JPH07313451A - Stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce variance among signals obtained from plural image pickup means, relatively save the trouble of adjustments, and lower the price. CONSTITUTION:The signals outputted by two CCDs 2a and 2b which are driven by being supplied with the driving signal from a driver 8 at the same time are switched in order by a changeover switch 10 and put together into a signal of one system, which is processed by a process circuit 11 and displayed on a monitor 5. The monitor 5 displays a right and a left image of a subject which have parallax alternately. The CCU 4 needs to be provided with only one system of a process circuit, etc., so that variance between the signals of the signal processing is less than that of signal processing by two systems, the trouble of adjustments is relatively saved, and the price is lowered.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a stereoscopic rigid endoscope capable of stereoscopically observing the inside of an object (object).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of surgical procedures, conventional endoscopic surgery has been replaced with a rigid endoscope for observing the inside of the abdomen by making a small hole in the abdomen and performing an operation. The following surgery has become popular.

Up to now, the observation has been performed by a device which is a combination of a rigid endoscope and a TV camera, but the operation takes time because there is no depth information. However, from recent years,
A stereoscopic rigid endoscope having depth information has been developed.

As this stereoscopic endoscope, there is an electronic endoscope using a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) as an image pickup means. Conventionally, as an electronic endoscope capable of stereoscopic viewing, a method of vibrating a solid-state image pickup device to pick up an image of a subject at two positions, and a method of providing two or more solid-state image pickup devices, each solid-state image pickup device Has been proposed.

However, the former has a problem that the mechanism for vibrating the solid-state image pickup device becomes complicated and the electronic endoscope becomes large. A stereoscopic endoscope in which a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices are arranged is more suitable for downsizing.

On the other hand, with the spread of computers, image processing technology has advanced, and in the detection of early cancer, it is important to identify fine irregularities on the surface. By observing a subject three-dimensionally and combining the electronic technique and the image processing technique, the effectiveness of diagnosis is enhanced in the stereoscopic vision of the subject by the electronic endoscope.

In a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus in which the stereoscopic endoscope and a CCU (camera control unit) having functions such as image processing are combined, conventionally, two image pickup elements and two corresponding image pickup elements are provided. It uses one CCU.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional device that processes signals from two CCDs by two signal processing systems.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device 90 shown in FIG.
Objective lenses 92a, 92 are attached to the tips to form left and right images.
An endoscope 91 in which b is arranged, a camera head 93 having CCDs 94a and 94b for picking up left and right images formed by the endoscope 91, and two cables 95a and 95b for transmitting outputs of the CCDs 94a and 94b. , And two CCUs 96a, 96b for processing the signals transmitted by these two cables 95a, 95b. Two CCs
The two signals output by the signal processing circuits 97a and 97b in the U 96a and 96b are combined by the scan converter 98 so that they can be observed stereoscopically, and displayed on the monitor 99. Incidentally, as the stereoscopic display method, there are a time division method for displaying left and right images on one monitor and a stereoscopic mirror method for displaying left and right images on two monitors.

As a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus having two such signal processing systems, as shown in FIG.
Endoscope 10 in which CCDs 94a and 94b are arranged at the tip of 00
Some have 1. The endoscope 101 emits the illumination light emitted from the lamp 105 of the light source device 104 from the tip through the light distribution lens 102 and the light guide 103. The light source device 104 has an automatic light control circuit in order to maintain an appropriate amount of illumination light. As a configuration example of automatic light control, the detector 10 provided in the CCU 106
The outputs of the CCDs 94a and 94b are detected by 7, 108 and added by the adder 109, and a dimming signal is supplied to the lamp light amount control circuit 110 of the light source device 104. Then, the lamp light amount control circuit 110 appropriately controls the emitted light amount of the lamp 105 based on the dimming signal. For example, by a method of controlling the opening amount of the diaphragm (iris).

However, in this configuration, the light amount of the lamp is controlled by the dimming signal obtained by detecting and adding the two CCD outputs. For this reason, variations in CCD output and variations between the two detection circuits occur, and adjustment takes time.

Further, in addition to the need for two detection circuits for iris and diaphragm control, two systems for AGC (auto gain control) and the like are also required, and it is necessary to control AGC and the like for each CCU. It was FIG. 14 shows this specific example. The outputs of the CCDs 94a and 94b are input to detection circuits 111 and 112 and GCA (gain control amplifier) 113 and 114, respectively.
The respective outputs of the CCD are detected by the GCAs 113 and 114 and then added by the adder 115 to obtain the GCA1.
It is supplied to the gain control terminals of 13, 114. GCA1
Reference numerals 13 and 114 adjust the respective outputs of the CCD according to the output of the adder 115, and output them to the two process circuits in the subsequent stage.

In the above configuration, since two systems are required for gain control of the CCD output, variations in gain of luminance and color tone occur, and it takes time to adjust them.

[0014]

Conventionally, a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus has used a plurality of, for example, two image pickup elements and two CCUs corresponding thereto. As previously mentioned, 2 CCs
Gain variation in U occurs, which is very cumbersome and requires time to adjust, resulting in an expensive system as a whole.

The present invention provides a low-priced stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device which can reduce the variation between the signals obtained from a plurality of image pickup means and can relatively reduce the labor of adjustment. It is intended to be provided.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a plurality of image pickup means for picking up images of a subject as parallax images, and a drive signal is selectively supplied to the plurality of image pickup means in a time division manner. Or a driving means for supplying the plurality of image pickup means simultaneously in common, a synthesizing means for synthesizing respective output signals from the plurality of image pickup means and outputting as one system signal, and an output of the synthesizing means And a display unit for displaying the signal processed by the video signal processing unit.

[0017]

In the structure of the present invention, the respective signals output by the plurality of image pickup means which are selectively supplied in a time division manner by the drive means or are supplied simultaneously in common and driven are combined by the combining means. After being output as a single-system signal, it is processed by the video signal processing means and displayed on the display means. The display means displays a plurality of images of the subject with parallax. Since the video signal processing means need only be provided in one system, the variation between signals in the signal processing can be reduced and adjustment can be made relatively easily and cheaper than the case where two systems are provided and signal processing is performed separately. is there.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus,
FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram of a stereoscopic rigid endoscope, FIG. 2 is a timing chart diagram showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
Is a block diagram of a configuration for supplying a drive signal of one system to two CCDs, and FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram in which two CCDs are arranged at the tip of the endoscope insertion portion.

The stereoscopic rigid endoscope image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 (a) sequentially switches signals from a stereoscopic endoscope having a plurality of, for example, two image pickup means, and outputs signals by one CCU. It is configured to process. Further, the two image pickup means are for picking up left and right images with parallax, and are configured such that one system of drive signals from the CCU are commonly applied and driven. As a stereoscopic endoscope, a rigid endoscope will be described below as an example. As a stereoscopic display system, a so-called liquid crystal shutter glasses system, which is a time-division system and uses the glasses side as a shutter, will be described as an example.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device 1 includes a solid-state image pickup device as an image pickup means, for example, a stereoscopic rigid endoscope 3 having CCDs 2a and 2b, and outputs of the CCDs 2a and 2b for each field (or frame). CCU (camera control unit) 4 that performs signal processing after sequentially switching to a single system, a monitor 5 that displays left and right images in time division based on the signals processed by this CCU 4, and a time on this monitor 5. It has liquid crystal shutter glasses 6 that are turned on / off in synchronization with the left and right images that are displayed separately, and a liquid crystal shutter driver 7 that controls on / off of the liquid crystal shutter glasses 6.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the stereoscopic rigid endoscope 3 comprises a rigid endoscope main body 3a and a camera head 3b connectable to the eyepiece of the rigid endoscope main body 3a. . The CCDs 2a and 2b are arranged on the camera head 3b side. The stereoscopic rigid endoscope 3 may have a configuration in which a CCD is arranged at the tip of the endoscope as described later.

The CCU 4 has a horizontal synchronizing signal VφS and a vertical synchronizing signal VφP for driving the CCDs 2a and 2b.
And the like, amplifiers 9a and 9b for amplifying respective outputs of the CCDs 2a and 2b, and an amplifier 9
A changeover switch 10 which selects and outputs the outputs a and 9b as a single system, a process circuit 11 which receives the output of the changeover switch 10 and performs a predetermined process such as γ correction or enhancement, and the process circuit 11 And a double scan circuit 12 including a memory for doubling the field (or frame) cycle and outputting the output.
The output of the double scan circuit 12 is alternately displayed as a left image and a right image on the monitor 5.
If the switching (field) cycle of the changeover switch 10 is 1/60 second, the double scan circuit 12 is 1/1
The left and right images are switched in a cycle of 20 seconds.

The CCU 4 has the driver 8,
The changeover switch 10, the process circuit 11 and the liquid crystal shutter driver 7 have a sync signal generator 13 for outputting a necessary sync signal or field (or frame) change signal. The liquid crystal shutter driver 7 switches the opening and closing of the left and right polarizing plates of the liquid crystal shutter glasses 6 in synchronization with the switching of the left and right images displayed on the monitor 5 based on the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generator 13. The liquid crystal shutter driver 7 and the liquid crystal shutter glasses 6 are connected by infrared light transmission / reception. There is an advantage over the wired connection in that the behavior of the observer wearing the glasses 6 is not restricted.

Next, a specific example of a configuration in which a drive signal for one system is supplied to two CCDs will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In this example, as the stereoscopic rigid endoscope, an electronic stereoscopic rigid endoscope so-called video rapa will be described below as an example. In this video rapa, a plurality of CCDs are provided at the tip of the endoscope.

In the stereoscopic rigid endoscope 3'shown in FIG. 4, the CCDs 2a and 2b are arranged at the distal end portion 32a of the insertion portion 32. The endoscope 3'is provided with the CCU via a connector 33 provided at an end of a universal cord extended from a side of an operation section connected to a proximal side of an insertion section 32.
4 is connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of image forming optical systems 34a and 34b are arranged at the distal end portion 32a of the endoscope with parallax so that stereoscopic vision is possible, and their optical axes are inclined in parallel or inward. Are arranged. This imaging optical system 34a, 3
CCDs 2a and 2b are respectively arranged at the image forming positions of 4b. Although not shown, a filter array in which color filters that transmit the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are arranged in a mosaic pattern is fixed to the front surfaces of the CCDs 2a and 2b. ing.

CCDs 2a and 2b in the tip portion 32a
Are connected to the signal connector 35 of the connector 33 via the lead wire group 34. A light distribution lens system 36 is provided at the tip portion 32a, and the light distribution lens system 3 is provided.
A light guide 82 formed of a flexible fiber bundle is continuously provided behind the light guide 6. This light guide 8
2 is inserted into the insertion portion 22 and the universal cord 24, and is connected to the light source connector 38 of the connector 25.

A light distribution lens system 36 is provided in the tip portion 32a, and behind the light distribution lens system 36,
Light guide 3 made of flexible fiber bundle
7 emission ends are arranged. This light guide 37
Is connected to the light source connector 38 of the connector 33 through the insertion portion 32 and the universal cord.

On the other hand, in the CCU 4, the signal processing unit 4
a and a light source unit 4b are provided. Signal processing unit 4a
1 has a built-in configuration shown in FIG. 1A, and is connected to the CCDs 2a and 2b via a signal connector receiver 39 and a signal connector 35 of the stereoscopic rigid endoscope 3 '. ing.

Illumination light emitted from the lamp 40 of the light source section 4b is passed through a light guide 37 and a light distribution lens 36.
The subject is irradiated.

As the CCDs 2a and 2b, the same type is used, and as shown in FIG. 3, each has six terminals, that is, power supply voltage (E) application terminals 43 and 53, and a horizontal transfer clock pulse (VφS). Application terminals 44 and 54, vertical transfer clock pulse (VφP) application terminals 45 and 55, blooming suppression pulse (VAB) application terminals 46 and 56, ground (GND) terminals 47 and 57, and signal (Vout1 and Vout2) terminals 48 and 58. Is equipped with.

In this embodiment, the signal output terminals 48, 5 are
Terminals 43, 53; 44, 54; 45, 55; 46, 56 having the same function of the CCDs 2a, 2b except 8
47 and 57 are connection cables 61, 62 and 6 respectively.
The wires 3, 64, 65 are connected in the camera head 3b (or the distal end portion of the endoscope body 3a).

These connection cables 61, 62, 6
3, 64, 65 have one lead wire (or one conductor wire such as a coaxial cable) 71, 72, 73,
74 and 75 are connected, and one lead wire (or one conductor wire such as a coaxial cable) 76 and 77 is connected to the signal output terminals 48 and 58, respectively. The lead wires 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 are bundled together as shown in FIG.
As described above, the lead wire group 34 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 and the universal cord, and is connected to the signal processing portion 4a via the connector 233 and the signal connector receiver 39. There is.

With the above structure, a common drive signal is supplied from the driver 8 to the CCDs 2a and 2b, and the CCDs 2a and 2b
A signal Vout1 and a signal Vout2 are output from b, respectively. This state is shown in FIG. That is, the signal Vout1 for the left is L1a, L1b, L2a, L2 in field units.
While outputting b, ..., the right signal Vo at the same timing
ut2 outputs R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, ...

The signals Vout1 and Vout2 are amplified by the amplifiers 9a and 9b, respectively, and then selectively switched by the changeover switch 10 for each field, for example, and output as one-system signals. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the changeover output of the changeover switch 10 is L1a, R1b,
L2a, R2b, ... Are output to the process circuit 11.

The output of the process circuit 11 is doubled in switching cycle by the double scan circuit 12, and is alternately displayed as a left image and a right image on the monitor 5. Since the switching cycle is doubled, it is possible to prevent the displayed image from flickering.

Since the left and right polarizing plates of the liquid crystal shutter glasses 6 are opened and closed in synchronization with the switching of the left and right display images on the monitor 5, only the left image is observed by the observer's left eye and only the right image is observed by the right eye. . Therefore, the observer can observe the left and right images with parallax as a stereoscopic image.

In this embodiment, the two image pickup devices are driven by a drive signal of one system, and the image pickup signals from the two image pickup devices are sequentially switched for each field (or frame) to be combined into one system. Since it will be passed to the latter stage, one CC
Signal processing can be performed at U. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the gain and color adjustment of the left and right signals can be adjusted and processed by the same circuit, an image having no left and right variation can be obtained, and the signal processing configuration of the CCU can be reduced. Cost can be reduced by omitting the system.

In this embodiment, the switching cycle for double-speed reading or the like is not limited to the standard field cycle, but may be any cycle.

In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter glasses method has been described as an example. However, in the polarization glasses method in which a liquid crystal panel is provided on the monitor screen, polarization is changed according to the left and right images, and the polarized glasses are observed. Can also be applied.

Further, the present embodiment is not limited to the two CCDs as shown in the drawing, but can be applied to the one provided with three or more CCDs.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Unlike the first embodiment, the present embodiment has a structure in which the outputs of a plurality of CCDs are selectively combined by a changeover switch after passing through a CDS (double sampling) circuit. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The outputs from the two CCDs 2a and 2b are amplifiers 9a and 9b.
After being input to the CDS circuits 15a and 15b via b,
The changeover switch 10 selectively synthesizes the signals into one system and inputs them to the process circuit 11. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the drawings are omitted.

The CDS circuits 15a and 15b perform double sampling in order to remove 1 / f and reset noise contained in the CCD output signal, give a baseband signal from the carrier signal, and at the same time remove noise components. To obtain a signal with an improved S / N ratio.

In this embodiment, since each signal of the CCD is switched after the double sampling processing, a switch having a not so wide bandwidth can be used, and the cost can be reduced. Other configurations and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

6 and 7 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an overall block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG.

In this embodiment, the drive signals to the plurality of image pickup means are switched for each field (or frame) and supplied, and the signals of the plurality of image pickup means are combined in the first stage. That is, only the same drive signal is output from the CCU to the image pickup means side.

In the stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 6, a CCU 20 is provided instead of the CCU 4 shown in FIG. This CCU 20 has two drivers 21a and 21b.
And a changeover switch 22. This switch 22 has
The drive signal output from the synchronization signal generator 13 can be switched by a field (or frame) switching signal. Then, the drivers 20a and 20b are
It receives a drive signal that can be selectively switched, and alternately drives the connected CCDs 2a and 2b.

On the other hand, the outputs of the CCDs 2a and 2b are input to the adder 23 of the CCU 20 via the amplifiers 9a and 9b. In the adder 23, the CCD 2
The outputs of a and 2b are added and supplied to the process circuit 11 as a signal of one system.

Other than that, the same components and operations as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above structure, the CCDs 2a and 2b are alternately driven by the drivers 21a and 21b. And C
The CDs 2a and 2b have signals Vout1 and L as shown in FIG.
At the timing of 1a, ..., L2a, ..., the signal Vout2 is ...,
Alternately output at the timing of R1b, ..., R2b. These signals Vout1 and Vout2 are added by the adder 23 via the amplifiers 9a and 9b, and L1a, R1b, L2a, R2b, ...
Then, the left and right images are alternately displayed on the monitor 5 via the process circuit 11 and the double scan circuit 12.

In this embodiment, since both CCD signals are alternately output for each field, it is possible to make one system signal by adding or switching them. Since the adder circuit is capable of performing AC addition, it is not affected by variations in DC components of both CCD outputs. Further, the adder circuit may be a changeover switch. The rest of the configuration, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a means for making the output signal of the image pickup means a system is provided on the camera head side having a plurality of image pickup means. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus shown in FIG.
A camera head 24 and a CCU 25 are provided instead of the camera head 3b and the CCU 4 of the embodiment. In addition to the CCDs 2a and 2b, the camera head 24 has a C
It has a selector switch 10 for switching each output of the CDs 2a, 2b for each field (or frame). Further, the camera head 24 sends the drive signal of the driver 8 provided in the CCU 25 to the CCDs 2a and 2b.
And a counter 27 for receiving a vertical synchronizing signal φp of the drive signal and generating, for example, a field switching signal.
Are switched by the signal of the counter 27. The output of the changeover switch 10 is CCU.
It is adapted to be supplied to the process circuit 11 via 25 amplifiers 28.

The drive signal output from the driver 8 includes
In addition to the vertical synchronizing signal φP, the horizontal synchronizing signal φs, the anti-blooming signal φAB, etc. are supplied to the CCDs 2a and 2b.

With the above configuration, the signal Vou which is the output of the CCD
Similarly to the first embodiment, t1 and Vout2 are selectively combined, processed in the subsequent stage, and supplied to the monitor 5.

In this embodiment, the camera head 24 and C
The number of cables connecting to the CU 25 can be made smaller than that of the first and second embodiments. Other configurations and effects
The description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a drive signal of one system is supplied from the CCU side to a camera head having a plurality of image pickup means, and this drive signal is selectively switched and given to a plurality of image pickup means. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus shown in FIG.
A camera head 28 and a CCU 29 are provided instead of the camera head 3b and the CCU 4 of the embodiment. The camera head 28 includes the C 2 in addition to the CCDs 2a and 2b.
Changeover switch 2 for selectively changing the drive signal from the driver 8 of the CU 29 for each field (or frame)
2 and the vertical synchronizing signal φp of the driving signals,
For example, it has a counter 27 for generating a field switching signal. The changeover switch 22 is adapted to be changed over by a signal from the counter 27.

The camera head 28 has the CCD 2
an adder 30 for adding the outputs of a and 2b, and the process circuit 11 of the CCU 29 receiving the output of the adder 30.
It has a buffer 31 for outputting to. Process circuit 1
The processes after 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the camera head 28 and C
The number of cables connecting to the CU 29 can be reduced as compared with those of the first and second embodiments. Other configurations and effects
The description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 relate to the sixth embodiment, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of automatic light control. In the apparatus of this embodiment, the output signals of the two image pickup means are combined by switching or the like to form one system, and then the outputs are detected to perform dimming control.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus 200 shown in FIG.
Is a stereoscopic rigid endoscope 201, a camera head 202 that is detachably connected to the eyepiece of the endoscope 201, a CCU 204 that is connected to the camera head 202 via a cable 203, and an output of the CCU 204. And a light source device 206 for emitting illumination light emitted from the tip of the endoscope 201. The endoscope 2
Objective lenses 207 and 20 arranged at the tip of the insertion part 01
The left and right images formed by the image forming device 8 are image-forming lenses 209 and 210 of the camera head 202 via respective relay optical systems (not shown).
An image is formed on the CCDs 211 and 212 via the.

The electric signals obtained by photoelectrically converting the left and right images by the CCDs 211 and 212 are sent to the CCU 204, and are combined by the signal processing circuit 213 into the signals of one system by any of the configurations of the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and then the monitor. It is displayed on 205. On the other hand, the signals combined into one system by the signal processing circuit 213 are converted into a dimming signal by the automatic dimming circuit 214 of the CCU 204 and supplied to the light amount adjusting circuit 215 of the light source device 206. The light amount adjustment circuit 215 appropriately controls the amount of illumination light emitted by the lamp 216, which is a light source, based on the dimming signal. The amount of light emitted by the lamp 216 is adapted to be emitted from the tip of the endoscope 201 via the condenser lens 217 and the light guide 218.

Next, a specific example of the structure of automatic light control will be described with reference to FIG. Incidentally, in FIG. 11, the signal processing circuit 213 is schematically shown.

As in the first embodiment, the outputs of the CCDs 211 and 212 shown in FIG. 11 are sequentially switched through the changeover switch 10 to be combined into one system, and then input to the process circuit. After being detected by the detection circuit 220 as an automatic light control circuit, it is input to the lamp light amount control circuit 221 as a light amount adjustment circuit. The lamp light amount control circuit 221 directly controls the light amount of the lamp 216 by the dimming signal output from the detection circuit 220. The light amount may be controlled by controlling the aperture amount of a diaphragm (not shown) arranged between the lamp 216 and the condenser lens 217.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, a dimming signal is obtained from the CCD output combined in one system, and a detection circuit for controlling the diaphragm based on this signal may be provided in only one system. The variation can be reduced and the cost is lower than that of the two systems. That is, it is possible to realize a detection method with less variation. For example, one CCD output is not too bright.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of automatic brightness adjustment according to the seventh embodiment.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the diaphragm provided between the image pickup means and the image forming optical system automatically controls the amount of light incident on the image pickup means.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 12, the sixth embodiment shown in FIG.
1, the imaging lenses 209 and 210 and the CC
The diaphragms 224 and 225 are provided between the D 211 and 212, and the diaphragms 224 and 225 are controlled by the diaphragm control circuit 226 provided in the CCU 204.
The output of the detection circuit 220 is the aperture control circuit 226.
To be supplied to. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the sixth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, CCDs synthesized in one system are used.
The dimming signal is obtained from the output, and based on this signal, the detection circuit for controlling the diaphragm may be provided in only one system, and the variation can be reduced as compared with the case where two systems are provided. Also, based on the dimming signal obtained from the CCD output that is sequentially switched in time series, the amount of light received incident on the CCD corresponding to this CCD output can be controlled to obtain the left and right images, and the left and right variations can be reduced. And, it becomes cheaper. For example,
One CCD output is not too bright.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an AGC (auto gain control) according to the eighth embodiment. Note that FIG. 13 shows only the main part and omits the other components.

The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device shown in FIG. 13 uses the changeover switch 10 for sequentially changing the outputs of the CCDs 94a and 94b in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
(Gain control amplifier) 231 and detection circuit 23
2 is being supplied. The output terminal of the GCA 231 is connected to the process circuit, and the output of the detection circuit 232 is connected to the gain control terminal.

Further, in the above apparatus, an amplifier 233 for correcting variations in CCD sensitivity is interposed and connected between the CCD 94b and the input terminal of the changeover switch 10.

In this embodiment, CCDs synthesized in one system are used.
After detecting the output detection signal, GCA2
Since the gain adjustment of 31 is performed, the variation can be reduced and the cost is lower than that in the case where two GCA systems are provided. Therefore, variations in gain and color tone can be prevented in the signal processing of the CCD output.

Further, in the present embodiment, the variation in the sensitivity between the two CCDs can be corrected by the amplifier before switching to make the sensitivity uniform.

[Supplementary Note 1] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to the first aspect, the image pickup means includes two image pickup means for picking up a right-eye subject and a left-eye subject with parallax.

[Supplementary Note 2] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means selectively supplies a drive signal of one system to the plurality of image pickup means in a time division manner. Then, the synthesizing unit synthesizes the signals sequentially output by the plurality of image capturing units in a time division manner and outputs the synthesized signals as one system of signals.

[Supplementary Note 3] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, the synthesizing unit sequentially switches and synthesizes each signal sequentially output in a time-division manner by the plurality of image pickup units to synthesize one system. Is a switching means for outputting as a signal.

[Supplementary Note 4] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary note 2, the synthesizing unit adds signals output from the plurality of image pickup units in a time-division manner and outputs a signal of one system. Is an adding means.

[Supplementary Note 5] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, the drive means commonly supplies a drive signal of one system to the plurality of image pickup means at the same time to drive the plurality of image pickup means. The synthesizing unit is a switching unit that sequentially switches the signals output by the plurality of imaging units and outputs the signals as a single-system signal.

[Supplementary Note 6] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3 or Supplementary Note 5, the switching means switches a signal for each field or frame.

[Supplementary Note 7] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, the driving means includes a synchronization signal generating means for generating a synchronization signal and a switching signal, and a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generating means. Based on the above, there is provided drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal, and switching means for sequentially switching the drive signals output by the drive signal generating means and outputting the drive signals to the plurality of imaging means.

[Supplementary Note 8] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, the drive means includes a synchronization signal generating means for generating a synchronization signal and a switching signal, and a switching signal output by the synchronization signal generating means. According to the above, switching means for sequentially switching and outputting the synchronizing signal, and based on the synchronizing signal sequentially switched and supplied from the switching means, drive signals are respectively generated and output to the plurality of imaging means. And a plurality of drive signal generating means.

[Supplementary Note 9] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup means is provided on a camera head provided at a distal end of the endoscope or an eyepiece portion of the endoscope. What is there.

[Supplementary Note 10] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup means is connected to a distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope or an eyepiece portion of the endoscope. What is provided inside.

[Supplementary Note 11] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the plurality of image pickup means are driven by simultaneously receiving one system of drive signals from the drive means in common, and the drive means. Switching signal generating means for counting the vertical synchronizing signal and generating a switching signal among the one-system drive signals output by the means, and each of the plurality of imaging means outputting according to the switching signal of the switching signal generating means. Switching means as the synthesizing means for sequentially switching the signals and outputting to the video signal processing means as a system signal is provided in the camera head.

[Supplementary Note 12] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein a switching signal generation for counting a vertical synchronization signal among the one-system drive signals output by the drive means to generate a switching signal. Means, and the switching means for sequentially switching the one-system drive signal from the driving means in response to the switching signal of the switching signal generating means and supplying the plurality of imaging means to the plurality of imaging means, respectively. The synthesizing means for synthesizing the signals sequentially output in the division and outputting the synthesized signals as one system signal to the video signal processing means is provided in the camera head.

[Appendix 13] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting an output signal from the synthesizing means.

[Supplementary Note 14] The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 13, which is configured to perform automatic light control based on the output of the detecting means.

[Supplementary Note 15] In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus according to Supplementary Note 13, an automatic gain for adjusting the gains of the outputs of the plurality of image pickup means combined by the combining means based on the output of the detecting means. It has a control means.

[0095]

According to the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus of the present invention, there is little variation between signals with respect to a plurality of signals obtained from a plurality of image pickup means, and it is possible to relatively reduce the labor of adjustment. It has the effect of being cheap.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment, and FIG.
1A is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus, FIG.
(B) is a schematic block diagram of a stereoscopic rigid endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration for supplying a drive signal of one system to two CCDs.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram in which two CCDs are arranged at the tip of an endoscope insertion portion.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment.

6 and 7 relate to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an overall block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus.

7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

10 and 11 relate to a sixth embodiment, and FIG.
0 is a block diagram of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of automatic light control.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of automatic brightness adjustment according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an AGC according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a CCU having two systems of AGC according to a conventional example.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a conventional stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus having two signal processing systems.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a conventional stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus having two signal processing systems.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Stereoscopic endoscope imaging device 3 ... Stereoscopic rigid endoscope 2a, 2b ... CCD 4 ... CCU 8 ... Driver 10 ... Changeover switch 12 ... Process circuit 13 ... Sync signal generator 5 ... Monitor 6 ... Liquid crystal shutter glasses 7 ... LCD shutter driver

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 1, 1995

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Further, in addition to the need for two detection circuits for iris and diaphragm control, two systems for AGC (auto gain control) and the like are also required, and it is necessary to control AGC and the like for each CCU. It was FIG. 14 shows this specific example. The outputs of the CCDs 94a and 94b are input to detection circuits 111 and 112 and GCA (gain control amplifier) 113 and 114, respectively.
The respective outputs of the CCD are detected by the detection circuits 111 and 112 , and then added by the adder 115 to obtain the GCA1.
It is supplied to the gain control terminals of 13, 114. GCA1
Reference numerals 13 and 114 adjust the respective outputs of the CCD according to the output of the adder 115, and output them to the two subsequent process circuits.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The CCU 4 has a horizontal synchronizing signal VφS and a vertical synchronizing signal VφP for driving the CCDs 2a and 2b.
Amplifier 9a, 9b and, amplifiers 9a and driver 8 for outputting the like, for amplifying CCD 2a, 2b each output of each
A selector switch 10 for selecting and outputting each output of 9b as a single system, a process circuit 11 which receives the output of the selector switch 10 and performs a predetermined process such as γ correction or enhancement, and an output of the process circuit 11. In response to this, a double scan circuit 12 including a memory or the like for doubling the field (or frame) cycle and outputting it is provided. The output of the double scan circuit 12 is alternately displayed as a left image and a right image on the monitor 5. If the switching (field) cycle of the changeover switch 10 is 1/60 second, the double scan circuit 12 outputs 1 / 120th.
The left and right images are switched every second.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

CCDs 2a and 2b in the tip portion 32a
Are connected to the signal connector 35 of the connector 33 via the lead wire group 34 . The light guide 82 of this is inserted into the insertion portion 22 and the universal cord 24 is connected to the light source connector 38 of the connector 25.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

These connection cables 61, 62, 6
3, 64, 65 have one lead wire (or one conductor wire such as a coaxial cable) 71, 72, 73,
74 and 75 are connected, and one lead wire (or one conductor wire such as a coaxial cable) 76 and 77 is connected to the signal output terminals 48 and 58, respectively. The lead wires 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 are bundled together as shown in FIG.
As described above, the lead wire group 34 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 and the universal cord, and is connected to the signal processing portion 4a via the connector 35 and the signal connector receiver 39. Are

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0052

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the above structure, the CCDs 2a and 2b are alternately driven by the drivers 21a and 21b. And C
As shown in FIG. 7, the signals Vout1 of CDs 2a and 2b are L
_1, ..., L _2, in ... the timing of the signal Vout2 is ...,
Alternately output at the timing of R ₁ , ..., R ₂ . These signals Vout1, Vout2 are amplifiers 9a, 9b are added by the adder 23 via _{a, L 1, R 1, L} 2, R 2, ...
Then, the left and right images are alternately displayed on the monitor 5 via the process circuit 11 and the double scan circuit 12.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kotaro Ogasawara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Funabashi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masao Uehara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuaki Akui 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideki Koyanagi 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject as a parallax image respectively, and a driving signal is selectively supplied to the plurality of image pickup means in a time-division manner or commonly supplied simultaneously. Drive means for driving the plurality of image pickup means, synthesizing means for synthesizing respective output signals from the plurality of image pickup means and outputting as a signal of one system, and video signal processing means for processing the output of the synthesizing means And a display unit that displays the signal processed by the video signal processing unit.