JP7061436B2 - How to operate the endoscope device, endoscope system and endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope device, an endoscope system, and a method of operating the endoscope device .

Endoscopic devices are widely used in the industrial and medical fields. In endoscopy, the inspector inserts the insertion part of the endoscope into the examination target, acquires an image inside the examination target from the observation window provided at the tip of the insertion part, and displays the endoscopic image. This is done by displaying it on the device.

Further, the inspector who is a user of the endoscope device can record the endoscope image in the storage device by operating the operation instruction member such as the freeze button and the record button during the inspection. Recording of endoscopic images is performed for recording test results or for post-test diagnosis.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-215209, for example, an endoscope device having a plurality of image recording devices for backup has also been proposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-215209

However, since the conventional endoscopic image recording is performed only on the still image or moving image instructed by the user by operating the recording instruction member such as the record button, the endoscope image may be forgotten to be taken. If there is, the endoscopic observation of the part that was forgotten must be performed again.

Therefore, for example, if the user notices that the endoscopic image has not been recorded for all the parts to be recorded after the endoscopic examination is completed, the insertion portion is inserted into the examination target again. I had to do the operation and check the part. Alternatively, if the user wants to reconfirm the part that has already been observed during the endoscopy, he or she has to move the tip of the insertion part to that part.

Therefore, the present invention is an endoscope device and an endoscope capable of confirming an inspection site without performing an operation for observation again when the recording of an image of a certain inspection site is forgotten. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a system and an endoscopic device .

The endoscope device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and an operation unit for determining the image. The first image acquired by the image pickup unit when the recording instruction is given is recorded in the first storage unit, and the first image is acquired by the image pickup unit regardless of whether or not the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image. The control for recording the second image in the second storage unit is performed, and the control for recording in the second storage unit is performed based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. The inspection status determination unit includes a control unit, and the inspection status determination unit is a live image determination unit that determines whether or not the image displayed on the display unit is a live image, and the inspection status is displayed on the display unit. The control unit indicates whether or not the displayed image is the live image, and when the live image determination unit determines that the image displayed on the display unit is the live image, the control unit indicates. The second image acquired by the image pickup unit is recorded in the second storage unit.
The endoscope device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and the image in the operation unit. The first image acquired by the image pickup unit when the recording instruction is given is recorded in the first storage unit, and is acquired by the image pickup unit regardless of whether or not the operation unit is instructed to record the image. The control for recording the generated second image in the second storage unit is performed, and the control for recording in the second storage unit is performed based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. The inspection status determination unit is an image change amount calculation unit that calculates the change amount of the brightness value of the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and the inspection status is the image of the image. The movement amount of the image pickup unit or the speed of the image pickup unit based on the change amount of the image determined from the change amount of the brightness value is shown, and the control unit indicates the change of the brightness value of the image by the image change amount calculation unit. When it is determined that the amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and is within a predetermined range equal to or less than the second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, the second image acquired by the imaging unit is referred to as the second image. Record in the storage unit of 2.
The endoscope device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and the image in the operation unit. The first image acquired by the image pickup unit when the recording instruction is given is recorded in the first storage unit, and is acquired by the image pickup unit regardless of whether or not the operation unit is instructed to record the image. The control for recording the generated second image in the second storage unit is performed, and the control for recording in the second storage unit is performed based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. The inspection status determination unit is a recording instruction presence / absence determination unit that determines the presence / absence of a manual instruction for image recording by the user of the endoscope device, and the inspection status is determined by the user. The control unit indicates whether or not there is a manual instruction for image recording, and when the control unit determines that there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user, the image pickup unit determines whether or not there is a manual instruction for image recording. Recording of the acquired second image in the second storage unit is stopped.

The endoscope system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the endoscope device of the present invention, the endoscope device, and a server connected via a network, and includes the first storage unit and the first storage unit. At least one of the storage units of 2 is provided in the server.

The differential method of the endoscope device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and a control unit. The first image acquired by the image pickup unit when the control unit is instructed by the operation unit to record the image acquired by the image pickup unit. The inspection status determination unit determines whether or not the image displayed on the display unit is a live image as the inspection status, and the control unit determines the inspection status by the inspection status determination unit. When it is determined that the image displayed on the display unit is the live image, the second image acquired by the imaging unit is used regardless of whether or not the operation unit is instructed to record the image. Record in the storage of.
The differential method of the endoscope device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and a control unit. A first image acquired by the image pickup unit when the control unit operates the operation unit to record an image acquired by the image pickup unit. Is recorded in the first storage unit, and the inspection status determination unit determines the amount of movement of the image pickup unit or the amount of change in the image indicating the speed of the image pickup unit as the inspection status. It is determined whether or not the amount of change in the brightness value of the image acquired by the above is within a predetermined range of the first threshold value or more and the second threshold value or less, which is larger than the first threshold value and the control. When the inspection status determination unit determines that the amount of change in the brightness value of the image is within the predetermined range, the image pickup unit may or may not have an instruction to record the image in the operation unit. The second image acquired by is recorded in the second storage unit.
Further, the differential method of the endoscope device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and an inspection status determination unit. A method of operating an endoscope device having a control unit, wherein the control unit acquires an image acquired by the image pickup unit when the operation unit instructs the operation unit to record an image. The image is recorded in the first storage unit, and the second image acquired by the image pickup unit is controlled to be recorded in the second storage unit regardless of whether or not the operation unit is instructed to record the image. The inspection status determination unit determines whether or not there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user of the endoscope device as the inspection status, and the control unit determines the user by the inspection status determination unit. When it is determined that there is a manual instruction for the image recording by the image pickup unit , the recording of the second image acquired by the image pickup unit to the second storage unit is stopped.

According to the present invention, when an image of a certain inspection site is forgotten to be recorded, the endoscope device or endoscope can confirm the inspection site without performing an operation for observation again. A system and a method of recording an endoscopic image can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the main recording part 13a corresponding to the image recording instruction in the operation part 14 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The period for recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off according to the first embodiment of the present invention is set. It is a time chart which shows. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of the display part 15 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The period for recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off according to the second embodiment of the present invention is set. It is a time chart showing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The period for recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off according to the third embodiment of the present invention is set. It is a time chart showing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The period for recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is set. It is a time chart showing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. The period for recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is set. It is a time chart showing. It is a figure which shows the example of the image at the time of reproduction of the moving image of the preliminary recording in 2nd to 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 1 has an elongated insertion portion 2 and a main body portion 3. The base end portion of the insertion portion 2 is connected to the main body portion 3.

The elongated insertion portion 2 is configured to be insertable into the inspection target from the tip portion 2a. The tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is provided with a tip rigid portion (not shown), and the image sensor 10 which is an image sensor is fixed to the tip rigid portion. The image pickup device 10 constitutes an image pickup unit that acquires an image in the inspection target.

A curved portion 2b is provided on the base end side of the tip portion 2a, and the user can perform a bending operation on the operation portion 14 described later to move the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 in four directions of up, down, left, and right. Can be curved to.

The main body 3 includes a control unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, a driver 16, and an analog-digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an A / D converter) 17. And have.

The control unit 11 controls the operation of each unit of the endoscope device 1 according to various functions of the endoscope device 1. The control unit 11 has a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 11a, a ROM 11b, and a RAM 11c.

Various programs are stored in the ROM 11b, and the CPU 11a reads various programs from the ROM 11b based on the user's operation or instruction to the operation unit 14, expands them into the RAM 11c, and executes the programs. Various functions possessed are realized.

The image processing unit 12 drives the image pickup element 10 via the driver 16 based on the control signal from the control unit 11, and receives the image pickup signal from the image pickup element 10 via the A / D converter 17. It is a circuit that generates an spectroscopic image, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) circuit. The image processing unit 12 also performs noise reduction processing, high dynamic range composition (HDR) processing, and the like on the generated image.

The storage unit 13 is a storage device capable of storing data, and here, the main body unit 3 is composed of two storage media. One storage medium is a main recording unit 13a for recording an image intended and instructed by the user, and another storage medium is a sub recording unit 13b for recording an image regardless of the user's intention. The main recording unit 13a and the sub recording unit 13b are, for example, flash memories. Under the control of the control unit 11, the image data of the endoscopic image is recorded in the storage unit 13.

Therefore, the user attaches each storage medium to the connector provided in the main body 3 when performing the inspection.
Here, although the storage unit 13 has two recording units, the storage area of one memory is divided by a virtual partition to form the main recording unit 13a and the sub recording unit 13b. You may do it. Further, each storage medium of the two recording units may be a storage medium such as a removable memory card.

Further, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 1 does not have a storage unit 13, has a communication unit 20 that can be connected to a communication network NW, and a control unit 11 communicates via the communication unit 20. The image data of the endoscopic image may be transmitted and recorded in an external storage device connected to the communication network NW.

In FIG. 1, as shown by the dotted line, the server S connected to the communication network NW such as the Internet has the storage device 13A. The storage device 13A has a first recording unit 13Aa corresponding to the above-mentioned main recording unit 13a and a second recording unit 13Ab corresponding to the above-mentioned sub-recording unit 13b. In this case, the endoscope system is configured by the endoscope device 1 and the server S connected to the network NW.

When the endoscope device 1 has either the main recording unit 13a or the sub recording unit 13b, the server S is the first recording unit 13Aa or the first recording unit 13Aa corresponding to the recording unit not possessed by the endoscope device 1. It may have a second recording unit 13Ab. That is, the server S may have at least one of the first recording unit 13Aa and the second recording unit 13Ab.

The operation unit 14 has a plurality of operation members. The plurality of operation members include a freeze button, a recording button, a bending operation instruction member, and the like.
For example, when the user presses the freeze button, the display unit 15 can display a still image generated from the image pickup signal from the image pickup element 10. Further, the user can press the record button to record the still image displayed on the display unit 15 on the main recording unit 13a of the storage unit 13. Therefore, the operation unit 14 is an operation unit capable of instructing the recording of the image acquired by the image pickup device 10 which is the image pickup unit.

Further, the operation unit 14 also has buttons for other functions, and for example, the user can also instruct to reproduce the image recorded in the storage unit 13.
The display unit 15 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image acquired by the image pickup device 10. The display unit 15 displays not only the endoscopic image generated by the image processing unit 12 but also a menu screen for making various settings and the like.

The driver 16 is a circuit that generates various drive signals for driving the image sensor 10 and supplies them to the image sensor 10.
The A / D converter 17 is a circuit that receives an image pickup signal, which is an analog signal from the image pickup element 10, converts it into a digital signal, and outputs it to the image processing unit 12.

Further, the main body 3 is provided with a power switch 18, and the user turns on the power switch 18 to activate the endoscope device 1 and turns off the power switch 18 to turn off the endoscope. The device 1 can be stopped.

Further, the optical adapter 19 can be attached to the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2. The optical adapter 19 is an instrument for changing the viewing direction, the angle of view, and the like. Therefore, the user selects the optical adapter 19 according to the inspection target, the inspection method, and the like, and attaches the optical adapter 19 to the tip portion 2a.

The optical adapter 19 has a built-in identification information storage unit 19a. The identification information storage unit 19a is a non-volatile memory, and stores the type information of the optical adapter 19. When the optical adapter 19 is attached to the tip end portion 2a of the insertion portion 2, the control unit 11 can read out the type information of the identification information storage unit 19a via the signal line 19b.

The identification of the optical adapter 19 does not have to use the identification information. For example, the optical adapter 19 may be provided with a resistor having a resistance value according to the type of the optical adapter 19, and the main body 3 may detect the resistance value of the resistor to identify the optical adapter 19. good.

The user can record still images and moving images on the main recording unit 13a by operating the operation unit 14 to give an instruction to record the endoscopic image, and also operates the operation unit 14 to perform the main recording. The images recorded in the unit 13a and the sub-recording unit 13b can be reproduced and displayed on the display unit 15.
(Action)
Next, the image recording process to the sub-recording unit 13b in the endoscope device 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of recording processing to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on.
When the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 reads the preliminary recording processing program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 2 from the ROM 11b and executes it.

The user brings the endoscope device 1 to a place where the inspection target is located, and performs the endoscopy of the inspection target. The user turns on the power of the endoscope device 1 when starting the examination.
The control unit 11 first executes the adapter confirmation process (step (hereinafter, abbreviated as S) 1).

Before or after turning on the power of the endoscope device 1, the user attaches the optical adapter 19 according to the inspection target or the like to the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2.
In the adapter confirmation process, the control unit 11 reads out the type information of the optical adapter 19 from the identification information storage unit 19a, and confirms whether or not an optical adapter suitable for the purpose of inspection is attached to the tip portion 2a. ..

For example, when the correct optical adapter 19 is not attached to the tip portion 2a, a message or the like for urging the user to attach the correct optical adapter is displayed on the display unit 15.
When the endoscope device 1 is in a state where the correct optical adapter 19 is attached and the endoscopy can be performed by the adapter confirmation process, a live image is displayed on the display unit 15.

Specifically, the control unit 11 drives the driver 16 and outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 12 so as to generate an endoscopic image based on the image pickup signal from the image pickup element 10. When the control unit 11 receives the endoscopic image from the image processing unit 12, the control unit 11 outputs it to the display unit 15. As a result, the image in the inspection target captured by the image pickup device 10, that is, the endoscopic image is displayed on the display unit 15 as a live image.

Following S1, the control unit 11 starts recording the live image in the sub-recording unit 13b (S2). That is, when the endoscope device 1 is in a state where endoscopic examination is possible and a live image can be displayed, recording of the endoscopic image (moving image) in the sub-recording unit 13b is started in the background.

After S2, the control unit 11 makes a predetermined display indicating that the live image is being pre-recorded as a moving image in the background (S3). The predetermined display indicating "preliminary recording" is a display for notifying the user that the live image is preliminarily recorded in the background.

FIG. 2 shows only the processing of the preliminary recording of the live image in the endoscope device 1, that is, the image recording of the moving image in the sub-recording unit 13b, but after S3, that is, during the inspection, the user operates. A still image or a moving image can be recorded by operating the unit 14. The recording process of the endoscopic image according to the user's instruction will be described later.

When the examination is completed, the user turns off the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1. Therefore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the power is turned off (S4).
The control unit 11 does nothing unless the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off (S4: NO).

When the power is turned off (S4: YES), the control unit 11 ends recording to the sub recording unit 13b (S5).
Next, the processing of recording still images and moving images instructed by the user during the inspection will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of recording processing to the main recording unit 13a in response to an image recording instruction in the operation unit 14. As described above, the process of FIG. 3 is executed between S3 and S4 of FIG.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a recording instruction in the operation unit 14 (S11).
In the case of still image recording, the user gives a recording instruction by pressing the record button (REC button) of the operation unit 14 after pressing the freeze button while the live image is displayed on the display unit 15. That is, in S11, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the freeze button of the operation unit 14 is pressed when the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and then the recording button is pressed. Determines whether or not there is a recording instruction for a still image.

In the case of video recording, the user gives a recording instruction by pressing the recording button (REC button) while the live image is displayed on the display unit 15. Therefore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a video recording instruction by determining whether or not the recording button is pressed while the live image is displayed on the display unit 15. When the record button is pressed, video recording starts, and when the stop button is pressed, video recording ends.

If there is no recording instruction (S11: NO), the control unit 11 does nothing. When there is a recording instruction (S11: YES), the control unit 11 records to the main recording unit 13a (S12). In the case of a still image, the control unit 11 records the frozen image in the main recording unit 13a. In the case of a moving image, when the record button is pressed, there is a recording instruction until the stop button is pressed (S11: YES), and the control unit 11 records the live image in the main recording unit 13a.

After S12, the control unit 11 performs display processing (S13). In S13, in the case of recording a moving image, a process of displaying a mark or the like indicating that an image is being recorded is displayed on the display unit 15.
By the processing of FIG. 3, the still image and the endoscopic image of the moving image intended by the user are recorded in the main recording unit 13a, and by the processing of FIG. 2, the endoscopic image of the moving image which is not related to the shooting intention of the user. Is recorded in the sub recording unit 13b.

That is, the control unit 11 stores a still image or a moving image, which is an image acquired by the image pickup device 10 when the user gives an instruction to record an image in the operation unit 14, to the main recording unit 13a as a first storage unit. Control is performed to record and record the moving image acquired by the image pickup device 10 in the sub-recording unit 13b as the second storage unit regardless of whether or not the user has instructed the operation unit 14 to record the image.

FIG. 4 is an example of a time chart showing a period of recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power is turned off.
With the passage of time t, the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, and the sub-recording of the endoscope image, which is a live image, is performed until the optical adapter 19 is confirmed by the adapter confirmation process (S1). No recording is made to part 13b. When the optical adapter 19 is confirmed, recording of the live image to the sub-recording unit 13b is started, and recording is continued until the power switch 18 is turned off.

That is, the control unit 11 controls to record the live image in the sub recording unit 13b after the confirmation process of the optical adapter 19 attached to the tip portion 2a of the insertion unit 2 of the endoscope device 1. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the endoscope image (moving image) is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b during the period P1 from the confirmation of the optical adapter 19 to the turning off of the power switch 18. In other words, during the period P1, the endoscopic image (moving image) is constantly recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. The period P1 is the total recording time in which the moving image of the endoscope image is preliminarily recorded in the sub recording unit 13b.

Then, the control unit 11 records all of the live images acquired by the image pickup device 10 in the sub recording unit 13b. Therefore, since the live image before the user inserts the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 into the inspection target is also recorded, it is confirmed how and from what position the tip portion 2a was inserted into the inspection target after the inspection. Is also possible.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display unit 15.
An image display area 21 for displaying an endoscope image is displayed on the display screen 15a of the display unit 15.

An endoscopic image, which is a so-called live image, is displayed in the image display area 21 during normal observation. The user performs endoscopy while viewing the live image.
As described above, during the period P1, a display indicating that image recording is being performed on the sub-recording unit 13b, here, a display of "Always-on Recording" indicating that "preliminary recording is in progress" 22. Is displayed on the display screen 15a. In addition, instead of the display 22, a predetermined mark may be displayed.

That is, when the live image is recorded in the sub recording unit 13b, the control unit 11 displays a character or a mark for notifying the user that the live image is recorded in the sub recording unit 13b. This is done in part 15.

Further, when the operation unit 14 is instructed to record a moving image by the user's intention, the "REC" display 23 indicating that the moving image is being recorded is displayed on the display screen 15a. In addition, instead of displaying "REC", a predetermined mark may be displayed.

That is, when the moving image is recorded in the main recording unit 13a, the control unit 11 displays on the display unit 15 a character or a mark for notifying the user that the moving image is recorded in the main recording unit 13a. conduct.
In addition, even if the moving image is being recorded according to the user's instruction, the display of "On Reserved-Recording" indicating that "preliminary recording is in progress" allows the user to indicate that the live image is recorded even in the background. Can be recognized.

When the inspection by the endoscope device 1 is completed, the user removes the two memory cards from the main body 3, attaches each memory card to a PC or the like, and monitors the endoscope image recorded on each memory card. It can be displayed on the screen or used to create an inspection report.

Further, in the endoscope device 1, the user operates the operation unit 14 to display a predetermined menu screen on the display unit 15, and the image data of the preliminary recording recorded in the sub recording unit 13b is mainly recorded. It can be copied to or erased in part 13a.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image of a certain inspection point is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection point can be confirmed without performing an operation for observation again. Endoscopic devices, endoscopic systems and methods for recording endoscopic images can be provided.

Further, the user can confirm the status of the inspected portion in the middle of the inspection by reproducing the image recorded in the sub recording unit 13b and displaying it on the display unit 15.

Further, since all the live images under inspection are recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b, when the inspection target has a complicated structure, how to reach a plurality of inspection points, that is, the insertion route, is described later. Since it can be confirmed with, the user can confirm the inspection procedure at the next inspection.

Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the preliminary recording of the endoscope image is performed from the time when the live image can be displayed until the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned off. Below, the moving image may not be recorded in the sub-recording unit.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described in which preliminary recording of the endoscopic image is not performed under the predetermined inspection situation.
(Second embodiment)
In the endoscope device of the first embodiment, when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed, preliminary recording of the endoscope image is started, and the endoscope device 1 is used. When the power is turned off and the examination is completed, the preliminary recording of the endoscope image is completed, but in the second embodiment, the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed. However, preliminary recording is not started, and after the tip 2a of the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the inspection target, preliminary recording of the endoscopic image is started, and the tip 2a of the insertion portion 2 is removed from the inspection target. Then, the preliminary recording of the endoscopic image is completed.

Since the endoscope device of the present embodiment has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as the endoscope device 1 of the first embodiment, the same components will be described with the same reference numerals. Is omitted, and only different configurations will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of recording processing to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, according to the present embodiment.
When the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 reads the preliminary recording processing program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 6 from the ROM 11b and executes it. Hereinafter, the process of FIG. 6 and the same process as that of FIG. 2 will be described in a simplified manner.

When the endoscope device 1 is in a state where the correct optical adapter 19 is attached and the endoscopy can be performed by the adapter confirmation process (S1), a live image is displayed on the display unit 15.
Following S1, the control unit 11 executes an insertion state determination for determining the insertion state of the insertion unit 2 (S21).

In S21, the control unit 11 analyzes the live image and determines from the live image whether or not the tip portion 2a of the insertion unit 2 has been inserted into the inspection target. When the tip portion 2a is inserted into the inspection target, the brightness of the live image changes significantly. Since the place where the inspection is performed is illuminated by indoor lighting or the like, the live image is bright, but when the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the inspection target, the live image becomes dark because it is not illuminated.

Therefore, the control unit 11 inspects the tip portion 2a of the insertion unit 2 based on whether or not the brightness of the live image is equal to or higher than a predetermined value based on the brightness value of each pixel of the live image from the image processing unit 12. It can be determined whether or not it has been inserted in the target.

The control unit 11 determines whether the insertion unit 2 has been inserted into the inspection target (S22) based on the determination result of S21, and if it has not been inserted (S22: NO), the process returns to S21.

When it is determined that the insertion unit 2 is inserted into the inspection target based on the determination result of S21 (S22: YES), recording of the live image to the sub-recording unit 13b is started (S2), and preliminary recording is started. The display process of being inside is performed (S3).

That is, when the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the inspection target, the recording of the endoscopic image (moving image) on the sub-recording portion 13b is started.
After S3, the control unit 11 executes the insertion state determination for determining the insertion state of the insertion unit 2 (S23).

In S23, the control unit 11 analyzes the live image and determines from the live image whether or not the insertion unit 2 has been removed from the inspection target. When the insertion portion 2 is removed from the inspection target, the brightness of the live image changes significantly, and the live image becomes bright. Therefore, the control unit 11 said that when the brightness of the live image exceeds a predetermined value from the brightness value of each pixel of the live image from the image processing unit 12, the tip portion 2a of the insertion unit 2 is removed from the inspection target. It can be determined.

When it is determined in S24 that the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 has been removed from the inspection target (S24: YES), the control unit 11 ends recording of the live image in the sub-recording unit 13b (S5). The display of "preliminary recording" is stopped (S25).

When the power is turned off after S25, the process ends.
As described above, the processes of S21 and S23 constitute an inspection status determination unit for determining the inspection status by the user. The control unit 11 controls to record the live image in the sub recording unit 13b based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit.

In the present embodiment, the inspection status determination unit of S21 and S23 determines whether or not the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope device 1 is in the state of being inserted into the inspection target. It is a judgment unit.

The inspection status of the user indicates whether or not the tip portion 2a is inserted in the inspection target. Then, when the insertion state determination unit determines that the tip portion 2a is inserted into the inspection target, the control unit 11 records the live image acquired by the image pickup element 10 in the sub recording unit 13b. do.

The processing of recording a still image and recording a moving image according to a user's instruction during the inspection is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an example of a time chart showing a period of recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power is turned off.

With the passage of time t, the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, and until the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the inspection target, the endoscopic image is transferred to the sub-recording portion 13b. Not recorded. When the tip portion 2a is inserted into the inspection target, recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording portion 13b is started, and recording is continued until the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is removed from the inspection target.

That is, in FIG. 7, the endoscopic image (moving image) is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b during the period P2 from the insertion of the tip portion 2a into the inspection target to the removal from the inspection target. .. The period P2 is the total recording time in which the moving image of the endoscope image is preliminarily recorded in the sub recording unit 13b.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image of a certain inspection point is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection point can be confirmed without performing an operation for observation again. Endoscopic devices, endoscopic systems and methods for recording endoscopic images can be provided.

In the second embodiment described above, whether or not the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the inspection target is determined based on the brightness of the endoscopic image, but the insertion portion is determined by another method. It may be determined whether or not 2 is inserted in the inspection target.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-196405, the insertion portion 2 is provided by providing a sensor in the grip portion of the endoscope device 1 and determining whether or not the user is gripping the grip portion. It may be determined whether or not it is inserted in the inspection target or whether or not the insertion operation is started. An acceleration sensor is provided at the tip portion 2a, and the movement of the tip portion 2a is performed by the output signal of the acceleration sensor. Is detected and it is determined whether or not the movement is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, so that it is determined whether or not the insertion unit 2 is inserted in the inspection target or whether or not the insertion operation is started. You may do it.
(Third embodiment)
In the endoscope device of the first embodiment, when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed, preliminary recording of the endoscope image is started, and the endoscope device 1 is used. When the power is turned off and the inspection is completed, the preliminary recording of the endoscope image is completed, but in the third embodiment, the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed. However, preliminary recording is not started, and preliminary recording of the endoscope image is performed only when the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and when the live image is not displayed on the display unit 15, the endoscope is used. No preliminary recording of images is made.

Since the endoscope device of the present embodiment has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as the endoscope device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The explanation will be omitted, and only the different configurations will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of recording processing to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, according to the present embodiment.
When the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 reads the preliminary recording processing program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 8 from the ROM 11b and executes it. Hereinafter, the processing of FIG. 8 and the same processing as those of FIGS. 2 and 6 will be described in a simplified manner.

When the endoscope device 1 is in a state where the correct optical adapter 19 is attached and the endoscopy can be performed by the adapter confirmation process (S1), a live image is displayed on the display unit 15.
Following S1, the control unit 11 executes image determination (S31).

In S31, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the image output to the display unit 15 is a live image.
When the user operates the operation unit 14 to display the menu screen on the display unit 15, the menu screen is displayed on the display screen 15a of the display unit 15 instead of the live image. The user can perform various settings, change settings, check settings, and the like from the menu screen. In such a case, the live image is not displayed on the display unit 15.

Further, even when the measurement function is used, the measurement screen is displayed on the display unit 15, and the live image is not displayed.
Further, even when the freeze button is pressed to display the still image on the display unit 15, the live image is not displayed.

The control unit 11 can receive an instruction to display the menu screen from the user and determine whether or not the menu screen and various setting screens transitioned from the screen are output to the display unit 15. Similarly, the control unit 11 can receive an instruction to execute the measurement function from the user and determine whether or not the measurement screen or the like is output to the display unit 15.

The control unit 11 determines whether the live image is displayed on the display unit 15 based on the determination result of S31 (S32), and processes when the live image is not displayed on the display unit 15 (S32: NO). Returns to S31.

When it is determined that the live image is displayed on the display unit 15 based on the determination result of S31 (S32: YES), recording of the live image to the sub-recording unit 13b is started (S2), and preliminary recording is in progress. Is displayed (S3).

That is, when the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, the endoscopic image (moving image) is recorded on the sub recording unit 13b.
After S3, the control unit 11 executes the same image determination as S31 (S33), and determines whether the live image is displayed on the display unit 15 (S34). When the live image is displayed on the display unit 15 (S34: YES), the process returns to S33.

When it is determined in S34 that the live image is not displayed on the display unit 15 (S34: NO), the control unit 11 finishes recording the live image in the sub recording unit 13b (S5), and "preliminary recording". The display of "Medium" is stopped (S25).

When the power is turned off after S25, the process ends. If the power of the endoscope device 1 is not turned off (S4: NO), the process returns to S31.
As described above, the processes of S31 and S33 constitute an inspection status determination unit for determining the inspection status by the user. The control unit 11 controls to record the live image in the sub recording unit 13b based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit.

In the present embodiment, the inspection status determination unit of S31 and S33 is a live image determination unit that determines whether or not the image displayed on the display unit 15 is a live image.
The inspection status of the user indicates whether or not the image displayed on the display unit 15 is a live image. Then, when the live image determination unit determines that the image displayed on the display unit 15 is a live image, the control unit 11 records the live image acquired by the image pickup device 10 on the sub recording unit 13b.

The processing of recording a still image and recording a moving image according to a user's instruction during the inspection is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an example of a time chart showing a period of recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the optical adapter 19 is confirmed with the passage of time t, the endoscope image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. Is done. When the user causes the display unit 15 to display the menu screen in order to change the settings or the like, the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is stopped. Therefore, during the period P31 from the confirmation of the adapter to the display of the menu screen, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

When the display of the menu screen is finished, the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is resumed.
After that, when the user instructs the measurement function to specify the measurement point on the screen and perform the distance measurement, the measurement screen is displayed on the display unit 15. When the measurement screen is displayed, the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is stopped. Then, when the user instructs the live screen display, the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is resumed.

Therefore, during the period P32 from the display of the live image after the display of the menu screen to the display of the measurement screen, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.
When the display of the measurement screen is completed, the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is resumed. In FIG. 9, the endoscope image is recorded on the sub-recording unit 13b during the period P33 from the end of the display of the measurement screen to the power-off. The combined period of periods P31, P32 and P33 is the total recording time in which the moving image of the endoscope image is preliminarily recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image of a certain inspection point is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection point can be confirmed without performing an operation for observation again. Endoscopic devices, endoscopic systems and methods for recording endoscopic images can be provided.
(Fourth Embodiment)
In the endoscope device of the first embodiment, when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed, preliminary recording of the endoscope image is started, and the endoscope device 1 is used. When the power is turned off and the inspection is completed, the preliminary recording of the endoscope image is completed, but in the fourth embodiment, the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed. However, when the amount of change in the image is not within the specified range, for example, when the tip does not move or is extremely small during the examination, or when the tip moves extremely fast, a preliminary endoscopic image is prepared. No recording is done.

Since the endoscope device of the present embodiment has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as the endoscope device 1 of the first to third embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The explanation will be omitted, and only the different configurations will be explained.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of recording processing to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, according to the present embodiment.
When the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 reads the preliminary recording processing program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 10 from the ROM 11b and executes it. Hereinafter, the process of FIG. 10 will be described in a simplified manner with respect to the same process as that of FIGS. 2, 6 and 8.

When the endoscope device 1 is in a state where the correct optical adapter 19 is attached and the endoscopy can be performed by the adapter confirmation process (S1), a live image is displayed on the display unit 15.
Following S1, the control unit 11 executes an image change amount determination process for determining the change amount of the live image (S41).

In S41, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of change in the luminance value of each pixel in the live image output to the display unit 15 between the current frame and the immediately preceding frame. The amount of change is the amount of change in the luminance value of each pixel between two consecutive frames, or the amount of change in the luminance value of each pixel between two frames at predetermined periods.

For example, when the user pushes the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 into the inspection target, the endoscopic image changes, so that the amount of change in the image is large. Further, for example, when the user releases his / her hand from the insertion portion 2 to perform another work in the middle of the inspection and the tip portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 is stationary in the inspection target, there is no change in the image. Or very small.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not the amount of change in the live image is within the predetermined range based on the calculation result of S41 (S42), and when the amount of change in the live image is not within the predetermined range (S42: NO). ), The process returns to S41.

When it is determined that the amount of change in the live image is within a predetermined range based on the calculation result of S41 (S42: YES), recording of the live image in the sub-recording unit 13b is started (S2), and preliminary recording is in progress. Is displayed (S3).

That is, when there is a change in the live image, the endoscopic image (moving image) is recorded in the sub recording unit 13b.
After S3, the control unit 11 executes the same image change amount calculation process as S41 (S43), and determines whether the change amount of the live image is within a predetermined range (S44). When the amount of change in the live image is within the predetermined range (S44: YES), the process returns to S43.

When it is determined in S44 that the amount of change in the live image is not within the predetermined range (S44: NO), the control unit 11 finishes recording the live image in the sub-recording unit 13b (S5), and "preliminary recording". The display of "Medium" is stopped (S25).

When the power is turned off after S25, the process ends. If the power of the endoscope device 1 is not turned off (S4: NO), the process returns to S41.
As described above, the processes of S41 and S43 constitute an inspection status determination unit for determining the inspection status by the user. The control unit 11 controls to record the live image in the sub recording unit 13b based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit.

In the present embodiment, the inspection status determination unit of S41 and S43 is an image change amount calculation unit that calculates the change amount of the image acquired by the image pickup device 10.
The inspection status of the user indicates whether or not the amount of change in the image is within a predetermined range. Then, when the image change amount calculation unit determines that the image change amount is within a predetermined range, the control unit 11 records the live image acquired by the image pickup device 10 in the sub recording unit 13b.

The processing of recording a still image and recording a moving image according to a user's instruction during the inspection is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an example of a time chart showing a period of recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 11, with the passage of time t, the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, and after the optical adapter 19 is confirmed, the amount of change in the live image is within a predetermined range. The endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. When the user interrupts the inspection, the amount of change becomes extremely small and the amount of change in the live image is out of the predetermined range, so that the recording of the endoscopic image in the sub-recording unit 13b is stopped. Therefore, during the period P41 from when the amount of change in the live image is within the predetermined range after confirming the adapter until the amount of change in the live image is not within the predetermined range, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. Will be done.

When the inspection is restarted and the amount of change in the live image is within a predetermined range, the live image is displayed on the display unit 15, and the recording of the endoscopic image on the sub-recording unit 13b is restarted.
After that, if the user interrupts the inspection again or the tip portion 2a moves quickly in the inspection target due to the insertion operation of the insertion portion 2, the amount of change in the live image is out of the predetermined range, so that the endoscopic image Recording to the sub-recording unit 13b is stopped. Therefore, during the period P42 from the time when the amount of change in the live image is within the predetermined range until the amount of change in the live image is no longer out of the predetermined range, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

Then, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the change amount of the live image is within the predetermined range until it is out of the predetermined range. Then, during the period P43 from when the amount of change in the live image is out of the predetermined range until the power is turned off, the endoscopic image is not recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. The combined period of the periods P41, P42 and P43 is the total recording time in which the moving image of the endoscopic image is preliminarily recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image of a certain inspection point is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection point can be confirmed without performing an operation for observation again. Endoscopic devices, endoscopic systems and methods for recording endoscopic images can be provided.
(Fifth Embodiment)
In the endoscope device of the first embodiment, when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on and the live image can be displayed, preliminary recording of the endoscope image is started, and the endoscope device 1 is used. When the power is turned off and the examination is completed, the preliminary recording of the endoscopic image is completed, but in the fifth embodiment, when the manual recording is performed according to the user's instruction, the preliminary recording of the endoscopic image is performed. No recording is done.

Since the endoscope device of the present embodiment has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as the endoscope device 1 of the first to fourth embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The explanation will be omitted, and only the different configurations will be explained.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of recording processing to the sub-recording unit 13b after the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, according to the present embodiment.
When the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 reads the image time recording processing program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 12 from the ROM 11b and executes it. Hereinafter, the processing of FIG. 12 will be described in a simplified manner with respect to the same processing as that of FIGS. 2, 6, 8 and 10.

When the endoscope device 1 is in a state where the correct optical adapter 19 is attached and the endoscopy can be performed by the adapter confirmation process (S1), a live image is displayed on the display unit 15.
Following S1, the control unit 11 starts recording to the sub recording unit 13b (S2).
After S2, the control unit 11 performs to notify the user of the display of "preliminary recording" (S3).

Following S3, the control unit 11 executes a shooting start instruction presence / absence determination process for determining the presence / absence of a shooting instruction by the user (S51). That is, it is determined whether or not there is a manual shooting instruction by the user.

In S51, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an operation for the recording button in the operation unit 14, thereby determining whether or not there is a shooting instruction by the user. For example, when the user presses the record button on the operation unit 14, recording of the moving image is started. Therefore, the control unit 11 can determine whether or not there is a shooting instruction by the user by detecting the operation state for the recording button.

Based on the determination result of S51, the control unit 11 returns to S51 when there is no shooting instruction by the user (S52: NO).
When it is determined that there is a shooting instruction by the user based on the determination result of S51 (S52: YES), the recording of the live image to the sub-recording unit 13b is completed (S5), and it is displayed that the preliminary recording is in progress. Is stopped (S25).

That is, when the imaging is started, the preliminary recording of the endoscopic image (moving image) on the sub recording unit 13b is stopped.
After S25, the control unit 11 executes a shooting end instruction presence / absence determination process for determining the presence / absence of a shooting end instruction by the user (S53). For example, since the user can instruct the end of recording of the moving image by operating the stop button, in S53, it is determined whether or not the stop button is operated.

When it is determined in S54 that there is no shooting end instruction (S54: NO), the process returns to S53.
In S54, when it is determined that the shooting end instruction has been given (S54: YES), it is determined whether or not the power has been turned off (S4), and when the power is turned off, the process ends. If the power of the endoscope device 1 is not turned off (S4: NO), the process returns to S2.

As described above, the processes of S51 and S53 constitute an inspection status determination unit for determining the inspection status by the user. The control unit 11 controls to record the live image in the sub recording unit 13b based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit.

In the present embodiment, the inspection status determination unit of S51 and S53 is a recording instruction presence / absence determination unit for determining the presence / absence of a manual instruction for image recording by the user of the endoscope device 1.
The inspection status of the user indicates whether or not there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user. Then, when the control unit 11 determines that there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user by the recording instruction presence / absence determination unit, the control unit 11 stops recording the live image acquired by the image pickup device 10 in the sub-recording 13b, and the user When there is an instruction to stop recording the image recording by, the live image is recorded in the sub recording unit 13b.

The processing of recording a still image and recording a moving image according to a user's instruction during the inspection is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the image is recorded in the main recording unit 13a from the manual recording instruction to the end recording instruction.

Normally, the manual recording instruction by the user includes a still image recording instruction and a moving image recording instruction, but the still image recording instruction is excluded from the processing of FIG. 12, and whether or not there is a manual moving image recording instruction. It is possible not to perform preliminary recording in the sub-recording unit 13b only when the determination is made and the moving image is recorded by the manual instruction.

FIG. 13 is an example of a time chart showing a period of recording an endoscope image (moving image) on the sub-recording unit 13b from the time when the power of the endoscope device 1 is turned on to the time when the power is turned off.
As shown in FIG. 13, with the passage of time t, the power switch 18 of the endoscope device 1 is turned on, the optical adapter 19 is confirmed, and then the endoscope image is instructed to be manually recorded. Recording is performed on the sub recording unit 13b. When the user is performing manual recording, the image is recorded in the main recording unit 13a, so that the image is not recorded in the sub recording unit 13b. Therefore, during the period P51 from the confirmation of the adapter to the instruction of manual recording, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

When the user gives an instruction to end the manual recording, the recording of the endoscopic image in the sub-recording unit 13b is resumed.
After that, when the user gives an instruction for manual recording again, the recording of the endoscopic image in the sub-recording unit 13b is stopped. Therefore, the endoscopic image is not recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b during the period from the instruction of the manual recording to the instruction of the end of the manual recording. Then, in the periods P52 and P53 after the end of the manual recording, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.

Then, in the period P54 from the end of the manual recording to the turning off of the power, the endoscopic image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b. The combined period of periods P51, P52, P53 and P54 is the total recording time in which the moving image of the endoscope image is preliminarily recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the image of a certain inspection point is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection point can be confirmed without performing an operation for observation again. Endoscopic devices, endoscopic systems and methods for recording endoscopic images can be provided.

The preliminary recording in the second to fifth embodiments described above may be performed or interrupted according to a predetermined condition, that is, an inspection situation by the user, and the occurrence state of such a condition is set in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. In the form, it may be recorded in association with the moving image recorded in the sub recording unit 13b. In particular, when the preliminary recording is continuously performed as in the first embodiment and the recording of such an occurrence state is performed, the preliminary recording continuously recorded by using this recording can be obtained. For example, the work of editing can be easily performed according to a predetermined condition. By associating the recording of the state of occurrence of the condition with the time code of the moving image recorded in the sub recording unit 13b or the like, it is possible to grasp the operation status at the time of inspection when playing back the moving image of the preliminary recording.

For example, the data of the start time and the end time of the insertion of the insertion unit 2 may be associated with the time code of the video file of the preliminary recording, or the data of the start time and the end time of the measurement process may be the time of the video file of the preliminary recording. Save the data that records the time data of the timing of the occurrence and disappearance of each condition, such as by associating it with the code.
When recording the occurrence state of each condition, the information may be stored in a moving image file, or may be recorded in a separate file and referred to during playback or editing.
Further, not only the occurrence state of the conditions shown in the second to fifth embodiments but also the information corresponding to the occurrence of various events may be recorded in correspondence with the preliminary recording. For example, the change information of the inspection location or the inspection condition may be recorded in association with the moving image recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b.
For example, when recording an endoscope image, the control unit 11 can create an inspection folder for storing the endoscope image in the main recording unit 13a based on the operation of the operation unit 14. The control unit 11 can also create an inspection folder having a hierarchical structure, including various information such as an inspection target, an inspection site, and an inspection date in the folder name. In this case, it is possible to recognize various information such as an inspection target, an inspection site, and inspection conditions by the folder name.
At the time of endoscopy, for example, the user can specify an inspection folder to be a recording destination folder by operating the operation unit 14. For example, the user can confirm the recording destination folder while viewing the live image or the still image obtained by pressing the freeze button, and can easily change the recording destination folder. When the user presses the record button (REC button), an endoscopic image of a still image or a moving image is recorded in the inspection folder designated by the user.
Information indicating that such an inspection folder has been changed may be recorded in association with the moving image recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b as information indicating the occurrence of an event. This information indicates that the user has changed the recording destination folder on the main recording unit 13a. For example, in a pre-recorded moving image, a process of skipping to an image portion at the timing of changing the recording destination folder is performed. It's easy to do. Further, as described above, when the inspection folder is set according to the inspection location, the inspection condition, etc., the information indicating that the inspection folder has been changed is associated with the moving image recorded in the sub recording unit 13b. By recording, for example, it is possible to easily search for an endoscopic image recorded according to a predetermined inspection location or inspection condition from a pre-recorded moving image.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image at the time of reproduction of a preliminary recording moving image in the second to fifth embodiments. Even during preliminary recording, the image data stored in the sub-recording unit 13b can be read out and reproduced, and displayed in a window different from the screen displaying the live image. The user can fast-forward or rewind the image stored in the sub-recording unit 13b.
Here, the playback of the moving image of the preliminary recording is possible in the endoscope device 1, but the sub-recording unit 13b, which is a memory card, may be attached to another device such as a PC to perform the reproduction.

On the display screen 15a of the display unit 15, a display area 31 of the reproduced image, a reproduction position information display unit 32 indicating the reproduction position at the total recording time, a fast forward button 33, and a rewind button 34 are displayed.

The reproduction position information display unit 32 includes a mark 35 indicating the current reproduction time position in the total recording time and marks 36a and 36b indicating the time position where a predetermined condition or state occurs on the time axis display unit 32a. There is. The mark 35 moves to the right as the reproduction time elapses. For example, the mark 36a indicates that the menu screen display has started in the case of the third embodiment, and the mark 36b indicates that the measurement screen display has started.

Further, skip buttons 37 and 38 are also displayed on the display screen 15a of the display unit 15. The skip button 37 is a button for instructing to reproduce the moving image by skipping from the current reproduction time position to the time position of the mark later in time. The skip button 38 is a button for instructing to play the moving image by skipping to the time position of the mark time before the current playback time position.

As described above, according to the first to fifth embodiments described above, when an image of a certain inspection site is forgotten to be recorded, the inspection is performed without performing an operation for observation again. It is possible to provide an endoscope device capable of confirming a location, an endoscope system, and a method for recording an endoscope image.

The sub-recording unit 13b in the first to fifth embodiments may be a ring buffer. By using the ring buffer, when the free space of the storage unit is exhausted, the old data is overwritten and recorded.

Furthermore, in the first to fifth embodiments, the recording destination of the manual recording is the main recording unit 13a, but when the user gives an instruction for manual recording, the control unit 11 sets the main recording unit 13a. If it cannot be recognized, the control unit 11 may change the recording destination of the manual recording from the main recording unit 13a to the sub recording unit 13b to record the image.

Further, in the first to fifth embodiments, the recording destination of the manual recording is the main recording unit 13a, but when the manual recording is instructed, the control unit 11 takes up the free space of the main recording unit 13a. After checking, when the main recording unit 13a does not have enough free space to record the image, the control unit 11 transfers the image data of the image by manual recording from the main recording unit 13a to the sub recording unit 13b. You may change it. This is to give priority to image recording according to the user's recording instruction.

Furthermore, in the second to fifth embodiments, with the passage of time, preliminary recording may be performed a plurality of times between the time when the power is turned on and the time when the power is turned off. In such a case, it may be recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b in a different recording file format each time.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, only the moving image is recorded in the sub-recording unit 13b, but a microphone may be attached to the endoscope device 1 to simultaneously record audio information.
Further, messages such as cautions and warnings and marks superimposed on the moving image may be recorded in the sub recording unit 13b together with the moving image.

Each "part" in the present specification is conceptual corresponding to each function of the embodiment, and does not necessarily correspond to a specific hardware or software routine on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, in the present specification, the embodiment has been described below assuming a virtual circuit block (part) having each function of the embodiment. Further, each step of each procedure in the present embodiment may be executed at the same time by changing the execution order, or may be executed in a different order for each execution, as long as the property is not contrary to the property. Further, all or a part of each step of each procedure in the present embodiment may be realized by hardware.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes, modifications, and the like can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

1 Endoscope device, 2 Insert section, 2a Tip section, 2b Curved section, 3 Main body section, 10 Image sensor, 11 Control section, 11b Sub-recording section, 12 Image processing section, 13 Storage section, 13A storage device, 13Aa No. 1 recording unit, 13Ab 2nd recording unit, 13a main recording unit, 13b
Sub recording unit, 14 operation unit, 15 display unit, 15a display screen, 16 driver, 17
Analog-to-digital converter, 18 power switch, 19 optical adapter, 19a identification information storage unit, 19b signal line, 20 communication unit, 21 image display area, 23 display, 31 display area, 32 playback position information display unit, 32a time axis display Department, 33, 34 buttons, 35, 36a, 36b marks, 37, 38 skip buttons.

Claims (11)

An operation unit that can instruct the recording of the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and
The inspection status judgment unit that determines the inspection status and
When the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image, the first image acquired by the image pickup unit is recorded in the first storage unit, regardless of whether or not the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image. The control is performed to record the second image acquired by the image pickup unit in the second storage unit, and the second storage is based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. It has a control unit that controls recording in the unit, and
The inspection status determination unit is a live image determination unit that determines whether or not the image displayed on the display unit is a live image.
The inspection status indicates whether or not the image displayed on the display unit is the live image.
The control unit stores the second image acquired by the imaging unit when the live image determination unit determines that the image displayed on the display unit is the live image. An endoscope device characterized by recording in a unit. An operation unit that can instruct the recording of the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and
The inspection status judgment unit that determines the inspection status and
When the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image, the first image acquired by the image pickup unit is recorded in the first storage unit, regardless of whether or not the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image. The control is performed to record the second image acquired by the image pickup unit in the second storage unit, and the second storage is based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. It has a control unit that controls recording in the unit, and
The inspection status determination unit is an image change amount calculation unit that calculates a change amount of the brightness value of the image acquired by the image pickup unit.
The inspection status indicates the amount of movement of the image pickup unit or the speed of the image pickup unit based on the amount of change in the image determined from the amount of change in the luminance value of the image.
The control unit determines from the image change amount calculation unit that the change amount of the luminance value of the image is within a predetermined range of the first threshold value or more and the second threshold value or less, which is larger than the first threshold value. An endoscope device characterized in that the second image acquired by the imaging unit is recorded in the second storage unit when the image is captured. An operation unit that can instruct the recording of the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and
The inspection status judgment unit that determines the inspection status and
When the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image, the first image acquired by the image pickup unit is recorded in the first storage unit, regardless of whether or not the operation unit gives an instruction to record the image. The control is performed to record the second image acquired by the image pickup unit in the second storage unit, and the second storage is based on the inspection status determined by the inspection status determination unit. It has a control unit that controls recording in the unit, and
The inspection status determination unit is a recording instruction presence / absence determination unit that determines the presence / absence of a manual instruction for image recording by a user.
The inspection status indicates whether or not there is a manual instruction for the image recording by the user.
When the control unit determines that there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user by the recording instruction presence / absence determination unit, the control unit goes to the second storage unit of the second image acquired by the imaging unit. An endoscopic device characterized by stopping the recording of. It further has a display unit for displaying the image acquired by the image pickup unit, and has a display unit.
The control unit is for notifying the user that the second image is recorded in the second storage unit when the second image is recorded in the second storage unit. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit displays the first mark or the first character. When the control unit records the first image, which is a moving image, in the first storage unit, the control unit informs the user that the first image is recorded in the first storage unit. The endoscope device according to claim 4, wherein a second mark or a second character for notification is displayed on the display unit. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one of the first storage unit and the second storage unit. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first storage unit and the second storage unit is provided in a server connected by a network. Mirror device. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Including the endoscope device and a server connected via a network.
An endoscope system characterized in that at least one of the first storage unit and the second storage unit is provided in the server. A method of operating an endoscope device having an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and a control unit.
The control unit records the first image acquired by the imaging unit in the first storage unit when the recording of the image acquired by the imaging unit is instructed by the operation unit.
The inspection status determination unit determines, as the inspection status, whether or not the image displayed on the display unit is a live image.
When the control unit determines that the image displayed on the display unit is the live image by the inspection status determination unit, the image pickup unit may or may not have an instruction to record the image in the operation unit. A method of operating an endoscope device, which comprises recording a second image acquired by a second storage unit in a second storage unit. A method of operating an endoscope device having an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and a control unit.
The control unit records the first image acquired by the imaging unit in the first storage unit when the recording of the image acquired by the imaging unit is instructed by the operation unit.
The inspection status determination unit determines the amount of movement of the image pickup unit or the amount of change in the image indicating the speed of the image pickup unit as the inspection status, and is the luminance value of the image acquired by the image pickup unit. A situation is determined as to whether or not the amount of change is within a predetermined range of the first threshold value or more and the second threshold value or less, which is larger than the first threshold value .
When the control unit determines that the amount of change in the luminance value of the image is within the predetermined range by the inspection status determination unit, the control unit determines whether or not the operation unit has an instruction to record the image. A method of operating an endoscope device, which comprises recording a second image acquired by an imaging unit in a second storage unit. A method of operating an endoscope device having an operation unit capable of instructing recording of an image acquired by an imaging unit, an inspection status determination unit for determining an inspection status, and a control unit.
The control unit records the first image acquired by the imaging unit in the first storage unit when the recording of the image acquired by the imaging unit is instructed by the operation unit.
Control is performed to record the second image acquired by the image pickup unit in the second storage unit regardless of whether or not the operation unit is instructed to record the image.
The inspection status determination unit determines whether or not there is a manual instruction for image recording by the user of the endoscope device as the inspection status.
When the inspection status determination unit determines that the user has manually instructed the image recording, the control unit transfers the second image acquired by the image pickup unit to the second storage unit. Stop recording ,
A method of operating an endoscope device, characterized in that.

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