JPH07275190A - Endoscope photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the endoscope photographing device with which a practically focused photographic image can be provided even when focusing is difficult. CONSTITUTION:A means for controlling a focal distance is provided in which one part of an objective optical system 19 is fitted to a lens moving frame 23 and a wire 24 for focus connected to the lens moving frame 23 through an electric driving device 27 or the like is moved back and forth by operating focusing switches 29a and 29b. After focusing is controlled, a release signal is transmitted to a still camera 5 by the ON operation of a shutter button 28, first picture photographing is performed and at the same time, an operation signal is generated and transmitted to a control circuit 32. Based on this operation signal, the control circuit 32 executes a control operation to perform second and following sets of picture photographing while changing the focal distance by driving the electric driving device 27 and since photographing is performed while respectively changing the focal distances even when the first focusing is erroneously set, one piece of a focused photographic image can be practically provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope photographing apparatus capable of taking a photograph by using an endoscope having a focusing mechanism for controlling a focal length of an image forming optical system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an illumination window and an observation window are provided on the distal end side of an elongated insertion portion, and illumination light is emitted from the illumination window to illuminate a target site side and attached to the observation window under the illumination. An endoscope which can be observed from an eyepiece by forming an image with an objective optical system and transmitting the optical image by an image transmitting means has come to be widely used in the medical field and the industrial field.

Some endoscopes have a focal length adjusting mechanism so that they can be observed in a focused state by adjusting the focal length. In addition, there is a case where a photograph taking device is attached to the eyepiece to configure an endoscope taking device to take a photograph.

FIG. 15 shows such an endoscope photographing apparatus 151.
A conventional example of is shown. In this conventional example, an endoscope 152 having a focus adjustment mechanism (focusing mechanism) that is remotely operated on the hand side, and a still camera connected to an eyepiece 153 of the endoscope 152 via a photographing adapter 154. And 155.

The endoscope 152 has a flexible elongated insertion portion 156, and a large diameter operation portion 157 is formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 156, and a side portion of the operation portion 157. A light guide cable 158 extends from the. A light guide for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the light guide cable 158, and an end of the light guide is connected to a light source device (not shown) to transmit illumination light supplied from the light source device and to the tip portion 159 of the insertion portion 156. Illumination light (transmitted) is emitted from an illumination window (not shown) provided. This tip 1
The observation window 59 is provided adjacent to the illumination window to take in observation light.

An objective optical system 160 is attached to this observation window. At the rear position on the optical axis of the objective optical system 160, the tip of an image guide 161 as an image transmission means is fixed to the tip portion 159 via a fixing member, and the light imaged on the tip surface by the objective optical system 160. The image is transmitted to the rear end surface of the image guide 161, and can be observed through an eyepiece lens (not shown) in the eyepiece portion 153.

The rear lens group 160a, which constitutes the objective optical system 160, is movable back and forth in the optical axis direction, and a lens moving frame 162 for changing the focal position of the objective optical system 160 by moving in the optical axis direction. Is attached to.

The tip of a focusing wire 163 is connected and fixed to the lens moving frame 162, and the focusing wire 163 is guided through the insertion portion 156 to the operation portion 157 while being inserted into the guide tube 164. There is. The proximal end of the focusing wire 163 is connected to a wire feed piece 166 that is moved in the front-rear direction by a focus operating ring 165 provided on the operating portion 157.

The focus operating ring 165
The wire feed piece 166 is manually rotated.
Is moved in the front-back direction, the focusing wire 163 is pushed and pulled, and the rear group lens 160a of the objective optical system 160 is moved.
The lens moving frame 162 holding the lens can be moved back and forth to perform focusing.

When a photograph is taken with the endoscope 152, the photographing adapter 154 and the still camera 155 are connected to the eyepiece 153 at the rear end of the operation unit 157, and the viewfinder (not shown) of the still camera 155 is connected. Focusing operation is performed while observing the subject through. When it is determined that the subject is in focus, the shutter button 167 of the still camera 155 is pressed. When the shutter button 167 is pressed, the shutter device 168 of the still camera 155 opens and closes at high speed, and a film (not shown) provided behind the shutter device 168 is exposed to take a photograph.

In addition to the conventional example shown in FIG.
What is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 0649 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-1
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3772 has a structure in which the shutter can be pressed immediately after the focusing operation so that a good photograph with good focus can be obtained even when photographing a moving subject.

[0012]

However, there are cases where the finished photograph is out of focus. This occurs when the user presses the shutter while recognizing that the subject is in focus and is actually in focus at the time of photographing. A supplementary explanation of the situation where such a case occurs will be given.

Since the subject is seen through the viewfinder of the still camera 155 when taking a picture, the subject image may not be clearly visible because the subject image is darker than when visually observed without passing through the viewfinder. Therefore, it becomes difficult to perform a focusing operation with an image through the viewfinder, and even if the focus position can be set near the focus position, pressing the shutter button 167 when the focus position is not in focus often results in a defocused photograph. There is.

This is because in observing an image through a viewfinder, even if the focal length is slightly changed by focusing adjustment, it becomes difficult to distinguish whether or not the image is out of focus. This often happens because the photographer performs the operation with the camera set slightly out of focus.

Especially when photographing the inner surface of a tubular object,
Since the shooting target is parallel to the shooting direction and the focus range is very narrow, the allowable amount of deviation (from the in-focus position) in focusing becomes very narrow, which makes it difficult to shoot. There are many cases where the photograph is out of focus on the target part.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope photographing apparatus capable of obtaining a photographed image which is substantially in focus even when focusing is difficult. And

[0017]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems A focal length adjusting means for adjusting a focal length of the image forming optical system, which is provided in an endoscope having an image forming optical system for forming an optical image, and the endoscope. Formed integrally or as a detachable separate body, photographing means for photographing an optical image, and operating means for driving the focal length adjusting means and performing an operation for setting a focal length forming a clear optical image, By providing a control means for controlling the focal length state different from the focal length set by the operating means at least once and controlling the photographing by the photographing means, it is temporarily difficult to focus, so that the focus is adjusted. Even if it is not in focus, by setting a plurality of focal length states and shooting each, the probability that a focused image can be obtained is higher than in the case of one shooting.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration around an operation unit of FIG. 3 shows a hinge structure in a holding device for holding an endoscope, FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of a control circuit and a circuit board, and FIG. 5 shows an operation process of continuously shooting after shooting with a shutter button ON. Reference numeral 6 shows a state in which images are taken in different focal length states.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope photographing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope 2 having a focal length adjusting means (or a focal length adjusting mechanism or a focusing mechanism) for adjusting a focal length. , The endoscope 2 is detachably connected to the eyepiece 3 of the endoscope 2 via the photographing adapter 4 (therefore, the endoscope 2
Still camera 5 as a photographing device for taking a photograph (separate from) and a light source / power supply device 6 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 2 and power for operating a focal length adjusting mechanism and the like. , A holding device (also referred to as a system stand) 7 for holding the endoscope 2 (endoscope).

The endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 11 having flexibility, and a large-diameter operation portion 12 is formed at a rear end of the insertion portion 11, and a side portion of the operation portion 12 is formed. A light guide cable 13 extends from the. A light guide 14 for transmitting illumination light is provided in the light guide cable 13.
And the connector 15 at the end thereof is detachably connected to the light source / power supply device 6, and the light source unit 1 of the light source / power supply device 6 is inserted.
The illumination light generated by the lamp 17 a of No. 7 is transmitted, and the illumination light (transmitted) is emitted from an illumination window (not shown) provided at the tip portion 18 of the insertion portion 11.

A bendable bending portion is formed adjacent to the tip portion 18, and the bending portion can be bent in a desired direction by rotating a bending operation knob (not shown) provided on the operation portion 12.

An observation window for taking in observation light is provided adjacent to the illumination window at the tip portion 18, and this observation window has an objective optical system as an imaging optical system for forming an optical image of an object illuminated by the illumination light. A system 19 is attached.

At the rear position on the optical axis of the objective optical system 19, the tip of an image guide 21 as an image transmitting means is fixed to the tip portion 19 via a fixing member, and the objective optical system 19 causes the tip of the image guide 21 to be fixed. The optical image formed on the surface is transmitted to the rear end surface and can be observed through the eyepiece lens 22 in the eyepiece unit 3.

The rear lens group 19a, for example, which constitutes the objective optical system 19 is attached to a lens moving frame 23 which can move back and forth in the optical axis direction, and by moving the lens moving frame 23, the focus of the objective optical system 19 is moved. I am trying to change the position.

The tip of the focusing wire 24 is connected and fixed to the lens moving frame 23, and the focusing wire 24 is inserted into the guide tube 25 (see FIG. 2), and then the operating portion is passed through the insertion portion 11. It is led to 12.

The proximal end of the focusing wire 24 is connected to an electric drive device 27 via a power transmission device 26 provided on the operating section 12, and the power transmission device 26 is rotated by driving the electric drive device 27. The rotational force is converted into a force to move the focusing wire 24 and is transmitted to the focusing wire 24. Further, the operation unit 12 includes a shutter button 28 for performing a photographing operation and focus switches 29a, 2 for performing an operation for changing the focal length.
9b is provided.

Further, an electric cable 31 is inserted into the light guide cable 13 extending from the operation section 12, and this electric cable 31b is connected to a control circuit 32 installed in the light source / power supply device 6. The power supply circuit 33 in the light source / power supply device 6 supplies drive power to the lamp 17a and the control circuit 32, and also to the electric system such as the circuit board 34 in the operation unit 12 via the electric cable in the light guide cable 13. Supply power.

As will be described later, when the shutter button 28 is turned on and photographing is performed, the control circuit 32 subsequently controls the focal lengths to be set to different focal length states to perform photographing. A shutter button 35 provided on the still camera 5 connected to the eyepiece unit 3 via a photographing adapter 4.
And the connector 36 of the operation unit 12 are connected by a release cable 37.

A shutter device 38 is provided in the still camera 5. When the shutter button 35 is pressed with a finger or the like, or a release signal is sent via the release cable 37, the shutter opening / closing operation of the shutter device 38 is performed. , The film 39 arranged behind it is exposed so that a photograph can be taken.

A motor drive unit 41 serving as a frame feeding means for feeding a frame of the film 39 of the still camera 5 is connected to, for example, the bottom of the still camera 5, and when the opening / closing operation of the shutter device 38 is completed, one frame of the film is completed. Take up the film in a short time.

Further, in the holding device 7, the scope 2 which holds the operating portion 12 is attached to the tip end side of the stand 42 having a rotatable arm via the hinge mechanism 43, so that the endoscope 2 and this endoscope can be seen. It has a structure for holding the still camera 5 mounted on the mirror 2.

The hinge mechanism 43 has the structure shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 3B shows a cross section taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge mechanism 43 includes a scope holder main body 44a, a shaft 45, a fixing plate 42a provided at the tip of the stand 42, a knob 46, and an elastic member 47.

Here, a part of the shaft 45 is cut out so that the cross section has a half-moon shape, and the hole 42b of the fixing plate 42a through which the shaft 45 passes is also half-moon shaped. Accordingly, even if the holder main body 44a and the fixing plate 42a of the stand 42 are slid, the shaft 45, the stand 42, and the knob 46 move in the same manner, so that the knob 46 does not loosen.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the operation unit 12 more specifically. That is, the guide tube 25 is provided in the operation unit 12.
The focusing wire 24 is inserted and guided inside. The proximal end of the focusing wire 24 is connected to a wire feed piece 48 that is screwed into a rotating transmission member 52 that constitutes the power transmission device 26. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire feed piece 48,
The rotation transmission member 52 rotates to move it forward or backward.

The power transmission device 26 includes a cylindrical bearing member 51 fixed to the operation portion main body 49, a rotation transmission member 52 fitted into the bearing member 51 and rotatably supported at a fixed position, and this rotation. The rotation transmitting member 52 includes a feed piece 48 which is screwed into a screw hole 53 provided in the transmitting member 52, and which moves (moves) the focusing wire 24 by advancing or retracting due to the rotation of the rotation transmitting member 52. Rotation of the wire feed piece 4 depending on the direction of rotation of the wire feed piece 4
8 moves forward or backward, and the focusing wire 24 connected thereto can be pushed or pulled to adjust or change the focal length of the objective optical system 19.

Further, in the operation section 12, the operation section body 4 is provided.
An electric drive device 27, which is fixed to 9 and includes, for example, a DC motor 54a and a rotary encoder 54b (see FIG. 4) is installed. The rotation transmission member 52 is connected to the drive shaft 55 of the electric drive device 27 by a connecting screw 56, and the rotation transmission member 52 is rotated as the drive shaft 55 rotates.
Is designed to rotate.

The stator side of the electric drive device 27 is supported and fixed by a fixed support member 57. Also,
The electric drive device 27 is connected to the circuit board 34 supported by the fixing member 58 in the operation portion 12 via the first electric cable 31a. The circuit board 34 also includes a second electric cable 31b and a third electric cable 31c.
And the second electric cable 31b is connected to the control circuit 32 through the light guide cable 13.
The third electric cable 31c is the release cable 37 described above.
Connected to.

Further, focus switches 29a, 29 installed on the circuit board 34 so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the operating section 12 are provided.
This focus switch 29 is electrically connected to b.
The electric drive device 27 for driving the focusing wire 24 is operated in a rotational direction and a start / stop operation by operating a and 29b.

For example, when the focus switch 29a is operated, the electric drive device 27 is rotated clockwise, and in the case of the focus switch 29b, it is rotated counterclockwise. Also,
The circuit board 34 is electrically connected to a shutter button 28 that is exposed and installed on the outer surface of the operation unit 12.

A specific example of the circuit configuration of the circuit board 34 and the control circuit 32 is shown in FIG. The circuit board 34 is the power supply circuit 3
The polarity reversing circuit 34a for switching the connection of the DC power supply lines 61a and 61b connected to the D.
It has a first switch SW1 for turning ON / OFF the C power supply.

When the focus switch 29a is closed, the first switch SW1 is turned on via the OR circuit 34b.
Then, the DC motor 54a is rotated clockwise. Further, the operation of closing the focus switch 29b is performed by the OR circuit 34c.
The connection polarity of the polarity reversing circuit 34a is inverted via the switch, and the first switch SW1 is turned on via the OR circuit 34b.
Then, the DC motor 54a is rotated counterclockwise (the following description will be made assuming that the focal length is increased when the DC motor 54a is rotated clockwise).

Further, the operation of closing the shutter button 28 becomes a release signal for driving a plunger (not shown) via the OR circuit 34d, and this plunger pushes the shutter button 35 via the release cable 37 to drive the shutter device 38 and ( The operation of closing the shutter button 28) sends an actuation signal S to the CPU circuit 63 constituting the control circuit 32 via the second switch SW2.

That is, the operation signal S, which is a command signal for performing at least one photo-taking operation in different focusing states, is sent after the first photo-taking operation by operating the shutter button 28.

The control circuit 32 has a CPU circuit 63 composed of a CPU and a motor control circuit 64 for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 54a. This motor control circuit 64
Is the DC motor 5 based on the output of the rotary encoder 54b.
It has a counter 64a that counts the number of rotations of 4a and a comparator 64b that outputs a coincidence signal C to the CPU circuit 63 when a preset count value is reached.

An operation panel 63a is connected to the CPU circuit 63, and by operating this operation panel 63a, the number K of times of taking pictures after the first picture taking operation (the first picture taking operation when the shutter button is turned on) is performed. Setting and the i-th time (i = 1 to K
Movement amount (for example, set by the number of rotations of the DC motor 54a) Ni set to the focal length of (a whole number of), and the shooting mode (for example, whether the shooting is performed with the focal length increased first or reduced). It is possible to set M etc.).

The setting data such as the number of times of photographing K set by operating the operation panel 63a is stored in the storage unit 63 such as a memory.
b once, the CPU circuit 63 stores the data in the storage unit 63b.
The shooting control is performed with reference to the setting data stored in.
When the CPU circuit 63 detects the actuation signal S, the CPU circuit 63 starts the control of sequentially performing the photographing of the set number of photographing times K according to the photographing mode M from the first time by the data stored in the storage unit 63b.

First, a reset signal R is sent to the counter 64a for resetting, and in order to set the first photographing state, the rotation speed N1 of the DC motor 54a corresponding to the movement amount of the focal length (this value is an integer). Although not limited thereto, the resolution of the rotary encoder 54b can be set to about the same) is sent to the comparator 64b to set the moving amount of the lens moving frame 23. Then, the rotation direction instruction signal D for instructing the rotation direction is output according to the first photographing condition (whether the focal length is increased or not).

For example, under the condition of reducing the focal length, the rotation direction instruction signal D becomes "H" and is applied to the polarity reversing circuit 34a via the OR circuit 34c to switch the connection state of FIG. On the other hand, under the condition of increasing the focal length, the rotation direction instruction signal D becomes "L",
The polarity inversion circuit 34a is not inverted and maintains the connection state of FIG.

After that, the rotation start signal O is sent to the third switch S.
Output to W3 and turn on this third switch SW3 to DC
The motor 54a is rotated. The rotation of the DC motor 54a is detected by the rotary encoder 54b.
The pulse proportional to the rotation speed of a is the rotary encoder 54.
The pulse is output from b, and the pulse is counted by the counter 64a.

When the count value of the counter 64a reaches the movement value N1 set in the comparator 64b, the comparator 64b sends the coincidence signal C to the CPU circuit 63. When the CPU circuit 63 detects and inputs the coincidence signal C, it outputs a rotation stop signal (the rotation start signal O is "H" and the rotation stop signal is "L") to the third switch SW3.
While turning off W3, a release signal is sent to the plunger through the OR circuit 34d. The shutter device 38 opens and closes the shutter in response to this release signal, and performs the first (the second if the first photo is taken when the shutter button is turned on) photo shooting.

After the shutter device 38 is operated, the motor drive unit 41 winds the film 39 for one frame, and the still camera 5 is in a standby state for the next photographing. Further, after the shutter device 38 operates, the CPU circuit 63 starts the control for performing the second photographing. The control from the second time onward is almost the same as that of the first time, and the operation of performing the number of times of photography equal to the set number of times of photography K is repeated (of course, when the number of times of photography K is set to one, Do not shoot the second time).

The first, second and third switches SW1,
SW2 and SW3 are formed of analog switches, for example. Next, the operation of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

First, by the setting panel 63a, the number of times of photographing K, D corresponding to the moving amount for changing the focal length at the i-th time
The shooting mode M such as the rotation speed Ni of the C motor 54a and the shooting order is set. In the following description of the operation, for example, the number of times of shooting K is set to 2 as one specific example, and the order of shooting is to shoot with the focal length first increased and then with the focal length decreased. The case where the mode is set will be described.

The focus operation is performed while observing the subject from a viewfinder (not shown) of the still camera 5. First, the focus switch 29a or 29
By pressing b, the first switch SW1 in the circuit board 34 is closed and the electric drive device 27 starts operating. Then, the drive shaft 55 of the electric drive device 27 rotates, and the rotation transmission member 26 connected thereto rotates.

The wire feeding piece 48 in the rotation transmitting member 26 is converted into its axial movement by a screw action,
The focusing wire 24 is pushed out or pulled in. In this way, the focus switch 29a or 29b is operated when the operation for setting the focal length state in which the optical image of the subject is clearly formed is performed and it is determined that the subject is in focus.
Stop pressing.

In this state, the shutter button 28 exposed on the outer surface of the operation section 12 is pressed to drive the plunger through the OR circuit 34d in the circuit board 34, and further through the release cable 37, the still camera 5 is driven.
When the shutter button 35 is pressed once, the shutter device 38 is actuated and the first photograph is taken. After this photographing, the motor drive unit 41 winds the film for one frame.

When the shutter button 28 is pressed to operate the shutter button ON, the second switch SW2 in the circuit board 34 is closed and the operation signal S is changed to the second electric cable 31b.
And is sent to the CPU circuit 63 in the control circuit 32. FIG. 5 shows an operation process in which after the image capturing with the shutter button ON, the image capturing is continued under the control of the CPU circuit 63.

The operation signal S is generated by turning on the shutter button at step S1. As shown in step S2, the CPU circuit 63 determines whether or not the actuation signal S is detected, and when the actuation signal S is detected, the control operation of performing the photographing a set number of times according to the set photographing order is started. To do.

As shown in step S3, the setting data necessary for the i-th shooting is read. In this case, the parameter i has an initial value of 1. Then step S
4, the CPU circuit 63 applies the reset signal R to the counter 64a, and the counter is reset.

Further, as shown in step S5, the rotation speed of the DC motor 54a is instructed. That is, the CPU circuit 63
Is the rotation amount N1 of the DC motor 54a (N at the i-th time)
In step i), the comparator 64b is instructed, and the DC motor 54a
Specify the number of rotations. Further, as shown in step S6, the CPU circuit 63 outputs the signal D for instructing the rotation direction. In this case, when the focal length is increased, the level of this signal D becomes "L" and the connection of the polarity reversing circuit 34a is not changed.

Thereafter, a rotation start instruction is given as shown in step S7. That is, the CPU circuit 63 uses the DC motor 5
The rotation start signal O for rotating 4a is supplied to the third switch SW3.
The DC motor 54a is turned on as shown in step S8.

The number of rotations of the DC motor 54a is counted by the counter 64a via the rotary encoder 54b. Further, the comparator 64b determines whether or not the count value of the counter 64a matches the set rotational speed N1, and if they match, the comparator 64b causes the CPU circuit 6 to operate.
3 to the coincidence signal C.

As shown in step S9, the CPU circuit 63
Judges the detection of the coincidence signal C, and rotates the DC motor 54a until the coincidence signal C is detected. When the coincidence signal C is detected, the rotation of the DC motor 54a is stopped and the DC motor is turned off as shown in step S10. That is, the signal level of the rotation start signal O is changed from "H" to "L" to stop the rotation.

Next, as shown in step S11, the CPU circuit 63 outputs the release signal L via the OR circuit 34d, and the shutter device 38 opens and closes the shutter in response to this release signal for the first time (by operating the shutter button 28). The second photo will be taken if shooting is included. After the operation of the shutter device 38, film winding for one frame is automatically performed.

Next, as shown in step S12, the CPU circuit 63 determines whether or not the parameter i (= 1) matches the number of times K (= 2) of photographing (i = K). When the processing is completed and they do not match, the parameter i is set to i + 1 as shown in step S13, and the process returns to step S3.

When i is 2, the second photographing is performed with substantially the same contents as when i is 1. That is, the CPU circuit 63 sequentially performs the second reading of the setting data, the counter reset, the rotation speed N2 instruction, the rotation direction instruction, and the rotation start instruction (steps S3 to S7).

In this case, for example, the rotation speed N in step S5
2 is set to twice N1. Further, in the rotation direction instruction of step S6, the level of the rotation direction instruction signal D becomes "H", and the connection of the polarity reversing circuit 34a is changed to instruct to rotate in the direction to reduce the focal length.

After that, the DC motor 54a rotates, and the CP
When the U circuit 63 detects the coincidence signal C, the DC motor 54
After a is turned off, as shown in step S11, a release signal is output and the second image is captured. Then i
= K is determined, and if YES, the process ends. Upon completion of this operation, the operator can operate the focusing switches 29a, 29b and the like to perform further photographing.

If the determination in step S12 is YES, control may be performed to return to the initial shooting state, and then the processing may end. In this way, when the number of times of photographing K is 2, following the first photographing by the operation of turning on the shutter button 28, the focal length F1 (= F + Δ, which is slightly larger than the focal length F), where Δ is from F The amount of movement of Δ> 0)
The focal length of the objective optical system 19 is set so that
The second photography is performed by setting the focal length of the objective optical system 19 so that the focal length F2 (≈F−Δ) is slightly smaller than the focal length F. The focal length of photography in this case corresponds to FIG.

Therefore, when the number of photographing times K is 2, even if the initial focusing state is slightly deviated,
Since the focal lengths before and after that are respectively set and the photographing is continuously performed, it is often possible to obtain at least one photograph in focus.

When the number of times of photographing K is set to 3 or more, the photographing is performed with the focal length further changed by the substantially similar process.

Shooting is repeated in different focal length states until the number of times of shooting K set in this way is reached. According to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 shows that the shutter button is turned on in the state of the focal length F set by the focus adjustment.
Representative examples in which the photographing is continuously performed in different focal length states after the photographing is performed are shown in the case of various times K. In FIG. 6, the vertical direction indicates the focal length.

6A and 6B show the case where the number K is 1, and FIGS. 6C and 6D show the case where the number K is 2.
6E and 6F show the case where the number of times K is 3, and FIGS. 6G and 6H show the case where the number of times K is 4.

Although the number of times of photographing is not desirable, for example, K =
In the case of 1, a large focal length F1 as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the image is taken with a small focal length F1. Further, in the case of K = 2, FIG. 6C corresponds to that described above, and the image is taken at the large focal length F1 and then taken at the small focal length F2. In addition to this, FIG. 6 (d)
As described above, the images are taken in the reverse order.

Note that recommended setting data is registered in advance in the ROM or the like of the storage section 63b, and the recommended setting data may be selected from the operation panel 63a, or when the operation panel 63a is not operated. One of the recommended setting data is adopted as the default setting data.

As the recommended setting data, at least the number of times of photographing K is 2 or more, and a representative example thereof is that in which K = 4 and photographing is performed as shown in FIG. 6 (g). When shooting is performed with the default setting data as shown in FIG. 6 (g), even if the initial adjustment of the focal length is considerably deviated from the accurate focal length state, the focal length is gradually changed before and after the focal length. Two images are taken with the focal length changed, so that at least one of them is able to obtain a substantially in-focus image.

Therefore, for example, even when the inner surface of the tubular object is difficult to focus, such as when photographing is performed in a state close to the direction parallel to the surface, or when the allowable range of defocus is narrow. When shooting is performed with the above-mentioned default setting data, at least one in-focus photograph can be obtained. Depending on the shooting environment, for example, when the focusing is relatively easy, the shooting may be performed with the setting data of FIG. 6C or 6D, and the focusing is very difficult. In such a case, shooting may be performed by changing the focal length over a wider range than that shown in FIG.

According to the first embodiment, the shutter button 28 provided on the operation section 12 is pushed once to move the focal length state at that time and the movement amount set back and forth from the focal length state. In this state, take multiple photos in succession. Therefore, even if the focus adjusted by the operator is slightly deviated, at least one is practically close to the true focus by taking a plurality of consecutive focal lengths in the vicinity of the focal length. You can get a picture that can be put to practical use.

Note that, for example, by operating the operation panel 63a, etc., the shutter button 28 is turned on to take a picture, and then the picture taking control mode for taking pictures in different focal length states, and the shutter button 28 being turned on to take a normal picture. The normal shooting control mode to be performed may be selectable. Note that if focusing is considerably easy, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) or (b), the number of shootings K may be set to 1 and shooting may be performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to 0. FIG. 7 shows the overall construction of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows the construction of the system stand in a perspective view.
9 shows a circuit configuration of the control circuit and the circuit board, and FIG.
Indicates a piezoelectric actuator that expands and contracts when a drive voltage is applied.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic structure of an endoscope photographing apparatus 71 of the second embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the drive mechanism for changing the focal length, and is characterized in that the endoscope 72 in this embodiment has a built-in photographing means.

The endoscope 72, as shown in FIG.
1, an operation unit 12, and an eyepiece unit 73. An objective optical system 19 is provided in the tip end portion 18 of the insertion portion 11 as in the first embodiment, and the lens moving frame 23 that holds the rear group lens 19a that serves as a focus adjusting lens thereof is a non-bending pipe or the like. It is connected to the tip of a connecting member 74 as a driving force transmitting member, and the base end of this connecting member 74 is connected to a piezoelectric actuator 75 that expands and contracts by a piezoelectric phenomenon.

The piezoelectric actuator 75 is constructed by using a piezoelectric element that expands or contracts when a voltage is applied. The rear end of the connecting member 74 is connected and fixed to a front base 76 of the piezoelectric actuator 75, and the rear base 77 is a fixing member 7 in the insertion portion 11.
8 is fixedly attached.

Further, the axial direction of expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric actuator 75 and the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 74 are coaxially aligned on a straight line, and are arranged parallel to the optical axis direction of the objective optical system 19. Lead wire 79 connected to the rear base 77
However, the fixing member 58 is passed through the insertion portion 11 and inside the operation portion 12.
Is connected to the circuit board 34 'supported by. A first electric cable 80 is connected to the circuit board 34 '.

The first electric cable 80 is guided to the connecting portion 81 provided on the operating portion 12, and the system stand 8 is reached.
It is adapted to be detachably connected to the connecting portion 83 on the second side. Further, a light guide (not shown) is also guided to the connecting portion 81 through the inside of the insertion portion 11. A lamp (not shown) is provided in the connecting portion 83, and has a structure of supplying illumination light to the light guide, and has a function of a lamp portion / light guide connecting portion.

The first electric cable 80 is electrically connected to the second electric cable 84 in a state where both the connecting portions 81 and 83 are connected. The base end of the second electric cable 84 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 33 via the control circuit 32 ′ provided inside the cylindrical housing portion 85 of the system stand 82. The power supply circuit 33 is connected to a power supply cord, and the plug at the tip of the power supply cord is connected to a commercial power outlet for use. It should be noted that the accommodating portion 85 may have a rechargeable battery as a secondary power source built therein so that it can be used without connecting a power cord.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the system stand 82 is provided with a multi-degree-of-freedom arm portion 88 in which an arm is rotatably connected by a pivotal support portion to an extendable telescopic portion 87 provided with fixed legs 86. The connecting portion 83 is attached to the front-rear drive stage 89 provided at the tip of the multi-degree-of-freedom arm portion 88, and the connecting portion 83
Is movable back and forth.

The system stand 82 is shown in FIG.
The fixed leg 86 is folded as shown in FIG.
Can be contracted and the multi-degree-of-freedom arm portion 88 can be folded to reduce the size.

The second electric cable 84 does not get in the way because it passes through the cable passage portion 90 provided on the system stand 82. Further, since the system stand 82 is provided with the lamp and the power supply circuit 33, the use of this allows the whole system to be set easily in a short time and the operability is improved.

As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board 34 'has a shutter button 28 exposed and installed on the outer surface of the operating portion 12.
Is attached. Further, the operation unit 1 is provided on the circuit board 34 '.
A focus knob 91 that is exposed and installed on the outer surface of the second camera 2 is attached. When the focus knob 91 is rotated, the control circuit 32 'determines the amount of rotation, generates a drive voltage corresponding to the amount of rotation, applies the drive voltage to the piezoelectric actuator 75, and the piezoelectric actuator 7 is driven.
5 is expanded and contracted in the axial direction.

Further, a prism 92 functioning as a beam splitter (light beam separating means) is provided at the base end portion of the image guide 21 guided to the tip end portion of the operation portion 12. The prism 92 splits the optical path in two directions, and one of them is guided to the eyepiece lens 22 provided in the eyepiece section 73.

The other is a photographing optical system 93 and a shutter 9.
It is led to the film 95 via 4. The shutter 94
When the opening / closing operation is performed, the film 95 is wound by a winding motor (not shown). The operation portion 12 on the back side of the film 95 is provided with a lid portion (not shown) for taking in and out the film.

Further, the shutter 94 is connected to the circuit board 34 'via the third electric cable 96. As described above, since the picture taking unit 97 is built in the endoscope 72, it is not necessary to attach / detach the adapter or the still camera when taking a picture.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the control circuit 32 'and the circuit board 34' in this embodiment. A rotary encoder 121 is connected to the shaft of the focus knob 91 and outputs a signal proportional to the rotation amount to the rotation detector 122 and the counter circuit 123. When the rotation detector 122 detects a non-zero signal from the rotary encoder 121, it outputs "H".
Is output to the fourth switch circuit SW4 and turned on.

When the fourth switch circuit SW4 is turned on, the CPU circuit 124 applies the count enable signal E to the counter circuit 123 and the rotary encoder 121.
The pulse corresponding to the right or left rotation from is counted up or down. The counter circuit 123 is first reset by the reset signal R by the CPU circuit 124.

The count value of this counter circuit 123 is D
It is applied to the gain control terminal of a gain control amplifier (abbreviated as GCA) 127 via the / A converter 125 and the addition circuit 126, and the output voltage value of the GCA 127 is controlled by the output value of the addition circuit 126.

The input end of the GCA 127 is connected to a predetermined voltage source (for example, Vc) of the power supply circuit 33, the output end is connected to the piezoelectric actuator 75 via the lead wire 79, and the piezoelectric actuator 75 is driven by the voltage at the output end. To do. The GCA 127 has a characteristic that its output becomes 0 when the voltage applied to the gain control terminal is 0.

Therefore, when the operator performs an operation of rotating the focus knob 91, a voltage corresponding to the rotation amount is applied to the GCA 127, and a drive voltage proportional to this voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 75. The piezoelectric actuator 75 contracts in accordance with the applied voltage value, and the focal length can be adjusted.

When the shutter button 28 is turned on, the release signal is sent via the OR circuit 128 to the shutter 9
The shutter switch 94 is turned on, the fifth switch circuit SW5 is closed, and the operation signal S is sent to the CPU circuit 124.

When the CPU circuit 124 detects the operation signal S, it turns on the sixth switch SW6 and outputs the voltage V set through the voltage setting circuit 131 to the adding circuit 126. Therefore, the piezoelectric actuator 75 is driven by the drive voltage obtained by adding the voltage proportional to the voltage V. The voltage setting circuit 131 is composed of, for example, a large number of voltage dividing resistors and analog switches, and the plurality of analog switches are selectively turned on according to the level of the selection signal output from the CPU circuit 124 through the plurality of digital signal lines. , That O
An analog voltage ranging from positive to negative in accordance with the combined resistance value determined by the N analog switch is output from the output end to the adder circuit 126 via the sixth switch SW6.

The adder circuit 126 is the voltage setting circuit 13
When a negative voltage is input from 1, the voltage subtracted from the voltage output via the D / A converter 125 is GC.
It is applied to A127. Further, the CPU circuit 124 can variably set the voltage V output from the voltage setting circuit 131 by the selection signal. This selection signal can be specified by operating the operation panel 132.

After turning on the sixth switch SW6, the CPU circuit 124 outputs a release signal via the OR circuit 128 to take the second image (the first time excluding the operation by operating the shutter button 28). To do. Whether or not to continue shooting after the second shooting is determined by the operation content of the operation panel 132. Next, the operation of the endoscope imaging apparatus 71 having the above configuration will be described.

When performing the focus operation, the eyepiece 7
Perform while observing the subject from 3. First, by rotating the focus knob 91, it is detected by the rotation detector 122 that detects the output of the rotary encoder 121.
The fourth switch SW4 is closed. This fourth switch SW4
Is closed, the counter circuit 123 in the control circuit 32 'is closed.
Becomes an active state in which the rotation amount is counted, and the count value corresponding to the rotation amount is applied to the GCA 127 via the D / A converter 125 and the adding circuit 126 to generate a drive voltage corresponding to the rotation amount.

This drive voltage is applied to the second electric cable 84,
First electric cable 80, circuit board 34 ', lead wire 7
9 is applied to the piezoelectric actuator 75, and the piezoelectric actuator 75 is expanded and contracted in the axial direction. FIG. 10 shows how the piezoelectric actuator 75 expands and contracts.

FIG. 10A shows the state before the drive voltage is applied, and FIG. 10B shows the contracted state when the voltage is applied. As a result, the connecting member 74 moves rearward along the direction parallel to the optical axis of the objective optical system 19,
The lens moving frame 23 to which the rear lens group 19a is attached also moves rearward. Thus, when it is determined that the subject is in focus, the focus knob 91 is stopped from rotating.

In this state, by pressing the shutter button 28 exposed and installed on the outer surface of the operation portion 12, a release signal is generated via the OR circuit 128, and the shutter 94 is released once via the third electric cable 96. It operates to perform the release operation for taking the first picture. When the first picture is taken, the film 95 is automatically wound by one frame.

The operation signal S generated by closing the fifth switch SW5 by the release operation of pressing the shutter button 28 is sent to the CPU circuit 124 in the control circuit 32 ', and this CPU circuit 124 detects this signal. After doing
A signal for closing the sixth switch SW6 in the circuit board 34 'is issued. However, the sixth switch SW6 is set to close after the time required for the shutter 94 to operate.

When the sixth switch SW6 is closed, the voltage (V in FIG. 9) set to the piezoelectric actuator 75 is further applied under the control of the control circuit 32 'to perform the operation of photographing in different focal length states.

That is, the sixth switch SW6 is turned on and the second switch SW6 is turned on.
A voltage V corresponding to the focus movement distance set as the first shooting condition is applied to the GCA 127 via the adder circuit 126, and the piezoelectric actuator 75 further contracts or extends in accordance with the output voltage of the adder circuit 126. Rear lens group 1
9a is moved (when the set voltage V is positive, the rear lens group 19a is moved backward, and when it is negative, it is moved forward).

Rear group lens 1 by closing the sixth switch SW6
After waiting the time for 9a to complete the movement, the CPU circuit 12
4 sends a release signal to the third electric cable 96 via the OR circuit 128 to open and close the shutter 94 to take a second picture. After this photograph is taken, the film 95 is wound for one frame.

When the number of images to be photographed set on the operation panel 132 is the third or more, images are photographed under the control of the control circuit 32 'under different focal length conditions, for example, as follows.

The CPU circuit 124 turns off the sixth switch SW6 to set the focal length state corresponding to the shooting condition of the third image from the voltage setting circuit 131 to, for example, -V.
Of the selection signal for outputting the voltage of the voltage setting circuit 131
Apply to. After this, the CPU circuit 124 closes the sixth switch SW6, waits for the time for the rear group lens 19a to complete the movement, and then sends the release signal to the third signal via the OR circuit 128.
Then, the shutter 94 is opened and closed to take a third photo. After this photograph is taken, the film 95 is wound for one frame.

When the number of shots set on the operation panel 132 is the fourth shot or more, the shots are taken under the control of the control circuit 32 'under different focal length conditions, for example, as follows.

The CPU circuit 124 turns off the sixth switch SW6 and selects such that the voltage setting circuit 131 outputs a voltage of, for example, −2 V in order to set the focal length state corresponding to the photographing condition of the fourth image. Signal voltage setting circuit 1
31 is applied. After this, the CPU circuit 124 closes the sixth switch SW6, waits for the time when the rear lens group 19a completes its movement, and then sends it to the release signal third electric cable 96 via the OR circuit 128 to open and close the shutter 94. Take the fourth photo. After this photograph is taken, the film 95 is wound for one frame.

After the set number of photographs have been taken, the CPU circuit 124 causes the sixth switch SW6.
Is turned off to return to the focal length state in which the first photo was taken. In this state, the operator can manually take a picture by rotating the focus knob 91 manually.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 75 is provided near the lens moving frame 23 in the distal end portion 18 of the insertion portion 11, and the lead wire 79 is inserted in the insertion portion 11, so that the insertion portion 11 meanders. However, even if the length of the insertion portion is long, the amount of movement of the piezoelectric actuator 75 becomes the amount of movement of the lens moving frame 23 as it is, so that highly accurate and fast response lens movement is possible. Others have the same effects as the first embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the output of the counter 123 is input to the CPU circuit 124 or the like, so that the CPU
The circuit 124 judges the value of the focal length set by the operation of the focus knob 91 from the count value of the counter 123, and at what focal distance in the vicinity of that focal length, the movement amount of the focal length should be set to perform photographing. Alternatively, the voltage value of the voltage setting circuit 131 may be automatically selected and set so as to obtain the movement amount.

In other words, considering the depth of field at each focal length when shooting is performed with different focal lengths, the amount of movement of the focal length is such that the depth of field overlaps in the adjacent focal length state. By setting and shooting, it is possible to obtain at least one in-focus photo by shooting at any focal length.

In FIG. 9, the output of the counter 123 is applied to the address of the ROM (in which the voltage value data corresponding to the movement amount of the focal length is written) to apply the focus distance set by the operation of the focus knob 91. The voltage value data corresponding to the amount of movement of the focal length may be read using the value as an address signal and the CPU circuit 124 may refer to this voltage value data.

In this case, according to the value of the focal length set by the operation of the focus knob 91, the moving amount of the focal length when shooting the second and subsequent images is set to a fixed amount.

It should be noted that, after photographing by turning on the shutter bonder 28, the focal length range for photographing may be designated instead of setting the number of consecutive photographing. For example, specify the state where the focal point is shifted (started) to one side and the state where the focal point is shifted (started) to the other side, and these ranges are continuously changed with the focal length slightly different considering the depth of field. Alternatively, a plurality of images may be captured. When shooting is performed in this manner, it is possible to obtain a photograph in which at least one is surely in focus.

When the focal length range to be photographed is designated, a state in which it is considered to be in focus and a state in which the focus is deviated to one are designated, and the focal length is deviated to one side on both sides of the focal length considered to be in focus. The photographing may be performed at different focal lengths so as to cover the deviation amount designated in the state. The control circuit 32 ′ may be housed in the endoscope 72, for example, in the operation unit 12 or the like, and the endoscope may be configured as an endoscope imaging apparatus.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1
1 to 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Shows the structure of the endoscope imaging apparatus of the third embodiment, FIG. 12 shows the circuit structure of the control circuit and the like, and FIG. 13 shows the operation explanatory view.

As shown in FIG. 11, the endoscope 102 constituting the endoscope photographing apparatus 101 of the third embodiment serves as a focusing lens in the objective optical system 19 provided in the distal end portion 18 of the insertion portion 11. The lens holding frame 103 holding the group lens 19a is held in a lens moving frame 23 that can slide in the optical axis direction, and this lens moving frame 23 is connected to the tip of a focusing wire 24.

The lens holding frame 103 is made of a magnetic material such as iron which is attracted by a magnetic force. An electromagnet 104 and an electromagnet 105 are fixed to both ends of the lens moving frame 23, respectively.

Further, the electromagnet 104 and the lens holding frame 103
A coiled spring 106 is provided between the electromagnet 105 and the lens holding frame 103, and a coiled spring 107 is provided between the lens holding frame 103 and the lens holding frame 103. Further, the electromagnet 104 and the electromagnet 105 have a power cord 108 and a power cord 10 respectively.
9 is connected. These power cords 108, 10
9 is guided to a circuit board 34 ″ provided on the operation unit 12.

The focusing wire 24 is inserted into the guide tube 25 arranged from the insertion portion 11 to the inside of the operation portion 12 and guided to the operation portion 12. Also,
The proximal end of the focusing wire 24 is connected to a wire feed piece 112 that is moved in the front-rear direction by a focus operation ring 111 provided on the operation unit 12.

FIG. 12 shows the control circuit 3 in this embodiment.
An example of the configuration of the 2 ″ and the circuit board 34 ″ is shown. The shutter button 28 is connected to the OR circuit 141, and when the shutter button 28 is turned ON, a release signal is sent to the shutter device 38 side via the OR circuit 141 to take a first picture and the seventh switch SW7. The operation signal S generated when the seventh switch SW7 is turned on is connected to CP
It is sent to the U circuit 142.

When the CPU circuit 142 detects the operation signal S, the CPU circuit 142 subsequently starts a control operation for taking two or more photographs under the condition corresponding to the setting data set in advance on the operation panel 143.

First, a selection signal is sent to the driving amount setting circuit 144, and the contact to be turned on is selected by the selection switch in the driving amount setting circuit 144. With the selected contact, for example, the voltage divided by the resistance is converted into a low impedance so that the load can be driven through the driver, and the voltage can be output to the electromagnet 104 or 105 side through the eighth switch circuit SW8. .

After that, the CPU circuit 142 sends a drive start signal to the eighth switch circuit SW8, and the contact a or the contact b is sent.
Turn on. The eighth switch circuit SW8 is normally in the open state in which the contact c is selected as shown in FIG.
When the contact a or the contact b is turned on, the electromagnet 104 or 10
A driving current flows through the lens holding frame 103 and the electromagnet 10
Move to side 4 or 105.

The CPU circuit 142 uses the lens holding frame 10
After waiting for the time when the movement of No. 3 is completed, a release signal is output to the shutter device 38 side via the OR circuit 141 to take a second picture.

When it is set to photograph three or more images, for example, the CPU circuit 142 causes the eighth switch circuit SW8 to make a contact b or a contact b or a contact different from the contact a or b at which the second switch is turned on. Sends a signal to turn on a. As a result, a driving current flows through the electromagnet 105 or 104, and the lens holding frame 103 is moved.

The CPU circuit 142 uses the lens holding frame 10
After waiting for the time when the movement of No. 3 is completed, a release signal is output to the shutter device 38 side via the OR circuit 141 so that the third photo is taken. In this way, a plurality of photographs are taken. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the endoscopic image capturing apparatus 101 having the above configuration will be described. When performing the focus operation, when the focus operation ring 111 is manually rotated, the wire feed piece 112 is moved in the front-rear direction, pushes and pulls the focus wire 24, and advances and retracts the lens moving frame 23.

As a result, the spring 1 is attached to the lens moving frame 23.
The lens holding frame 103 held at the equilibrium position by 06 and 107 moves back and forth, and the objective optical system 19 can be focused. In this way, when it is determined that the subject is in focus, the focus operation ring 111
Stop turning.

In this state, when the shutter button 28 exposed and installed on the outer surface of the operation section 12 is pressed, a release signal is output via the OR circuit 141, and the release cable 37 is operated by this signal, and the still camera 5 is operated.
When the shutter button 35 is pressed once, the shutter device 38 is actuated, the first photo is taken, the seventh switch SW7 in the circuit board 34 ″ is closed, and the actuation signal S is generated.

After the operation signal S is detected by the CPU circuit 142, a signal is sent so that the contact a or b of the eighth switch circuit SW8 in the circuit board 34 ″ is turned on (the operation data of the operation panel 142 causes the CPU to operate). The circuit 142 corresponds to the condition when the second image is taken, and the drive amount setting circuit 14
The output voltage in No. 4 is preset by the selection signal. It is also determined which of the contacts a and b of the eighth switch circuit SW8 should be turned on).

When, for example, the contact a of the eighth switch circuit SW8 is turned on, the voltage output from the power supply circuit 33 via the drive amount setting circuit 144 is applied to the electromagnet 104 via the power supply cord 108, whereby the magnetic substance Lens holding frame 10
3 is attracted to the electromagnet 104 side, and the spring 106 contracts as shown in FIG.

When the spring 106 contracts, the lens holding frame 103 and the rear group lens 19a are moved in the axial direction by the urging force of the spring 107. After the time when the operation of moving the lens holding frame 103 by closing the eighth switch circuit SW8 is completed,
The CPU circuit 142 outputs a release signal via the OR circuit 141.

This release signal corresponds to the release cable 3
The shutter button 35 of the still camera 5 is pushed via the shutter 7 to operate the shutter device 38 to take a second picture. Although the case where the contact point a is turned on has been described here, when the contact point b is turned on and the electromagnet 105 is energized, as shown in FIG.
The lens holding frame 103 moves in the opposite direction to the case where the electromagnet 104 is energized as shown in (b).

When it is set to photograph the third or more images, the CPU circuit 142 sends a signal to the eighth switch circuit SW8 so that the contact opposite to that of the second image is turned on, and the lens is held. After the elapse of the time required to complete the movement of the frame 103, the release signal is output via the OR circuit 141, and the third image is captured.

When four or more pictures are taken, the output voltage of the drive amount setting circuit is changed and the same picture taking operation is performed. The effects of this third embodiment are as follows. In the first embodiment, since the drive unit is provided in the operation unit, the operation unit becomes large and the weight becomes heavy. In the second embodiment, since the driving device is arranged at the tip of the insertion portion, the tip of the tip becomes thick. In the present embodiment, the driving device is arranged separately in the vicinity of the operating portion and the tip lens holding frame, so that the operating portion can be reduced in weight and size and the insertion distal end portion can be made smaller in diameter.

Further, the control means for photographing the second and subsequent images can be realized with a simple structure without changing the encoder or the voltage value and the polarity, and the cost can be reduced. Others have the same effects as the first embodiment.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an image guide (image transmitting means) for transmitting an image is constructed by a flexible fiber bundle as an endoscope. In the case of this configuration, the focus state of the image formed on the front end surface of the image guide is changed by moving a part of the lens forming the objective optical system 19 arranged at the front end portion 18 to change the focal length. On the other hand, the optical system of the still camera 5 is fixed in a focus state in which an image of the rear end surface of the image guide is clearly formed.

On the other hand, when a relay optical system for transmitting an image by rearwardly forming a real image is used as an image guide, the objective optical system, the relay optical system, the eyepiece system, and the still camera 5 are used for photographing. The focal length of the image formed on the film can be changed by moving at least a part of the lenses of the use optical system in the optical axis direction.

Therefore, when the relay optical system is adopted as the image guide, the focal length adjusting means should be configured to move at least a part of the lenses in the image forming optical system having these image forming functions in the optical axis direction. You can

Further, when the objective optical system or the like is formed by using the liquid crystal lens whose refractive index can be changed by the applied voltage, the focal length adjusting means can be constructed by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal lens. . The photographing means for photographing an optical image is not limited to the optical still camera, but includes an electronic still camera. It should be noted that an embodiment obtained by partially combining the above-mentioned embodiments also belongs to the present invention.

By the way, as a system stand for holding the endoscope, a system stand 141 having a structure as shown in FIG. 14 may be adopted. The system stand 141 has a function of holding the endoscope 72 shown in FIG. 8, and also has a second multi-degree-of-freedom arm 143 so as to be able to cope with the case where the TV camera 142 is attached to the endoscope 72. A monitor 144 is attached to the tip of the TV
The video signal code 145 of the camera 142 is displayed on the monitor 144.
It is connected to the. Further, the power cord 146 of the TV camera 142 is connected to the power circuit in the cylindrical housing portion 85. The other configurations are almost the same as those in FIG.

[Additional Remarks] (1) In an endoscope having a focusing mechanism for performing focusing by remotely moving a focus lens of an objective optical system provided at a tip portion of the endoscope, after one release operation is completed. An endoscope having driving means for immediately driving the focus lens by a fixed amount, and means for operating the shutter device again after the driving is completed. In this endoscope, after taking a picture by one release operation, the focus lens is driven to open and close the shutter device again to take a picture.
In many cases, a focused image can be obtained as compared with the case of shooting by one release operation.

(2) A focus lens provided at the distal end of the endoscope, a drive mechanism for moving the focal length of the focus lens, a photographing device which is integral with or separate from the endoscope, and the drive mechanism. And a release mechanism for driving the photographing device to perform photographing, and an endoscopic photographing device having a control device for controlling the driving mechanism and the photographing device.
An endoscope photographing apparatus having means for operating the photographing apparatus after the focus position of the focus lens is further moved at least once by the control device after the operation of the photographing apparatus is completed. This endoscope photographing apparatus operates the photograph photographing apparatus at least once after the operation of the photograph photographing apparatus is completed, after the focus position of the focus lens is further moved by the control device, so that the photographing apparatus is operated once. In many cases, a more focused image can be obtained than in the case of the image capturing operation.

[0152]

As described above, according to the present invention, the focal length adjusting means for adjusting the focal length of the image forming optical system is provided in the endoscope having the image forming optical system for forming an optical image.
A unit for forming an optical image, which is formed integrally with the endoscope or as a detachable separate unit, and an operation for driving the focal length adjusting unit to set a focal length for forming a clear optical image, Since provision is made of the operating means for performing the operation and the control means for performing the control of setting the focal length state different from the focal length set by the operation of the operating means at least once and causing the image capturing means to capture an image. Even if the focus is out of focus because it is difficult to focus, shooting is performed by setting multiple focal length states, so there is a better chance of obtaining a focused image than when shooting once. Can be made bigger.

Further, by setting the control state in which the photographing is performed at the focal length at least before and after the focal length by the operating means, even if the focus focused by the operator is slightly deviated, the photographing is performed at the focal lengths before and after that. Often, at least one photo can be obtained in focus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an operation unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a hinge structure.

FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of a control circuit and a circuit board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of a shooting operation that is subsequently performed after the shutter button is turned on.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing that images are taken in different focal length states.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a system stand.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a control circuit and a circuit board.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the piezoelectric actuator is driven.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a circuit configuration diagram of a control circuit and a circuit board.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a system stand.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional endoscope imaging apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope imaging device 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Eyepiece part 4 ... Imaging adapter 5 ... Still camera 6 ... Light source / power supply device 7 ... Holding device 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 19 ... Objective optical system 23 Lens moving frame 24 Focusing wire 26 Power transmission device 27 Electric drive device 28 Shutter button 29a, 29b Focusing switch 32 Control circuit 34 Circuit board 38 Shutter device 39 Film

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A focal length adjusting means provided in an endoscope having an image forming optical system for forming an optical image, for adjusting a focal length of the image forming optical system, and integrally or detachably attached to the endoscope. A photographing means that is formed as a separate body and that photographs an optical image; an operating means that drives the focal length adjusting means and performs an operation for setting a focal length that forms a clear optical image; An endoscopic imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to set a focal length state different from a focal length set by an operation at least once and control the photographing unit to perform photographing.