JPH119547A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adapt to the difference in the appearance of a lesion part and the position of a hole of forceps which is caused when an endoscope is used being different in the angle and direction of the visual field and resolving power while specifying the endoscope broken down based on an image recorded. SOLUTION: A video processor 5 is constituted of an image signal processing section 11 to perform a various signal processing of image signals from an electronic endoscope 4, a character recognition part 12 which binary codes an image containing character information by a tag 8 to be inputted from the image signal processing section 11 and converts the results into a character code to recognize a character data, an image superimposition part 13 to superimpose the character data recognized by the character recognition part 12 on the image of the endoscope, a keyboard 14 to input an arbitrary data such as the name of a patient and a CPU 15 which performs various controls in the inputting or outputting of a patient data to be inputted from the keyboard 14 and the character data recognized by the character recognition part 12 and a control of timing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an endoscope system, and more particularly, to an endoscope system having a feature in a history information creating portion of each device of the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional endoscope apparatus, an image for observation obtained by an endoscope can be easily identified and searched for when the endoscope image is recorded on a VTR or a photograph. ID of the patient. Character information such as NO and name can be input.

As a means for inputting such character information, a method using a keyboard, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 8
There is a method of extracting and recognizing character information from an endoscope image shown in 176678.

On the other hand, in a conventional endoscope apparatus, the endoscope is 1
For a plurality of video processors, a plurality of types of video processors having different viewing angles, viewing directions, and resolutions are prepared in accordance with facility conditions, examination contents, and procedures.

If the viewing angle, viewing direction, and resolution are different,
As a matter of course, even if the same lesion is photographed, an endoscope image having a different appearance is obtained. The user writes the type name and serial number of the endoscope at the time of use in a medical chart or the like so as to help identify the position of the lesion based on an image recorded later. This information was also helpful in identifying a malfunctioning endoscope if an abnormality was later found in an image recorded by a third party.

Further, when the endoscope is changed, it is necessary to re-establish the white balance in order to obtain an optimum color tone. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-183293, the endoscope itself is not used. The serial number is held by using a non-volatile memory or the like, and the color tone is switched by recognizing the serial number.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication, the use time of the endoscope is recorded and displayed.

[0007]

However, in the case of JP-A-62-183293, color adjustment such as white balance is automatically performed by the ID of the endoscope, but the ID itself is not displayed. Nothing is done, and the endoscope model name is not displayed or stored. Therefore, it is not possible to check a recorded image to identify a failed endoscope, and to view a lesion that occurs when endoscopes having different viewing angles, viewing directions, and resolutions are used. There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the difference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and specifies a failed endoscope from recorded images and uses an endoscope having a different viewing angle, viewing direction, and resolution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system capable of coping with a difference in the appearance of a lesion or a position of a forceps hole that occurs in such a case.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope system according to the present invention includes an endoscope which is inserted into a body cavity to image a subject, a light source device for supplying illumination light to the endoscope, and the endoscope. An endoscope system comprising: a signal processing device that performs signal processing on an imaging signal of the subject imaged by an image input unit that inputs an image including character information or coded information captured by the endoscope. Encoding means for encoding the character information or the encoded information input by the image input means, and generating display data for displaying the encoded character information or the encoded information. Display data generating means, and history information for creating history information of the endoscope, the light source device, and the signal processing device based on the encoded character information or the encoded information. It constructed a stage.

[0010] In the endoscope system according to the present invention, the history information means may generate history information of the endoscope, the light source device and the signal processing device based on the coded character information or coded information. By creating, the malfunctioning endoscope is identified from the recorded images, and the visualization of the lesion and the position of the forceps hole that occur when using endoscopes with different viewing angles, viewing directions, and resolutions are used. It is possible to deal with differences.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the observation monitor of FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment has an elongated insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a body cavity, and an operation portion provided on the base end side of the insertion portion 2. And an electronic endoscope 4 having a built-in image pickup device such as a CCD (not shown) at the distal end of the insertion section 2 for obtaining an endoscopic image of the test site, and an illustration extending from the operation section 3. A video processor 5 that drives an image sensor (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 4 connected by a universal cable (not shown), processes output signals, encodes character information described later, and creates history information, and is processed by the video processor 5. The electronic endoscope 4 includes an observation monitor 6 for observing an image captured by the electronic endoscope 4 and a photographing device 7 for photographing an image observed on the observation monitor 6. Name and serial number specified Tag 8 which is connected to the operating unit 3 by the chain 9.

Here, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the model name and serial number are specified in characters on the tag 8, but the model name and serial number are specified in a coded state, for example, a bar code. Is also good.

The electronic endoscope 4 is connected to a light source device 10 via a universal cable (not shown) extending from the operation unit 3, and illumination light is supplied from the light source device 10 to the electronic endoscope 4. It has become.

The video processor 5 includes an image signal processing unit 11 for driving an image pickup device (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 4 and various kinds of signal processing of an input image signal. A character recognition unit 12 for binarizing an image including character information by a tag 8 input from the image signal processing unit 11 when the mode is changed to a character code and recognizing character data, and in an endoscope image mode Image superimposing section 13 for superimposing the character data recognized by character recognizing section 12 on the endoscope image output from image signal processing section 11 of FIG.
And a keyboard 1 for inputting arbitrary characters such as a patient name
4 and the patient's I.D. D. N
o. And a CPU 15 for performing various input / output control and timing control of patient data such as names and patient data and character data recognized by the character recognition unit 12.

The CPU 15 is further provided with a history file forming unit 16 for generating history information based on the character data recognized by the character recognition unit 12. The data is stored in the connected data storage unit 17.

The data storage unit 17 stores the patient data and various patterns such as the color tone and the amount of contour enhancement of the video processor 5 for each user name input from the keyboard 14. It has become.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

An analog image signal obtained by the electronic endoscope 4 is input to an image signal processing unit 11 of the video processor 5, converted into a video signal, digitized and output, and output to the image superimposing unit 13. Is stored as digital endoscope image data.

The patient name and I.P. D. No. Arbitrary character strings, such as patient data and comments, are held in the data storage unit 17 via the CPU 15 and have an arbitrary size at an arbitrary position designated by the keyboard 14 in the endoscopic image of the image superimposing unit 13. Superimposed.

It is to be noted that the I.P. D. No. If the same as I. D. N
o. At the end of the input, the name and other patient data of the date of birth are called and superimposed on the endoscope image.

Before the operator starts an endoscopy,
After calling various setting values of the video processor 5 registered in the data storage unit 17 by selecting their own names, the above-described binarization mode is selected, and the tag 8 is imaged.
The character recognition unit 12 recognizes a character string drawn on the tag 8, converts the character string into a binary code using a generally known optical character reading device (OCR) technique, and converts the character string into a character code. Is superimposed on the endoscope image by the image superimposing unit 13 via the CPU 15. After the tag 8 is read, the binarization mode is returned to the normal shooting mode.

The history file forming unit 16 of the CPU 15 recognizes that the character code sent to the CPU 15 matches the previously stored S / N representing the model name of the electronic endoscope 4 and the serial number, If the same data does not exist in the data storage unit 17, a history information file is formed and stored in the data storage unit 17.

In the example of FIG. 1, the model of the electronic endoscope 4 is "A
BC-TYPE1 "and the serial number is" 0123 ".

The history file forming section 16 detects the time when the electronic endoscope 4 is connected to the video processor 5 and writes the time in the history information file. If the history information file already exists in the data storage unit 17, a new time is accumulated at the time of the previous data. This accumulated time is also superimposed as character information by the image superimposing unit 13 like other character data.

Although the method of detecting the connection of the electronic endoscope 4 is not specifically described, a conventional method, for example, a resistor for judging the CCD type provided on the electronic endoscope 4 side is used. The value may be detected, or the presence or absence of a load when driving the CCD may be detected.

The endoscope image including various character data held in the image superimposing unit 13 includes, for example, patient data 21, an electronic endoscope model name 22, and a serial number 2 as shown in FIG.
3, in the form of the endoscope image 24 and the cumulative use time 25, the information is output to the observation monitor 6 and displayed, and is also output to the photographing device 7 and displayed. Of course, instead of the photographing device 7, an image recording device such as a VTR may be used.

Here, as shown in FIG.
Then, the forceps hole position indication marker 26 indicating the appearance position of the forceps hole according to the recognized electronic endoscope model name 22 can be displayed or erased according to an instruction from an operation panel (not shown).

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, the model name, serial number, and cumulative use time of the electronic endoscope 4 currently used are input without using any other external input device. Since the electronic endoscope 4 can be displayed and recorded, a defective electronic endoscope 4 is specified from a photograph developed later, or occurs when the electronic endoscope 4 having different viewing angles, viewing directions, and resolutions is used. It is possible to cope with differences in the appearance of the lesion and the positions of the forceps holes.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the structure of the first embodiment, when there are a plurality of endoscope systems instead of a single endoscope system, they are mutually connected. Network I / F for performing data communication between endoscope systems
The configuration is such that the unit 31 is added inside the video processor 5. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation) In the present embodiment, the network I / F unit 31 stores the patient data, history information file, and various setting values for each user of the video processor 5 stored in the data storage unit 17. Is communicated with another endoscope system (not shown), and when the registered history information file and various setting values for each user are updated, the data of the other endoscope system is also updated. It has become. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Effects) As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, even when a plurality of endoscope systems exist, the storage means is stored in the electronic endoscope 4 itself. History information can be managed without providing
Various setting values of the video processor 5 need only be registered once in one place.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a data processing unit provided in each device of the endoscope system of FIG.

Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the second embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration) In FIG. 4, as an example in which three endoscope systems 1 are connected, an endoscope system 1 is shown.
The connection relation of a, 1b, and 1c is shown. Although not specifically shown in the second embodiment, each endoscope system 1 has an electric scalpel 4 for ablating a lesion using high frequency.
0 shows an example in which a heat probe 41 for performing ablation of a lesion and hemostasis using heat generated by a diode is provided. The electric scalpel 40 and the heat probe 41 do not always need to be provided.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, data storage units 1 each connected by a data bus are provided.
7, a CPU 15, a network I / F unit 31, and a data processing unit 43 including a data correction unit 42 that corrects data according to the contents of the history information file. The points provided in all of the devices, that is, the observation monitor 6, the video processor 5, the light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric scalpel 40, and the heat probe 41 are additionally provided in comparison with the second embodiment. ing.

The data storage unit 17 for each device stores a reference value set by a manufacturer as various setting values of the device and a plurality of pattern setting values adjusted according to a plurality of user preferences. And the accumulated use time of each device are stored as a history information file. Although the method of calculating the cumulative use time is not specifically described, it is generally assumed that the CPU is used.
The time during which the CPU is in the operating state may be accumulated by a clock, a counter, and an adder configured based on the operating clock.

Here, the data storage unit 1 in the light source device 10
It is assumed that the history information file stored in 7 stores at least the accumulated life of the lamp and the remaining life of the lamp obtained from the number of times of lighting.

The history information files stored in the data storage units 17 of the observation monitor 6 and the photographing device 7 include:
It is assumed that at least the brightness and chromaticity of the cathode ray tube inside the device at the reference value are stored. Note that the method of obtaining the luminance and the chromaticity may be a method using a color sensor provided in a commercial TV monitor or the like.

The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

(Operation) When the user first inputs an automatic name from the keyboard 14 connected to the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a, the name is stored in the data storage unit 17 of the video processor 5.

Next, when the settings of all the various devices are input to the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a from an operation panel (not shown) according to the user's preference, the endoscope system 1
Various setting values of the video processor 5 in a are stored in the data storage unit 17 in association with the names of the users. The stored various set values of the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a are stored in the network I / F unit 31, the other endoscope systems 1b, and the endoscope system 1c of the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a. Other endoscope systems 1 via the network I / F unit 31 of each video processor 5 in the
b and the data storage unit 17 of each video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1c.

The various setting values of the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a are similarly set in the endoscope system 1a.
Various devices other than each video processor 5 in a to 1c, that is, each observation monitor 6, each light source device 10, each electric scalpel 40, and each heat probe 41 in the endoscope systems 1a to 1c also include various devices. It is stored in each data storage unit 17 of various devices via the network I / F unit 31.

Further, the set values of the various devices input from the operation panel of the various devices in any of the various devices are similarly transferred to the data storage units 17 of the various devices other than the own device, and are first viewed endlessly. Video processor 5 in mirror system 1a
The data is stored for each user name registered in.

The set values of the various devices naturally include various set values registered for each user name, but also include set values of reference values determined by the manufacturer.

As described above, after the set values of the various devices are stored in the data storage units 17 of all the devices connected to the network, each set value is set according to the contents of the history information file such as the accumulated use time of the devices. The device corrects the stored various set values using the data correction unit 42. In this correction method, the original setting value may be overwritten with the corrected setting value and stored, or both the original setting value and the correction value may be stored, or the original setting value and the correction value may be stored. Only the corresponding correction amount may be stored.

Correcting the set values of various devices according to the contents of the history information file of the above-mentioned device means that the use conditions are enormous and will not be described in a comprehensive manner, but an example will be given below. Will be explained.

First, the user sets the endoscope system 1a.
It is assumed that the user registers his / her own name in the video processor 5 and inputs various setting values from the operation panel. Next, when the user attempts to use the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1b with the same setting as the video processor 5 in the endoscope system 1a, the user sets the various devices connected to the endoscope system 1b. The value is switched to various setting values registered under the user's name.

However, even if the same set value as that of the endoscope system 1a is called by the user name, the endoscope system 1b
Are different from the various devices in the endoscope system 1a in the cumulative use time, and there is a difference in how the change over time occurs due to the variation of the product. There are cases where the same value cannot be set (naturally, the set value for each user cannot be the same).

That is, the observation monitor 6 and the photographing device 7
With regard to the brightness and chromaticity of the internal CRT, if the cumulative use time becomes longer, the CRT deteriorates, the brightness decreases, and the chromaticity also changes. Further, the brightness of the lamp changes according to the remaining life of the lamp of the light source device 10.

Therefore, if the luminance of the observation monitor 6 in the endoscope system 1b at the reference value is lower than that of the observation monitor 6 in the endoscope system 1a, the luminance of the observation monitor 6 in the endoscope system 1b is reduced. Endoscope system 1b to increase
In the data correction unit 42 of the observation monitor 6 inside, the luminance at the reference value is corrected.

Similarly, the photographic device 7 in the endoscope system 1b is shifted from the photographic device 7 in the endoscope system 1a on the chromaticity coordinates (x, y) at the reference value by the reference value. Then, the photographing device 7 in the endoscope system 1b is adjusted so that the chromaticity of the photographing device 7 in the endoscope system 1b is adjusted.
The chromaticity at the reference value is corrected by the data correction unit 42 of FIG.

Similarly, if the light source device 10 in the endoscope system 1b is lower in brightness of the lamp at the reference value than the light source device 10 in the endoscope system 1a, the light source device 10 in the endoscope system 1b The data correction unit 42 of the light source device 10 in the endoscope system 1b corrects the lamp brightness at the reference value so as to increase the brightness of the lamp of the light source device 10.

Other operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

(Effect) Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first
In addition to the effects of the second embodiment, even if the cumulative use time is different or the time-dependent change is caused due to a product-specific variation or the like, the same condition as the setting condition registered once is used. Multiple endoscope systems can be used.

In the present embodiment, when transferring various set values to other devices other than the own device, the contents of the data to be transferred are not mentioned, but all data may be transferred. Since there is no need to send data that is not required by the destination device among the transfer data, thin out the data and send only the data required at the destination, or select only the data required at the destination. By storing the data, the capacity of the data storage unit 6 can be minimized.

Further, although an example has been described in which various setting values are registered by name for each user, the present invention is not limited to this.
If the user can be identified, I.E. D. No.
But I. D. No. And the like may be read from a magnetic card or the like that stores such information.

FIGS. 6 and 7 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope integrated system. FIG. FIG.

Since the fourth embodiment is almost the same as the third embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 6, an endoscope comprehensive system 51 according to the present embodiment is, for example, the various devices (namely, the observation monitor 6 and the video monitor) of the endoscope system 1a according to the third embodiment. The processor 5, the light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric scalpel 40, and the heat probe 41) exist as separate units mounted on a cart or the like, whereas various devices (that is, the observation monitor 6, the video processor 5) , The light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric scalpel 40, and the heat probe 41) are integrated, and a touch panel 52 for centrally operating various devices is provided. For the endoscope system 1 (that is, the observation monitor 6, the video processor 5, the light source device 10, and the photographing device). , Electric knife 40, that is adapted to be transferred to the heat probe 41) has been changed.

When, for example, three endoscope integrated systems 51 are connected, each of the endoscope integrated systems 51a to 51c
The network I / F unit 31 of each device is connected as shown in FIG.

In the case of this embodiment, the data storage unit 17 and the data correction unit 42 shown in FIG.
The observation monitor 6, the video processor 5, the light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric scalpel 40, and the heat probe 41) are excluded from the inside, and all the configuration requirements shown in FIG. It is included.

The other structure is the same as that of the third embodiment.

(Operation) In the endoscope integrated system 51 of the present embodiment, various devices (namely, the observation monitor 6, the video processor 5, the light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric knife 40, the heat probe) 41) operates according to the instruction of the control device 53, so that data storage, data correction, and communication with the other endoscope general system 51 are performed only by the control device 53.

The other operation is the same as that of the third embodiment.

(Effects) Therefore, in the present embodiment, various devices (that is, the observation monitor 6, the video processor 5,
The data storage unit 17 and the data correction unit 4 in the light source device 10, the photographing device 7, the electric knife 40, and the heat probe 41).
The same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained without providing 2.

[Supplementary Notes] (Supplementary Note 1) An endoscope that is inserted into a body cavity to capture an image of a subject, a light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope, and an image of the subject captured by the endoscope In an endoscope system including a signal processing device that performs signal processing on a signal, an image input unit that inputs an image including character information or coded information captured by the endoscope, and an input that is input by the image input unit. Encoding means for encoding the encoded character information or the encoded information, and display data generating means for generating display data for displaying the encoded character information or the encoded information, History information means for creating history information of the endoscope, the light source device and the signal processing device based on the encoded character information or the encoded information. Endoscope system and butterflies.

(Additional Item 2) The encoded character information or the encoded information includes at least a model name of the endoscope and a serial number. 3. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising:

(Additional Item 3) The endoscope system according to additional item 1, wherein the history information includes at least usage time information of the endoscope.

(Additional Item 4) The image processing device according to the additional item 1, further comprising a superimposing means for selectively superimposing the display data generated by the display data generating means on an endoscope image of the endoscope. Endoscope system.

(Additional Item 5) The endoscope system according to Additional Item 1, wherein the history information includes at least the lighting time and the number of times of lighting of the diagnostic lamp of the light source device.

In the case of the xenon lamp used for the illuminating lamp, the cause of the decrease in brightness is that the number of lighting times becomes longer than the operating time. However, in the conventional endoscope system, since only the use time is recorded, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine the true lamp life. However, the endoscope system in Appendix 5 solves such a problem. .

(Additional Item 6) The endoscope system according to Additional Item 1, wherein at least system information including the history information can be transmitted and received.

(Additional Item 7) The endoscope system according to additional item 6, wherein the system information includes various set values of the endoscope, the light source device, and the signal processing device.

For example, in the case of JP-A-3-4831,
The storage means of the history information such as the usage time of each member is provided in the endoscope scope itself. Therefore, as the number of components requiring a history increases, there is a problem that a large-capacity storage means must be incorporated in a device having a small space such as an endoscope. Also,
In the case of Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 6-70878, a plurality of users can select and call arbitrarily set device settings for each user. However, it is good if there is only one endoscope system, but large facilities are equipped with multiple systems, and users do not always use a specific system. Setting is memorized each time, or
There is also a problem that it is necessary to store all the set values in the endoscope scope as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 Supplementary notes 6 and 7
The endoscope system having the above configuration solves these problems.

(Additional Item 8) The endoscope system according to additional item 7, wherein the various set values are corrected according to the history information.

Conventionally, when the luminance or chromaticity of an observation monitor or a photographing device changes, correction by changing the setting of the video processor is performed by the subjective judgment of the user. In the case of objectively judging the accumulation results of past cases as in the diagnosis using images, there is a problem that accurate judgment requires skill and the operation is complicated and troublesome. The mirror system solves such a problem.

(Additional Item 9) The model of the endoscope is determined based on the encoded character information or the encoded information, and the position of the biopsy forceps protruding from the end of the endoscope is determined. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction is given.

Conventionally, when the type of endoscope is different, the position of the forceps channel and the viewing angle are different, so that skill is required to recognize from where the biopsy forceps come into the field of view. However, the endoscope system of Appendix 9 solves such a problem.

[0083]

As described above, according to the endoscope system of the present invention, the endoscope, the light source device, and the signal processing device are used by the history information means based on the encoded character information or the encoded information. History information, so that a failed endoscope can be identified from recorded images, and the appearance of a lesion and the forceps that occur when endoscopes with different viewing angles, viewing directions, and resolutions are used. There is an effect that it is possible to cope with the difference between the hole positions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the observation monitor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a data processing unit provided in each device of the endoscope system in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope comprehensive system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a plurality of the endoscope integrated systems of FIG. 6 are connected;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Electronic endoscope 5 ... Video processor 6 ... Observation monitor 7 ... Photographing device 8 ... Tag 10 ... Light source device 11 ... Image signal processing part 12 ... Character recognition Unit 13 Image superimposing unit 14 Keyboard 15 CPU 16 History file forming unit 17 Data storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Ushibo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industries Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akio Uchiyama 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope that is inserted into a body cavity to image a subject, a light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope, and a signal that processes an image signal of the subject imaged by the endoscope An endoscope system comprising a processing device, an image input unit for inputting an image including character information or coded information captured by the endoscope; and the character information input by the image input unit. Encoding means for encoding the encoded information; display data generating means for generating display data for displaying the encoded character information or the encoded information; and the encoded character An endoscope system comprising: history information means for creating history information of the endoscope, the light source device, and the signal processing device based on the information or the coded information. Stem.