JPH0815616A - Stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device with which stereoscopic viewing is possible and high-resolution images are obtainable by using two image pickup elements. CONSTITUTION:A TV camera head 12 for 3D arranged with two CCDs 34a, 34b deviated from each other by half the pixels in a horizontal direction is mounted at a rigid endoscope 11 for 3D of a pupil division system. The images respectively obtd. by these two CCDs 34a, 34b are alternately displayed by a monitor. A user is able to stereoscopically view these images by wearing liquid crystal shutter spectacles and observing the images. The opening quantity of a diaphragm 24 is made small to set the state of permitting approximation of the right and left optical axes to one optical axis and the pixels of the images obtd. by the two CCDs 34a, 34b are alternately outputted and are displayed on the monitor, by which the high-resolution images are obtd.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device using two image pickup elements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in medical fields and industrial fields. In particular, in the medical field, if a stereoscopic image is obtained rather than a planar image when performing a procedure such as a surgery with an instrument under observation of an endoscope, the process such as the surgery is more performed. It will be easier. Further, the degree of unevenness such as swelling of the affected area can be more clearly recognized, and the progress of symptoms and the degree of healing can be more reliably recognized.

Therefore, there is a demand for an endoscope capable of stereoscopic viewing. If only two image pickup means are provided as an endoscope capable of stereoscopic viewing, the insertion portion becomes thick and it is necessary to provide a large insertion hole.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a pupil division type stereoscopic endoscope 81 has been proposed. In the stereoscopic endoscope 81 of this prior art example, an objective lens 83 for image formation is arranged at the tip of an elongated insertion portion 82, and an image of the objective lens 83 has an optical axis that coincides with this optical axis. An image is transmitted to the rear side by forming a real image on the rear side by the arranged relay lens system 84.

A diaphragm 85 is arranged at the position of the pupil behind the relay lens system 84, and the pupil is divided into right and left so that the apex angle of the isosceles side is located on the optical axis facing the pupil. The prism 86 is arranged.

The light traveling to the right and left slopes of the prism 86 corresponds to the left and right images, is reflected by the respective slopes and travels along the left and right optical axes, and further the mirrors 87a, 87.
b. After being respectively reflected by, the light is imaged on the left-eye and right-eye CCDs 88a and 88b respectively arranged at the imaging positions.

Two image signals photoelectrically converted by these two CCDs 88a and 88b are displayed on the monitor, and
Stereoscopic viewing is possible by recognizing two images with the left and right eyes.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention The above stereoscopic endoscope 81
Is composed of a common objective lens 83 and a relay lens system 84, there is an advantage that a thin insertion portion 82 can be formed.
C for normal two-dimensional display instead of stereoscopic viewing
It was performed using only one of CD88a and 88b.

When performing normal two-dimensional display, it is more effective to use two CCDs 88a and 88b than to use only one. However, in the above-mentioned prior art example, since it is an image having parallax, there is a drawback that it is not used effectively because there is no guarantee that the resolution can be improved more than the image from one CCD if it is simply combined.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus capable of stereoscopic vision and capable of obtaining a high-resolution image by using two image pickup elements. With the goal.

[0011]

An optical system for forming a subject image, a diaphragm means arranged on the optical path of the optical system for adjusting the amount of light, and an optical path dividing means for dividing the optical path into right and left. A stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device including two image pickup devices for picking up the divided respective subject images by using light-receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally as pixels, and left and right of the two image pickup devices. By arranging the pixels in the arrangement direction of the relative shift by 1/2 pixel,
High resolution by displaying stereoscopically and displaying by interpolating between pixels in an image obtained by one of the image pickup elements with pixels of an image obtained by the other image pickup element by using two image pickup elements It is also possible to display the image of.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a stereoscopic endoscope imaging apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a stereoscopic endoscope equipped with a TV camera. FIG. 3 shows that the two image pickup devices are arranged so as to be shifted in the horizontal direction, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the double speed conversion unit, and FIG. 5 shows the operation of the double speed conversion unit in the 3D mode. 6 shows an operation explanatory diagram of the double speed conversion unit in the high resolution mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has a TV camera-mounted stereoscopic endoscope 2 (also referred to as a TV camera-mounted 3D endoscope) and this TV camera mounted. A light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the 3D endoscope 2 and a stereoscopic camera control unit (hereinafter, 3D) that performs signal processing for two image pickup means built in the TV camera-mounted 3D endoscope 2. 4C, a double speed conversion unit 5 for converting an output signal of the 3D CCU 4 into a double speed signal, and a video signal output from the double speed conversion unit 5 in a double speed and a standard (speed) mode. Displayable color monitor 6 and liquid crystal shutter glasses 7 for stereoscopically observing an image displayed on the color monitor 6.
And an infrared ray emitting section 8 which is connected to the double speed conversion unit 5 and transmits by infrared rays a switching signal for switching between the left and right liquid crystal shutters of the liquid crystal shutter eyeglasses 7. This infrared ray is provided on the liquid crystal shutter eyeglasses 7. The light receiving unit 9 receives light.

The TV camera-mounted 3D endoscope 2 is mounted on the stereoscopic rigid endoscope (referred to as a 3D rigid endoscope) 11 and the 3D rigid endoscope 11 as shown in FIG. 3D TV camera head (3D TV camera head or simply referred to as TV camera head) 12
A signal cable 13 extends from the V camera head 12, and a connector provided at the end thereof can be detachably connected to the 3D CCU 4.

The rigid endoscope 11 for 3D includes a rigid insertion portion 14
And a large-diameter grip portion 1 formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 14.
5 and an eyepiece portion 16 formed at the rear end of the grip portion 15, and a light guide base 17 is provided on the grip portion 15 in a protruding manner.

A light guide 18 is inserted into the insertion portion 14, and the rear end of the light guide 18 reaches the light guide base 17. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a light guide cable 19 having a light guide inserted therethrough is connected to the light guide base 17, and a light guide connector 20 provided at the end of the light guide cable 19 is detachable from the light source device 3. Can be connected.

The light source device 3 has a lamp 21 built-in, and the white illumination light generated by the lamp 21 is supplied to the end face of the light guide connector 20 and is transmitted by the light guide in the light guide cable 19 to generate a light. Light guide 18 from the guide mouthpiece 17 to the 3D rigid endoscope 11
Is supplied to. The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 18 serving as the illumination light transmission means is emitted from the tip end surface attached to the illumination window at the tip end to a subject such as a diseased part in front.

The object illuminated by this illumination light is an objective lens 22 attached to an observation window formed adjacent to the illumination window.
To form an image at the image forming position. This image is sequentially relayed by a relay lens system 23 arranged on the optical axis O of the objective lens system 22 so as to coincide with the optical axis O of the objective lens system 22. It is transmitted to the section 15 or the eyepiece section 16 side.

A diaphragm 24 is disposed at a pupil position on the rear side of the relay lens system 23. The diaphragm 24 is rotated by rotating a diaphragm adjusting ring 25 to adjust the aperture amount of the diaphragm 24 to adjust the size of the pupil. Can be changed.

Optical path splitting means for splitting the optical path into right and left so that its apex is located on the optical axis O facing the pupil.
More specifically, prisms 26, which serve as pupil dividing means for dividing the pupil into right and left, are arranged, and the optical axes on both sides of the apex are arranged at 45.
The light traveling along the optical paths reflected by the respective inclined surfaces is further reflected by the mirrors 27a and 27b,
Connect the left and right images respectively.

The left and right images can be magnified by observing them with the naked eye through the eyepieces 28a and 28b attached to the left and right eyepiece windows of the eyepiece 16, respectively, and the observer can stereoscopically view the images. The 3D TV camera head 12 can be detachably attached to the eyepiece unit 16.

The TV camera head 12 has an eyepiece lens 28.
Left and right imaging units 32a and 32b for stereoscopic imaging are attached to two through holes provided in the head main body 31 so as to face a and 28b, respectively. The left and right image pickup units 32a and 32b respectively include the image pickup lenses 33a and 33b and the CCDs 34a and 34b.
It is attached to 5a and 35b. Each CCD 34a,
34b of the respective substrates 36a, 36b are connected and fixed to the respective leads by soldering.
36b are connected to the signal lines in the signal cable 13, respectively. The imaging lenses 33a and 33b are protected by protective glass.

When the images on the optical axis O of the CCDs 34a and 34b are formed on the photoelectric conversion surface on which the light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged via the image pickup lenses 33a and 33b, the image shown in FIG. As shown, 1/2 the pitch P of the arrangement of the light receiving elements 37 in the horizontal direction (that is, 1/2 of the pixels in the horizontal direction).
They are arranged horizontally with a slight shift.

Incidentally, FIG. 3 shows one of the CCDs in the state of FIG.
34a is moved to a conjugate position on the other CCD 34b side,
Further, the CCD 34a and the CCD are slightly displaced in the optical axis direction.
34B is an explanatory diagram showing that 34b is displaced by 1/2 of the pitch P of the arrangement of the light receiving elements 37. FIG.

Even in the preset state as shown in FIG. 3, the 3D TV camera head 12 is mounted on the eyepiece 16 in practice.
3 is expected to shift from the state shown in FIG. 3 in the attached state when one is attached, one image pickup unit 32b in this embodiment has an elastic member 38, such as a thin rubber plate, interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. It is mounted on the through hole of the head body 31 and the tip of the adjusting screw 39 presses the image pickup frame body 35b of the image pickup unit 32b in the horizontal direction so that the structure is movable in the horizontal direction by a minute distance.

In the actual use state, if the state deviates from the state shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting screw 39 is rotated to horizontally move the image pickup frame body 35b of the image pickup unit 32b to set the state shown in FIG. I am able to do it.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CCU 4 is a CCD
The CCU 40a for the left and the CCU 40b for the right, which drive the CCD 34b and the CCD 34b, respectively, and perform signal processing on the image pickup signals respectively output, are incorporated. In addition, a synchronization signal generation circuit 41 for operating the two CCUs 40a and 40b in synchronization is built in, and the two CCUs 40a and 40b are connected to the CCDs 34a and 34b in synchronization with the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generation circuit 41. A drive signal is applied and the CCDs 34a and 34a
The signal processing for the image pickup signal read from b is performed in synchronization with the synchronization signal. Then, the left and right video signals L and R corresponding to the left and right images respectively generated by the CCUs 40a and 40b are output from the output end of the 3D CCU 4.

As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the left and right video signals L and R in each field are synchronized with the vertical synchronizing signal VD every 1/60 seconds in FIG. 5A. The left and right video signals L and R are output. Left and right video signal L
And R are input to the double speed conversion unit 5 whose input ends are connected to the output ends of the CCU 4 for 3D.

The structure of the double speed conversion unit 5 is shown in FIG. The input left and right video signals L and R are converted into digital signals by the A / D converters 43a and 43b, and then temporarily stored in the left and right memories 44a and 44b. The writing and reading of the left and right memories 44a and 44b are controlled under the control of the timing generator 45.

The left and right digital video signals L and R read from the left and right memories 44a and 44b, after passing through a multiplexer (abbreviated as MUX) 46 which is switched under the control of the timing generator 45, It is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 47 and output to the color monitor 6 from the output end.

The timing generator 45 is a solid /
It is connected to a high resolution mode switching means (hereinafter referred to as 3D / high resolution mode switching means) 48, and corresponds to the mode instructed by the 3D / high resolution mode switching means 48, the left and right memories 44a, The read speed from 44b is changed, and the MUX 46 connected to the output terminals of the left and right memories 44a and 44b is also switched in response to the 3D mode signal or the high resolution mode signal. The 3D / high resolution mode switching means 48 is connected to a mode selection switch 49,
When the user operates the mode selection switch 49, the 3D / high resolution mode switching means 48 instructs the timing generator 45 of the 3D mode signal or the high resolution mode signal (corresponding to this operation).

The timing generator 45 controls writing to the left and right memories 44a and 44b simultaneously at a fixed timing in synchronization with the synchronizing signal. For example, the same address signal is applied from the timing generator 45 to the left and right memories 44a and 44b, and the left and right digital video signals L and R are simultaneously written. On the other hand, the left and right memories 44a, 44
The reading from b is controlled differently depending on the instructed mode.

For example, the timing generator 45 is
When a 3D mode signal is instructed from the 3D / high-resolution mode switching means 48, the left and right memories 44a and 4a.
Reading from 4b at double speed at the time of writing, and M
The switching of the UX46 is also 1 / in synchronization with the double speed reading.
It is performed every 120 seconds. Therefore, in this mode MUX46
After that, the left and right digital video signals L and R are alternately output.

Further, in this mode, the timing generator 45 applies a switching signal synchronized with the switching of the MUX 46 to the infrared emitting section 8, and the infrared emitting section 8 modulates the switching signal (or without modulation). The infrared light emitting element (not shown) provided in the infrared light emitting portion 8 is applied to cause the infrared light emitting element to emit light.

When the light receiving portion 9 (the light receiving element such as an infrared ray detecting diode) provided in the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7 receives the infrared light from the infrared light emitting element, the photoelectric conversion output is (the drive circuit provided in the light receiving portion 9). A switching signal that is detected (or waveform-shaped) and demodulated is generated by a demodulation circuit therein, and this switching signal is applied to the left and right liquid crystal shutters 7a and 7b of the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7, and these are transmitted / transmitted alternately. The viewer wearing the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7 is allowed to observe the left and right images alternately displayed on the color monitor 6 at double speed by the left and right eyes.

On the other hand, the timing generator 45 has three
When the high resolution mode signal is instructed from the D / high resolution mode switching means 48, the left and right memories 44a and 4a.
Reading from 4b is performed at the same speed as at the time of writing, and switching of the MUX 46 is performed at the double speed of reading of the memory cell. Therefore, in this mode, the left and right digital video signals L and R are alternately output in pixel units via the MUX 46. That is, a video signal is generated that is equal to a state in which the pixels in the horizontal direction of one image are interpolated by the corresponding pixels in the horizontal direction of the other image, and the video signal is synthesized so as to interpolate two video signals. Is output to the color monitor 6 side.

In this mode, the color monitor 6 is set to the normal display mode, and the display surface of the color monitor 6 is displayed with a high resolution in which the images picked up by the two CCDs 34a and 34b are combined.

The operation of the first embodiment thus constructed will be described. First, the setting is made as shown in FIG. When stereoscopic observation is performed, the aperture amount of the diaphragm 24 is set to be large (if it is small, the diaphragm adjustment ring 25 is rotated to be large).
The distance between the left and right optical axes corresponding to the parallax of the left and right images divided by the prism 26 is increased.

The operation mode of the double speed conversion unit 5 is operated by operating the mode selection switch 49 (via the 3D / high resolution mode switching means 48).
To the control state of the 3D mode.

In this state, the 3D rigid endoscope 11 obtains left and right images with parallax, the CCDs 34a and 34b in the 3D TV camera head 12 photoelectrically convert the left and right images, and the 3D CCU 4 outputs signals. Processed, FIG.
The left and right video signals L and R shown in (b) and (c) are output to the double speed conversion unit 5.

In the double speed conversion unit 5, the timing generator 45 reads the left and right digital video signals written in the left and right memories 44a and 44b at the double speed at the time of writing, and also switches the MUX 46 to read the double speed. Every 1/120 second in synchronism with. Therefore, in this 3D mode, the left and right video signals L and R output from the double speed conversion unit 5 via the MUX 46 and the D / A converter 47 are time-divided and alternated at double speed as shown in FIG. Is output to.

In the 3D mode, the timing generator 45 applies a switching signal to the infrared light emitting section 8 in synchronization with the switching of the MUX 46, and the infrared light emitting section 8 causes the infrared light emitting element to emit light.

Infrared rays from this infrared ray emitting element are received by the light receiving section 9 provided in the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7, and the above-mentioned switching signal is generated by the photoelectric conversion output. With this switching signal, the liquid crystal shutters on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7 are generated. By alternately setting 7a and 7b in a transparent / light-shielding state, and an observer wearing the liquid crystal shutter glasses 7, by observing the left and right images alternately displayed on the color monitor 6 at double speed, Stereoscopic viewing can be performed in a time-sharing manner.

On the other hand, when the observation in the high resolution mode is desired, the aperture adjusting ring 25 is rotated to reduce the aperture amount of the aperture 24. In addition, the mode selection switch 49 is operated to select the high resolution mode.

In this state, the left and right optical axes can be regarded as being substantially in agreement, and pupil division is performed, but the left and right images are substantially the same. Also, in this embodiment, 2
Since the two CCDs 34a and 34b are horizontally displaced relative to each other by 1/2 of the pitch P of the light receiving elements 37, one of the CCDs picks up an image between pixels in the image picked up by the other.

In the state where the pixels of each other are interpolated in this way, C
The images captured by the CDs 34a and 34b are CCU4 for 3D.
Is similarly subjected to signal processing, and the left and right video signals L and R are output to the double speed conversion unit 5 side.

In the double speed conversion unit 5, the timing generator 45 reads from the left and right memories 44a and 44b at the same speed as when writing, and also the MUX.
The switching of 46 is performed at the double speed of reading the memory cell. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the left and right memories 44a, 44a are driven by an address signal synchronized with a clock having a frequency 4fsc which is four times the frequency fsc of the color subcarrier (subcarrier).
44b at the same time, read left and right memory 44a,
44b outputs left and right video signals L and R (shown as analog signals in FIGS. 6B and 6C for simplification) as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, for example.

The left and right video signals L and R are MUX4.
6 is twice the frequency of the clock signal, that is, 8 fsc
Since it is switched by the frequency switching signal of, the left and right digital video signals L and R are alternately output from the MUX 46 in pixel units.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), D / A conversion is performed, and the space between pixels in the horizontal direction of one image is interpolated by the corresponding pixels in the horizontal direction of the other image, as shown in FIG. 6 (d). A video signal equal to the above state is output as a high resolution mode output signal. In this mode, the color monitor 6 is set to the normal display mode, and the display surface of the color monitor 6 is displayed with a high resolution in which the images captured by the two CCDs 34a and 34b are combined.

According to the first embodiment, the image can be displayed so that it can be viewed stereoscopically, and by narrowing the diaphragm 24, the two image pickup elements are used to increase the height almost twice as compared with the case where one image pickup element is used. It can also be displayed in resolution.

It should be noted that the luminance signal of the CCU 40a or 40b is integrated for one field or one frame period to generate a signal for dimming, and this signal controls the light emission amount of the lamp 21 of the light source device 3 or is not shown. The aperture amount of the diaphragm may be controlled to adjust the amount of illumination light emitted from the front end surface of the light guide 18 to the subject side. This way,
Even if the aperture amount of the diaphragm 24 is changed, the image quality with good S / N can be maintained.

FIG. 7 shows a 3D rigid electronic endoscope 51 in a modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the 3D rigid endoscope 11 and the 3D T are used as endoscopes for stereoscopic imaging.
The endoscope 2 for TV camera attachment 3D equipped with the V camera head 12 was used, but in this modification, the TV camera attachment 3D is used.
A rigid electronic endoscope 51 for 3D is adopted instead of the endoscope 2 for medical use.

This 3D rigid electronic endoscope 51 has a structure in which the 3D TV camera head 12 is integrated with the eyepiece portion 16 in FIG. That is, a wide grip portion 53 is formed at the rear end of the hard insertion portion 52, the insertion portion 52 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 2, and the grip portion 53 has the prism 26,
Mirrors 27a and 27b are arranged, and these mirrors 27
The image pickup units 32a and 32b are housed facing the a and 27b. Similar to FIG. 2, the imaging units 32a, 32
Reference symbol b indicates image pickup lenses 33a and 33b, CCDs 34a and 34b
And so on.

Further, the adjusting screw 39 is formed so as not to project from the outer frame body of the grip portion 53, and the two CCDs 34 are provided.
The a and 34b are fixed in a state in which they are set in a state of being displaced relative to each other in the horizontal direction by 1/2 of the pitch P of the light receiving elements 37.

The operation and effect of this modification are similar to those of the first embodiment. Further, since the optical system portion connecting the two images and the image pickup element portion are integrated, once the two image pickup elements are set and fixed in an appropriate positional relationship, there is no need for readjustment thereafter. There is.

FIG. 8 shows an electronic endoscope 6 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of 1. In this embodiment, the prism 26 is driven stepwise at high speed in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) by the linear motor 62 so that the vertices are located at the positions of the left and right optical axes Oa and Ob in synchronization with the imaging cycle. It was made possible. This linear motor 62
Are driven by the drive circuit 63. This prism 26
Is used in the high resolution mode and is not used in the stereoscopic view. Further, in this embodiment, the diaphragm 24 has three
The opening amount may be set to be large as in the case of the D mode.

In this embodiment, the operation in the 3D mode is the first
It is similar to the embodiment. On the other hand, in the high resolution mode, the prism 26 is set at high speed so that its apex is located at the positions of the two optical axes Oa and Ob.

In this case, after the prism 26 is set so that its apex is located at the position of the optical axis Oa, the optical axis O
When the prism 26 is set such that its apex is located at the position b, so that the same period is set in the image pickup cycle, the image pickup states of the CCDs 34a and 34b can be set equally.

Then, the two CCDs 34a, 34b are displayed in a high resolution mode by picking up images in a state in which they are arranged so as to be relatively shifted in the horizontal direction by 1/2 of the pitch P of the light receiving elements 37. It enables to improve the resolution in case of doing.

Others are the same as those in the first embodiment or the modification. This embodiment has the advantages of the first embodiment, and has the advantage that a high-resolution image can be obtained even when the aperture amount of the diaphragm 24 is set in the same manner as in stereoscopic viewing.

Note that, for example, in FIG.
Although it has been described that a and 34b are arranged so as to be shifted by ½ of the pixel pitch in the horizontal direction, it is not limited to this condition when the image quality (resolution) on the peripheral side may be slightly deteriorated. , Arranged so that a natural number substantially smaller than the array number of the light receiving elements 37 in the horizontal direction (that is, the number of pixels) is shifted by (n + 1/2) pixels relative to the array number (relaxed). Conditions).

In the case of this relaxed condition, in the case of displaying by interpolating between pixels of one image with pixels of the other image in the high resolution mode, from the memory according to the value of n. It is necessary to adjust the read address.

In the case of this relaxed condition, n
When is a large value, the image quality near the periphery is degraded,
Endoscopes often use a wide-angle lens system,
In the peripheral side portion, there is the influence of the distortion of the lens system, so that it may not be a practical defect. In addition, the image on the peripheral side may be cut when displaying, and in this case also, there is almost no drawback even under the relaxed condition.

It should be noted that an embodiment or a modification formed by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belongs to the present invention.

[Supplementary Note] (1) The stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising a driving means for moving the optical path dividing means to the left and right.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, an optical system for forming a subject image, diaphragm means arranged on the optical path of the optical system for adjusting the amount of light, and the optical path are divided into left and right. In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device, the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device is provided with two image pickup devices for picking up the divided image of each subject by using light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally as pixels. Since the pixels in the left and right array directions of the image pickup device are arranged so as to be relatively offset by 1/2 pixel, stereoscopic viewing is possible, and the pixels of the image of one image pickup device are arranged between the pixels of the other image. Displaying by interpolating with pixels has an effect of obtaining a high-resolution image.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a TV camera-mounted stereoscopic endoscope equipped with a TV camera head.

FIG. 3 shows that two image pickup devices have a pixel pitch of 1 / horizontal in the horizontal direction.
Explanatory drawing of being displaced by 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a double speed conversion unit.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the double speed conversion unit in the 3D mode.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the double speed conversion unit in the high resolution mode.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a stereoscopic electronic endoscope according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an electronic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an image pickup optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stereoscopic endoscope imaging device 2 ... TV camera mounting 3D endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... CCU 5 ... Double speed conversion unit 6 ... Color monitor 7 ... Liquid crystal shutter glasses 8 ... Infrared light emitting part 9 ... Infrared light receiving part 11 ... 3D rigid endoscope 12 ... 3D TV camera head 22 ... objective lens 23 ... relay lens system 24 ... diaphragm 25 ... diaphragm adjustment ring 26 ... prism 34a, 34b ... CCD 37 ... light receiving element 38 ... elastic members 44a, 44b ... Memory 45 ... Chimming generator 48 ... 3D / high resolution mode switching means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location H04N 7/18 M (72) Inventor Kotaro Ogasawara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiko Mochida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Funabashi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masao Uehara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Nobuaki Akui 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori (72) Inventor Hideki Koyanagi 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Inside the company

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical system for forming a subject image, a diaphragm means arranged on the optical path of the optical system for adjusting the amount of light, an optical path splitting means for splitting the optical path into left and right, and each of the splits. In the stereoscopic endoscope image pickup device including two image pickup elements for respectively picking up the image of the subject as two-dimensionally arranged light receiving elements as pixels, pixels in the left and right arrangement directions of the two image pickup elements are arranged. A stereoscopic endoscope imaging device characterized in that they are arranged so as to be relatively shifted by 1/2 pixel.