first light source 133A is turned on, the illumination light emitted from the first light source 133A passes through the first polarizing plate 132A and becomes the first illumination light that is polarized. In addition, the illumination light emitted from the second light source 133B is not polarized even if it passes through the sealing plate 132B, and thus becomes the second illumination light that is not polarized. Since the relationship between the first illumination light and the second illumination light is the same as that of the first embodiment, the video camera of the modification 8 displays two types of moving images as in the video camera of the first embodiment, such as the display D1 and the display D2. Can be displayed.

<Modification 9>
Unlike the first embodiment, the video camera of Modification 9 is not an endoscope. The video camera of the modification 9 is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus.
However, the configuration of the video camera of Modification 9 is substantially the same as that of the video camera of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 16, the magnification observation apparatus 160 includes a case 161 having a shape and size that can be held by hand. As with the scope unit 110 of the first embodiment, the case 161 has a flexible tube 110X that encloses the signal line 137A therein, and the video processor box 120 (not shown) configured similarly to the case of the first embodiment. It is connected.
The vicinity of the tip of the case 161 of the modification 9 is tapered so as to become thinner toward the tip, and a hole 162 is opened at the tip. The magnification observation device 160 is used in a state in which the periphery of the hole 162 at the tip thereof is in contact with an imaging target (more precisely, slightly outside the imaging target).
There is a hole 163 at the rear end of the case 161, which is the same as the hole 131D of the imaging unit 130 of the first embodiment.

Inside the case 161, the first light source 133A is provided.
A plurality of second light sources 133 </ b> B are provided inward at the peripheral edge of the hole 162 of the case 161. The plurality of second light sources 133B is relatively smaller than the first light source 133A, and therefore the amount of illumination light from the second light source 133B, which is relatively inferior to that of the first light source 133A, is the first light source 133B. This is intended to match the amount of light from the light source 133A. If there is no request for matching the light amounts, or even if there is only one second light source 133B, the number of the second light sources 133B is not necessary in the first place.
In the case 161, a half mirror 164 inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the image light is provided. The first illumination light, which is illumination light from the first light source 133A, is reflected by the half mirror 164 and is irradiated to the object substantially perpendicularly.
In this embodiment, neither the first illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A nor the second illumination light that is the illumination light from the second light source 133B is polarized. However, the first illumination light is epi-illumination light having an incident angle to the object of 40 ° or less, and the second illumination light is side-illumination light having an incident angle to the object larger than 40 °. Become.
In the case 161, an image sensor 136, a second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, and an illumination switching unit 134 are provided. The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B include signal lines 134A, 134B, It is connected by 134C. These functions and operations are the same as in the first embodiment.
In addition, a lens 135 is provided in the case 161. The lens 135 is basically the same as the lens 135 of the first embodiment, but the lens 135 is designed so that the imaging element 136 is focused on the hole 162. Accordingly, when the periphery of the hole 162 at the tip of the magnified observation device 160 is brought into contact with the object, the object existing in the hole 162 is automatically focused. It is effective in preventing the camera shake by allowing the magnifying observation device 160 to perform imaging by bringing the periphery of the hole 162 at the tip thereof into contact with an object. Note that the image sensor 136 captures image light transmitted through the half mirror 164.
The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are repeatedly turned on and off under the control of the illumination switching unit 134 as in the case of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the video camera of the modification 9, two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2, similarly to the video camera of the first embodiment. However, in the modified example 9, two types of moving images are a moving image using incident light as the first illumination light and a moving image using side light as the second illumination light.

<Modification 10>
Unlike the first embodiment, the video camera of Modification 10 is not an endoscope. The video camera of the modification 10 is a hand-held type magnification observation apparatus.
However, the configuration of the video camera of Modification 10 is almost the same as that of the magnification observation apparatus of Modification 9.
This magnified observation device 160 is different from the magnified observation device 160 of the modification 9 in the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B (FIG. 17). The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B of the video camera of the modification 10 are the same including the size, and both irradiate the object with illumination light at the same incident angle. It should be noted that there is no half mirror in the magnifying observation device 160 of Modification 10.
The video camera of Modification 10 is provided with a filter 165 in front of the first light source 133A. The light from the first light source 133 </ b> A passes through the filter 165 and is irradiated on the object. In this embodiment, the filter 165 is a band-pass filter that transmits only light in a specific range of wavelengths.
The first light source 133 </ b> A and the second light source 133 </ b> B in the modification 10 emit natural light-like illumination light (white light) including light from the infrared region to the ultraviolet region. Since the second illumination light, which is the illumination light from the second light source 133B, is irradiated to the object as it is, an image captured by the second illumination light when the second light source 133B is lit is white light. The general image is the same as that captured as illumination light.
On the other hand, if the filter 165 in the modified example 10 transmits only light in the infrared region, for example, the image captured by the video camera in the modified example 10 is the first illumination light that is infrared light. This is a captured image. For example, if the filter 165 in the modification 10 transmits only light in the ultraviolet region, an image captured by the video camera in the modification 10 is captured by the first illumination light that is ultraviolet light. Image. For example, if the filter 165 in the modification 10 transmits only green light, the image captured by the video camera in the modification 10 is captured by the first illumination light that is green light. It becomes an image.
Thus, by making the filter 165 appropriate, the video camera of the modified example 10 displays two different types of moving images of visible light and infrared light, visible light and ultraviolet light, or white light and green light. D1 and display D2. If the filter 165 is further changed, the wavelength of the illumination light for capturing two types of moving images can be made different. Further, the filter 165 is a first polarizing plate 132A, and the first embodiment is arranged in front of the image sensor 136. It is self-evident that if the same polarizing plate 132C is provided, a glossy and glossy moving image can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2 even with a magnifying observation apparatus.
Even if the filter 165 is not used, if the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B can irradiate only illumination light in different specific wavelength regions, the wavelength of illumination light for capturing two types of moving images. It will be obvious that can be different.

  In addition, in the magnifying observation device of Modification Example 10, when the first illumination light is irradiated with ultraviolet light and the second illumination light is irradiated with white light, a moving image based on the data of the frames distributed to the first frame group is displayed. If a filter that blocks light in the blue wavelength region is arranged in front of the display D1 to be displayed, it is based on the data of the frames allocated to the first frame group, as in Modifications 16 to 18 described later. Makes videos easier to see.

<Modification 11>
The video camera of the modification 11 is an endoscope as in the case of the first embodiment. However, the endoscope of the modification 11 is a capsule endoscope.
The capsule endoscope of Modification 11 is configured as shown in FIGS.
The capsule endoscope includes a capsule 170 corresponding to the imaging unit 130 in the first embodiment. The capsule 170 has a shape and size that can be easily swallowed by a patient, and includes a resin-made main body 170A and a dome 170B made of a transparent resin. The dome 170B covers the surface on one end side of the main body 170A in a watertight manner. Of course, the dome 170B does not affect the state of polarization of light passing through it.
A first light source 133A and a second light source 133B similar to those of the first embodiment are arranged on the surface on one end side covered with the dome 170B of the main body 170A. In addition, a first polarizing plate 132A similar to that of the first embodiment is disposed in front of the first light source 133A. The illumination light from the first light source 133A passes through the first polarizing plate 132A and is polarized as in the first embodiment. That is, the first illumination light, which is the illumination light applied to the object when the first light source 133A is turned on, is polarized light in the modification 11 and is applied to the object when the second light source 133B is turned on. The 2nd illumination light which is illumination light is light which is not polarized light. This relationship is the same as in the first embodiment.
In addition, a hole 170A1 is formed in a surface on one end side covered with the dome 170B of the main body 170A, and a lens 135 similar to that of the first embodiment is fitted therein. In front of the lens 135, there is a polarizing plate 132C similar to that of the first embodiment, and the image light from the object is imaged by the imaging element 136 inside the main body 170A via the polarizing plate 132C and the lens 135. It is like that.

In the main body 170A, in addition to the above-described image sensor 136, a second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 and an illumination switching unit 134 are provided. These, the first light source 133A and the second light source 133B They are connected by lines 134A, 134B, and 134C. These functions and operations are the same as in the first embodiment.
The first light source 133A and the second light source 133B are repeatedly turned on and off as in the case of the first embodiment under the control of the illumination switching unit 134. The video signal generated by the image sensor 136 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 is also connected to one end of the signal line 137A, as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the case of the first embodiment, the other end of the signal line 137A is connected to the wireless transmission unit 171. The wireless transmission unit 171 transmits the video signal wirelessly, for example, by radio waves.

  The video camera of the modification 11 includes a video processor box 120. The video processor box 120 of the eleventh modification is small and large enough to allow a patient to wear it and act. The patient, for example, wears a vest that can store the video processor box 120 in its pocket, captures the moving image captured by the swallowed capsule 170 while sending a daily life, and the data is stored in the video processor box 120 as described later. Can be recorded. Based on the data, the doctor can later confirm the same two types of moving images as in the first embodiment. Thus, it is an advantage of the capsule endoscope that the endoscopic examination can be performed while living daily life.

The story is returned to the video processor box 120. The video processor box 120 of the modification 11 is basically the same as that in the first embodiment.
The difference is that the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 is connected to one end of the signal line 172A instead of the signal line 137A. The other end of the signal line 172A is connected to the wireless reception unit 172. The wireless reception unit 172 receives the video signal transmitted by the wireless transmission unit 171.
That is, unlike the first embodiment, the video processor box 120 of the video camera according to the modification 11 does not receive the video signal transmitted by the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 via only the signal line 137A. The signal line 137A, the wireless transmission unit 171, the wireless reception unit 172, and the signal line 172A are received.
The processing executed by each element below the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is the same as in the first embodiment. The output control unit 123 generates frame data of the first frame group and frame data of the second frame group.
These data are output from the signal line 123A1 and the signal line 123B1, respectively. In the modification 11, the signal line 123A, the first output terminal 121A1, the signal line 123B, and the second output terminal 121B do not exist. As described above, in the capsule endoscope of this embodiment, a doctor is not scheduled to view a moving image in real time on the display D1 and the display D2. Of course, if it is planned, it is possible to provide the signal line 123A and the first output terminal 121A1, the signal line 123B, and the second output terminal 121B.
In the modification 11, the recording unit 124 having the same function as in the first embodiment receives the frame data of the first frame group received via the signal line 123A1 and the second frame group received via the signal line 123B1. Are separately recorded. Using this data, the doctor can view two types of moving images, similar to the case of the first embodiment, using the display D1 and the display D2.

<Modification 12>
The video camera of the modification 12 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment.
The video camera of the modification 12 differs from the video camera of the first embodiment in that the vertical synchronization signal is superimposed on the video signal in the video camera of the first embodiment, whereas the video camera of the modification 12 The vertical sync signal is different from the video signal. That is, the video signal v and the vertical synchronization signal vsync in FIG. 4 are handled as different signals in the modified example 12.

In the first embodiment, the vertical synchronization signal is generated in the image sensor 136 and output to the outside in a state of being superimposed on the video signal. However, in the video camera of the modification 12, the vertical synchronization signal is The vertical synchronizing signal generator 181 shown in FIG. 20 is generated not in the image sensor 136. The vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181 sends the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181 to the image sensor 136 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 via the signal lines 181A and 181B.
The image sensor 136 captures a moving image and outputs a video signal by synchronizing the timing of frame switching with the received vertical synchronization signal. As a result, the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 is synchronized with the switching timing of frame data included in the video signal generated by the image sensor 136. As in the case of the first embodiment, the video signal is sent to the video processor box 120 via the signal line 137A. However, in the modification 12, the video signal generated by the image sensor 136 is sent to the video processor box 120 without passing through the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137, unlike the case of the first embodiment. When the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 receives the vertical synchronization signal from the vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181, the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 performs the same operation as the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 of the first embodiment. The timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected is transmitted to the illumination switching unit 134 via the signal line 134C. The processing performed by the illumination switching unit 134 using this timing information is the same as in the first embodiment.
The vertical synchronization signal generator 181 of the modification 12 is also connected to the second signal line 181C running inside the scope unit 110, and as a signal different from the video signal via the second signal line 181C, A vertical synchronization signal is sent to the video processor box 120.

The video processor box 120 of Modification 12 is configured as shown in FIG.
The video processor box 120 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but the first vertical synchronizing signal detector 122 is not connected to the signal line 137A. The signal line 137A is directly connected to the output control unit 123 without passing through the first vertical synchronization direct signal detection unit 122.
The first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 is also present in the video processor box 120 of the modified example 12. Unlike the first embodiment, the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 is connected to the second signal line 181C. In the modified example 12, when the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 receives the vertical synchronization signal via the second signal line 181C, the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 determines the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is received, The signal is transmitted to the output control unit 123 via the signal line 122A.
The output control unit 123 uses the timing information notified from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 for the video signal received via the signal line 137A in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Execute the process.
As described above, even in the video camera of the modification 12 in which the vertical synchronization signal is not included in the video signal and the vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181 generates the vertical synchronization signal as a signal different from the video signal, the first embodiment Like the video camera, two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2.

<Modification 13>
The video camera of the modification 13 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment. More specifically, the video camera of the modified example 13 is almost the same as the video camera of the modified example 12.
The video camera of the modified example 13 is substantially different from the video camera of the modified example 12 in the following point. In the video camera of the modified example 13, the vertical synchronization signal generating unit 181 that is in the imaging unit 130 in the video camera of the modified example 12 is in the video processor box 120 (FIGS. 22 and 23).

The vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181 of the video camera of Modification 13 is connected to the second signal line 181C running inside the scope unit 110, and is connected to the imaging unit 130 via the second signal line 181C. The second signal line 181C branches into signal lines 181A and 181B in the imaging unit 130, and is connected to the imaging element 136 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 via these.
In the video camera of Modification 13, the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 is transmitted to the image sensor 136 and the second signal line 181C via the signal line 181A or the signal line 181B. It is sent to the vertical synchronization signal detector 137. The operations of the image sensor 136 and the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 when receiving these are the same as in the case of the twelfth modification.
The vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181 of the video camera according to the modification 13 is also connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 via the signal line 181D, and the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generation unit 181. The signal is sent to the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122. The operation of the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 when receiving this is the same as that of the modification 12.
With the configuration and operation as described above, a video camera in which a vertical synchronization signal is not included in the video signal and the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 is in the video processor box 120 is the same as the video camera of the first embodiment. Two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2.

<Modification 14>
The video camera of the modification 14 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment. More specifically, the video camera of the modification 14 is almost the same as the video camera of the modification 13.
The video camera of the modification 14 differs from the video camera of the modification 13 in fact in the following one point. In the video camera of the modification example 14, the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 in the video processor box 120 in the video camera of the modification example 13 is outside the video camera (FIG. 24). In the modified example 14, the vertical synchronizing signal is generated not by a part of the video camera but by a predetermined vertical synchronizing signal generator that generates the vertical synchronizing signal, and is sent to the video processor box 120 via the input line 182. It has become. The video processor box 120 includes an input terminal 183, and the input line 182 is detachably connected to the input terminal 183, for example.
The input line 182 is connected to the signal line 182A via the input terminal 183. The signal line 182A branches into a signal line 182B and a second signal line 181C inside the video processor box 120. The second signal line 181C is connected to the imaging unit 130 as in the case of the modification 13. Since the configuration of the imaging unit 130 in the modification 14 is the same as that in the modification 13, the illustration of the imaging unit 130 is omitted.
The signal line 182B is connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122.

In the modification 13, the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 is generated in the vertical synchronization signal generator in the modification 14, similarly to the case where the vertical synchronization signal is supplied to the imaging unit 130 via the second signal line 181C. The vertical synchronization signal thus transmitted is supplied to the imaging unit 130 via the input line 182, the input terminal 183, the signal line 182A, and the second signal line 181C.
Further, in the modified example 14, the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generator is the same as the vertical synchronization signal generated by the vertical synchronization signal generator 181 is supplied to the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122. A signal is supplied to the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 via the input line 182, the input terminal 183, the signal line 182A, and the signal line 182B.
Since the operation performed using the vertical synchronization signal in the imaging unit 130 and the operation performed using the vertical synchronization signal in the video processor box 120 are the same as in Modification 13, the video camera of Modification 14 also uses the first embodiment. Like the video camera, two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2.

<Modification 15>
The video camera of the modification 15 is an endoscope, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the endoscope of the first embodiment. More specifically, the video camera of the modification 15 is almost the same as the video camera of the modification 14.
The video camera of the modification 15 differs from the video camera of the modification 14 in fact in the following point. In the video camera of the modified example 14, the signal line 182A connected via the input line 182 and the input terminal 183 branches to the signal line 182B and the second signal line 181C in the video processor box 120. In the video camera of the modification example 15, the signal line 182A is connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 (FIG. 25).
The first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is connected to the output control unit 123 through the signal line 122A, and is connected to the imaging unit 130 through the second signal line 181C.
When the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 receives a vertical synchronization signal from a vertical synchronization signal generator (not shown) via the input line 182, the input terminal 183, and the signal line 182A, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 notifies the output control unit 123 of the timing. . The processing performed by the output control unit 123 upon receiving this notification is the same as in the first embodiment.
In addition, when the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 of the modification 15 receives the vertical synchronization signal, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 notifies the imaging unit 130 of the timing via the second signal line 181C. As shown in FIG. 26, in the imaging unit 130, the second signal line 181C branches into a signal line 181A and a signal line 134C, and passes through the former to the imaging device 136, and the illumination switching unit 134 through the latter. It is connected to the. Note that the modification 15 does not include the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137.
The image sensor 136 notified of the timing information generates a video signal including data of a frame synchronized with the timing. However, the vertical synchronization signal that has passed through the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 may be sent to the image sensor 136 as it is. On the other hand, the illumination switching unit 134 receives the timing information from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 based on the timing information received from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 according to the first embodiment. The same processing as in the case is executed. That is, in the modified example 15, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 also serves as the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137.
Also in the video camera of the modification 15, two types of moving images can be displayed on the display D1 and the display D2, similarly to the video camera of the first embodiment.

<Modification 16>
The video camera of the modification 16 can be said to be a combination of the video camera of the first embodiment and the video camera of the fourth embodiment described later.
The video camera of the modification 16 is not an endoscope but a hand-held type magnification observation apparatus, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the magnification observation apparatus of the modification 10.
In the magnifying observation device of Modification Example 10, the second illumination light that is the illumination light from the second light source 133B is irradiated as it is to the object as white light, and the first illumination light that is the illumination light from the first light source 133A is The object is irradiated after passing through the filter 165.
In the modification 16, the filter 165 transmits only light in the ultraviolet region, and therefore the first illumination light is ultraviolet light.

  The video camera of the modification 16 is different from the magnification observation apparatus of the modification 10 in that the video camera of the modification 16 includes the image processing unit 184 that the magnification observation apparatus of the modification 10 does not have in the video processor box 120. It is that it has (FIG. 27). The image processing unit 184 performs predetermined image processing on a part of the video signal before reaching the output control unit 123, more precisely, with respect to the video signal before reaching the output control unit 123.

The image processing unit 184 is connected to the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 through a signal line 184A. When the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 of the modification 16 detects the vertical synchronization signal in the video signal, the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected is transmitted not only to the output control unit 123 but also to the image processing unit 184. Also comes to notify.
The image processing unit 184 distributes the frame data included in the video signal to the data distributed to the signal line 123A by the output control unit 123 (that is, the frame allocated to the first frame group) and the signal line 123B. Image processing is performed only on one of the data of the frame (that is, the frame allocated to the second frame group). In Modification 16, the first light source 133A is turned on when the image sensor 136 captures a frame allocated to the first frame group, and the second light source 133B is configured when the image sensor 136 images a frame allocated to the second frame group. Although it is lit, the image processing unit 184 performs image processing only on the data of the frame that will be allocated to the first frame group later. In order to control the timing for performing image processing only on the data of a frame that will be assigned to the first frame group among the frames in the video signal, the first vertical synchronization signal detector 122 uses the vertical synchronization signal in the video signal. When detected, information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal notified from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is detected is used.

The image processing performed by the image processing unit 184 can be selected according to a desired purpose such as making a moving image based on the data of the frames included in the first frame group easy to view. In the modified example 16, although not limited to this, it is as follows.
The image processing unit 184 removes light data of a specific wavelength from the image displayed based on the data of the frame that is later allocated to the first frame group. More specifically, the image processing unit 184 removes the B signal from the data of the frame that is later distributed to the first frame group, including the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals. It has become.
When observing fluorescence generated by irradiating ultraviolet rays, for example, light in a wavelength region of yellow to red, light in the wavelength region of blue is an obstacle. When the B signal included in the frame data of the video signal is removed, bluishness can be removed from the moving image based on the frame data allocated to the first frame group, and the moving image becomes easy to see.
Other configurations and processes of the magnification observation apparatus are the same as those of the tenth modification.

<Modification 17>
The video camera of the modification 17 can be said to be a combination of the video camera of the first embodiment and the video camera of the modification 26 of the fourth embodiment described later.
The video camera of the modification 17 is not an endoscope but a hand-held magnifier, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the magnifier 16 of the modification 16.
Also in the magnifying observation device of Modification 17, the first illumination light is ultraviolet light, and the second illumination light is white light.

The video camera of Modification 17 differs from the magnification observation apparatus of Modification 16 in the position of the image processing unit 184 (FIG. 28). The image processing unit 184 includes the two data distributed by the output control unit 123, that is, the data of the frame distributed to the first frame group distributed to the signal line 123A and the second data distributed to the signal line 123B. Image processing is performed on one of the frame data allocated to the frame group. The image processing unit 184 in this modified example is on the signal line 123A, and performs image processing on the data of the frames distributed to the first frame group.
The contents of the image processing performed by the image processing unit 184 are the same as those described in the modification 16. However, since the image processing unit 184 according to the modification 17 performs image processing on the data of the frame that has been allocated to the first frame group that has already been allocated from the video signal, the image processing according to the modification 16 is performed. The timing control required by the unit 184 is unnecessary, and therefore it is not necessary to receive information on the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122. Therefore, the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 is not required. It is not connected to.
Since the image processing unit 184 removes the B (blue) signal from the frame data allocated to the first frame group, the image processing unit 184 also uses the moving image based on the frame data allocated to the first frame group in Modification 17. , Blueness is removed.
Other configurations and processes of the magnification observation apparatus are the same as those of the modification 16.

<Modification 18>
The video camera of the modification 18 can be said to be a combination of the video camera of the first embodiment and the video camera of the second embodiment described later.
The video camera of Modification 18 is not an endoscope but a hand-held magnification observation apparatus, and the basic configuration is the same as that of Modification 10 of the magnification observation apparatus.
Further, in the magnifying observation device of Modification Example 18, as in Modification Example 10, the first illumination light is ultraviolet light and the second illumination light is white light.

The video camera of the modification 18 is different from the magnification observation apparatus of the modification 10 in that the video camera of the modification 18 includes a first image light transmitting member 185 (FIG. 29).
The first image light transmitting member 185 can be changed between a first state and a second state in which the properties of the image light transmitted through the first image light transmitting member 185 are different from each other. It is for changing at the timing. The first image light transmitting member 185 is between the object and the image sensor 136.
Although not necessarily limited to this, the first image light transmitting member 185 in the video camera of Modification 18 functions as a filter that blocks light in the blue wavelength region in the first state. The first image light transmitting member 185 is optically transparent to the image light in the second state. The first image light transmitting member 185 that can change the state at a high speed is preferably a member that changes the state by electrical control. For example, the first image light transmitting member 185 is configured by a variable color filter using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems). can do.

In the modified example 18, the first image light transmitting member 185 is in the first state when the image pickup device 136 is picking up a frame to be assigned to the first frame group later, and the image pickup device 136 is later set in the second frame group. The second state is taken when a frame to be distributed is imaged. In order to enable such synchronization, the first image light transmission member 185 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 by the signal line 185A, and the video signal is transmitted from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137. The information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected is received. The first image light transmitting member 185 uses the information to synchronize the state of the first image light transmitting member 185 with the timing at which the image sensor 136 captures an image and generates frame data. The first image light transmitting member 185 may receive information on the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from other means for detecting the vertical synchronization signal from the video signal.
In the modified example 18, the first image light transmitting member 185 functions as a filter that blocks light in the blue wavelength region when a frame that will be allocated to the first frame group later is imaged. The blue wavelength is removed from the image light that is transmitted through the first image light transmitting member 185 and picked up by the image pickup device 136. Therefore, the data of the frame allocated to the first frame group does not include blue (B) data in the first place even if the image processing by the image processing unit 184 in the modified examples 16 and 17 is not performed. On the other hand, since the first image light transmitting member 185 is optically transparent when imaging a frame that will be allocated to the second frame group later, the image sensor 136 transmits through the first image light transmitting member 185 at that time. The blue wavelength is not removed from the image light picked up in (1).
The two types of moving images obtained by the modified example 18 are equivalent to the two types of moving images obtained in the modified examples 16 and 17.

<Modification 19>
The video camera of the modification 19 is an endoscope similarly to the video camera of the first embodiment.
The configuration of the video camera of the modification 19 is almost the same as the configuration of the video camera of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS.
The video camera of the modification 19 is different from the video camera of the first embodiment in that the video camera of the modification 19 is connected to two displays D, a display D1 and a display D2, according to the first embodiment. Unlike the camera, it is connected to only one display, the display D1.
The video camera of Modification 19 also includes a video processor box 120 and a scope unit 110 that includes an imaging unit 130 at the tip thereof.

The configurations of the imaging unit 130 and the scope unit 110 in Modification 19 are not different from those in the first embodiment. Further, the configuration of the video processor box 120 in the modified example 19 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but the video processor box 120 has been changed in relation to only the display D1 and one display. .
The change of the video processor box 120 of the modification 19 from the video processor box 120 of the first embodiment is simply that the video processor box 120 of the modification 19 includes an image composition unit 188. The image composition unit 188 is connected to the output control unit 123 similar to that in the first embodiment, and the signal lines 123A and 123B similar to those in the first embodiment.
As in the case of the first embodiment, the output control unit 123 outputs frame data of the first frame group via the signal line 123A and data of the frame of the second frame group via the signal line 123B. Is done. The image composition unit 188 receives the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group, and synthesizes these two types of moving images into moving image data that can be displayed on one display.
In the modified example 19, the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group are alternately sent to the image composition unit 188. Either the frame data of the first frame group or the frame data of the second frame group may be first, but the image composition unit 188 of this embodiment receives the data of the frame received first and the next. The frame data is written in a part of the memory 188A. At this time, the frame originally drawn by both data may be redrawn in a new frame for one screen by reducing the size to some extent or discarding a part thereof. By performing this continuously, the image composition unit 188 includes both the image originally displayed on the display by the frame of the first frame group and the image originally displayed on the display by the frame of the second frame group. , Create new video data. The moving image data is output from the memory 188A to the display D1 via the signal line 189, the first output terminal 121A, and the cable C1.
The display D1 includes a first moving image M1 that is a continuation of images originally displayed on the display by frames of the first frame group and a second moving image that is a continuation of images originally displayed on the display by frames of the second frame group. A movie including M2 is displayed. An example of such a moving image is shown in FIG.
Note that, in the video processor box 120 of Modification 19, the signal line 1891 branches from the signal line 189. The new moving image data is recorded in the recording unit 124 via the signal line 1891.

<< Second Embodiment >>
The video camera according to the first embodiment is different in a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group. As described above, when the frame to be included in the first frame group is captured by the image sensor 136 while synchronizing with the timing at which the frames in the video signal are switched, the first illumination light is converted into the second frame group. The illumination light is switched at an appropriate timing so that the second illumination light different from the first illumination light is respectively emitted when the frame to be included in the image is picked up by the image sensor 136. .
On the other hand, the video camera according to the second embodiment includes a video that is played back based on data of a frame included in the first frame group, and a frame included in the second frame group, including a video camera of a modified example described later. The image pickup device 136 captures a frame to be included in the first frame group in synchronization with the timing at which the frame in the video signal is switched so that the moving image reproduced based on the data of the video is different. The image light is converted into the first image light, and the image light is converted into the second image light that is different from the first image light when the image pickup element 136 images the frame to be included in the second frame group. Thus, the image light is switched at an appropriate timing.
The techniques described in the embodiments and modifications can be applied in principle to other embodiments and modifications as described above. In particular, the concept of the frame described in Modifications 1 and 2, A method of distributing frames into one frame group and a second frame group, a technique that serves as one of the first vertical synchronization signal detection unit 122 and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 described in Modification Example 7, and Modification Examples 12 to 12 The technique of using the vertical synchronization signal not superimposed on the video signal described in 16 and the technique of combining two different images described in the modification 19 into one image are the same as those in the second embodiment and its modification. Is also available. This point is the same in each of the third and subsequent embodiments and their modifications.
Moreover, not only the example which combined 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment was demonstrated by 1st Embodiment (modified example) but the example which combined 1st Embodiment and 4th Embodiment was demonstrated. However, the second embodiment can be combined not only with the first embodiment but also with other embodiments. Furthermore, the first to fourth embodiments (and their modifications) can be combined with other embodiments (and their modifications), respectively.

The video camera according to the second embodiment is a hand-held type magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in Modification 18.
The video camera of the second embodiment is different from the video camera described in the modified example 18 as shown in FIG. 33. The video camera of the modified example 18 was provided in the video camera of the second embodiment. The second light source 133B, the illumination switching unit 134, and the signal lines 134A, 134B, and 134C connected thereto are not provided. The light source of the video camera of the second embodiment is only the first light source 133A that is always lit, and the first light source 133A is lit alternately with the second light source 133B at an appropriate timing as in the first embodiment. This is because there is no need to let them.
On the other hand, the video camera of the second embodiment includes the first image light transmitting member 185 as in the video camera of the modified example 18. The first image light transmitting member 185 transmits image light. In the second embodiment, the first image light transmitting member 185 is provided between the lens 135 and the imaging element 136. However, the first image light transmitting member 185 is configured to capture the object and the image as long as the image light can be transmitted. It may be provided anywhere between the elements 136. The same applies to the modification 18.
The first image light transmitting member 185 is a filter that can select a state in which light having a wavelength in a specific wavelength region is transmitted and a state in which light is not transmitted. In this embodiment, the former state is referred to as a first state, and the latter state is referred to as a second state. The specific wavelength region may be any wavelength region such as a visible region, an infrared region, and an ultraviolet region. For example, the specific wavelength region is a blue wavelength region as in the modification 18. Although not necessarily limited thereto, the first image light transmitting member 185 in the video camera of the second embodiment functions as a filter that blocks light in the blue wavelength region in the first state, and in the second state, the image light. In contrast, it is optically transparent. The first image light transmitting member 185 is, for example, a MEMS.

In the second embodiment, the first image light transmission member 185 is in the first state when the imaging element 136 is imaging a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group, as in the modification 18. When the camera 136 captures an image of a frame that will be allocated to the second frame group later, the second state is set. In order to enable such synchronization, the first image light transmission member 185 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 by the signal line 185A, and the video signal is transmitted from the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137. The information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected is received. The first image light transmitting member 185 uses the information to synchronize the state of the first image light transmitting member 185 with the timing at which the image sensor 136 captures an image and generates frame data.
In the video camera of the second embodiment, as in the case of the modification 18, the first image light transmitting member 185 blocks the light in the blue wavelength region when imaging a frame that will be assigned to the first frame group later. Since it is in the 1st state which functions as a filter, the blue wavelength is removed from the image light which permeate | transmits the 1st image light transmission member 185 and is imaged with the image pick-up element 136 at that time. Accordingly, the blue (B) data is not included in the data of the frame allocated to the first frame group. On the other hand, since the first image light transmitting member 185 is in the second state that is optically transparent when a frame that will be allocated to the second frame group later is imaged, The blue wavelength is not removed from the image light that is transmitted and imaged by the image sensor 136.
In this way, two types of video signals for different moving images are created.

<Modification 20>
The video camera of Modification 20 is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
The video camera of the modification 20 is different from the video camera described in the second embodiment. The video camera of the modification 20 includes a first image light transmitting member included in the video camera of the second embodiment. There is no 185. Instead, the video camera of Modification 20 includes a variable power lens 301 whose power is variable that the video camera of the second embodiment did not have (FIG. 34).
The power variable lens 301 is, for example, a liquid crystal lens. In general, the liquid crystal lens is not shown in the figure, but is provided in pairs with two transparent plates arranged at a predetermined interval and two plates along the two plates. The liquid crystal layer disposed between the two transparent electrodes, and a power source for applying a desired voltage between the two transparent electrodes. The liquid crystal lens controls the magnitude and direction of the voltage applied between the transparent electrodes, and varies the strength of the electric field across the liquid crystal layer for each portion of the liquid crystal layer, thereby changing the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer depending on the portion. By making them different, they function as a lens as a whole, and the power plus and minus and the magnitude of the power can be changed.
The power variable lens 301 can be in a first state that is a certain power and a second state that is a different power. This can be realized by controlling the voltage described above. The combination of the power in the first state and the power in the second state can be freely selected for both plus, minus, zero, and their absolute values, but in this embodiment all are positive. That is, the power variable lens 301 functions as a convex lens in both the first state and the second state, but its power is different.

In the modified example 20, as in the second embodiment, the power variable lens 301 is in the first state when the image sensor 136 is imaging a frame that will be allocated to the first frame group later. The second state is assumed when a frame to be allocated to the second frame group is imaged later. In order to enable such synchronization, the power variable lens 301 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 by a signal line 301A instead of the signal line 185A in the second embodiment, and the second vertical synchronization signal Information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from the video signal is received from the detection unit 137. The power variable lens 301 uses the information to synchronize the state of the power variable lens 301 with the timing at which the image sensor 136 captures an image and generates frame data.
In the video camera of the modification 20, the first state is taken when a frame that will be allocated to the first frame group is captured later, and the second state is captured when the frame that is allocated to the second frame group is captured later. The power variable lens 301 in both states functions as a positive power lens having different powers. This means that the images in both states are magnified at different magnifications.
Since the image light magnified at such different magnifications is picked up by the image pickup device 136, the moving image reproduced based on the data of the frame distributed to the first frame group and the frame allocated to the second frame group The moving image reproduced based on the data is an enlarged image having a different magnification and is different in quality.

<Modification 21>
The video camera of Modification 21 is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
The video camera of the modification 21 is different from the video camera described in the second embodiment. The video camera of the modification 21 includes a first image light transmitting member included in the video camera of the second embodiment. There is no 185. Instead, the video camera of the modified example 21 stops the image light that the video camera of the second embodiment does not have, and includes a stop 302 whose diameter is variable (FIG. 35). The diaphragm 302 can have a certain diameter and a different diameter. For convenience, the former is referred to as a first state and the latter is referred to as a second state.
Although the diameter of the diaphragm 302 is variable as described above, the diameter may be variable by any mechanism. For example, a known mechanism that can mechanically change the diameter may be adopted for the diaphragm 302, or a mechanism that can electrically change the diameter using a transmissive liquid crystal plate may be adopted for the diaphragm 302. .
By changing the diameter of the diaphragm 302, the image picked up by the image pickup device 136 has different depth of focus or brightness. Whether the function of changing the depth of focus or the function of changing the brightness is given to the stop 302 is changed depending on the position where the stop 302 is disposed.
When the depth of focus is changed, the depth of focus and the resolution of the obtained image have a barter relationship.

In the modified example 21, as in the second embodiment, the diaphragm 302 is in the first state when the image sensor 136 is imaging a frame that will be assigned to the first frame group later, and the image sensor 136 later The second state is taken when a frame that is divided into two frame groups is imaged. In order to enable such synchronization, the diaphragm 302 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 by a signal line 302A instead of the signal line 185A in the second embodiment, and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit. From 137, information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from the video signal is received. The diaphragm 302 uses the information to synchronize the state of the diaphragm 302 with the timing at which the image sensor 136 images and generates frame data.
In the video camera of the modified example 21, the aperture 302 is in the first state when capturing a frame that will be allocated to the first frame group later, and is in the second state when capturing the frame that is allocated to the second frame group later. Take state. Since the diameters of the diaphragm 302 in both states are different, images captured in both states are different in terms of depth of focus or brightness.
Since the image light that has been narrowed through the diaphragm 302 in either the first state or the second state is picked up by the image sensor 136, it is reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the first frame group. The moving image and the moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the second frame group are different in depth of focus or brightness.

<Modification 22>
The video camera of the modified example 22 is a hand-held type magnification observation apparatus configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
The video camera of the modification 22 is different from the video camera described in the second embodiment. The video camera of the modification 22 includes a first image light transmitting member included in the video camera of the second embodiment. There is no 185. Instead, the video camera of Modification 22 includes a second image light transmission member 303 and a driving unit 304 that drives the second image light transmission member 303 that are not included in the video camera of the second embodiment (FIG. 36).
The drive unit 304 can move the second image light transmission member 303 in parallel, so that the second image light transmission member 303 is on the optical path of the image light indicated by the broken line. It reciprocates between a first position where light is transmitted and a second position where it is not on the optical path of the image light indicated by the solid line and does not transmit image light.
The second image light transmitting member 303 of the modification 22 is a filter and does not transmit light in a certain wavelength region. For example, the second image light transmitting member 303 is a filter that does not transmit light in the blue wavelength region.

In the modified example 22, the second image light transmitting member 303 is positioned at the first position when the image sensor 136 captures a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group, and the image sensor 136 is later set at the second frame group. When the frame to be distributed is imaged, it is in the second position. In order to enable such synchronization, the drive unit 304 that moves the second image light transmission member 303 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 by a signal line 303A instead of the signal line 185A in the second embodiment. The second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 receives information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from the video signal. The drive unit 304 uses the information to move the second image light transmitting member 303 between the first position and the second position, and the image sensor 136 images the change in the position of the second image light transmitting member 303. Synchronize with the timing to generate frame data.
In the video camera of the modification 22, the second image light transmitting member 303 captures a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group at the first position while capturing a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group. The image light picked up by the image pickup device 136 in the former case does not include light in the blue wavelength region, but the image picked up by the image pickup device 136 in the latter case. The light includes light of all wavelengths.
As a result, a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the second frame group, which are obtained by the video camera of the modification 22. Is the same as that of the second embodiment.

<Modification 23>
The video camera of the modified example 23 is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
Furthermore, the video camera of the modified example 23 is almost the same as the video camera of the modified example 22.
The video camera of the modification 22 selects whether or not to transmit the image light to the second image light transmission member 303 as a filter by the movement of the second image light transmission member 303, but the video of the modification 23 In the camera, it is selected whether or not the image light is transmitted through a later-described filter unit corresponding to the second image light transmitting member 303 of the modification 22 by rotating the composite filter 305 shown in FIG.
The composite filter 305 includes a filter unit 305A having a function equivalent to that of the second image light transmitting member 303 of Modification 22 having a sector shape with a central angle of 90 degrees, and an optically transparent plate having a central angle of 90 degrees. Two fan-shaped transmission plates 305B are alternately combined to form a circular shape. The composite filter 305 is fixed to a shaft 306 passing through the center thereof. The shaft 306 is connected to an actuator 307 that rotates the shaft 306, and is rotated by the actuator 307. Thereby, the composite filter 305 rotates around the shaft 306 in one direction, for example.

The composite filter 305 is disposed in the case of the video camera. The image light passes through a range indicated by L in FIG. When the composite filter 305 rotates, the image light passes through either the filter unit 305A or the transmission plate 305B. In this modified example 23, the image light is transmitted through the filter unit 305A when the image pickup device 136 is picking up a frame that is later assigned to the first frame group, and the image pickup device 136 is later assigned to the second frame group. Is transmitted through the transmission plate 305B. In order to enable such synchronization, the actuator 307 that rotates the composite filter 305 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 by a signal line (not shown), and the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137. Thus, information about the timing at which the vertical synchronization signal is detected from the video signal is received.
The image light picked up by the image pickup device 136 when transmitted through the filter unit 305A is the same as the image light picked up by the image pickup device 136 when the second image light transmitting member 303 is in the first position in the modified example 22. The image light picked up by the image pickup device 136 when transmitted through the transmission plate 305B is the same as the image light picked up by the image pickup device 136 when the second image light transmitting member 303 is in the second position in the modified example 22. The same.
That is, the two moving images obtained in this embodiment are the same as in the modification 22 and are different from each other.

<Modification 24>
The video camera of the modified example 24 is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
Furthermore, the video camera of the modified example 24 is almost the same as the video camera of the modified example 22.
In short, the video camera of the modified example 24 is obtained by replacing the second image light transmitting member 303 in the modified example 22 with a frame 308 fitted with a lens (FIG. 38). The frame 308 is configured to reciprocate similarly to the second image light transmitting member 303 in the modified example 22. The mechanism and timing for realizing the reciprocating motion can all be the same as those shown in the modified example 22.
In the video camera of the modified example 24, the image light is transmitted through the lens when the frame 308 is in the first position, and the image light is not transmitted through the lens when the frame 308 is in the second position. For example, the lens is a magnifying lens.
In the modified example 24, when it is capturing an image of a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group, the image sensor 136 transmits the image light transmitted through the lenses included in the lens 135 and the frame 308, and the second frame. When imaging a frame that is distributed to a group, the image sensor 136 captures image light that has passed through only the lens 135.
As a result, a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frame allocated to the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frame allocated to the second frame group, which are obtained by the video camera according to the modified example 24 Is different in magnification.

In the modified example 24, it is possible to fix the diaphragm to the frame instead of the lens.
Accordingly, the imaging element 136 that captures a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group captures the image light that has been passed through the aperture and the frame that is later allocated to the second frame group. The image pickup device 136 can pick up image light that does not pass through the stop.
As a result, a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on the data of the frames allocated to the second frame group, which are obtained by the video camera of the modification 24. Is different in the depth of focus or brightness.
Similarly to the case where the reciprocating motion of the modified example 22 is replaced with the rotating motion of the modified example 23, the lens or the diaphragm fixed to the frame 308 of the modified example 24 is replaced with the filter unit 305A of the composite filter 305 of the modified example 23. (More specifically, a portion corresponding to a range of L through which image light passes) can be fixed.
The two moving images obtained in these cases are different in different magnifications or different in depth of focus or brightness.

«Third embodiment»
The video camera according to the first embodiment is different in a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group. As described above, when the frame to be included in the first frame group is captured by the image sensor 136 while synchronizing with the timing at which the frames in the video signal are switched, the first illumination light is converted into the second frame group. The illumination light is switched at an appropriate timing so that the second illumination light different from the first illumination light is respectively emitted when the frame to be included in the image is picked up by the image sensor 136. .
On the other hand, the video camera according to the third embodiment includes a moving image that is played back based on frame data included in the first frame group, and a frame included in the second frame group, including a video camera according to a modified example described later. The image pickup device 136 captures a frame to be included in the first frame group in synchronization with the timing at which the frame in the video signal is switched so that the moving image reproduced based on the data of the video is different. The first condition, which is a condition under which the image sensor 136 captures image light, and when the frame to be included in the second frame group is imaged by the image sensor 136. Is changed between a second condition and a different condition.

The video camera according to the third embodiment is a hand-held magnification observation apparatus that is configured substantially the same as the video camera described in the second embodiment.
The video camera of the third embodiment is different from the video camera described in the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 39. The video camera of the third embodiment includes a first image light transmitting member 185 and a signal. That is, there is no line 185A.
On the other hand, in the video camera of the third embodiment, the image sensor 136 is configured to change the condition under which the image sensor 136 captures image light between a first condition that is a certain condition and a second condition that is a different condition. An image sensor control unit 311 is provided for controlling the above. The image sensor control unit 311 is connected to the image sensor 136 via the signal line 311B, and controls the image sensor 136 based on information to be described later sent via the signal line 311B.
Although not limited to this, the image sensor control unit 311 of the video camera according to this embodiment is configured so that the image sensor 136 captures a frame that will be included in the first frame group later and the second frame group later. The imaging device 136 is controlled so that the range of imaging within the imaging device 136 (more specifically, the light receiving surface thereof) changes when the imaging device 136 is imaging a frame to be included in It is like that. That is, the first condition and the second condition in this embodiment are the imaging range in the image sensor 136. The imaging range when the imaging device 136 is imaging a frame that will be included in the first frame group later is the first condition, and the imaging device 136 captures a frame that will be included in the second frame group later. It is assumed that the imaging range at the time of the second condition is the second condition.

In the third embodiment, the image sensor 136 has a first condition when the image sensor 136 captures a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group, and a frame that the image sensor 136 is later allocated to the second frame group. The second condition is taken when the image is captured. In order to enable such synchronization, the image sensor control unit 311 is connected to the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 through the signal line 311A, and the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit 137 receives a vertical signal from the video signal. Information about the timing at which the synchronization signal is detected is received. Using the information, the image sensor control unit 311 sends information about a range to be imaged at the current timing to the image sensor 136.
The information is, for example, information on coordinates that specify the imaging surface of the imaging element 136. This coordinate information may specify all the light receiving elements existing in the range in which the image sensor 136 should perform imaging. If the range in which the image sensor 136 should perform imaging is rectangular, The four vertices or two diagonal vertices may be designated.

Based on the information, the image sensor 136 performs imaging alternately according to the first condition and the second condition.
The range imaged at that time is, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the example shown in (A), under the first condition, the image sensor 136 captures an image on the entire image plane of the image sensor 136, and under the second condition, the image sensor 136 has a shape similar to the image plane at the center of the image sensor 136. The imaging is performed within a predetermined range. At this time, the imaging range to be imaged under the first condition can be specified by specifying coordinates with two black circles (X _A1 , Y _A1 ) and (X _B1 , Y _B1 ). In addition, the imaging range to be imaged under the second condition can be specified by designating coordinates with two black circles (X _A2 , Y _A2 ) and (X _B2 , Y _B2 ). The image sensor control unit 311 sends this information to the image sensor 136. The coordinate information may be sent each time the imaging device 136 captures a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group or the imaging device 136 captures a frame that is later allocated to the second frame group. If 136 can record or hold coordinate information, it may be sent only once. However, regardless of whether the information is sent every time or only once, the image sensor control unit 311 captures a frame at which the image sensor 136 will later be assigned to the first frame group, and at which timing. Thus, information about the timing of whether the image pickup device 136 will pick up an image of a frame that will be assigned to the second frame group later is sent to the image pickup device 136.

Thereby, in the video camera of the third embodiment, the imaging range is different when imaging a frame that is later allocated to the first frame group and when imaging a frame that is allocated to the second frame group later. It will be different. For example, in the example of (A) shown in FIG. 40, the moving image captured by the image sensor 136 under the second condition is the moving image captured as if the electronic zoom was performed with respect to the moving image captured by the image sensor 136 under the first condition. Become. In the example of (B), the moving image imaged by the image sensor 136 under the first condition and the moving image imaged by the image sensor 136 under the second condition are moving images in which slightly different places of the object are imaged.
In this way, two types of video signals for different moving images are created.
Of course, the first condition and the second condition for the imaging range may be specified by the user.

  If the image sensor 136 or its control circuit has a function of generating a vertical synchronization signal, the second vertical synchronization signal detector 137 is not necessary in this embodiment, and the image sensor controller 311 A vertical synchronization signal may be received from a circuit having a function. In that case, it may be reasonable to integrate the image sensor control unit 311 with the image sensor 136 or a control circuit of the image sensor 136.

<Modification 25>
The video camera of the modification 25 is almost the same as the video camera described in the third embodiment. In particular, there is no change in the hardware configuration at the level shown in FIG. What is different is the first condition and the second condition, which is information sent from the image sensor control unit 311 to the image sensor 136.
The image sensor control unit 311 according to the third embodiment captures a frame that will be included in the first frame group when the image sensor 136 is capturing a frame that will be included in the first frame group later, and a frame that will be included in the second frame group later. The image pickup element 136 is controlled so that the image pickup range in the image pickup element 136 (more specifically, its light receiving surface) changes depending on when the element 136 is picking up an image.
On the other hand, the image sensor control unit 311 of the modified example 25 is included in the second frame group when the image sensor 136 is imaging a frame that will be included in the first frame group later. The image sensor 136 is controlled so that the time (exposure time) during which the image sensor 136 performs image capturing for generating data of each frame changes depending on when the image sensor 136 captures a frame. It has become.
That is, the first condition and the second condition in this embodiment are exposure times when the image sensor 136 performs image capturing. The exposure time is the first condition when the image sensor 136 captures a frame that will be included in the first frame group later, and the image sensor 136 captures a frame that will be included in the second frame group later. The discussion proceeds with the assumption that the exposure time is the second condition.

In the modified example 25, the image pickup device 136 sets the first condition when the image pickup device 136 is picking up a frame that is later assigned to the first frame group, and the image pickup device 136 sets the frame that is later assigned to the second frame group. The second condition is taken when taking an image. The method for enabling such synchronization is the same as in the third embodiment.
Based on the information, the image sensor 136 performs imaging alternately according to the first condition and the second condition.
Images captured at that time have different brightness.
In this way, two types of video signals for different moving images are created.
Of course, the first condition and the second condition for the exposure time may be specified by the user.

<< Fourth Embodiment >>
The video camera according to the first embodiment is different in a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the first frame group and a moving image reproduced based on frame data included in the second frame group. As described above, when the frame to be included in the first frame group is captured by the image sensor 136 while synchronizing with the timing at which the frames in the video signal are switched, the first illumination light is converted into the second frame group. The illumination light is switched at an appropriate timing so that the second illumination light different from the first illumination light is respectively emitted when the frame to be included in the image is picked up by the image sensor 136. .
On the other hand, the video camera according to the fourth embodiment, including a video camera according to a modified example to be described later, is a movie that is played back based on frame data included in the first frame group and a frame included in the second frame group. In order to make the video reproduced based on the data of the video data heterogeneous, the data of the frame that will be included in the first frame group after the video signal and the second frame group will be included later. Image processing is performed only on at least one of the frame data.

The video camera of the fourth embodiment is a hand-held type magnification observation apparatus, and most of the configuration is the same as that of the magnification observation apparatus of the modification 16.
In particular, the configuration of the video processor box 120 is not different between the video camera of the fourth embodiment and the video camera of the modification 16 and is as shown in FIG.
The difference between the video camera of the fourth embodiment and the video camera of Modification 16 is the configuration of the magnification observation device 160 that constitutes the magnification observation device together with the video processor box 120 (FIG. 41).
The video camera magnification observation apparatus 160 of the fourth embodiment does not have the second light source 133B. The first light source 133A does not have the filter 165 and is always lit. The video camera of the fourth embodiment changes the image light like the video camera of the second embodiment, or changes the imaging conditions of the image sensor 136 like the video camera of the third embodiment. There is no need to do. Therefore, there is no need to synchronize the timing of the frame data in the video signal with any timing on the magnification observation device 160 side, so there is no second vertical synchronization signal detector 137. Also, there is no signal line 134A or the like that connects them together. The video camera magnification observation apparatus 160 of the fourth embodiment has a very simple structure.

However, the video processor box 120 of the video camera according to the fourth embodiment includes an image processing unit 184 as in the case of the sixteenth modification. The function of the image processing unit 184, the point of performing predetermined image processing on a part of the video signal, and the synchronization with the video signal when performing predetermined image processing on a part of the video signal are all This is the same as in the case of Modification 16.
The image processing performed by the image processing unit 184 can be selected according to a desired purpose such as making a moving image based on frame data included in the first frame group easy to view, and may be a known one. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 184 may exclude data of light of a specific wavelength from frame data. Alternatively, the image processing unit 184 may perform any one of edge enhancement, brightness reversal, white balance adjustment, whiteout correction, blackout correction, calibration, and electronic zoom. Note that these examples can also be applied to the image processing unit 184 of Modification 16.
The image processing performed in the fourth embodiment is not limited to this, but is the same as in the case of the sixteenth modification.
Then, image processing is performed on one of the data of the frame that will be included in the first frame group later in the video signal and the data of the frame that will be included in the second frame group later. A video that is generated by the video camera of the fourth embodiment and is reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the first frame group, and a video that is reproduced based on the data of the frames included in the second frame group. It can be a heterogeneous thing.

  In this embodiment, image processing is performed on one of data of a frame that will be included in the first frame group in the video signal later and data of a frame that will be included in the second frame group later. However, it is also possible to perform different types of image processing on both of them, or to perform image processing of the same type but at different levels, and by doing so, two types of videos that can reproduce different types of video A signal can be obtained.

<Modification 26>
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the magnification observation device 160 in the video camera according to the modification 16 is simplified, but the video camera according to the modification 26 is enlarged as compared with the video camera according to the modification 17. The observation device 160 is a simple one.
The video camera enlargement observation device 160 of the modification 26 is the same as the magnification observation device 160 of the fourth embodiment, and the video processor box 120 of the video camera of the modification 26 is the video processor box in the video camera of the modification 17. The same as 120.
The two data distributed by the output control unit 123, that is, the data of the frame allocated to the first frame group allocated to the signal line 123A and the second frame group allocated to the signal line 123B. Even with the video camera of this modification 26 that only performs image processing on one of the frame data, the video that is played back based on the frame data included in the first frame group and the second frame group are included. The moving image reproduced based on the frame data can be made different.

  In the modified example 26, image processing is performed on one of the data of the frame allocated to the first frame group and the data of the frame allocated to the second frame group in the video signal. It is also possible to perform different types of image processing, or to perform image processing of the same type but with varying degrees.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Scope part 120 Video processor box 121 Case 121A 1st output terminal 121B 2nd output terminal 122 1st vertical synchronizing signal detection part 123 Output control part 123S switch 124 Recording part 130 Imaging part 132A 1st polarizing plate 132B Sealing plate 133A 1st DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 133B 2nd light source 134 Illumination switching part 135 Lens 136 Image pick-up element 137 2nd vertical synchronizing signal detection part 151 Image light transmission body 152A 1st illumination light transmission body 152B 2nd illumination light transmission body 160 Magnification observation apparatus 161 Case 162 Hole 164 Half mirror 165 Filter 170 Capsule 181 Vertical synchronization signal generator 181A Signal line 185 First image light transmitting member 301 Power variable lens 302 Aperture 303 Second image light transmitting member 305 Composite filter 308 Frame 311 Imaging element Control unit v video signal vsync vertical synchronization signal

Claims (17)

An imaging unit that captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged, and outputs a video signal having a number of continuous frames of data;
It is a set of frames that allows a user who has continuously viewed the frames included in the data included in the video signal output from the imaging means to recognize it as a moving image. It is a set of frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group, so that a user who continuously viewed the data included in the first frame group and the frames included in the first frame group can recognize it as a moving image. Frame data distribution means for generating data about the second frame group;
First output means for outputting data of frames included in the first frame group;
Second output means for outputting data of frames included in the second frame group;
With
The moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group is different from the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the second frame group. Do Ri,
A changing means for making the moving image based on the frame data to be included in the first frame group different from the moving image based on the frame data to be included in the second frame group;
The change means includes illumination means for selectively irradiating the object with first illumination light and second illumination light, which are two types of illumination lights having different properties, and being included in the first frame group. The first illumination light is captured when the imaging unit is capturing data of the frame to be, and the second is when the imaging unit is capturing data of the frame to be included in the second frame group. In addition to illumination switching means for controlling the illumination means to irradiate illumination light, one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light is linearly polarized light, and the other is vibration of the linearly polarized light. Imaging-side polarized light that includes light in a vibration direction other than the direction and has a polarization direction parallel to or orthogonal to the linearly polarized light on an optical path until image light from the object reaches the imaging unit Equipped with a plate,
Video camera. An imaging unit that captures and captures image light from an object to be imaged, and outputs a video signal having a number of continuous frames of data;
It is a set of frames that allows a user who has continuously viewed the frames included in the data included in the video signal output from the imaging means to recognize it as a moving image. It is a set of frames that do not overlap with the frames included in the first frame group, so that a user who continuously viewed the data included in the first frame group and the frames included in the first frame group can recognize it as a moving image. Frame data distribution means for generating data about the second frame group;
A moving image about a moving image in which a predetermined display can display a first moving image based on frame data included in the first frame group and a second moving image based on frame data included in the second frame group on one screen. A synthesis means for generating data;
Output means for outputting moving image data generated by the combining means;
With
The moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the first frame group is different from the moving image reproduced based on the frame data included in the second frame group. Do Ri,
A changing means for making the moving image based on the frame data to be included in the first frame group different from the moving image based on the frame data to be included in the second frame group;
The change means includes illumination means for selectively irradiating the object with first illumination light and second illumination light, which are two types of illumination lights having different properties, and being included in the first frame group. The first illumination light is captured when the imaging unit is capturing data of the frame to be, and the second is when the imaging unit is capturing data of the frame to be included in the second frame group. In addition to illumination switching means for controlling the illumination means to irradiate illumination light, one of the first illumination light and the second illumination light is linearly polarized light, and the other is vibration of the linearly polarized light. Imaging-side polarized light that includes light in a vibration direction other than the direction and has a polarization direction parallel to or orthogonal to the linearly polarized light on an optical path until image light from the object reaches the imaging unit Equipped with a plate,
Video camera. The illumination means includes a first illumination that is turned on when the first illumination light is irradiated, and a second illumination that is turned on when the second illumination light is irradiated.
The illumination switching means, the second illumination with the first illumination is controlled so as to control the second illumination from the first illuminating to illuminate alternately,
On the optical path until the illumination light from the first illumination reaches the object and on the optical path until the illumination light from the second illumination reaches the object, the imaging side polarizing plate and An illumination-side polarizing plate whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other is provided, and the illumination light from the first illumination or the second illumination on the side where the illumination-side polarization plate is not on the optical path is linearly polarized light. Components other than the vibration direction of the illumination light from the first illumination are included,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . The illuminating means is configured to transmit a light source and light emitted from the light source, and to change between a first state and a second state in which the properties of the light transmitted through the light source are different from each other. First transmission means,
The illumination switching unit is adapted to control the first transmitting means so as to take alternately a first state and said second state to said first transmitting means,
In the first transmission means, one of the first state and the second state is a state in which the imaging-side polarizing plate functions as a polarizing plate in which the polarization direction is orthogonal, and the other transmits it. It is a liquid crystal plate that does not affect the polarization state of light,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . The illuminating means transmits a light source and light emitted from the light source, and can be in a state where it is on the optical path of the light emitted from the light source or not, and transmits the light. Second light transmitting means adapted to make the property of the light different from the property of the light that did not pass through,
The illumination switching unit is configured to control the second transmission unit so that the second transmission unit repeats a state where the second transmission unit is on an optical path of light emitted from the light source and a state where the second transmission unit is not present ,
The second transmission means is an illumination-side polarizing plate in which the imaging-side polarizing plate and the polarization direction thereof are orthogonal to each other.
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . One of the first illumination light and the second illumination light is linearly polarized light, and the other is natural light.
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . In the illumination light from the first illumination, only light in a wavelength range in which the extinction ratio of light transmitted through the imaging side polarizing plate and the illumination side polarizing plate whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other is 90% or more. include,
The video camera according to claim 3 . The changing means includes frame data to be included in the first frame group and frames to be included in the second frame group among frame data included in the video signal generated by the imaging means. Image processing means for performing image processing on at least one of the data of
The image processing means is included in the frame data to be included in the first frame group and the second frame group among the frame data included in the video signal before being distributed by the frame data distribution means. Image processing is performed on at least one of the frame data to be recorded.
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . The changing unit includes at least one of the frame data of the first frame group and the frame data of the second frame group generated by distributing the video signal generated by the imaging unit by the frame data distribution unit. One is equipped with image processing means for performing image processing,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . The image processing means is configured to remove light data of a specific wavelength from the frame data.
The video camera according to claim 8 or 9 . The image processing means is configured to perform any of edge enhancement, brightness reversal, white balance adjustment, whiteout correction, blackout correction, calibration, and electronic zoom.
The video camera according to claim 8 or 9 . The frame data distribution means extracts a certain number of frames of data from a large number of the frames included in the video signal output by the imaging means and distributes the data to the frames of the first frame group. The frame data of the second frame group is extracted from the frame data not included in the frame data of the first frame group by extracting a certain number of frames of data.
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2. The frame data allocating means converts one of the even-numbered and odd-numbered data of the plurality of frames included in the video signal output by the imaging means to the frame data of the first frame group, and the other Are allocated to the frame data of the second frame group,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2. A first memory that holds the latest frame data included in the first frame group until the next frame data is received; and a frame data included in the second frame group that is the latest A second memory that holds the data until the next frame of data is received,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2. Second vertical synchronization signal detection means for detecting a vertical synchronization signal synchronized with the vertical synchronization timing of the video signal output by the imaging means;
The illumination switching unit alternately switches the irradiation of the first illumination light and the irradiation of the second illumination light based on the timing at which the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit detects the vertical synchronization signal. So as to control the illumination means,
The video camera according to claim 1 or 2 . The illumination switching unit causes the illumination unit to alternately switch between irradiation of the first illumination light and irradiation of the second illumination light each time the second vertical synchronization signal detection unit detects the vertical synchronization signal. , Adapted to control the illumination means,
The video camera according to claim 15 . In a case where the data of the frame is output after a certain time has elapsed since the imaging unit has captured an image of a frame,
The illumination switching means is configured such that after the time corresponding to the predetermined time has elapsed since the second vertical synchronization signal detection means has detected the vertical synchronization signal, the illumination means has applied the first illumination light and the first illumination light. The illumination means is controlled so as to alternately switch the illumination of two illumination lights.
The video camera according to claim 15 .

Images