JPH11225954A - Electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope device capable of keeping the brightness of a picture image unchanged even if a light adjusting control means to which a priority is given actually is changed by means of the selection of the light adjusting control means. SOLUTION: The brightness of a picture image can be adjusted by a plurality of light adjusting control functions, namely, auto iris, element shutter, and light source adjusting light in a CCU 7 which signal-processes an output of a CCD 22 and displays a picture image on a monitor. Information obtained when each light adjusting control function used actually in a front panel SW part is selected is input into a priority order determining circuit determining priority order of these light adjusting control functions through a CPU. When light adjusting control is done using the light adjusting control function selected and used actually, the brightness of a picture image is kept unchanged at all times even if the light adjusting control function to which a priority is given actually is changed by changing a target value of light adjusting control of the light adjusting control function to which the highest priority order is given among the light adjusting control functions selected and used actually to a target value of the light adjusting control function to which the highest priority order is given and which is determined in the priority order determining circuit.

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 provided with means for adjusting the brightness of an image on a monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application No. 9-10513 is a prior example of an electronic endoscope apparatus which displays an image picked up by an image pickup means provided on an endoscope on a display surface of a monitor as an endoscope image.

[0003]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application No. 9-10513
Since the target brightness level of the image displayed on the display surface of the monitor by the brightness control (light control) of each of the auto iris, the light source light control, and the electronic shutter has a difference, The brightness of the target changes depending on the selection of the light control means.

For example, if the light source dimming control is not selected from the state in which the light source dimming control is prioritized and the selection is changed to the state in which the dimming control is performed by the next priority auto iris, the priority of the dimming control changes. However, if the target value of the auto iris is set lower than the target value of the light source dimming control, the image becomes dark, and if it is set higher, the image becomes bright.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and the brightness of an image does not change even if the dimming control means which is actually given priority is changed by selecting the dimming control means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus that can be configured as described above.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an electronic endoscope apparatus having a plurality of dimming control means for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, a plurality of dimming control priorities are determined. Priority determining means, and a target value of the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control selected from the plurality of dimming controls to a target value of the highest priority dimming control determined by the priority determining means. And a target value changing means for changing, even when performing dimming control by selectively using dimming control other than the highest priority determined by the priority determining means, the dimming control which operates by selection is performed. Since the target value of the dimming control with the highest priority is changed to the target value of the dimming control with the highest priority determined by the priority determining means and kept at the same value, the brightness of the image displayed on the monitor is changed. Can be kept constant.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG.
4 shows the configuration of the detection circuit, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the target level setting circuit, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the shutter data conversion circuit, and FIG.
8 shows a configuration of a modified example of the shutter data conversion circuit.
FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the target level of each dimming control means in the first priority set by the priority determination circuit.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a gain and a DNR setting.

An electronic endoscope apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a rigid endoscope 3 inserted into a body cavity and observing a subject 2, a light source device 4 for supplying illumination light to the rigid endoscope 3, and a rigid endoscope. A camera head 6 which is detachably connected to an eyepiece of the endoscope 3 and captures an image of the subject 2; and a camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as a CCU) which is connected to the camera head 6 by a cable 23 and processes an image signal from the camera head 6 7) and C
And a monitor 8 for displaying an image of the subject subjected to signal processing by the CU 7.

The rigid endoscope 3 has an elongated insertion portion 9,
An observation window 11 through which an observation image of the subject 2 is incident is provided at a distal end portion 10 of the insertion section 9, and an objective lens 12 that forms an observation image of the subject 2 is attached to the observation window 11. In addition, a relay lens 13 for transmitting an observation image as an optical image to the eyepiece unit 5 is provided in the insertion unit 9, and the observation image is enlarged and observed in the eyepiece unit 5 provided at the rear end of the insertion unit 9. Eyepiece 14
Is provided.

Further, the rigid endoscope 3 is provided with a light guide 15 for transmitting illumination light from the light source device 4 for illuminating the subject 2, and provides illumination light from the distal end portion 10 toward the subject 2. Irradiation. The light guide 15 is detachably attached to the light source device 4.
Then, the illumination light emitted by the lamp 16 is
And is supplied to the light guide 15. Further, the light source device 4 is provided with a diaphragm device 18 that adjusts the amount of illumination light supplied from the lamp 16 to the light guide 15 (by the amount of aperture of the diaphragm), and appropriately adjusts the amount of illumination light emitted by the lamp 16. The value can be controlled. The aperture device 18 is controlled by a light control signal, which will be described later, provided from the CCU 7 via the light source cable 19.

The image of the subject 2 transmitted by the relay lens 13 is magnified by the eyepiece 14, passes through an iris 20, passes through an opposite imaging lens 21 in the camera head 6, and serves as a solid-state image sensor. An image is formed on an imaging surface of a charge-coupled device (hereinafter, abbreviated as CCD) 22. This image is converted by the CCD 22 into an electric signal, that is, an imaging signal.

The image pickup signal is transmitted through a cable 23 to C
The signal is transmitted to the CU 7, converted into a video signal by performing signal processing in the CCU 7, and the video signal is
And the surgeon can observe the image of the subject 2 displayed on the display surface of the monitor 8.

Next, the configuration of the CCU 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The imaging signal obtained by the CCD 22 in the camera head 6 is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 31 and input to a secondary circuit insulated from the patient circuit by a pulse transformer 32. The imaging signal is then converted to a baseband signal by a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit 33,
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the D conversion circuit 34.

The digitized video signal is supplied to an auto gain control (AGC) circuit 35a, a digital noise reduction (DNR) circuit 35b, a color separation circuit 35c, a white balance (W /
B) After processing circuits such as a circuit 35d, an enhancement circuit 35e, a color tone correction circuit 35f, and a gamma correction (γ) circuit 35g, the signal is converted into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit 36.
Further, the video signal is converted into an NTSC video signal or the like by the encoder 37 and input to the monitor 8 to display a subject image on the display surface of the monitor 8.

The digital signal converted by the A / D conversion circuit 34 is further input to a detection circuit 38, and a plurality of (specifically, four signals) having a function of adjusting the brightness of the subject image on the monitor 8 is provided. The control signals for the electronic shutter, the auto iris, the (light control of) the light source device 4, and the AGC, which constitute the brightness control means (also referred to as light control means), are created.

The control signal for AGC is an AGC circuit 35a,
The signal is output to the DNR circuit 35b,
It is used for controlling the C gain setting and the DNR setting of the DNR circuit 35b.

The control data of the electronic shutter, the auto iris, and the light source device 4, ie, the shutter data, the auto iris data, and the light source dimming data, are multiplexed by the data multiplexing circuit 39, and are transmitted from the secondary circuit to the photocoupler 4.
The signal is output to the data separation circuit 42 on the patient circuit side, which is insulated in step 1.

The data separation circuit 42 separates the control data of the electronic shutter, the auto iris, and the light source device 4 multiplexed by the data multiplexing circuit 39. Then, the control data of the electronic shutter is output to a CCD drive circuit 43 for driving the CCD 22,
, Ie, control the element shutter time.

The automatic iris data automatically controls the aperture of the aperture 20 provided on the front surface of the CCD 22 via the automatic iris drive circuit 44. Further, the light source control data is transmitted to the light source device 4 through the light source control circuit 45 as a dimming signal, and the diaphragm device 18 controls the lamp 16.
Is performed, that is, light control of the light source device 4 is performed.

Further, the CCU 7 is provided with a front panel SW section 46 as shown in FIG. The front panel SW section 46 includes an electronic shutter switch (abbreviated simply as a shutter) 46a, a light source switch (light control switch) 4
6b, an auto iris switch 46c, and an AGC switch 46d.
The operation of each function of the auto iris and the AGC can be turned on / off (turned on / off).

The ON / OFF setting state is acquired by the CPU 48, and the setting state is output to a priority order determining circuit 49 which determines the priority order of a plurality of brightness control or dimming control means. The priority determination circuit 49 determines a plurality of dimming control priorities and sets a target value of each dimming control in accordance with the priorities. The brightness is adjusted so that the target value of the highest priority dimming control in the light control means is held at the target value of the highest priority dimming control means determined by the priority order determination circuit 49. .

Next, the configuration of the detection circuit 38 will be described with reference to FIG. The video signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 34 is input to a one-field averaging circuit 51, and the one-field averaging circuit 51 calculates an average value for each field of the video signal (determines an average value for each frame). One frame averaging circuit may be used).

The average signal of the average value is a loop filter for each dimming which determines the response speed of each dimming control, that is, A
The signals are input to the GC loop filter 52a, the light source dimming loop filter 52b, the auto iris loop filter 52c, and the electronic shutter loop filter 52d, and are converted into average signals suitable for dimming control.

Then, each average signal is set to a target level setting circuit 53a, 53 for setting a target luminance level for each dimming control.
b, 53c, and 53d, respectively, and are converted into control signals corresponding to the respective target levels. These target levels are obtained from the above-described priority order determination circuit 49.

The output of the target level setting circuit 53a through the AGC loop filter 52a is passed through the gain setting circuit 54 to the AGC circuit 35a and the DNR circuit 35b.
Is input to

The outputs of the target level setting circuits 53b and 53c through the light source dimming loop filter 52b and the auto iris loop filter 52c are input to the data multiplexing circuit 39. The output of the target level setting circuit 53d through the electronic shutter loop filter 52d is input to the data multiplexing circuit 39 via the shutter data conversion circuit 55.

The target level setting circuit 53i (i = a, b,
c, d) are configured as shown in FIG. A shift amount setting circuit 56 creates a shift amount to be applied to the average signal passed through the loop filter from the target level obtained from the priority order determination circuit 49. This shift amount is determined by the level shift circuit 57.
The average signal is shifted by the level shift circuit 57 in accordance with the shift amount, and a control signal for each dimming is created and output.

The shutter data conversion circuit 55 is configured as shown in FIG. The shutter data conversion circuit 55 includes a look-up table (LUT) 58 and a one-field delay circuit 59 that delays output data of the LUT 58 by one field.

The LUT 58 constitutes a table for deriving new (electronic) shutter data from the data output from the target level setting circuit 53d from the electronic shutter data output one field before. In this case, by passing through the one-field delay circuit 59, the LUT 58 obtains the shutter data output one field before.

According to the table data of the LUT 58, C
The shutter data to be given to the CD drive circuit 43 is created. The shutter data conversion circuit 55 may be configured as shown in FIG. 7 including the target level conversion circuit 53d.

That is, the LUT 58j having the configuration shown in FIG.
(J = a, b,..., N) and one-field delay circuit 59
j, a plurality of shutter data conversion circuits 55j, and multiplexers 60a provided at the input and output terminals thereof.
And 60b are switched according to the change of the target level, and shutter data is created using the LUT 58j selected by the switching.

Note that the priority order determination circuit 49 is not used for dimming control, that is, the information of the off dimming control means is stored in the CP.
When received via U48, for example, the control signal in that case is prevented from being sent from the detection circuit 38 to the data multiplexing circuit 39 side. For example, if you turn off the auto iris,
Since the auto iris data is not sent to the data multiplexing circuit 39, when the data is separated by the data separation circuit,
There is no auto iris data, and the auto iris function is stopped. Therefore, the dimming control means which is turned off does not perform dimming. Note that data to be turned off may be sent instead of not sending data.

That is, the priority order determination circuit 49 is used for dimming control.
When received via U48, the control signal of the ON dimming control unit is sent from the detection circuit 38 to the data multiplexing circuit 39 side. Further, according to the priority order, the brightness control is performed by the highest priority light control unit in the turned on light control unit.

For example, the auto iris is set to the highest priority according to the priority determined by the priority determining circuit 49, and when the auto iris and the light source dimming are actually selected, the target value of the dimming control by the auto iris is set. The dimming control is performed by other dimming control means so as to maintain the priority, and in this case, the dimming control is performed such that the one having a higher priority is prioritized to a level close to the target value.

In this embodiment, when the dimming control means having the highest priority in the priority determined by the priority determining circuit 49 is not selected, the selected dimming control means is turned on. For example, the target value of the dimming control unit having the highest priority is level-shifted, for example, so as to match the target value of the dimming control unit having the highest priority in the priority determined by the priority determining circuit 49. It is characterized by doing so.

That is, in the present embodiment, a plurality of dimming control means for adjusting the brightness of the image displayed on the monitor 8 is provided, and a priority order determining unit determines a plurality of dimming control priorities. Means and the target value of the highest priority dimming control means among the selected (i.e., active) dimming control means, the target value of the highest priority dimming control means determined by the priority order determining means It is characterized in that a means for changing to is provided.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The priority order of each dimming control unit is determined in advance by the priority order determination circuit 49. There are a plurality of combinations of priorities. Here, for example, if the priority is described in descending order, auto iris> light control by light source> electronic shutter (ELC)
(Abbreviated simply as “auto iris> light source> ELC”) as the first priority.

Next, the target level of each dimming control means in the first priority order is determined. In the present embodiment, each target level can be individually set according to the ON / OFF (ON / OFF) state of each light control unit by the front panel SW unit 46 shown in FIG. Was set as follows.

First, in the first priority order, when all the dimming control means are ON, the target levels are 60 IRE for the auto iris, 65 IRE for the light source, and 70 IRE for the ELC.
Set as In the first priority, when only the auto iris is turned off, the target levels are as follows: the light source of the next priority of the auto iris is 60 IRE, and the ELC is 6
5 IRE.

In this case, when only the highest priority auto iris is turned off, the target level of the light source with the highest priority in all the dimming control means that actually performs the dimming control operation is set to Of the dimming control means, the target level of the auto iris having the highest priority is shifted to 60 IRE.

In the first priority order, the target level of the ELC when the auto iris and the light source are turned off is set to 60 IRE. In other words, when the highest priority auto iris and the next priority light source are turned off,
The target level of the ELC with the highest priority among the remaining dimming control means (however, in this case, the remaining dimming control means is one, but is described in an expression including a plurality of dimming control means),
The target level of the auto iris, which has the highest priority among all the dimming control means, is shifted to 60 IRE. The above settings are as shown in FIG.

With the above setting, in the first priority,
When all the dimming means are turned on by the front panel SW unit 46, the information is passed through the CPU 48 to the priority order determination circuit 4.
The priority order determination circuit 49 controls the setting of the target level determination circuit 53c of the detection circuit 38 so that the target level is set with the auto iris as the highest priority.

Since light control is performed by light source light control or the like so as to maintain the target level in which the auto iris is the highest priority, an image in which the auto iris is narrowed and the depth of field is improved can be obtained. Brightness on 8 is 60
It becomes IRE.

In the first priority order, if only the highest priority auto iris is turned off as necessary, information that turns off the auto iris is stored in the CPU 48.
, And is sent to the priority determination circuit 49.

The priority determination circuit 49 sets the target level setting circuit 53b for light source dimming with the highest priority in the remaining dimming control means except the auto iris in a state where the target level setting by the auto iris is not used. The target level of the auto iris is shifted, and control is performed so that light control is performed at the shifted target level. Therefore, also in this case, the brightness on the monitor 8 becomes the target level 60IRE of the light source which is given the highest priority in the active dimming control means.

In other words, even when the highest-priority dimming means is switched to the dimming mode by the remaining plural dimming means in the plurality of dimming control means, the brightness before switching is maintained. it can.

In the first priority order, when the auto iris and the light source are turned off as necessary, the target level of the ELC is shifted to the target level of the auto iris in the same manner as described above. , ELC
Becomes the target level 60IRE. Also in this case, even if dimming is performed by the remaining dimming control means, the brightness on the monitor 8 does not change and the brightness before switching can be maintained.

In the above description, in the plurality of dimming control means, when the dimming control having a higher priority is changed from ON to OFF, the target value of the dimming control by the remaining dimming control means is not changed. Although the operation of keeping the light control constant has been described, the target value of the light control does not change similarly even when the light control having a higher priority is turned ON.

The priority of the dimming control means is as follows.
For example, as the second priority, light source> auto iris> E
LC> or, for example, as a third priority, ELC>
Light source> Auto iris> may be set. In these cases as well, by setting the target level of each dimming control unit in the same manner as described above, even if a plurality of dimming control units having higher priority are turned from ON to OFF, etc. Can be held at the target value of the highest priority dimming control means, which is determined by the priority order determining circuit 49, so that the brightness of the image on the monitor 8 is kept constant. Can be. Further, the priority of the dimming control means may include the AGC function of the AGC circuit 35a.

Next, the relationship between the AGC gain and the DNR setting will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the target level setting circuit 53a
Output from the AGC circuit 35a in the gain setting circuit 54.
Set the gain of. This set value is the AGC circuit 3 of FIG.
5a and output to the DNR circuit 35b to perform the AGC operation and to perform noise removal at the DNR, for example, with the settings shown in FIG.

That is, when the AGC gain is 0 dB, the DNR setting of the DNR circuit 35b is OFF, and when the AGC gain is 0 dB to 6 dB, the DNR of the DNR circuit 35b is not set.
The setting of NR is weak, and when the AGC gain is 6 dB or more, the DNR setting of the DNR circuit 35b is set to be strong, so that even when the AGC gain is variably set, the influence of noise is inconspicuous and good. High image quality.

This embodiment has the following effects. With the configuration and operation described above, even when the order of the dimming control is determined for a plurality of dimming control means, the one to be actually operated by the dimming control is selected. Since the target value of the dimming control means of the priority order is shifted to the target value of the dimming control means of the highest priority determined by the priority determining means, any one which is actually operated by the dimming control can be arbitrarily selected. Even so, the brightness of the screen on the monitor 8 can be kept constant.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 shows the configuration of the CCU according to the second embodiment.
1 shows a brightness adjustment switch provided on a front panel SW section, FIG. 12 shows a brightness adjustment switch of a camera head SW section of a camera head, FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a camera head having no aperture, and FIG. Shows a specific example of the target level of each dimming set by the priority determining circuit.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the case where the dimming control to be actually used is selected and the dimming is performed with a different dimming control priority. Has a function of keeping the brightness of the image displayed on the monitor 8 constant so as not to change, and (in the present embodiment)
A function is provided in which the user can adjust the brightness of an image displayed on the monitor 8 according to his / her preference.

The overall configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 is an internal configuration diagram of the CCU 7 in the present embodiment. Only parts different from the CCU 7 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

In this embodiment, the front panel SW section 46 does not include the switches 46a to 46d shown in FIG.
The brightness adjustment switch 61 shown in FIG.

The brightness adjustment switch 61 has an UP switch 61a for increasing the target brightness level and a DOWN switch 61b for decreasing the target brightness level. When the UP switch 61a (or the DOWN switch 61b) is pressed, the CPU 48 sets the same. Is detected, the brightness target level is increased (decreased), and the LED of the indicator 61c corresponding to the increased (decreased) brightness target level is turned on.
The user is notified of the set brightness target level. Note that, for example, the setting of the uppermost stage (or the lowermost stage) of the brightness adjustment switch 61 may be set to turn off the electronic shutter function.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the camera head SW section 62 and the camera head detection circuit 6 for detecting (determining) the presence or absence of the aperture means of the camera head 6 are provided.
3 and a cable connection detection circuit 64 for detecting connection of the light source cable 19.

The brightness may be adjusted by the brightness adjustment switch 61, or the brightness adjustment shown in FIG. 12 provided in the camera head SW unit 62 together with or instead of the brightness adjustment switch 61. Switch 62 for
a, The DOWN switch 62b may be provided to adjust the brightness.

The camera head detection circuit 63 is connected to the camera head 6 having the aperture means 20 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the camera head 6 'having no aperture means 20 is determined. Note that the squeezing means 20 in FIG.
Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The cable connection detection circuit 64 detects whether or not the light source cable 19 is connected. When the light source cable 19 is connected, the dimming operation of the light source device 4 is set to ON, and when not connected, the dimming operation is set to OFF.

The camera head detection circuit 63 distinguishes between the camera head 6 having the aperture means 20 shown in FIG. 1 and the camera head 6 'having no aperture means as shown in FIG. On / off of the dimming operation by the auto iris is set based on the determination result of the camera head detection circuit 63. If there is an aperture means 20, the auto iris operation is turned ON,
If not, set it to OFF.

The brightness adjustment switch 61 in FIG. 11 allows the user to arbitrarily set the target level of dimming. When the user wants to increase the brightness on the monitor 8, the UP switch 61a
Use the DOWN switch 61 to increase or decrease the setting.
Use b to decrease the setting. This setting may be performed by the camera head SW unit 62 of the camera head 6 as shown in FIG.

In accordance with the setting states of these switches, the priority order determining circuit 49 sets the target level of each light control. FIG. 14 is a table showing this setting method. The target level is set by changing the level with the brightness adjustment switch 61.

For example, when the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level 0 and all the dimming functions are operating, for example, a first priority similar to that of the first embodiment will be described. The target level given to the auto iris is 0
The target level given to the light source dimming is set to +1 and the target level given to the ELC is set to +2.

When only the auto iris is turned off and the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level 0, the target level for light source dimming is set to 0, and the target level for ELC is set to +1.

When the auto iris and the light source are turned off, the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level 0.
In this case, the target level given to the ELC is set to 0. Similarly, the setting of the brightness adjustment switch 61 is the level +1
In the case of, the auto iris is set to +1 and the light source dimming is set to +2.
And the ELC is set to +3.

When only the auto iris is turned off and the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level + 1, the target level given to light source dimming is set to +1 and the target level given to ELC is set to +2. When the auto iris and the light source are turned off and the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level + 1, the target level given to the ELC is set to +1.

Similarly, when the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level -1 and all the dimming functions are operating, the auto iris is set to -2, the light source dimming is set to 0, and the ELC
Is set to +1.

When only the auto iris is turned off and the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level -1, the target level for light source dimming is set to -1 and the target level for ELC is set to 0. . When the auto iris and the light source are turned off and the brightness adjustment switch 61 is set to level -1, the target level given to the ELC is set to -1. Others are set as shown in FIG.

By setting in this manner, the target brightness level with the highest priority on the auto iris is not changed even if the auto iris is turned off from the value set by the brightness adjustment switch 61. The brightness on the monitor 8 can be kept unchanged. Also,
Further, even when the light source is turned off, the target level of light control by the ELC does not change, so that the brightness on the monitor 8 can be kept unchanged.

As described above, it is possible to change the target brightness level while maintaining the function of keeping the brightness of the image on the monitor 8 unchanged even when the selected dimming control function is changed. Alternatively, the user can set the brightness to a target level that is easy to diagnose according to his / her preference.

Although the priority order has been described in the case of auto iris> light source dimming> electronic shutter, the order of priority may be any other order. This embodiment has the following effects.

With the above configuration and operation, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the user can set the brightness on the monitor 8 to an arbitrary brightness.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
5 shows an internal configuration of the CCU according to the third embodiment, FIG. 16 shows a monitor screen on which a cursor is displayed together with a subject image, and FIG. 17 shows a camera head provided with a cursor movement switch as a camera head SW unit. Indicates that
FIG. 18 shows the configuration of the detection circuit. Since the overall configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the description of the overall configuration will be omitted.

FIG. 15 shows an internal configuration diagram of the CCU 7 in the present embodiment. Only parts different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. This CCU 7 has a camera head SW section 62 similarly to the CCU 7 of FIG. 10 (in the second embodiment).
Instead of providing the brightness adjustment switch function shown in FIG. 12 as the W section 62), a cursor movement switch 71 is provided on the camera head 6 as shown in FIG.

The cursor movement switch 71 is composed of, for example, a joystick. When the operation stick of the joystick is tilted, a detection signal or an operation signal of the tilt direction and the tilt angle is input to the cursor signal generation circuit 72 via the CPU 48. Is done.

The cursor signal generation circuit 72 generates a cursor signal for moving the cursor in accordance with the operation signal of the cursor movement switch 71, and outputs the signal to the cursor superposition circuit 73 provided between the D / A conversion circuit 36 and the encoder 37. Output.

The cursor superimposing circuit 73 superimposes the cursor signal and the video signal input via the D / A conversion circuit 36 and outputs the resultant signal to the encoder 37 side. As shown in FIG. A cursor 74 corresponding to the cursor signal is superimposed and displayed on the endoscope image based on the signal.

In this embodiment, a detection area setting circuit 75 for setting a detection area is provided, and an area designated by the cursor 74 by operating the cursor movement switch 71 is set as a detection area for performing light control. It can be set.

FIG. 18 shows the internal configuration of the detection circuit 38.
In the detection circuit 38, an integration circuit 76 is used instead of the one-field averaging circuit 51 in the detection circuit 38 of FIG. 4, and the integration circuit 76 includes an image signal from the A / D conversion circuit 34 and a detection area setting. The detection area setting information for setting the detection area from the circuit 75 is input, and the integration circuit 69 integrates the image signal in the detection area. Then, a control signal for each light control is created based on an integrated signal obtained by integrating the image signal in the detection area.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first or second embodiment, and the description of the configuration is omitted. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

When setting an area on the monitor 8 where light adjustment is to be performed as shown in FIG. 16, the user moves the cursor movement switch 71 of FIG. 17 to a plurality of boundary positions of the area, for example. To set the cursor 74. A plurality of pieces of position information set by the cursor 74 are acquired by the CPU 48, and the plurality of pieces of position information are sent to a detection area setting circuit 75, and the area is set as a detection area.

The information of the detection area is output to the detection circuit 38. FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the detection circuit 38. In the detection circuit 38, based on the information on the detection area, the integration circuit 76 integrates the image signal in that area. A control signal for each light control is created based on the integrated signal. This processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

This embodiment has the following effects. According to the above configuration, when the user points the cursor 74 to an arbitrary place (area) with the cursor movement switch 71, the place is controlled to an appropriate brightness level. You will be able to see the place at the right brightness level. The other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the case where a plurality of operators commonly use the CCU 7 or
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus with good operability for a plurality of patients and the like.

For this reason, a plurality of dimming control priorities,
A storage unit is provided for storing a plurality of sets of setting information including a target value of each dimming control. For example, a first storage unit can store standard setting information, and a second storage unit can store setting information that can be freely changed. Thus, the dimming control can be performed with the setting information suitable for the operator's preference or the examination and diagnosis of the patient.

The overall configuration of the electronic endoscope apparatus of the fourth embodiment is almost the same as that of FIG. 1, and the configuration of the CCU 7 in this embodiment is shown in FIG. In FIG. 15, the CCU 7 is an EE as a non-volatile storage means connected to the CPU 48 for electrically rewritably storing information.
A PROM 91 and a ROM 92 as a read-only nonvolatile storage unit are provided.

Further, for example, the front panel SW section 46 stores setting information such as an ID code as personal identification information or identification information of the operator, a priority order of dimming control desired by the operator, and a target value of each dimming control. An input unit for inputting and instructing registration is provided.

Then, the operator inputs an ID code from the input unit,
By inputting the setting information associated with the ID code, the ID is stored in the EEPROM 91 via the CPU 48.
A code and setting information associated with the ID code can be stored.

The ROM 92 stores in advance standard setting information suitable for normal dimming control.
U48 sends the setting information stored in the ROM 92 to the priority order determining circuit 49, unless the setting information associated with the ID code is instructed by the surgeon.
Reference numeral 9 designates setting information sent from the CPU 48 to determine a priority order and the like.

Also, by inputting an ID code,
EEPRO for storing setting information associated with a code
The setting information is sent from the M91 to the priority order determination circuit 49 via the CPU 48, and the priority order determination circuit 49 can determine a priority or the like with the setting information.

The other structure is the same as that of the third embodiment. Next, differences between the operation of the present embodiment and the third embodiment will be described.

First, without inputting the ID code, the CCU
When the CPU 7 is operated, the CPU 48 reads the standard setting information stored in the ROM 92, sends the standard setting information to the priority determination circuit 49, and performs dimming control using the standard setting information.

Further, the dimming control can be performed by changing the target level from the setting information. The operation in this case is the same as in the third embodiment. When the power of the CCU 7 is turned off, the dimming control is performed again with the standard setting information at the next use.

On the other hand, if it is desired to set the priority order different from the standard setting information or to set the target level and use it continuously in the set state, an ID code is input from the input unit.
The dimming control is set to a setting desired by the operator, and a registration instruction is issued. In response to this instruction, the CPU 48 stores the input ID code and setting information in the EEPROM 91.

In the next use, the surgeon inputs the ID code, and the CPU 48 causes the EEPROM 91 to operate.
Is read out, and the information is sent to the priority order determination circuit 49, and the priority order determination circuit 49 performs dimming control based on the setting information.

Therefore, once the operator registers desired setting information, dimming control can always be performed without resetting with setting information according to the preference of the operator. That is, even when a plurality of operators commonly use the CCU 7,
Each operator can quickly control the dimming according to the priority order, target level, and the like that the operator prefers.

If the user does not have such a function, there is a possibility that the standard setting information may be changed by the operator, and in such a case, the setting information to be used next time may be changed. It will fluctuate, and it will be necessary to perform an operation of returning to constant setting information every time the CCU 7 is used in order to ensure reproducibility.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when a plurality of operators use, such an operation can be made unnecessary.
The other effects are the same as those of the third embodiment.

Note that the same operator may be able to select and use a plurality of setting information in accordance with the examination site or the like. This makes it possible to set a dimming control state suitable for the examination site, and to compare conditions under different conditions under the same conditions, so that it is easy to grasp the condition of symptom healing and the like.

Further, setting information may be registered for each patient. In this case as well, the same dimming control state can be maintained for each patient, so that even when the operator is different, the same dimming control state can always be maintained for the patient, and the status of symptom healing, etc. can be grasped Can be easily done. Note that embodiments and the like configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Supplementary Notes] In an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of dimming control units for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, a priority order determining unit for determining a plurality of dimming control priorities; Target value changing means for changing the target value of the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control selected from the dimming control to the target value of the highest priority dimming control determined by the priority order determining means. An electronic endoscope device, wherein the electronic endoscope device is provided.

2. The plurality of dimming control units are provided separately or in the main body, and a shutter control unit for controlling a charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging device, an aperture control unit for controlling the amount of light incident on the solid-state imaging device. The electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic endoscope device is a light amount control unit for controlling the light amount of the light source device.

3. The priority order determining means includes a shutter switch for controlling the on / off operation of the shutter function, a light source dimming switch for turning on / off the light source light amount controlling function, and an iris operation switch for turning on / off the control of the aperture means. 3. The electronic endoscope device according to claim 2, wherein the priority order is determined according to the following.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3) The problem that the brightness of a target of dimming control is changed by the selection of dimming control means in the prior art can be solved, and the selection and priority of dimming control means can be solved. Irrespective of the change, the effect that the target value of the dimming control can be always kept constant can be obtained.

4. Priority order determination means, the shutter switch, light source cable connection detection means for detecting the connection state of the cable connecting the light source device and the electronic endoscope device,
3. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the priority order is determined according to an output from a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the aperture unit.

(Effects of Supplementary Note 4) In addition to the effects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, there is another effect that selection of light control means can be automatically performed, so that selection means such as a switch is not required.

5. Brightness adjusting means for adjusting a target value of brightness of an image displayed on a monitor; and means for changing a target value of each of the dimming control means in accordance with an output of the brightness adjusting means. 2. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

6. Brightness adjustment means for adjusting a target value of brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, and means for changing a target value of each control means in accordance with an output of the brightness adjustment means. 2. The electronic endoscope device according to claim 2, wherein

7. Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, and means for changing a target value of each of the dimming control means in accordance with an output of the brightness adjusting means. 3. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

8. Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, and means for changing a target value of each of the dimming control means in accordance with an output of the brightness adjusting means. 4. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

(Background of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8) As a prior example, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 9-10513. In this prior art, there are the drawbacks described in the item of the problem to be solved by the invention, and further, the drawbacks have been eliminated and the user cannot change the target brightness level to a desired brightness.

(Purposes of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8) In addition to the objects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus which allows a user to set the brightness as desired. In order to achieve this object, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8 were adopted. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8) It is possible to solve the problem that the user cannot change the target value of dimming control of the prior art, and to change the target level of dimming to a desired brightness by the user. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained.

9. Cursor signal generating means for displaying a cursor on a monitor screen, cursor moving means for moving the cursor, position detecting means for detecting the position of the cursor, and setting a detection area based on the output of the detecting means An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising a detection area setting means.

(Background to Appendix 9) As a prior example, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 8-327151. This Japanese Patent Application Hei 8-3271
The problem of No. 51 is that, since the light metering method of light control is only the average metering and the peak metering, the portion desired by the user does not always have an appropriate brightness. (Object of Supplementary Note 9) It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of setting a portion desired by a user on a monitor to have an appropriate brightness. In order to achieve this object, the configuration of Appendix 9 is adopted.

(Effect of Supplementary Note 9) The problem that the part which the user wants to see in the preceding example does not always have an appropriate brightness can be solved. An appropriate brightness can be obtained, and an effect that a part desired by the user can be set to an appropriate brightness can be obtained.

10. In an electronic endoscope apparatus including a plurality of dimming control units for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, a plurality of dimming control priorities and a target value of each dimming control are set. Setting information storage means for storing setting information including first setting information and second setting information different from the first setting information; and an operation selected in the plurality of dimming controls. Target value changing means for changing the target value of the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control to be the target value of the highest priority dimming control in the setting information read from the setting information storage means. An electronic endoscope apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

11. The first setting information is stored in a non-rewritable read-only first setting information storage unit, and the second setting information is stored in a rewritable second setting information storage unit. The electronic endoscope device according to supplementary note 10. 12. 12. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second setting information is stored in association with user identification information, patient information, an endoscopic examination site, and the like.

[0120]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of dimming control means for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, a plurality of dimming controls are provided. Priority determining means for determining the priority of light control;
Target value changing means for changing a target value of the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control selected from the plurality of dimming controls to a target value of the highest priority dimming control determined by the priority order determining means; Therefore, even when the dimming control is performed by selectively using the dimming control other than the highest priority determined by the priority determining means, the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control operated by selection. Is changed to the target value of the dimming control of the highest priority determined by the priority determining means and is maintained at the same value, so that the brightness of the image displayed on the monitor can be kept constant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CCU.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection circuit.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a front panel SW unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a target level setting circuit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a shutter data conversion circuit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the shutter data conversion circuit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a target level of each dimming control unit at a first priority set by a priority determination circuit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between AGC gain and DNR setting.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CCU according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a brightness adjustment switch provided in a front panel SW unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a brightness adjustment switch of a camera head SW section of the camera head.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera head having no diaphragm.

FIG. 14 is a table showing a specific example of a target level and the like of each dimming set by the priority order determination circuit.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a CCU according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a monitor screen on which a cursor is displayed together with a subject image.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a camera head provided with a cursor movement switch as a camera head SW unit.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection circuit.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a CCU according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope apparatus 3 ... Rigid endoscope 4 ... Light source apparatus 6 ... Camera head 7 ... CCU 8 ... Monitor 12 ... Objective lens 18 ... Aperture apparatus 20 ... Aperture (iris) 22 ... CCD 35 ... Process circuit 38 ... Detection circuit 39 Data multiplexing circuit 42 Data separation circuit 43 CCD drive circuit 44 Auto iris drive circuit 45 Light source control circuit 46 Front panel SW unit 48 CPU 49 Priority determination circuit 51 Field averaging circuit 52a , 52b, 52c, 52d: Loop filters 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d: Target level setting circuit 55: Shutter data conversion circuit 56: Shift amount setting circuit 57: Level shift circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Katsuyuki Saito Inventor Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic endoscope apparatus having a plurality of dimming control means for adjusting the brightness of an image displayed on a monitor, wherein a priority order for determining a plurality of dimming control priorities is determined. Means for changing a target value of the highest priority dimming control in the dimming control selected from the plurality of dimming controls to a target value of the highest priority dimming control determined by the priority order determining means. An electronic endoscope apparatus, comprising: changing means;