JPH10323326A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device which easily displays a good still image with little color shift. SOLUTION: A signal imaged by a CCD 16 of a scope Z is inputted to freeze memory units 29R, 29G, 29B and a color shift amount calculation circuit 32 through simultaneous memories 28R, 28G, and 28B of a processor 4, and when a calculated color shift amount is less than a threshold value, the signal is stored in the freeze memory units 29R, 29G, 29B through a memory control circuit 35 in time sequence. When a freeze switch 17 is operated, a good image with minimum color shift is read and displayed as a still image on a color monitor 5, and when the freeze switch 17 is operated again, the still image is continuously displayed, and the good image can be recorded by operating a release switch 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for performing processing such as freeze (freeze) and image enhancement of a moving image picked up by an image pickup apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electronic endoscope apparatus has been proposed which is provided with an image pickup device such as a CCD at the end of an insertion portion of an endoscope to photograph the inside of a body cavity and make a diagnosis based on a moving image displayed on a monitor. It has become widely adopted.

[0003] Further, the electronic endoscope apparatus incorporates image enhancement functions such as contour enhancement processing for enhancing the fine structure of a lesion and color enhancement processing for enhancing subtle color changes. The user can make detailed settings for the image enhancement function.

At the time of such an inspection using an endoscope, in order to leave an image of a lesion or the like as a record, the image is frozen (frozen) and a still image is recorded in a photographing apparatus or an image filing apparatus. Is being done.

When obtaining such a still image, it is difficult to keep the relative positional relationship between the lesion and the endoscope constant due to the movement of the patient, etc. In many cases, they could not be obtained.

In particular, in an endoscope which picks up three primary color images of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) one by one by a plane sequential method, R, G, and B cannot be captured simultaneously. Therefore, when the subject or the endoscope is moved, a color shift occurs in which the color of the object is separated.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 4-71525, still images are sequentially displayed in a time series at predetermined time intervals in accordance with a freeze instruction signal. An electronic endoscope apparatus capable of selectively recording is disclosed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In an apparatus such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 1525, when a display state of a next still image is displayed, a previous still image cannot be selected. That is, the degree of freedom in selecting a still image to be displayed is small. Further, in this conventional example, the display of the still image changes every predetermined time, and it is impossible to continuously display a still image with a small amount of color shift or blur.

[0009] Still images are displayed at predetermined time intervals,
Even if the amount of blur is large, it is displayed as a still image, and it cannot be changed to a state in which the next still image is displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed.

When the next still image is displayed from the previously displayed still image, even if the previous still image has a smaller amount of color shift or blur, the still image is displayed. Images cannot be selected and displayed.

For this reason, in this conventional example, it is difficult to continuously display a high-quality still image with a small amount of color shift or blur, or to record only such a high-quality still image.

That is, in the conventional example, the operator must determine the degree of the color shift of the still image actually displayed by looking at it, and when the next still image is displayed, the previous still image is displayed. Since it is completely unknown which of the image and the color misregistration amount is smaller, the surgeon must sufficiently look at the displayed still image and determine whether or not to record the still image. As described above, in the conventional example, the operability for displaying a still image or recording a still image is low, and the burden on the operator is heavy.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of easily displaying a high-quality still image with less color shift and the like. And

[0014]

In an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a subject image picked up by an image pickup means as a still image on a display means, an image pickup signal sequentially output from the image pickup means in a unit corresponding to the subject image. Means for storing a plurality of image data for each subject image unit, a storage control means for controlling a storage operation of the storage means based on an output signal of the stillness instruction means for instructing display of a still image, and an operation of the stillness instruction means An imaging signal selection unit that can select an arbitrary imaging signal from a plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage unit in accordance with an instruction;
Is provided, it is easy to select a high quality image signal such as a small color shift amount from the plurality of image signals stored in the storage unit by the image signal selection unit and display the still image.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an image enhancement circuit, FIG. 4 shows input / output characteristics accompanying a change in a parameter by a contrast conversion function of image enhancement, and FIG. 5 shows a case where an image enhancement transition switch is operated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of obtaining a still image with little color shift.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide an endoscope apparatus that allows a user to select and display a still image with little color shift and to easily select an appropriate image enhancement.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment includes an electronic endoscope (abbreviated as a scope) 2 for inserting into a body cavity to perform imaging, and generating illumination light. And a light source device 3 for supplying to the scope 2, a processor 4 for performing signal processing on the image pickup means of the scope 2, a color monitor 5 for displaying an image, a photographic device 6 for recording an image as a photograph, And an image filing device 7 for recording the information.

The scope 2 has an elongated insertion section 8 for insertion into a body cavity, and a rear end of the insertion section 8 has an operation section 9.
Is provided. A light guide fiber 11 for transmitting illumination light is provided in the insertion section 8 of the scope 2 and the like. The light guide fiber 11 transmits illumination light from the light source device 3 and further extends from the distal end surface fixed to the distal end portion 12 of the insertion section 8. A subject (or subject) 14 such as an affected part in a body cavity is illuminated through an illumination lens 13 of an illumination window.

An objective lens 15 is attached to the observation window of the distal end portion 12, and a CCD 16 is arranged at an image forming position of the objective lens 15 to form an image pickup means. Also,
The operation unit 9 of the scope 2 is provided with a freeze switch 17 for instructing a freeze, a release switch 18 for instructing a release, and an image emphasis change switch 19 for instructing a change in image emphasis.

The light source device 3 includes a lamp 21 that emits light by a lamp lighting power supply supplied from a lamp lighting circuit 20.
An RGB rotation filter 24 provided on the illumination optical path for limiting the transmission wavelength, a motor 23 for rotating and driving the RGB rotation filter 24, and a condenser lens for condensing and irradiating the light guide fiber 11 with the illumination light in a plane sequence. 25.

The processor 4 includes a pre-processing circuit 26 for adjusting a gain, an A / D conversion circuit 27 for performing A / D conversion, and a synchronization memory 28R for synchronizing captured time-series RGB signals. , 28G, 28B, a freeze memory unit 29 for temporarily storing an image with little color shift as a still image with respect to the synchronized R, G, B signals
R, 29G, 29B, an image enhancement circuit 30 for performing image enhancement processing, a D / A conversion circuit 31 for performing D / A conversion, a color shift amount calculation circuit 32 for calculating a color shift amount, and a color shift amount for storing the color shift amount. A quantity storage memory 33, a CPU 34 for controlling display, storage, and release processing of a still image, and freeze memory units 29R, 29G, 29B under the control of the CPU 34.
Control circuit 3 for controlling storage (writing) and reading from
5 is provided.

The R, G, and B signals simultaneously output from the synchronization memories 28R, 28G, and 28B are input to freeze memory units 29R, 29G, and 29B, respectively, and (the freeze memory units 29R, 29G, and 29B).
The image quality of the image stored in the memory is evaluated to make the quality of the image equal to or higher than a certain level.) The color shift calculation circuit 32 as an image quality evaluation unit is input to calculate the color shift amount.

The color shift calculating circuit 32 calculates the amount of color shift for the R, G, and B signals corresponding to each image.
4 is output. The CPU 34 compares the input color shift amount with a threshold value of the color shift amount, and in the case of a signal (image) having a color shift amount equal to or less than the threshold value, passes the signal via the memory control circuit 35 to the freeze units 29R, 29G, The color shift amount is temporarily stored in the color shift amount storage memory 33.

Each freeze memory unit 29J (J =
R, G, and B) are, for example, first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-9 storing nine still images as shown in FIG.
And a selector 42 for selecting and outputting images stored in the first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-9.

An arbitrary memory 41-m (m = 1 to 9) is supplied by a memory control signal from the memory control circuit 35.
An instruction to write an image is given, and the selection of the selector 42 is controlled so that an arbitrary image can be output to the subsequent stage. Each of the memories 41-m has a storage capacity (storage area) for storing one image, and the memory control circuit 3
5, the corresponding memory 41-m is selected by the memory control signal (the memory select signal in), and the image is written.

The selector 42 is also capable of passing through the signal input to each freeze memory unit 29J (without storing it, but passing it through), and outputting the signal. The freeze switch 17 is not operated. In the normal moving image mode, a moving image passing through each freeze memory unit 29J is displayed on the monitor 5.

Each freeze memory unit 29J has a function of storing up to nine still images with a color shift amount equal to or less than the threshold value in the moving image mode in a time series manner. And the ninth
When the ninth still image is stored in the memory 41-9 of
The next still image is overwritten and stored in the first memory 41-1. In accordance with this, the color shift amount stored in the color shift storage memory 33 is also updated.

In the moving image mode, the freeze switch 1
7 is operated, the CPU 34 refers to the color shift amount stored in the color shift storage memory 33 and controls so that the image with the smallest color shift amount is displayed on the color monitor 5 as a still image. Like that.

If the next freeze instruction is not issued within a predetermined time, an image having the next smaller color shift amount is displayed as a still image, and if the next freeze instruction is issued within this predetermined time, When the display of the still image is continued or the release instruction is issued, the CPU 34 outputs a release signal, records the displayed still image in the image filing device 7, and performs photographing with the photographing device 6. Release processing can be performed.

In this embodiment, an image enhancement circuit 30 as shown in FIG. 3 is provided. This image enhancement circuit 30
Is a parameter storage memory 43 for storing a value of a parameter α for determining an image enhancement characteristic, and three lookup tables LUT44R, LUTG44G, and LUTB44B.
And

The parameter storage memory 43 stores the CPU 3
The value of the parameter α is stored by a parameter setting signal input via the control unit 4. Then, according to the parameter α stored in the parameter storage memory 43, three lookup tables LUT44R, LUTG44G,
R, G, and B input to the LUTB 44B are emphasized to become R ', G', and B ', which are output from the image enhancement circuit 30.

According to the value of the parameter α, the characteristic of the image enhancement can be changed as shown in FIG. Then, by operating the image emphasis change switch 19, the parameter α for determining the image emphasis characteristic can be shifted with time as shown in FIG. By operating the image emphasis change switch 19 for the second time when it reaches, the emphasis characteristics can be set easily and in a short time.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. Lamp 21 of light source device 3
Is transmitted through an RGB rotation filter 24 that rotates at a predetermined speed by driving a motor 23, and
Green and blue lights are sequentially incident on the light guide fiber 11 of the scope 2. The light transmitted by the light guide fiber 11 is emitted from the distal end of the insertion section 8 to the subject 14 in the body cavity.

The reflected light from the test object 14 is
The subject image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 16 by the objective lens 15 at the tip 12 of the camera, and photoelectrically converted by the CCD 16. The CCD 16 is driven by a CCD drive circuit (not shown) in synchronization with the rotation of the RGB rotation filter 24.

An electric signal (also referred to as an image signal) photoelectrically converted by the CCD 16 is input to a pre-processing circuit 26 of the processor 4, where gain adjustment and white balance adjustment are performed. The signal that has passed through the pre-processing circuit 26 is input to the A / D conversion circuit 27, and is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal.

In the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit 27, a red image is stored in the synchronization memory 28R and a green image is stored in the synchronization memory 2 in synchronization with the rotation of the RGB rotation filter 24.
At 8G, the blue image is input to and stored in the synchronization memory 28B.

The simultaneous reading of the color-sequential images transmitted in time series is performed by simultaneously reading out the data from the respective synchronization memories 28J. The signal output from each synchronization memory 28J is input to a freeze memory unit 29J.

As shown in FIG. 2, the freeze memory unit 29R, the freeze memory unit 29G, and the freeze memory unit 29B have the same structure. In this moving image mode, the selector 42 is in a selected state in which the input signal is output as it is, so that the moving image is displayed on the color monitor 5 by the synchronized RGB signals.

In the present embodiment, in this moving image mode, each image whose color shift amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (specifically, a threshold value) is stored in the freeze memory units 29R, 29G, 29G.
B is temporarily stored in chronological order, and freeze switch 1
7 is operated, the images stored in the temporarily stored images are displayed on the color monitor 5 as still images sequentially from the image with the smaller color shift amount so that the operator can confirm the still image to be recorded. ing.

When the freeze switch 17 is further operated within a predetermined time, the still image is displayed continuously, or when the release switch 18 is operated, the still image is displayed on the color monitor 5. The still image can be recorded in the image filing device 7 or the like, and if the freeze switch 17 is not operated within a predetermined time, the still image with the next smallest color shift amount is displayed on the color monitor 5.

Under the control of the CPU 34, the writing and reading of each freeze memory unit 29J are controlled via the memory control circuit 35 so as to perform such an operation.
The contents of the control flow will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, i and j are integer variables, and MOD (a / b) indicates the remainder when a is divided by b. First, a moving image is selected in step S1, and the operation is performed for displaying a moving image. After the variable i is set to 1 (S2), the image input to the freeze memory unit 29 is stored in the first memory 4 by the memory control circuit 35.
1-1 is instructed to be stored (S3). Then, an image is stored in the first memory 41-1.

Then, the presence / absence of a freeze instruction signal is determined (S4). If there is no instruction, the presence / absence of a release instruction signal is further determined (S5). If there is no such instruction, a wait is performed until the next vertical flyback period (S4). S6).

During this period, the color shift amount calculating circuit 32 calculates the color shift amount of the image stored in the first memory 41-1 of each freeze memory unit 29J based on the output of each synchronization memory 28J. I do. In this case, the color shift amount calculation circuit 32 calculates the color shift amount indicating the size of the color shift by detecting the shift of the outline (edge) of the R component, the G component, and the B component of the image.

The CPU 34 determines whether the color shift amount calculated by the color shift amount calculation circuit 32 is smaller than a predetermined value (S7). If the color shift amount is smaller than the predetermined value, the first memory 41- The color shift amount of the image stored in No. 1 is stored in the color shift amount storage memory 33 (S8).

Then, the variable i is increased by 1 to 2 (S
9) Return to step S3, and control to store the next image sent from the synchronization memory 28J in the second memory 14-2.

On the other hand, if the color shift amount is larger than the predetermined color shift amount, control is performed such that the next image is stored again in the first memory 41-1 (S3), and the color shift amount storage memory 33 is not stored. The same processing as the image instructed to be stored in the first memory 14-1 is performed on the image instructed to be stored in the second memory 14-2.

Further, the same processing is performed on the third memory 14-3 to the ninth memory 14-9, and an image with less color shift is sequentially stored in each memory.

If an image having a color shift amount equal to or less than a predetermined value is stored in the ninth memory 41-9, the first memory 41-
Returning to step 1, the same processing is repeated. By doing so, images with a small amount of color shift are constantly updated in the first memory 41-1 to the ninth memory 41-9.

Similar processing is performed in each freeze memory unit 29J. The color shift amount storage memory 33 stores the color shift amounts of the images stored in the first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-9. It is memorized.

As described above, the selector 42 selects the output from the synchronization memory 28J during normal moving image display.

The output of the selector 42 is input to the image enhancement circuit 30, and the image enhancement processing is performed. Image enhancement circuit 30
Has a configuration shown in FIG. 3. The parameter storage memory 43 stores parameters in response to a parameter setting signal sent from the CPU 34.

This parameter value and the input signal, that is, R,
The G and B signals are respectively stored in a lookup table L for R.
UT44R, lookup table LUT44 for G
The G and B lookup tables LUT44B are input and converted. The conversion performed by each LUT 44J is a contrast enhancement process, and conversion is performed for each pixel on the screen by the following formula.

R ′ = f (R, α) G ′ = f (G, α) B ′ = f (B, α) where R, G, and B are before red, green, and blue in the pixel of interest. , R ′, G ′, and B ′ are values after emphasis, f is a contrast conversion function, and α is a parameter for changing the center of emphasis. The characteristics of f are as shown in FIG. 4, and the range of input values in which enhancement is effectively exerted differs depending on the value of α.

For example, when α = 1, a relatively small input value (dark part on the image) is strongly emphasized,
When α = 5, strong emphasis is applied to relatively large input values (bright parts on the image).

The image signal passed through the image enhancement circuit 30 is D
The signal is converted into an analog signal by the / A conversion circuit 31, and is output to the color monitor 5, the photographing device 6, and the image filing device 7.

On the color monitor 5, an observation screen is displayed. In the photographing device 6, an endoscope image is photographed on a film in response to a release signal from the CPU.
In the image filing device 7, an endoscope image is recorded as a digital file according to a release signal from the CPU.

When the user freezes the image,
First, the freeze switch 17 is pressed. When the first freeze switch 17 is pressed, a freeze instruction signal is output from the CPU 3.
4 is input.

When recognizing the freeze instruction signal (S4), the CPU 34 suspends the storage in the first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-9 via the memory control circuit 35, and stores it in the color shift amount storage memory 33. Sort the stored color shift amounts.

Then, the first to ninth memories 41
The selector 42 is controlled so that the image with the least amount of color shift is selected from the images stored in -1 to 41-9 (S10, S11).

At this time, the second freeze switch 17
When the CPU 34 recognizes by the built-in timer that a predetermined time has elapsed without giving a freeze instruction by (S1).
2) The CPU 34 controls the selector 42 to select the image with the second smallest amount of color shift (S14, S1).
1) An image with the second least amount of color shift is displayed.

Similarly, if there is no freeze instruction, an image with the third smallest amount of color shift is displayed sequentially, and an image with the fourth smallest amount of color shift. Before the second freeze is pressed, if the memory of the image with the largest color shift amount is displayed, the image with the smallest color shift amount is displayed again, and the same processing is repeated.

The user presses the freeze switch 17 for the second time when the image intended by the user is displayed on the screen.
When the freeze switch 17 is pressed for the second time (S1
2), the CPU 34 fixes the selection of the selector 42 and continues to display the frozen image.

When the third freeze switch 17 is pressed after the second freeze switch 17 is pressed to select the image intended by the user (S13), the image from the synchronization memory 28J is selected. Then, the CPU 34 controls the selector 42 to release the freeze and display a moving image (S1).

When the user records an image on the image filing device 7 or the photographing device 6, the release switch 18 is pressed.

When the release switch 18 is pressed in the moving image display state (before the first freeze switch 17 is pressed) (S5), the CPU 34 stores the data in the first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-. The first freeze switch 1 is controlled by controlling the memory control circuit 35 so as to interrupt the writing of No. 9.
Similarly to when the button 7 is pressed, the selector 42 is controlled so that the image stored at that time with the least amount of color shift is selected (S15).

Thereafter, a release signal is sent from the CPU 34 to the photographing device 6 and the image filing device 7 (S
16) The image is recorded in the image filing device 7 and the photographing device 6.

The CPU 34 controls the selector 42 after outputting a release signal to the image filing device 7 and the photographing device 6, and the selector 42 controls the synchronization memory 28J.
Is selected and the moving image is displayed (S
1).

When the first freeze switch 17 is pressed and the images are sequentially switched, the release switch 1
If the button 8 is pressed (S12), the CPU 34 controls the selector 42 to be fixed when the release switch 18 is pressed, and then instructs the image filing apparatus 7 and the photographing apparatus 6 to record ( S16) By doing so,
The image displayed at that time is recorded in the image filing device 7 or the photographing device 6.

After recording, the CPU 34 controls the selector 42 to select the output of the synchronization memory 28J, and a moving image is displayed (S1). When the release switch 18 is pressed in a state where the freeze image after the second freeze switch 17 is pressed (S13), the CPU 34
Outputs a release signal to the image filing device 7 or the photographing device 6 (S16), and the displayed image is recorded in the image filing device 7 or the photographing device 6. CP
U34 controls the selector 42 after recording, so that a moving image is displayed (S1).

When the user switches the state of emphasis of an image, the user first presses the image emphasis change switch 19. When the first image emphasis change switch 19 is pressed, the CPU 3
4 repeatedly changes the parameter storage memory 43 in the image enhancement circuit 30 to change the parameter α, which is a reference for image enhancement, in a time series or periodically in a predetermined time unit.

FIG. 5 shows how the parameter α changes. On the screen of the color monitor 5, the state of the image enhancement changes with the change of the parameter α. When the user presses the image emphasis change switch 19 for the second time when the lesion is optimally emphasized, the CPU 34 stops changing the value of the parameter α, and the emphasized state is maintained. The minimum value, the maximum value of the parameter, and the cycle time of the parameter change can be changed by the user from a keyboard (not shown).

According to the present embodiment, a plurality of memories are provided as image storage means.
Images having a color shift amount equal to or less than a predetermined value are stored in time series, and when the freeze switch 17 is operated, the image with the smallest color shift amount among the plurality of images stored in the plurality of memories is prioritized. The image is displayed as a still image on the display means, and the user selects the image with the least color shift (that is, the image with good image quality) near the timing at which the instruction was given by the instruction to display the still image. As a result, it can be easily and quickly displayed as a still image.
In addition, it is possible to easily and quickly record an image having such a high image quality.

Further, since the processing contents changing means for changing (changing) the processing contents performed by the image processing means for enhancing the image in a time series is provided, it is possible to easily select an appropriate image enhancement. The inspection can be completed in a short time without prolonging the inspection time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image with the smallest color shift is preferentially displayed, so that the surgeon can easily display and record a still image with good image quality.
An endoscope device with good operability can be provided, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, when a still image is displayed on the color monitor 5, it is necessary to wait a predetermined time before the display of the next still image is started. A display selection switch or a next candidate selection switch or the like may be provided without lapse, and the next still image may be displayed by operating this switch.

In this manner, an image having a low priority in terms of the amount of color misregistration can be displayed and confirmed as a still image, and the image can be recorded quickly. In addition, it is possible to return to the display of the image with higher priority in a short time, and it becomes easy to compare the images.

In this embodiment, when the first freeze switch 17 is operated, after that time, the operation of temporarily storing the image in each freeze memory unit 29J is interrupted (stopped). The images stored up to that point are reserved, but depending on the operator's selection, for example, from the lowest priority image to the appropriate priority image (at least excluding the highest priority image) You may make it rewritable.

When rewriting can be performed from an image having the lowest priority to an image having an appropriate priority (at least excluding the image having the highest priority), a color smaller than the color shift amount of the stored image can be used. It is also possible to store only the image determined to be the displacement amount (update the previously stored image to a new image).

The color shift amount of the still image displayed on the color monitor 5 may be displayed numerically or the like so that the operator can confirm it numerically or the like. Further, all the color shift amounts stored in the color shift amount storage memory 33 may be displayed on the color monitor 5 or the like.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, in the vicinity of the timing at which the instruction to display a still image is issued,
The image with the highest image quality (specifically, the image with the least color shift) is displayed as a still image with priority, but in the present embodiment, at the timing when the instruction is given by the still image display instruction. The closest image is displayed as a still image with priority.

The configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the control operation by the CPU 34 is different, and the operation of storing the image in the freeze memory unit 29J and the operation of the freeze switch 17 in this embodiment are different. The flow of still image display and the like is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of FIG.
10, S11 and S14 are steps S10 'and S10, respectively.
11 'and S14', and the others are the same. Therefore, only different parts will be described.

That is, if there is a freeze instruction in step S4, the variable j is set to i-1 (S10 '),
When there is a freeze instruction, the memory control circuit 35 reads out the latest image among the images already stored in the freeze memory unit 29J, that is, the image stored in the (i-1) th memory, and , The selector 42 is controlled to select an image from the (i-1) th memory (S11 '). Therefore, this image is displayed on the color monitor 5 as a still image.

When the still image is displayed, it is determined whether or not there is a freeze instruction or a release instruction within a predetermined time (S12). If there is no freeze and release instruction, the variable j is set to 1. The size is reduced (S14 '), and the process returns to step S11', where the latest i-2th image is selected and the image is displayed on the color monitor 5 as a still image. If there is a freeze instruction within this predetermined time, the still image display state is maintained as shown in step S13. If there is a release instruction, a release process in step S16 is performed.

Otherwise, the same operation as in FIG. 6 is performed.

According to the present embodiment, an image closest to the freeze instruction timing can be displayed as a still image in a short time among images having a small amount of color shift that is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In addition, it has the effects described in the first embodiment.

When a release instruction is given in step S5 of FIG. 7, an image having the least color shift is selected and recorded in step S15. It may be recorded.

In the first and second embodiments, the case of the plane-sequential type scope 2 has been described. However, a color separation filter such as a mosaic filter is disposed in front of the CCD 16 to illuminate white light. The color shift amount calculation circuit 32 can also be applied to a simultaneous scope that simultaneously obtains a color image pickup signal by replacing the color shift amount calculation circuit 32 with a shake amount calculation circuit. The shake amount calculating circuit, for example, examines a high frequency component of a spatial frequency component of a contour portion in each image, and evaluates an image having a high blur component as having a small blur amount and a good image quality.

In this case, the light source device 3 supplies the white light of the lamp 21 to the light guide fiber 11 via the condenser lens 25 without using the RGB rotation filter 24. Then, a color imaging signal is obtained by the CCD 16, and the RGB signals of the color imaging signal are converted to the freeze unit 29 without using the synchronization memory 28J of FIG.
In addition to the input to J, it is also input to the shake amount calculation circuit to calculate the shake amount.

The shake amount is input to the shake amount storage memory via the CPU 34. The CPU 34 controls the freeze memory unit 2 via the memory control circuit 35.
When storing images (imaging signals) in chronological order in 9J,
Only images whose blur amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value are stored. Others
In the first embodiment, an operation is performed in which the amount of blur is used instead of the amount of color misregistration.

The order in which the images are displayed is such that the images are displayed in ascending order of color misregistration as in the first embodiment, or are displayed in ascending order of time as in the second embodiment. The present invention is not limited to this, and the images may be sequentially displayed based on both the image quality evaluation amount such as the color shift amount or the blur amount and the time.

Instead of sequentially displaying the images, a large number of images at different timings are reduced and displayed on the color monitor 5 at the same time, and one of the individual reduced images is sequentially designated by a pointer. The configuration may be such that an image can be selected by pressing the freeze switch 17 in the state instructed by.

Further, instead of changing the parameter serving as the reference for emphasizing the image, the setting of two or more emphasis such as color emphasis and outline emphasis may be changed, or the type of emphasis may be changed. .

According to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the user can easily select an image with little color shift and select an appropriate image enhancement.

(Third Embodiment) An object of the present embodiment is to provide an endoscope apparatus that allows a user to easily select an appropriate degree of image enhancement.

The endoscope apparatus of the second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment except that the image enhancement circuit 30
Is used as the contrast conversion function of FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. Second
In the embodiment, in the image enhancement circuit 30, conversion is performed for each pixel on the screen by the following equation.

R ′ = g (R, α) G ′ = g (G, α) B ′ = g (B, α) The characteristics of the function g are as shown in FIG.
Since the degree of emphasis varies depending on the value of, the user can easily select an appropriate degree of emphasis by using the image emphasis change switch 19.

According to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the user can easily select an appropriate degree of image enhancement.

It should be noted that embodiments and the like constituted by combining the above-described embodiments and the like in a partial manner also belong to the present invention. For example, the first embodiment also includes an endoscope apparatus that employs a processor that does not include the color misregistration amount calculation circuit 32 from the processor 4 in FIG.

In this case, naturally, the memory control circuit 30 does not have the color shift amount storage memory 33, and the memory control circuit 30 discriminates the signals input sequentially in time series (by storing or not storing them according to the size of the color shift amount). (Without making a selection) in the freeze memory unit 29J.

In this case, when the freeze switch 17 is operated, a plurality of memories (specifically, the first to ninth memories 41-1 to 41-9) of the freeze memory unit 29J are operated.
Since a plurality of images are stored in the color monitor 5, for example, the stored image is displayed on the color monitor 5 as a still image at the timing closest to the timing when the freeze switch 17 is operated.

Then, by waiting for a predetermined time or operating a display selection switch to display another still image and comparing the images, the image with the smallest color shift amount is selected and displayed as a still image. By operating the release switch 18 in the displayed state, an image with the smallest color shift amount can be recorded.

When the freeze switch 17 is operated, a plurality of reduced images obtained by reducing the stored images may be simultaneously displayed on the color monitor 5 for easy comparison. Then, a reduced image with good image quality may be pointed by a pointer or the like and displayed as a still image that has not been reduced.

[Supplementary Notes] In an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a subject image captured by an imaging unit as a still image on a display unit, a plurality of imaging signals sequentially output from the imaging unit in units corresponding to the subject image are stored for each of the subject image units A storage control unit that controls a storage operation of the storage unit based on an output signal of a still instruction unit that instructs display of a still image, and a storage control unit that controls an operation instruction of the still instruction unit. An imaging signal selecting unit that can select an arbitrary imaging signal from a plurality of stored imaging signals.

2. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit prohibits storage of an image in the storage unit in response to a stop instruction of the stop instruction unit. 3. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit has an area that can be stored for each imaging signal corresponding to a subject image. 4. 4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the areas that can be stored for each imaging signal corresponding to the subject image is one memory unit.

5. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output signal of the imaging unit is a frame sequential imaging signal. 6. The endoscope apparatus is based on each color component signal forming the plane-sequential imaging signal, based on a color shift detection unit that detects a color shift amount between the color component signals, and according to a detection output of the color shift detection unit. 6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: an imaging signal writing control unit that controls storage of the imaging signal stored in the storage unit.

7. 7. The imaging signal writing control unit according to claim 6, wherein the imaging signal in which the color shift amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value is stored in the storage unit, and the imaging signal in which the color shift amount exceeds a predetermined value is not stored in the storage unit. Endoscope device. 8. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: recording instruction means for instructing recording of the imaging signal; and recording means for recording the imaging signal in response to the recording instruction signal.

9. In an endoscope apparatus capable of sequentially displaying subject images picked up by the image pickup means as moving images on the display means,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of imaging signals output from the imaging unit in a unit corresponding to the subject image in a time-series manner in the subject image unit; and a still image instruction signal for instructing the display unit to display a still image. A still image instructing means for performing, and a control means for performing a control for selectively displaying an arbitrary image signal of a plurality of image signals stored in the storage means as a still image on the display means by the still image instruction signal. An endoscope apparatus comprising:

10. 10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the imaging signal is a plane-sequential imaging signal, and further includes a color misregistration calculating unit that calculates a color misregistration amount of the plane-sequential imaging signal. 11. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 10, wherein only the plane-sequential imaging signal having the color shift amount equal to or less than a predetermined value is stored in the storage unit. 12. The control unit performs a control to selectively display a still image as a still image on the display unit by giving priority to a plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage unit having the smallest color shift amount in accordance with the still image instruction signal. 12. The endoscope device according to item 11.

13. 10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the imaging signal is a simultaneous imaging signal, and further includes a shake calculating unit that calculates a shake amount of the simultaneous imaging signal. 14． 14. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 13, wherein only the simultaneous imaging signal having the shake amount equal to or less than a predetermined value is stored in the storage unit.

15. The control means performs a control to selectively display a plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage means having the smallest blur amount as a still image on the display means by giving priority to the plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage means according to the still image instruction signal. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. 16. 10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising release instruction means for generating a release instruction signal for instructing recording of a still image, and recording means for recording the still image in response to the release instruction signal.

17. In an endoscope apparatus capable of sequentially displaying a subject image picked up by an image pickup means as a moving image on a display means, an image pickup signal output from the image pickup means in a unit corresponding to the subject image in a time-series manner in the subject image unit. A storage means for storing a plurality of, a still image instruction means for generating a still image instruction signal for instructing the display means to display a still image,
A control unit for performing control to selectively display an arbitrary image signal of a plurality of image signals stored in the storage unit as a still image on the display unit by the still image instruction signal, and instructs recording of the still image An endoscope apparatus comprising: release instruction means for generating a release instruction signal; and recording means for recording the still image based on the release instruction signal.

18. 18. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising evaluation means for evaluating image quality of the imaging signal, wherein the evaluation means stores only an imaging signal having a predetermined image quality or more in the storage means. 19. The evaluation means is a color shift calculation circuit that calculates a color shift amount when the image signal is a frame sequential image signal, and is a shake amount calculation circuit that calculates a shake amount when the image signal is a simultaneous image signal. An endoscope apparatus according to attachment 18. 20. 19. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the control means displays, on the display means, the one of the plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage means, which is determined to have the best image quality, by priority, on the display means.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 17 to 20) In addition to the background of Supplementary Note 1 (that is, described in the section of the related art), it is possible to efficiently record a high-quality image having a small color shift or a small blur amount. It was difficult. In other words, in the conventional example, a still image is simply displayed at a predetermined time interval, and the surgeon has to look at the still image and determine whether or not to record within the display time. Even if it is attempted, since it cannot be compared with other still images, there is a drawback that it is necessary to prevent missing by actually performing extra recording.

(Purpose of Supplementary Notes 17 to 20) Provided is an endoscope apparatus which can display a high-quality still image with a small amount of color blur or a blur amount and record a high-quality still image.

(Operation of Supplementary Note 17) Since a plurality of subject images are stored in the storage means in a time-series manner when displaying a moving image, if a still image is desired to be displayed, a still image instruction is given. By operating the means, any subject image stored in the storage means can be displayed via the control means, and the still image with the highest image quality can be easily displayed by selection, and the still image with the best image quality can be displayed. By instructing recording in the display state of, the still image with the highest image quality can be easily recorded. (Operation of Supplementary Note 18) Since only image signals having a predetermined image quality or more are stored in the storage means by the evaluation unit, it is possible to efficiently display and record a still image with higher image quality than that of Supplementary Note 17. . (Operation of Supplementary Note 20) Since the control means preferentially displays, on the display means, a plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage means, which are determined to have the highest image quality, based on the still image instruction signal, it is easy and short. A still image with good image quality can be displayed over time.

21. What is claimed is: 1. An endoscope apparatus comprising an image processing means for enhancing an image, comprising: a processing content changing means for changing a processing content performed by said image processing means in a time-series manner.

(Background of Supplementary Note 21) In the image enhancement function currently used, effective enhancement may not be obtained due to the influence of the state in the body cavity or the distance between the subject and the distal end of the scope. For this reason, the endoscope apparatus is designed so that the setting of the parameter of the image enhancement can be finely changed according to the condition of the subject, but it is difficult to make such a change quickly during the actual inspection. .

In particular, when the user wants to record the image with the composition or emphasis intended by the user, for example, when obtaining an image to be compared with the time of the previous examination in order to confirm the treatment effect, the freeze operation and the parameter are repeated many times. Will be changed repeatedly,
This was a factor that prolonged the inspection time.

(Purpose of Supplementary Note 21) To provide an endoscope apparatus in which a user can easily select appropriate image enhancement. (Effect of Supplementary Note 21) A user can easily select an appropriate image enhancement.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a subject image picked up by an image pickup means as a still image on a display means, a unit corresponding to the object image from the image pickup means is provided. A storage unit that stores a plurality of image pickup signals sequentially output in units of the subject image unit, and a storage control unit that controls a storage operation of the storage unit based on an output signal of a still instruction unit that instructs display of a still image. An image signal selection unit that can select an arbitrary image signal from a plurality of image signals stored in the storage unit in accordance with an operation instruction of the stillness instruction unit. By selecting an imaging signal from a plurality of imaging signals stored in the means, it is possible to easily display a still image with good image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a freeze memory unit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image enhancement circuit.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram of a contrast conversion function.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a time change of a parameter α.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing contents such as memory control for displaying a still image with little color shift.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents such as memory control according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram of a contrast conversion function according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope (scope) 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Processor 5 ... Color monitor 6 ... Photographing apparatus 7 ... Image filing apparatus 8 ... Insertion part 11 ... Light guide fiber 24 ... RGB rotation filter 14 ... inspected object 16 ... CCD 17 ... freeze switch 18 ... release switch 19 ... image emphasis change switch 26 ... pre-processing circuit 27 ... A / D conversion circuit 28 R, 28 G, 28 B ... synchronization memory 29 R, 29 G, 29 B ... freeze Memory unit 30 Image enhancement circuit 32 Color shift amount calculation circuit 33 Color shift amount storage memory 34 CPU 35 Memory control circuit 41-1 to 41-9 First memory to Ninth memory 42 Selector 43 ... Parameter storage memory 44R, 44G, 44B ... LUT

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a subject image picked up by an image pickup means as a still image on a display means, wherein the imaging signal sequentially output from the image pickup means in a unit corresponding to the subject image is transmitted to the subject image. A storage unit for storing a plurality of units for each unit; a storage control unit for controlling a storage operation of the storage unit based on an output signal of a still instruction unit for instructing display of a still image; An endoscope apparatus comprising: an imaging signal selection unit that can select an arbitrary imaging signal from a plurality of imaging signals stored in the storage unit.