JPH08107878A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable the displaying of images obtained by a plurality of camera means simultaneously or alternately by processing signals from the plurality of camera means with one image processor. CONSTITUTION: This electronic endoscope is made up of a switching means 94 to switch CCD drive means 92a-92n and preprocessing means 93a-93n over to outputs of the preprocessing means 93a-93n corresponding to a plurality of CCDs 91a-91n to carry out a time-sharing multiplexing, a signal processing means 95 to perform variety of video signal processings with respect to the output of the switching means 94 and a monitor device 96 and an image recorder 97 to display and record output video signals of the signal processing means 95. After the preprocessing, image signals obtained with the plurality of CCDs 91a-91n undergo a time-sharing multiplexing individually. The image signals thus obtained are subjected to a variety of video signal processings to generate a standard TV signal, thereby enabling the displaying of a plurality of images simultaneously or alternately.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus which performs video signal processing corresponding to a plurality of image pickup means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic endoscope apparatus for picking up an image of a subject to obtain an electrical video signal and observing the image of the subject on a monitor or the like, C used as an image pickup means in an electronic endoscope is used.
As a solid-state image sensor such as a CD, various kinds of elements different from those used in a normal TV camera are used according to the use of an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 25 shows an example thereof. In FIG. 25, CCDs 81 and 82 shown in (a) and (c) are line transfer type CCDs, each of which has a different number of pixels. The line transfer type CCDs 81 and 82 are used for ultra-fine endoscopes and the like because the elements can be downsized. The CCD 83 shown in (b) is the CCD 81,
The CCD is a line transfer CCD similar to that of the 82, but the read horizontal register 84 has a two-stage configuration and is compatible with higher pixel counts, and is used for endoscopes and the like with high resolution. Further, the CCDs 81, 82, and 83 can perform color imaging by combining with a field sequential light source. (D)
The CCD 85 shown in FIG.
Is an interline CCD in which a color image can be taken by combining with an ordinary light source.

With respect to electronic endoscopes mounted with different types of solid-state image pickup devices as described above, by switching the characteristics according to the respective solid-state image pickup devices, one image processing apparatus can perform a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes. An electronic endoscope apparatus capable of using a mirror has been conventionally proposed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus as described above, it is possible to cope with the diversification of the electronic endoscopes, but a plurality of electronic endoscopes are used at the same time. I couldn't.

As an electronic endoscope apparatus equipped with a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices, for example, there is an electronic endoscope apparatus using a parent-child scope, but conventionally, an image processing apparatus is provided in each of the parent-child scopes, or one parent-child scope is used. Since the scope to be connected to the image processing apparatus is switched and used, there are problems that the apparatus becomes complicated and that only one scope image can be displayed at any time.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and one image processing apparatus can process a plurality of image signals corresponding to a plurality of image pickup means, and can be obtained by a plurality of image pickup means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of displaying different images simultaneously or alternately.

[0008]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to one or more endoscopes having at least one image pickup means and the total number of the image pickup means for driving the image pickup means. A plurality of image pickup device driving means, a plurality of image pickup signal preprocessing means for processing the video signals output from the image pickup means and corresponding to the total number of the image pickup means, and outputs of the plurality of image pickup signal preprocessing means. Video signal switching means for switching, and video signal processing means for processing the output of the video signal switching means to obtain an output video signal for displaying the images captured by the plurality of imaging means simultaneously or alternately on the monitor. Be prepared.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of video signal processing means, and FIG. Is an explanatory view showing an example of the frame sequential signal synchronization means, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another example of the frame sequential signal synchronization means, and FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view showing the configuration of the time axis correction means.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing the operation of the time axis correction means.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, an endoscope 2 is connected to an endoscope control apparatus 1 and a video signal processed by the endoscope control apparatus 1 is processed. The monitor device 3 and the image recording device 4 are connected so as to display or record.

At the tip of the endoscope 2, an objective lens 5 for forming a subject image is provided, and a solid-state image pickup device 6 made of, for example, a CCD as an image pickup means is provided at the image formation position of the objective lens 5. The solid-state image pickup device 6 is provided with a CCD drive means 7 provided in the endoscope control device 1 via a signal line.
And is exposed / read-out controlled by a drive signal generated by the CCD drive means 7.
Further, the solid-state image pickup device 6 is connected to a video signal processing means 9 provided in the endoscope control device 1 via a buffer 8 and an image is formed on the image pickup surface of the solid-state image pickup device 6 by the objective lens 5. The subject image thus formed is converted into an electric signal by the solid-state image sensor 6 and read out, and this output signal is supplied to the video signal processing means 9.

Further, the endoscope 2 is provided with a light guide 10 for transmitting illumination light, and an illuminating lens 11 is arranged on the tip end surface side of the light guide 10, and the endoscope is driven by the light guide 10. The illumination light transmitted through the inside 2 is irradiated onto the subject through the illumination lens 11.

The video signal processing means 9 synchronizes the signal processing means A12 for performing various signal processing of the output signal read by the solid-state image pickup device 6 with the frame sequential signal output from the signal processing means A12. Frame sequential signal synchronization means 13
And a time axis correcting means 14 for correcting the time axis characteristics of the synchronized signals synchronized by the frame sequential signal synchronizing means 13.
Signal processing means B15 for performing various signal processing for outputting the output signal of the time axis correction means 14 to the monitor device 3 and the like.
The output signal read by the solid-state image sensor 6 is converted into a television signal and output to the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4.

The CCD driving means 7 and the video signal processing means 9 are connected to a control means 16 and are controlled by the control means 16. The control means 16 is also connected to a lamp control means 21 and a rotary color filter control means 22 provided in the field sequential illumination means 20 for supplying the sequential illumination light to the endoscope 2, and this rotary color filter control means is connected. In synchronism with 22, the CCD driving means 7 and the video signal processing means 9 are controlled.

A lamp 23, which is connected to a lamp control means 21 and whose lighting is controlled, is provided in the frame sequential illumination means 20.
And a condenser lens 24 for condensing the light flux of the lamp 23 on the rear end face of the light guide 10, and these lamps 23
Rotary color filter 2 interposed between the lens and the condenser lens 24
And 5 are provided. The rotary color filter 25 includes a motor 26 connected to the rotary color filter control means 22.
By being rotatably connected to the rotation shaft of, and rotating at a predetermined speed under the control of the rotating color filter control means 22,
The frame sequential illumination light is supplied to the rear end surface of the light guide 10.

The video signal processing means 9 is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. The signal processing means A12 includes
The RGB frame sequential signals output from the endoscope 2 are input. With this signal processing means A12, C
Various signal processing required for frame sequential signals such as DS, clamp, gamma correction, color balance correction, etc. is performed, and the output signal is A
The R, G, and B image signals supplied to the A / D converter 31 and A / D converted by the A / D converter 31 are input to the synchronization means 13a, 13b, and 13c, respectively.

The synchronizing means 13a, 13b, 13c
Includes a memory for at least one image, stores RGB image signals sequentially input for each color, and simultaneously reads out the stored RGB image signals and outputs them as synchronized image signals. It has become. As an example of the synchronization means 13a, 13b, 13c, for example, as shown in FIG.
It can be constituted by means provided with 3a and 33b. Here, two RGB image memories 33a and 33 are provided.
b is alternately switched between writing and reading, and synchronization is performed. Further, as the memory for the synchronization means, a dual (serial) port memory 35 as shown in FIG. 4 can be used. The dual port memory 35 has serial scanning memories 36a and 36b for one scanning line in the input section and the output section, respectively.
By performing transfer in units of one scanning line with the main memory area 37, it operates as an input / output asynchronous FIFO.

The synchronized outputs of the synchronizing means 13a, 13b, 13c are supplied to the time axis correcting means 14, respectively, and converted into the frame frequency according to the TV system of the equipment connected by the time axis correcting means 14. It has become so. The time axis correction means 14 are respectively D / A
Connected to converter 32, D / A converter 32
A / A is converted and supplied to the signal processing means B15. The signal processing means B15 performs various signal processing for outputting the output signal of the time axis correction means 14 to the monitor device 3 or the like, and the signal-processed video signal is monitored by the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4. It is designed to output to.

The time axis correction means 14 includes RGB variable time axis correction means 14a, 14b, 14c and a time axis for changing a predetermined frame frequency to be corrected by these variable time axis correction means 14a, 14b, 14c. The changing means 28 and the changeover switch 29 for changing the operation characteristic of the time axis changing means 28 are provided. Further, the variable time axis correction means 14a, 14b, 14c are provided with a frame memory 38 for at least two screens, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, and the input switching means 39 connected to the input side.
The image signals input by switching between are sequentially stored for each screen. In addition, the frame memory 38
An output switching means 40 is connected to the output side of, and the output switching means 40 switches the output of the frame memory 38 at the predetermined frame frequency to read out and output the stored image signal.

Next, the operation of the time axis correction means 14 will be described. Here, the correction of the time axis regarding the vertical scanning frequency in the vertical scanning will be described.

Since the image signal synchronized by the frame-sequential signal synchronizing means 13 has a frame frequency determined by the color repeating period of the frame-sequential illuminating means 20, the input switching means 39 is switched at this frequency. hand,
The image signal is sequentially stored in the frame memory 38 for each screen. Then, the output switching means 40 is switched at a scanning frequency suitable for the TV system of the device such as the monitor device 3 connected to the output side, and the image signal is read from the frame memory 38. At this time, if the frequency of the output side is higher than the frequency of the input side, that is, the image signal for each screen is stored in the frame memory 38, the image signal for each screen is output from the frame memory 38. If the read cycle is earlier, the stored image signal is repeatedly read for interpolation, and conversely, if the input side frequency is higher than the output side frequency, the image signal is appropriately thinned out and read out and output.

FIG. 6 shows an example of correction by the time axis correction means 14 at the vertical scanning frequency of the image signal. In the figure, the numbers attached to R, G, and B respectively indicate the time when the image was captured, and the RG surrounded by a hexagon.
Group B indicates a group of image signals that are simultaneously output.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), when an RGB frame sequential signal is input, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the frame sequential synchronization means 13 generates a synchronized RGB signal, and the time axis correction means. 14 is input. Here, the time axis correction means 1
4, which matches the scanning frequency of the image signal input,
When the device of the first TV system is connected to the output side, an image signal of the same scanning frequency as the synchronized RGB signal is
As shown in (c), it is output as RGB output of the first TV system.

Further, the second axis having a scanning frequency different from the scanning frequency of the image signal inputted to the time axis correction means 14
When a TV system device of No. 2 is connected to the output side, the changeover switch 29 switches the frequency of the output side of the time axis correction means 14, and as shown in FIG. The RGB output of is output. Here, since the scanning frequency of the second TV system is lower than the scanning frequency of the simultaneous RGB signal, the simultaneous RGB signals are thinned out to generate the RGB output of the second TV system having a long scanning cycle. . In this way, the characteristics of the time axis correction means 14 are switched so as to correspond to the TV system of the connected device,
The scanning frequency of the synchronized RGB signals can be corrected and output so that the scanning frequency corresponds to the TV system.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the characteristics of the time axis correction means can be changed according to the TV system of the connected device such as the monitor device. It is possible to correct the time axis characteristic and output the video signal according to the TV system. Therefore, the same electronic endoscope device can be used even in an environment in which a plurality of TV system devices coexist, and the same electronic endoscope device can be supplied to regions adopting different TV systems. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily cope with the diversification of the system of the monitor device or the image recording device. Further, as the field sequential illuminating means, one having a constant color repetition frequency can be used regardless of the TV system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment,
As the time axis correction means provided in the video signal processing means 9, a first time axis correction means 44a and a second time axis correction means 44b are provided, and are provided between the frame sequential signal synchronization means 13 and the signal processing means B15. It is designed to be detachably connected. The first time axis correction means 44a and the second
The time axis correction means 44b of the
The frame frequency of the frame-sequential signal can be corrected so as to correspond to the system, for example, FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.
The output switching means 40 has a constant switching frequency. It is possible to prepare a plurality of types of these time axis correction means according to the TV system corresponding to those having different characteristics.

In the second embodiment, the time axis correction means corresponding to the TV system of the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4 is selected and connected between the field sequential signal synchronization means 13 and the signal processing means B15. Then, the frame frequency of the frame-sequential signal is corrected and output so as to be a video signal according to the TV system. As described above, since the time axis correction means only needs to be compatible with a single TV system, the configuration can be simplified, and a variety of connected device methods can be obtained by simply selecting and exchanging a plurality of time axis correction means. It is possible to easily deal with this.
Other configurations, operations, and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment,
The endoscope control device 51 including the video signal processing means 9 and the frame sequential illumination means 50 in the first embodiment are configured by different devices, and the endoscope control device 51 and the field sequential illumination means 50 are configured. Are connected by a connector cable 53 and a connection cable 54 extending from the connector of the endoscope 2. Here, the frame sequential illumination means 50 is a TV
Regardless of the method, it is configured to supply the endoscope 2 with frame sequential illumination light having a constant color repetition frequency,
The endoscope control device 51 is provided with a time axis correction means for correcting the time axis characteristic of the frame sequential signal so as to correspond to a single TV system. It should be noted that the endoscope control device 51 corresponds to a device including time axis correction means having different characteristics.
A plurality of types can be prepared according to the V method.

In the third embodiment, the same field sequential illumination means 50 is used, and the monitor device 3 or the image recording device 4 is used.
The endoscope control device 51 is selected in accordance with the TV system, is connected to the endoscope 2 and the frame sequential illumination means 50, and the frame frequency of the frame sequential signal is corrected so as to obtain the video signal according to the TV system. Output.

In this way, the endoscope control device 51 having the time axis correction means according to the TV system of the connected equipment,
By combining the frame-sequential illuminating means 50 having a constant time axis characteristic and the endoscope 2, it is possible to easily cope with the diversification of the system of connected devices. When supplying to a plurality of fixed regions, different TV systems can be supported by selecting and supplying the endoscope control device 51 according to the TV system of each region. In addition, the endoscope control device 51
Since it suffices to support a single TV system, the device configuration can be simplified. Other configurations, operations, and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

The time-axis correction means can perform not only the time-axis correction for the vertical scanning frequency but also the time-axis correction for the horizontal scanning frequency with the same configuration. As a result, the output video signal can be made compatible with a double speed scan type monitor device in which the scanning line is doubled and the scanning frequency is doubled.

Next, a configuration example of an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of signal processing and image display corresponding to a plurality of different types of solid-state image pickup devices will be shown below as a fourth embodiment.

The conventional electronic endoscope apparatus can support a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes in which different types of solid-state image pickup devices are mounted, but a plurality of electronic endoscopes cannot be used at the same time. I could not do this because I had to set up an image processing device for each scope, and switched the scope to connect to one image processing device and used it, so the device became complicated, and only the image of one scope was always available. There was a problem that it could not be displayed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing an image signal processing means and a switching means corresponding to a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices, a plurality of image signals can be processed by one image processing device. It is possible to display images of a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices simultaneously or alternately according to the scene of endoscopic examination.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of CCDs 91a,
, 91n are provided, and the CCD drive means 92a, ..., 92n provided for each type are driven so that the read signals of the respective CCDs do not intersect with each other. The read signals from the plurality of CCDs 91a, ..., 91n are input to preprocessing means 93a, ..., 93n provided corresponding to each of them, and converted into a common signal format by these preprocessing means 93a ,. It is supposed to be done. The pretreatment means 93a, ...
The output signal of 93n is switched by the switching unit 94, time-division multiplexed, and input to the signal processing unit 95.

At this time, the switching means 94 does not necessarily multiplex the signals of all the connected CCDs, but the signals to be time-division multiplexed are selected and multiplexed. Further, the preprocessing means 93a, ..., 93n not only match the amplitude level, the DC level (black level), etc. between the plurality of signals, but also select the CCD for display.
It also matches signals on the time axis. That is, depending on the display positional relationship between a certain CCD output and another certain CCD output,
The preprocessing means 93a, ... 93n correct the time axis of each CCD signal, and the switching means 94 controls the switching timing according to the display position and the superimposition relationship of the images.

The signal processing means 95 performs various known signal processings such as γ correction, clamp, clip, blanking, and contour correction on the inputted image pickup signals from the plurality of CCDs in accordance with the standard TV signal. Output to the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97, and the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97 display images,
Records are being recorded. Note that frame memory means may be provided to obtain a freeze image. Further, in the case of the frame-sequential imaging method, means for synchronizing the frame-sequential images is provided.

FIG. 10 shows an electronic endoscope in which a plurality of electronic endoscopes as described above can be used at the same time in a parent-child scope in which a baby scope having a micro CCD mounted at its tip is inserted from the forceps channel of the endoscope. It is an example which constituted the mirror device. As shown in FIG. 10, the baby scope 103 is inserted from the forceps channel 102 of the parent scope 101, the parent scope 101 images the entire view of the subject 104, and the baby scope 103 magnifies a specific part of the subject 104. An image is taken and a parent-child screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the monitor device 10.
5 is displayed. The parent scope 101
A signal line (not shown) is connected to the image processing device 108 via a connector 107 provided at the end of the universal cord 106, and a light guide 109 for transmitting illumination light to the tip is connected to the main light source device 110. It has become so. Further, in the baby scope 103, a signal line (not shown) is connected to the image processing device 108 via a connector 111 provided at an end portion thereof, and a light guide 112 for transmitting illumination light to the tip end portion is connected to the sub light source device 113. It is supposed to be connected.

As shown in FIG. 12, the main light source device 110 has a lamp 11 for generating substantially white light as illumination light.
5, a rotary color filter 116 for sequentially separating the white light into RGB three primary color lights, and a condenser lens 117 for condensing the separated RGB surface sequential light on the end portion of the light guide 109 of the connector 107. It is provided. Further, in the optical path of the illuminating light, a diaphragm 118 for controlling the illuminating light to a light amount suitable for imaging, and a shutter device 119 for blocking the optical path in response to a control signal from the image processing device 108.
Are provided. A rotary color filter control unit 120, an aperture control unit 121, and a shutter control unit 122 are connected to the rotary color filter 116, the aperture 118, and the shutter device 119, respectively, and these are connected to the image processing apparatus 1.
The control signal from 08 operates. The shutter device 119 is used for the baby scope 10.
When it is desired to obtain an observation image with a high precision, the main light source device 1
It is used to temporarily block 10 frame sequential illumination lights. In this case, in many cases, the shutter is used so as not to shorten the life of the lamp 115 by repeatedly turning off / on the light, because it is sufficient to block the observation image by the baby scope 103 for a short time only. .

The baby scope 103 uses the illumination light from the auxiliary light source device 113 provided separately from the main light source device 110, and obtains the illumination light appropriate for observation with the baby scope. As the sub light source device 113, a device that emits special observation light different from the frame sequential illumination light of the main light source device 110, for example, infrared light, ultraviolet light, etc., is used, and normal observation of the entire view in the subject 104 is specified. Special observation of the part can be performed at the same time. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, the main light source by the main light source device 110 is RGB surface sequential illumination, and the sub light source by the sub light source device 113 is surface sequential illumination of special light having wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3. When the illumination timings of the main light source 131 and the sub light source 132 are set as shown in FIG. 14, the normal observation image 125 is the image of the parent scope 101 and the special observation image 126 is the image of the baby scope 103 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. At this time, in the normal observation image 125, the portion where the illumination light from the baby scope 103 is radiated has a color reproducibility as compared with the other portions because the color mixture of the special light and the RGB surface sequential light occurs. Inferior. However, in the special observation image 126, since the baby scope 103 takes an image very close to the subject 104, the proportion of the RGB field sequential illumination light mixed in the illumination light of the special light is very small. It is not an obstacle unless it demands accuracy.

The field-sequential combination of the main light source 131 and the sub light source 132 is set so that their wavelengths do not overlap each other, as shown in FIGS. That is, when the main light source 131 is R, the sub light source 132 is λ1 belonging to the G wavelength band, and when the main light source 131 is G, the sub light source 132 is λ2 belonging to the R wavelength band. Further, when the main light source 131 is B, the sub light source 132 is set to have a wavelength λ3 in the infrared region. This allows
Since the color reproduction is completely different between the area irradiated with the special light in the normal observation image 125 and the other area,
It is possible to easily identify which area in the normal observation image 125 is the area currently undergoing the special observation. Further, the parent scope read signal 133 and the baby scope read signal 134 are alternately read in the respective frame sequential lights, as shown in the lower part of FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a first example in which the electronic endoscope apparatus having the plurality of solid-state image pickup elements shown in FIG. 9 is constituted by a plurality of electronic endoscopes and an image processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 15, the image processing apparatus 108 includes a plurality of scopes 141.
141n are connectors 142a and 142a.
b, ... 142n.
CCDs 143a, 143b, ... 143n are respectively attached to the tips of the scopes 141a, 141b ,.
Are provided, and these CCDs 143a, 143b, ... 1
The read signals of 43n are buffers 144a, 144b,
.. is input to the image processing apparatus 108 via 144n.

The image processing device 108 includes CCD driving means 145a, 145b corresponding to each CCD to be connected,
... 145n are provided, and each CCD 143a, 1
Drive signals are supplied to 43b, ..., 143n. In addition, pre-processing means 146a for performing signal processing corresponding to each CCD to convert into a common signal format,
146b, ...
44n are connected to the output terminals of 44a, 144b ,. The pre-processing means 146 (representing a to n) matches the amplitude level of the read signal, the direct current level, and the positional relationship on the time axis according to each CCD, and outputs it to the switching means 147. Has become. This switching means 147 is provided for each pre-processing means 146.
The output signal from the switch is switched so as to match the display form of the image, time division multiplexing is performed, and the signal is output to the signal processing means 148. Here, the display form means, for example, displaying the image of scope 1 in the center as the main image, the image of scope 2 in the lower left, and the image of scope 3 in the upper left. The signal processing means 148 performs the known signal processing as described above, converts the signal into a signal conforming to the standard TV signal, and outputs the signal to the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97. Images are displayed and recorded.

Here, two CCDs as shown in FIG.
1.61 and CCD 2.62, the switching means 65 allows the CCD 1.6 to perform signal processing of a plurality of image signals by one signal processing means 66.
1. Time division multiplexing for switching the output of CCD 2.62 will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example of an electronic endoscope apparatus equipped with the switching means 65.

As shown in FIG. 17, two CCDs 1.6
1, CCD 2.62 is provided, and CCD 1.61 of these,
CCD2.62 is CCD1 driving means 63, CC
It is adapted to be driven by the D2 driving means 64. The outputs of the CCD 1.61 and CCD 2.62 are input to the switching means 65 via buffers 68 and 69, respectively. The switching means 65 is the CCD
The output signals of 1.61 and CCD 2.62 are switched for each screen and multiplexed to be output to the signal processing means 66. The image signal processed by the signal processing means 66 is A / D converted by the A / D converter 70, synchronized by the synchronizing means 67, and read out as one image. The output of the synchronization means 67 is D /
The A / D converter 71 performs D / A conversion and outputs as a video signal. Also, these CCD1
Driving means 63, CCD2 driving means 64, signal processing means 6
6, the A / D converter 70, the synchronization means 67, and the D / A converter 71 are connected to the control means 72, and the control means 72 controls timing and the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 18, CCD1 and CCD2 are alternately read out, and the read out output signals are switched by the switching means 65 to be multiplexed and output to the signal processing means 66. It Then, various kinds of signal processing are performed, and the multiplexed video signal is output. The driving of CCD1 and CCD2 can be switched in synchronization with the frame frequency of the video signal output, or can be driven at another speed, for example, double speed. When the switching of the CCD output signal coincides with the frame frequency, the image of one CCD is multiplexed for each screen in an updated state, and when reading at double speed, both images are displayed on one screen. It is multiplexed in the updated state. In this way, by alternately reading the outputs of a plurality of CCDs and switching the output signals by the switching means, it is possible to generate a multi-screen image signal by one signal processing means. In this example, the read times of CCD1 and CCD2 are the same, but the same multiplexing is possible even when CCDs having different numbers of pixels are used.

As Example 2 of the CCD reading operation,
In the case of an electronic endoscopic device that captures color images in a frame sequential method,
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a time chart showing the exposure of each illumination light of RGB, the readout pulse of each CCD, and the readout operation of each CCD. here,
After each illumination light of RGB is exposed, CCD1 and CCD2 are read out in time series for each color, and the output signals are switched by the switching means 65 to be multiplexed and output as a multi-screen image signal. . As described above, in the case of imaging in the frame sequential method, the outputs of the plurality of CCDs are alternately read out for each color, and the output signal is switched by the switching unit, so that a single signal processing unit generates a multi-screen image signal. can do.

An example 3 of the read operation of the CCD is shown in FIG.
It is shown in the time chart of 0. As shown in FIG. 20, Example 3 of the read operation is an example in which the read timing of Example 2 is changed. In the example 3, the output signal of the CCD is switched every time one set of RGB is read out, that is, every one color frame. In Example 2, when the CCD reading frequency is the same, there is a problem that the time for one color frame becomes longer and the color misregistration increases as compared with the case of one CCD, but as in Example 3, CC for each color frame
By switching the D output signal, it is possible to prevent an increase in color misregistration.

As a fourth example of the read operation, a modification of the third example is shown in the time chart of FIG. Example 4 of the read operation is an example in which the read timing of the CCD of Example 3 is modified, and CCD1 is a CCD for every two color frames.
Reference numeral 2 is an example in which each color frame is read out, the output signal is switched, and the image update cycle ratio is set to 1: 2. Thus, for example, the output of CCD1 is the main screen, CC
When the output of D2 is the sub-screen, the movement of the screen can be made smooth by shortening the update cycle of the image on the main screen.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, as an example 5 of the read operation, the CCD 1 for the main screen performs RGB color image pickup, and the CCD 2 for the sub-screen picks up only a single color component (here, G component). You can also choose to do so. In this way, by reading out only one color component from one CCD, it is possible to obtain a screen with a smooth movement in which the main screen has less color shift as in the case of one CCD, and the sub screen is It is possible to generate a multi-screen image signal that has.

As described above, since the outputs of the plurality of CCDs are alternately read and the output signals are switched by the switching means, the signal processing can be performed in time series. Therefore, one signal processing means can output signals of a plurality of image signals. Processing can be performed.

Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 15 will be described. Multiple scopes 141a, 141
141n to connectors 142a, 142b, ... 14b
2n to connect to the image processing device 108,
CCDs 143a, 1 in 41a, 141b, ... 141n
An image of the subject is picked up at 43b, ... 143n. At this time,
The CCD driving means 145a, 145b, ... 1 corresponding to the CCDs 143a, 143b ,.
The read signals of the CCDs are driven by 45n so that they do not intersect with each other. In addition, the CCD 143a, 1
The read signals of 43b, ... 143n are matched in the amplitude level, the DC level, and the positional relationship on the time axis by the preprocessing means 146a, 146b ,. Is entered. Then, the signals are switched by the switching unit 147 and time-division multiplexed, and various known signal processes such as γ correction, clamp, and the like are performed by the signal processing unit 148.
Clip, blanking, contour correction, etc. are performed and standard T
After being converted into a signal conforming to the V signal, the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97 display and record the image.

As described above, according to this example, by providing the image signal processing means and the switching means corresponding to the plurality of solid-state image pickup devices, one image processing device can process a plurality of image signals. It is possible to display images of a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices simultaneously or alternately according to the scene of endoscopy. Further, since it is possible to generate a multi-screen image signal by one signal processing means without complicating the apparatus, it is possible to easily observe with a plurality of image pickup means.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a second example of an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of electronic endoscopes. As shown in FIG. 23, in the second example, a plurality of scopes 151a,
151b, ... 151n have CCDs 153a, 153b,
... CCD driving means 155a, 155 for driving 153n
155n are provided, and the CCD 153 is provided.
The pre-processing means for converting the read signals of a, 153b, ..., 153n into a common signal format is divided into a pre-stage part and a post-stage part, and pre-processing means A156a, 156b of the pre-stage part.
... 156n is provided. In the image processing device 150, the pre-processing means B157 in the latter stage part of the pre-processing means.
a, 157b, ... 157m and the CCD driving means 15
5a, 155b, ... 155n are provided with a synchronization control means 158.

A plurality of scopes 151a, 151b, ... 1
51n is connected to the image processing apparatus 150 via connectors 152a, 152b, ...
5a, 155b, ... 155n for each CCD
153a, 153b, ..., 153n are driven to image the part to be inspected. Here, the CCD driving means 155a, 15
.. 155n are synchronized by the synchronization control means 158. The CCD 153a, 153
The read signals of b, ...
Preprocessing means A 156 via 154b, ...
a, 156b, ... 156n, and the characteristic of the signal peculiar to each CCD is corrected by the preprocessing means A 156a, 156b ,. This allows for example scope
Since the output signal of 1.151a and the output signal of the scope 1′.151b can be signal-processed by the same pre-processing means 1 B157a, one pre-processing means B157 can have a plurality of types of pre-processing means A156. Can be connected. And the front-end processing means B157a, 157b, ... 1
After being converted into a common signal format by 57 m, it is time-division multiplexed by the switching means 147, and the signal processing means 1
The signal is converted by 48 into a signal conforming to the standard TV signal.

As described above, according to this example, different types of scopes can be connected to one connector, and the number of connectors provided in the image processing apparatus can be reduced. Moreover, since the number of circuits of the pre-processing means B157 and the switching means 147 can be reduced, the device can be simplified.

Other configurations, operations and effects are similar to those of the first example.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a third example of an electronic endoscope apparatus having a plurality of electronic endoscopes. As shown in FIG. 24, in the third example, a plurality of scopes 161a,
Discrimination signal generating means 1 for outputting a discrimination signal for discriminating the type of each CCD 163a, 163b, ... 163n provided in the scope to 161b.
67a, 167b, ... 167n are provided. Further, the discrimination signal generating means 167a, 167b, ... 16
7n is a CCD driving means 165a, 165b and a preprocessing means 166a, 1 provided in the image processing device 160.
These CCDs are connected to 66b.
Drive means 165a, 165b and pretreatment means 166
The characteristics of a and 166b can be changed according to the discrimination signal.

Scope 1.161a and scope 2.161b
To the image processing apparatus 1 via the connectors 162a and 162b.
60, and CCD1 driving means 165a and CCD2 driving means 165b respectively for CCD1.163a,
The CCD 2.163b is driven to capture an image of the subject. The signals read out from the CCD 1.163a and CCD 2.163b are supplied to the preprocessing unit 1.166a and the preprocessing unit 2.
It is converted into a common signal format by 166b and input to the switching means 147. Here, the characteristics of the CCD1 driving means 165a, CCD2 driving means 165b, pre-processing means 1.166a, and pre-processing means 2.166b are changed according to the type of the connected scope, and the CCD depending on the type. Driving and signal processing are performed. Then, it is switched by the switching means 147 and time division multiplexed,
The signal processing unit 148 converts the signal into a signal conforming to the standard TV signal, and the monitor device 96 and the image recording device 97 display and record the image.

As described above, by making the characteristics of the CCD driving means and the preprocessing means changeable according to the type of CCD, it is possible to connect a plurality of types of scopes to one connector, and the image processing apparatus can be connected. It is possible to minimize the number of connectors provided. As a result, the device can be downsized, simplified, and the cost can be reduced. In addition,
In this example, the case where the images of two scopes are displayed at the same time has been described, but the number of connectors, CCD driving means, pre-processing means, switching means, etc. is required depending on the number of images that need to be displayed at the same time. The same applies when the minimum number is set.

Other configurations, operations and effects are similar to those of the first example.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of image signals can be processed by one image processing device by providing the image signal processing means and the switching means corresponding to the plurality of image pickup means. Therefore, there is an effect that images obtained by a plurality of image pickup means can be displayed simultaneously or alternately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing means in the endoscope apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a frame sequential signal synchronization means.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another example of the frame sequential signal synchronization means.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of a time axis correction means.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing the operation of the time axis correction means.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 9 is configured using a parent-child scope.

11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen by the parent-child scope of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of a main light source device.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of spectra of a main light source and a sub light source.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an illumination timing of a main light source and a sub light source and a combination of field sequential.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a first example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus including two solid-state image pickup devices.

17 is a structural explanatory view showing an example of an electronic endoscope apparatus equipped with the switching means of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a time chart showing a first example of a read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

19 is a time chart showing a second example of a read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

20 is a time chart showing a third example of a read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

21 is a time chart showing a fourth example of the read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

22 is a time chart showing a fifth example of a read operation in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a second example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a third example of an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of electronic endoscopes.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a solid-state image sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope control device 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Monitor device 4 ... Image recording device 6 ... CCD 9 ... Image signal processing means 14 ... Time axis correction means 20 ... Frame sequential illumination means 92a-92n ... CCD driving means 93a ... 93n ... Pre-processing means 94 ... Switching means 95 ... Signal processing means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Ainobu Uchikubo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiko Sasaki 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One or more endoscopes having at least one image pickup means, a plurality of image pickup element driving means for driving the image pickup means corresponding to the total number of the image pickup means, and output from the image pickup means. A plurality of image pickup signal preprocessing means corresponding to the total number of the image pickup means, a video signal switching means for switching output of the plurality of image pickup signal preprocessing means, and an output of the video signal switching means And an image signal processing means for obtaining an output image signal for simultaneously or alternately displaying the images captured by the plurality of image capturing means on a monitor, the electronic endoscope apparatus.