JPH04314416A - Electronic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the adjustment of a volume control for the correction of variations in a solid image sensor without opening a circuit within a connector in an electronic endoscope apparatus. CONSTITUTION:In an electronic endoscope apparatus which has an electronic endoscope carrying a solid image sensor connected to the apparatus body 2 equipped with a processor for signal processing free to detach, electronic volume circuits 14 and 15 which make compatible an input/output signal for the solid- state image sensor are arranged on the side of the electronic endoscope, for example, at an operating section 8. Then, the adjustment of the electronic volume 14 is performed with a remote control operator 10 connected to the apparatus body free to mount and remove.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope device that displays images of the inside of a body to be observed using a solid-state image sensor.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic endoscope devices display images of the inside of the body being observed, such as the inside of a human body cavity or the inside of a device cavity, on a monitor. Charge Coupled Device
) is carried out by inserting an electronic endoscope (scope) into a body cavity. The video signal output from the CCD is supplied to a signal processing circuit of an external device (main unit) called a processor unit, and this signal processing circuit produces a color image according to, for example, a frame sequential method or a simultaneous method. By performing display processing and the like, an image of an object to be observed, for example, the inside of the gastrointestinal tract, is displayed on the monitor.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus, in which an electronic endoscope 1 is detachably connected to a main body 2 of the apparatus via a connector 3. As shown in FIG. The electronic endoscope 1 has a built-in CCD 4, which is a solid-state imaging device, at its tip, and is provided with an operating section 5 having a handle 5a etc. at an approximately intermediate position, and the direction of the tip can be controlled by operating the handle 5a. can be controlled.

In the electronic endoscope 1, there are manufacturing variations in the CCD 4 itself, and it is necessary to adjust the volume of input/output signals to the CCD 4. Therefore, a volume for this adjustment is provided in the connector 3. There is. That is, when the upper cover 3a of the central part of the connector 3 is removed, an adjustment volume 4 is provided inside as shown in the figure, and by turning this adjustment volume 4 with a screwdriver, for example, R (red), G The gains of the (green) and B (blue) video signals are set to optimal values.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic endoscope device, the CCD4, which is a solid-state image sensor,
As mentioned above, the volume adjustment for the variation correction is performed by removing the top cover 3a of the connector 3 of the electronic endoscope 1 and using a jig such as a screwdriver, and there is a problem that the volume adjustment is complicated. .

[0006]Although the electronic endoscope 1 maintains a predetermined level of waterproofness due to its intended use, there is a risk that the waterproofness will be impaired if the top cover 3a is opened during adjustment, especially during maintenance including repairs. will occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an electronic device that can easily adjust the volume for correcting variations in solid-state image sensors without opening the circuit inside the connector. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the first claim provides for attaching and detaching an electronic endoscope equipped with a solid-state image sensor to an apparatus main body provided with a processor that performs signal processing. The electronic endoscope device that can be freely connected is characterized in that an electronic volume that optimizes input/output signals to the solid-state image sensor is provided on the electronic endoscope side.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that the adjustment of the electronic volume is performed using a remote controller that is detachably connected to the main body of the apparatus.

0010

[Operation] According to the above structure, the electronic volume is disposed together with the memory, for example, in the operating section. To adjust this electronic volume, first connect the remote controller to the main unit,
This is done by changing the values of the clock frequency, power supply voltage value, RGB gain, etc. for the CCD by operating the remote controller. When an appropriate value is found for each parameter, the volume value is stored in the memory and set as adjustment completion data.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an external appearance of the embodiment apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, CC, which is a solid-state image sensor,
The electronic endoscope 1 equipped with a D4 at its tip is connected to the main body 2 of the apparatus through a connector 7, and in the embodiment, an electronic volume circuit 8 including a memory is provided in the operating section 5. Also,
A remote controller 10 is connected to the device main body 2 by a connector 11.
is connected, and this remote controller 10 is connected to the display section 1.
2, and is configured to display set values on this display 12. Therefore, in the embodiment, the electronic volume is adjusted using the remote controller 10, and there is no need to remove the case lid or the like as in the conventional case, and the waterproofness is not impaired.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic volume circuit 8 in the operating section 5 is an electronic volume (EVR-Electronic Variable) including a converter.
e Register) 14, an EVR microcomputer 15, and a memory 16. That is, the electronic volume 14 is a volume element having a converter that converts a volume value into digital/analog, and the memory 16 is, for example, a ROM (read-only memory), which stores information unique to each CCD 4 (or electronic endoscope) regarding predetermined parameters. Memorize the volume setting value. For example, parameters (input/output signals) for CCD4
, horizontal clock frequencies φH1, φH2, vertical clock frequencies φV1, φV2, power supply voltage values OG, R
(red), G (green), B (blue) gain, etc., and CCD4
This relates to the drive signal and the video signal output from the CCD 4. Therefore, the electronic volume 14 is controlled by the EVR microcomputer 15, and performs a volume operation based on the setting value of the memory 16 with respect to the drive signal output to the CCD 4 and the video signal input from the CCD 4.

The EVR microcomputer 15 in the operating section 5 is connected to the signal processing processor in the main body 2 of the apparatus, and is also connected to the remote controller 10 through the main body 2 of the apparatus. The remote controller 10 includes a liquid crystal driver 18, an address buffer 19, a data buffer 20, etc. as shown in the figure. Therefore, the parameters and their values to be set by the liquid crystal driver 18 can be displayed on the display section 12.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the remote control operating device 10 has only the liquid crystal driver 18 as a circuit, and other circuits can be arranged in the main body 2 of the device. That is, an address buffer 19 and a data buffer 20 are provided in the device main body 2 together with a multiplexer 21, and the liquid crystal driver 18 of the remote controller 10 is connected to the multiplexer 21.

The embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below. First, the electronic endoscope 1 is connected to the main body 2 of the apparatus, and the remote controller 10 is connected to the main body 2 of the apparatus. Then, serial communication is performed between the remote controller 10 and the operating section 5 via the device main body 2, and while adjusting the volume (level) value of the electronic volume 14 via the EVR microcomputer 15, the electronic endoscope 1 (CCD 4) and the signal processing processor in the main body 2 of the apparatus are to be matched to find a good operating state. That is, R.G.
When adjusting the B gain, the address of this parameter is temporarily stored in the address buffer 19, and the current volume value of the electronic volume 14 for the RGB gain is stored in the data buffer 20, and this data is displayed on the display 12. will be displayed. Thereafter, when the operating state is good and the volume value becomes an appropriate value, the volume value of the RGB gain at that time will be stored in the memory 16. Memory 16 of this volume data
Writing is performed for all parameters such as the horizontal clock frequency φH, the vertical clock frequency φV, and the power supply voltage value OG, thereby completing the volume adjustment.

In the above embodiment, the electronic volume circuit 8 including the memory 16 is housed within the operation section 5.
This electronic volume circuit 8 can of course be housed in the connector 7, and the memory 16, electronic volume 14, and EVR microcomputer 15 are separated and arranged separately for the operation section 5 and the connector 7. Good too.

[0017]

As explained above, according to the first aspect of the invention, an electronic endoscope is provided with an electronic volume, and a CCD
Since the drive pulse and video signal output can be adjusted, the volume can be easily adjusted without opening the top cover of the connector or using a jig such as a screwdriver as in the conventional case. In particular, it is easier to make fine adjustments than with conventional volume controls. Moreover, there is an advantage that waterproofness is not impaired unlike in the conventional case.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the volume is adjusted using the remote controller, there is no need to provide a switch group for adjusting the electronic volume for each device, and the volume can be adjusted. The configuration for can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the internal configuration of an electronic endoscope device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the embodiment device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing another internal configuration of the remote controller in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional electronic endoscope device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...Electronic endoscope, 2...Device main body, 5...Operation section, 10...Remote control device, 14...Electronic volume (EV) including converter
R), 15...EVR microcomputer, 16...memory, 18...LCD driver.

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: An electronic endoscope device in which an electronic endoscope equipped with a solid-state image sensor is removably connected to a main body of the device provided with a processor for signal processing, wherein input/output signals to the solid-state image sensor are An electronic endoscope device characterized in that an electronic volume for optimizing is provided on the electronic endoscope side. 2. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic volume is adjusted using a remote controller that is detachably connected to the main body of the apparatus.