WO2012121127A1

WO2012121127A1 - Electronic endoscope device, electronic endoscope processor, light source device, and electronic endoscope system

Info

Publication number: WO2012121127A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/055322
Authority: WO
Inventors: 靖治渡邉; 雅弘小松
Original assignee: Hoya株式会社
Priority date: 2011-03-07
Filing date: 2012-03-02
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Also published as: JP5751869B2; JP2012183240A

Abstract

An electronic endoscope comprises a storage device wherein are disposed a plurality of storage regions which store white balance setting values which a processor provides and which correspond to an internal light source and an external light source. The processor comprises a first light guide connection sensing unit which senses whether a light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected. The external light source comprises: a second light guide connection sensing unit which senses whether the light guide is connected thereto; and a sensing result transmission unit which transmits the sensing result of the second light guide connection sensing unit to the processor. The processor further comprises: a sensing result receiving unit which receives the sensing result of the second light guide connection sensing unit which is transmitted from the sensing result transmission unit; a used light source assessment unit which assesses a light source in use on the basis of the sensing results of the first and second light guide connection sensing units; a white balance setting value acquisition unit which acquires the white balance setting value which corresponds to the assessed light source in use; and a color tone adjustment unit which uses the white balance setting value to carry out a color tone adjustment of image data.

Description

Electronic endoscope apparatus, processor for electronic endoscope, light source apparatus, and electronic endoscope system

The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus system having a white balance function.

Electronic endoscopes that can observe color images in body cavities are widely used. An electronic endoscope capable of observing a color image generally has a white balance function in order to accurately display the color of the observation site.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication JP 2005-34166A (hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document 1”), gain adjustment values (white balance parameters) of each color signal obtained by white balance are provided in an electronic endoscope. An electronic device that records in a memory, reads the white balance parameter from the electronic endoscope memory when the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor, and performs gain adjustment (color tone adjustment) using the read white balance parameter An endoscopic device is described.

The electronic endoscope described in Patent Document 1 has an electrical connection portion and an optical connection portion integrated with a processor, but these are separated and optically connected while the electrical connection portion is connected to the processor. There is also used an electronic endoscope in which a general connection portion (light guide connection portion) can be connected to an external light source (for example, a strobe light source). In the electronic endoscope in which the electrical connection portion and the optical connection portion are separated as described above, a method of widely changing only the optical connection portion from the internal light source of the processor to the external light source during observation is widely used. In the electronic endoscope apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, since the reconnection of only the optical connection portion cannot be detected, the setting is automatically changed to an appropriate white balance parameter when the above usage is performed. I couldn't.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic endoscope system capable of automatically changing a setting to an appropriate white balance parameter even if a light source to be used is changed. To do.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope apparatus including an electronic endoscope and a processor that processes image data captured by the electronic endoscope, wherein the electronic endoscope has a white balance setting. A storage device having a plurality of areas in which values can be stored. The storage device stores a white balance setting value corresponding to an internal light source and a white balance setting value corresponding to an external light source provided in the processor. A first light guide connection detection unit for detecting whether or not the light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor when the endoscope is used; and a white balance corresponding to the light source being used by the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope apparatus is provided that includes a white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires a setting value from a storage device.

According to the above configuration, even when only the light guide is switched from, for example, an internal light source to an external light source, color tone adjustment using an appropriate white balance setting value is possible, and an observation image with an accurate color tone can always be obtained. it can.

Further, based on the embodiment of the present invention, a light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor when the electronic endoscope is used, and a light guide connection detection unit For an electronic endoscope comprising: a light source determining unit that determines a light source that is being used by the electronic endoscope based on a detection result; and an operation mode setting unit that sets an operation mode suitable for the determined light source being used. A processor is provided.

By using the electronic endoscope processor with the above configuration, for example, even if the light guide is replaced with an external light source during the procedure, it automatically switches to the operation mode suitable for the light source being used. The operation to change the mode becomes unnecessary, and the time for the procedure can be shortened.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide is connected to the light source device, the light source device supplying illumination light to the light guide of the electronic endoscope And a detection result transmission unit that transmits the detection result to the processor for electronic endoscope.

By connecting the external light source having the above configuration to the electronic endoscope processor, the electronic endoscope processor can determine whether the external light source is being used based on the detection result. become.

Further, based on the embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope including a storage device provided with a plurality of storage areas in which white balance setting values can be read and written by the above-described electronic endoscope processor is provided.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope, a processor connected to the electronic endoscope and processing image data picked up by the electronic endoscope, and illumination light to the light guide of the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope system including a first external light source that supplies The electronic endoscope includes a storage device provided with a plurality of storage areas for storing white balance setting values. The storage device includes a white balance setting value corresponding to an internal light source provided in the processor and a first external light source. The white balance setting value corresponding to is stored. The processor includes a first light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor. The first external light source transmits a detection result of the second light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide is connected to the first external light source, and a detection result of the second light guide connection detection unit to the processor. And a detection result transmission unit. Further, the processor is based on the detection result receiving unit that receives the detection result of the second light guide connection detection unit transmitted from the detection result transmission unit, and the detection results of the first and second light guide connection detection units. A used light source determination unit for determining whether the light source used by the electronic endoscope is an internal light source or a first external light source, and a white balance setting value corresponding to the determined light source in use Are further provided with a white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires the color tone, and a color tone adjustment unit that adjusts the color tone of the image data using the white balance setting value.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope, a processor connected to the electronic endoscope and processing image data picked up by the electronic endoscope, and illumination light to the light guide of the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope system including a plurality of light source devices including a first external light source for supplying The electronic endoscope includes a storage device provided with a plurality of storage areas for storing white balance setting values, and the storage device stores white balance setting values corresponding to each of the plurality of light source devices. Yes. The first external light source includes a light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide is connected to the first external light source, and a detection result transmission unit that transmits a detection result to the processor. The processor includes a detection result receiving unit that receives a detection result from the first external light source, and a light source that is used to determine which of the plurality of external light sources is used by the electronic endoscope based on the detection result A determination unit; and a white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires a white balance setting value corresponding to the determined light source in use from a storage device.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope system capable of automatically changing the setting to an appropriate white balance parameter even if the light source to be used is changed is provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which expanded the vicinity of a light-shielding plate. It is a flowchart explaining the 1st Example of the process regarding a white balance parameter. It is a flowchart explaining the 1st Example of the process regarding a white balance parameter. It is a figure which shows roughly the data arrangement | positioning of the function table in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows roughly the data arrangement | positioning of the white balance parameter storage area in this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the 2nd Example of the process regarding a white balance parameter. It is a figure which shows roughly the data arrangement | positioning of the white balance parameter storage area in the modification of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. The electronic endoscope system 1 includes an electronic endoscope device including an electronic endoscope 100, a processor 200, and a monitor 300, and an external light source device 400. The electronic endoscope 100, the monitor 300, and the external light source device 400 are detachably connected to the processor 200, respectively. Note that the external light source device 400 of this embodiment is a strobe light source.

The electronic endoscope 100 includes an insertion unit 110, an operation unit 120, a cable unit 130, an electrical connection unit 140, and an optical connection unit 150, and is an elongated insertion unit configured to be bent along a body cavity of a subject. 110 is a unit that inserts 110 into a body cavity of a subject and images an observation site in the body cavity with a solid-state imaging device 112 built in the distal end portion 110a of the insertion section 110. The operation unit 120 is provided with an angle knob and operation buttons (not shown) for the operator to operate the electronic endoscope 100 and the processor 200. The cable unit 130 is an elongated flexible member, and accommodates a light guide 102 that transmits illumination light for illuminating an observation site and a signal line 104 that transmits input / output signals of the solid-state imaging device 112. The cable unit 130 branches to an electrical branch unit 132 and an optical branch unit 134 on the base end side (processor 200 side), and is connected to the processor 200 via an electrical connection unit 140 and an optical connection unit 150, respectively. The optical connection unit 150 is configured to be connectable to the external light source device 400, and the light source to be used is obtained by replacing only the optical connection unit 150 with the external light source device 400 while the electrical connection unit 140 is connected to the processor 200. Can be changed.

The electrical connection unit 140 controls the operation of the electronic endoscope 100 as a whole, and generates a drive signal to be supplied to the solid-state imaging device 112 in accordance with a clock pulse generated by the endoscope control unit 142. An image processing circuit 144 that processes an image signal read from the image sensor 112 and outputs a digital video signal, and an EEPROM that stores various setting values such as a white balance parameter (hereinafter referred to as “W / B parameter”) described later. (Electrically Erasable / Programmable Read Only Memory) 146. The imaging processing circuit 144 and the EEPROM 146 are connected to the endoscope control unit 142 and operate according to instructions from the endoscope control unit 142.

The processor 200 is a unit that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 100, processes a digital video signal output from the electronic endoscope 100, and outputs a video signal to the monitor 300. Control circuit 220, front stage signal processing circuit 222, image memory 224, rear stage signal processing circuit 226, peripheral control circuit 230, lamp 242, lamp power supply 244, condenser lens 246, diaphragm 252, motor 254, driver 256, light shielding plate 262, A photo interrupter 264 and a front panel 270 are provided. The system control circuit 210 controls the overall operation of the processor 200. The timing control circuit 220 performs timing control in the processor 200 based on the clock pulse generated by the endoscope control unit 142. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 performs various image processing including gain adjustment using the W / B parameter on the digital video signal output from the imaging processing circuit 144 of the electronic endoscope 100, and outputs a digital RGB signal. The image memory 224 buffers the digital RGB signal output from the pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 in units of frames for each color, and sequentially sweeps out the recorded signals at the timing controlled by the timing control circuit 220. The post-stage signal processing circuit 226 generates a video signal conforming to a predetermined standard such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) or PAL (Phase Alternating Line) based on the digital RGB signal swept from the image memory 224. Output to the monitor 300. The monitor 300 displays an image observed by the electronic endoscope 100 on the screen based on the video signal output from the processor 200.

The peripheral control circuit 230 controls the illumination light supplied to the electronic endoscope 100 by controlling the operation of the lamp 242, the diaphragm 252, and the external light source device 400 based on the control signal from the system control circuit 210. The lamp power supply 244 supplies a drive current to the lamp 242 in accordance with a control signal from the peripheral control circuit 230. The illumination light generated by the lamp 242 is condensed by the condenser lens 246, the light amount is adjusted by the diaphragm 252, and then coupled to the light guide 102. The driver 256 supplies a drive signal to the drive motor 254 that drives the diaphragm 252 in accordance with a control signal from the peripheral control circuit 230.

The light shielding plate 262 is a movable plate for blocking the light path of the illumination light so that the illumination light generated by the lamp 242 is not emitted to the outside when the light guide 102 is not inserted into the processor 200. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the light shielding plate 262. FIG. 2A shows a state where the light guide 102 is not inserted into the processor 200, and FIG. Shown inserted. One end of the light shielding plate 262 is attached to the support plate 260 via a hinge 262a with a spring. A photo interrupter 264 is attached to the exit side of the diaphragm 252 arranged to face the support plate 260, and a projection 262 b for blocking the optical path of the photo interrupter 264 is provided at the other end of the light shielding plate 262. Is provided. The photo interrupter 264 is connected to the system control circuit 210. When the light guide 102 is not inserted into the processor 200, the light shielding plate 262 is disposed at a position that closes the opening 260h provided in the support plate 260 and blocks the optical path of the illumination light. At this time, the protrusion 262 b does not block the optical path of the photo interrupter 264, and the photo interrupter 264 outputs a signal indicating that the light shielding plate 262 is not detected to the system control circuit 210. By receiving a signal indicating that the light shielding plate 262 is not detected from the photo interrupter 264, the system control circuit 210 confirms that the light guide 102 is not inserted into the processor 200, that is, the internal light source of the processor 200 is not used. Detect. When the light guide 102 is inserted into the processor 200, the light shielding plate 262 is pushed up by the tip of the light guide 102 and is separated from the optical path of the illumination light, and the protrusion 262 b blocks the optical path of the photo interrupter 264. At this time, the photo interrupter 264 outputs a signal indicating the detection of the light shielding plate 262 to the system control circuit 210. The system control circuit 210 receives a signal indicating the detection of the light shielding plate 262 from the photo interrupter 264, thereby detecting that the light guide 102 is inserted into the processor 200, that is, the internal light source of the processor 200 is being used. To do.

The front panel 270 is a unit for performing input and display necessary for the operation of the processor 200, and is necessary for input / output via various operation buttons including a W / B button 272 described later, a touch panel display, and the front panel 270. A circuit board (not shown) for performing various processes is provided.

The external light source device 400 includes a control unit 430, a lamp 442, a lamp power source 444, a condenser lens 446, a diaphragm 452, a motor 454, a driver 456, a light shielding plate 462, and a photo interrupter 464. The control unit 430 of the external light source device 400 is connected to the system control circuit 210 of the processor 200 via the communication cable 10 such as a LAN cable or an RS-232C cable. The control unit 430, the lamp 442, the lamp power supply 444, the condenser lens 446, the diaphragm 452, the motor 454, the driver 456, the light shielding plate 462, and the photo interrupter 464 of the external light source device 400 are the peripheral control circuit 230 and the lamp 242 of the processor 200, respectively. The lamp power supply 244, the condenser lens 246, the diaphragm 252, the motor 254, the driver 256, the light shielding plate 262, and the photo interrupter 264 have the same configuration and functions, and detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the signal from the photo interrupter 464 is sent to the control unit 430, and the control unit 430 detects whether or not the light guide 102 is connected to the external light source device 400. When the control unit 430 detects a change in the connection state of the light guide 102, the control unit 430 transmits a signal notifying the connection state of the light guide 102 to the system control circuit 210 of the processor 200.

(First embodiment)
Next, details of processing relating to the white balance parameter (W / B parameter) will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the first embodiment of the process relating to the W / B parameter. The white balance adjustment interrupt process S20 shown in FIG. 4 is an interrupt process that is called when the user presses the W / B button 272 provided on the front panel 270 during the execution of the process shown in FIG. . The process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the processor 200 is powered on. First, in process S1, the connection state of the light guide 102 is confirmed. Specifically, the system control circuit 210 receives a signal indicating detection / non-detection of the light shielding plate 262 from the photo interrupter 264 and a signal notifying the connection state from the control unit 430 of the external light source device 400. Based on the signal, it is confirmed whether or not the light guide 102 is connected to the internal light source device 400 and the external light source device 400, respectively.

When the system control circuit 210 receives a signal indicating detection of the light shielding plate 262 from the photo interrupter 264 and determines that the internal light source of the processor 200 is used (S2: internal light source), the system control circuit 210 specifies the light source to be used. The type name “AAA” of the processor 200 is designated as information (S3).

Among the functions of the processor 200, a function dedicated to the external light source device (for example, a strobe observation function) or a function inappropriate for use under the use of the internal light source is invalidated. In addition, a function dedicated to the internal light source or a function suitable for use under the use of the internal light source is activated (S4).

Further, when the system control circuit 210 receives a signal indicating that the light shielding plate 262 is not detected from the photo interrupter 264 and determines that the external light source device is used (S2: external light source), the system control circuit 210 is used next. It is determined whether the external light source device 400 is an external light source device with a light guide connection detection function (S5). Specifically, when the system control circuit 210 receives a signal notifying that the light guide is connected from the external light source device in step S1, the external light source device 400 with the light guide connection detection function is used. (S5: YES), and if a signal notifying that the light guide is connected is not received from the external light source device, it is determined that an external light source device without a light guide connection detection function is used. (S5: NO). When it is determined that the external light source device 400 with the light guide connection detection function is used (S5: YES), the model name “BBB” of the external light source device 400 is designated as information for specifying the light source used (S6). . The model name “BBB” is notified from the external light source device 400 to the processor 200 when the external light source device 400 is connected to the processor 200 or when the processor 200 is activated with the external light source device 400 connected. . When a plurality of external light source devices are connected to the processor 200, for example, other external light source devices (model names “CCC”, “DDD”...) Mounted with a light guide connection detection function are connected to the light guide 102. In the same manner, the model name of the external light source device that detects the connection of the light guide 102 is designated.

Next, of the functions provided in the processor 200, functions dedicated to the internal light source and functions inappropriately used under the use of the external light source device 400 are invalidated. In addition, a function dedicated to the external light source device 400 or a function suitable for use under the use of the external light source device is activated (S7).

Note that an EEPROM (not shown) included in the system control circuit 210 stores a function table in which settings of functions to be validated or invalidated when the external light source device is used are recorded. An example of the function table is shown in FIG. Each record registered in the function table has three elements of “model name”, “function ID”, and “control”. The “type name” is the type name of the light source, the “function ID” is an identification number of each function installed in the processor 200 (for example, the function ID “F101” is an identification number indicating a strobe observation function), "Is a control code (1: activation, 0: invalidation) for designating validation / invalidation of the function. Further, only the settings different from the initial settings applied when using the internal light source are recorded in the function table. The initial setting information is recorded in the initial setting table stored in the EEPROM of the system control circuit 210. When the light source used by the electronic endoscope 100 is switched to, for example, the external light source device 400 (type name “BBB”), the system control circuit 210 enables / disables the function based on the initial setting table. Then, the function table shown in FIG. 5 is searched, and the function enable / disable setting is changed according to each record in which “BBB” is recorded in the “model name”.

Also, the optical connection unit 150 of the light guide 102 can be used by being connected to an external light source device (not shown) in which the light guide connection detection function is not mounted. Therefore, when the light guide 102 is not connected to any of the external light source devices 400 having the internal light source and the connection detection function (S5: NO), an unknown external light source in which the light guide connection detection function is not mounted. The device is considered in use. Therefore, a temporary model name “unknown” indicating that the device is an unknown external light source device is designated as information for specifying the light source to be used (S8). Further, the ON / OFF setting of each function installed in the processor 200 is changed based on the function table of FIG. In the present embodiment, among the functions of the processor 200, a highly versatile function is enabled for the type of light source to be used, and a function that depends on the light source (for example, a function dedicated to a specific light source) is disabled. (S9).

If the setting for enabling / disabling the function is updated in processing S4, S7, and S9, the processing proceeds to S10.

In process S10, the system control circuit 210 accesses the EEPROM 146 of the electronic endoscope 100, and reads out the W / B parameter corresponding to the light source type name acquired in processes S3, S6, and S8. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the data arrangement of the W / B parameter storage area in the EEPROM 146. In the EEPROM 146, a plurality of areas for storing W / B parameters are set, and each W / B parameter is recorded in association with type name information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, “R1, G1, B1” as the W / B parameters corresponding to the internal light source of the processor 200 of the type name “AAA” is W corresponding to the external light source device 400 of the type name “BBB”. “R2, G2, B2” as the / B parameter, and “Rn, Gn, Bn” as the W / B parameter corresponding to the external light source device “unknown” not mounted with the light guide connection detection function, respectively. / B is recorded in the parameter storage area. The system control circuit 210 reads the W / B parameter corresponding to the specified model name with reference to the data table in the W / B parameter storage area shown in FIG. The read W / B parameter is transferred to the pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 and held in a memory included in the pre-stage signal processing circuit 222. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 performs gain adjustment processing of R, G, and B signals using the W / B parameter as a gain value. As a result, gain adjustment suitable for the light source in use is performed, and no matter which light source is used, a color image having the same color tone as that obtained by using a light source having a standard color temperature (for example, 6500 K) is obtained. Obtainable.

When the W / B parameter reading process S10 is completed, the system control circuit 210 confirms the connection state of the light guide again (S11). The confirmation of the connection state of the light guide is periodically repeated until a change in the connection state is confirmed. If the change of the connection state of the light guide is confirmed (S12: YES), if the operation for terminating the system has not been performed (S13: NO), the process returns to S2, and the light source used after the change of the connection state Is judged. If the system termination operation has been performed (S13: YES), the process shown in FIG. 3 is terminated.

Next, the white balance adjustment interrupt process S20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. When the W / B button 272 provided on the front panel 270 is pressed, the white balance adjustment interrupt process S20 is called and started. In the white balance adjustment interrupt process S20, a white balance adjustment process S21 is first performed. The white balance adjustment process S21 is performed by imaging a white plate for white balance adjustment with an electronic endoscope. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 calculates each gain value (Rg, Gg, Bg) of the RBG signal for converting the color of the captured white plate image to white (for example, color temperature 6500K), and calculates the calculated value. It is acquired as a W / B parameter of a light source in use (for example, internal light source AAA) (S21). The white balance adjustment process S21 is repeated until acquisition of the W / B parameter (RGB signal gain value) is successful. When the W / B parameter is acquired and the white balance adjustment process S21 is successful (S22: YES), the pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 writes the W / B parameter in the W / B parameter storage area of the EEPROM 146 (S23). When the writing of the W / B parameter is successful (S24: YES), the white balance adjustment interrupt process S20 ends, and the process of FIG. 3 resumes.

Next, another embodiment of the process relating to the W / B parameter will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment of the process relating to the W / B parameter. As described above, the system control circuit 210 constantly monitors the signal indicating the detection / non-detection of the light shielding plate 262 from the photo interrupter 264 and the signal notifying the connection state from the control unit 430 of the external light source device 400. (S101). When a change occurs in the connection state of the light guide 102 (S102: YES), it is determined that the light source to be used has been changed. Therefore, the designation of the W / B parameter applied to the image processing also corresponds to the changed light source. Updated to things.

When the signal indicating the detection of the light shielding plate 262 is output from the photo interrupter 264, the internal light source of the processor 200 is used (S103: YES), so the type name “AAA” of the processor 200 is the light source used. It is designated as information to be identified (S104). Further, when the connection of the light guide 102 to the processor 200 is not detected (S103: NO), and the connection of the light guide 102 to the external light source device 400 in which the light guide connection detection function is mounted is detected (S106: YES), the model name “BBB” of the external light source device 400 is designated as information for identifying the light source used (S107). The model name “BBB” is sent from the external light source device 400 to the processor 200 when the external light source device 400 is connected to the processor 200 or when the processor 200 is activated with the external light source device 400 connected. Although omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the connection of the light guide 102 to another external light source device (model names “CCC”, “DDD”...) In which the light guide connection detection function is implemented is detected. In this case as well, the model name of the external light source device that detected the light guide 102 is designated.

In addition, when the external light source device 400 is switched to the internal light source, among the functions of the processor 200, a function dedicated to the external light source device 400 (a strobe observation function in the present embodiment) or an internal light source is used. Functions that are inappropriate for use are disabled. In addition, a function dedicated to the internal light source or a function that has been invalidated due to inappropriate use of the external light source device 400 is validated (S105).

Similarly, when the internal light source is switched to the external light source device 400, among the functions of the processor 200, a function dedicated to the internal light source or a function inappropriate for use under the use of the external light source device 400 is invalid. It becomes. In addition, a function dedicated to the external light source device 400 or a function that has been disabled due to inappropriate use of the internal light source is enabled (S108).

The change of the setting for enabling and disabling the function when the light source is switched is performed using the function table (FIG. 5) and the initial setting table as in the first embodiment.

Further, when the light guide 102 is not connected to any of the external light source device 400 having the internal light source and the connection detection function (S106: NO), the same processing S109 as the processing S8 and S9 in the first embodiment. And S110 are sequentially executed.

When the model name, which is information for specifying the light source in use, is acquired in the processes S104, S107, and S109, the process proceeds to S111. Further, if the insertion / extraction of the light guide is not detected in the process S102 and the connection state is not changed (S102: NO), the process directly proceeds to S111.

In process S111, the system control circuit 210 accesses the EEPROM 146 of the electronic endoscope 100, and reads the W / B parameter (FIG. 5) corresponding to the light source type name acquired in processes S104, S107, and S109. The details of the data structure of the W / B parameter and the gain adjustment process using the W / B parameter are the same as in the first embodiment (see the description of process S10).

Next, it is determined whether or not to perform white balance adjustment processing. When the user presses the W / B button 272 provided on the front panel 270 (S112: YES), white balance adjustment processing is started. The white balance adjustment process is performed by capturing an image of a white plate for white balance adjustment with an electronic endoscope. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 222 calculates each gain value (Rg, Gg, Bg) of the RBG signal for converting the color of the captured white plate image to white (for example, color temperature 6500K), and calculates the calculated value. It is acquired as the W / B parameter of the light source in use (for example, the internal light source AAA) (S113) and written in the W / B parameter storage area of the EEPROM 146 (S114). The above processes S101 to S114 are repeated until the operation of the processor 200 ends (S115: YES).

This completes the description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to that described above, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea expressed by the description of the scope of claims.

In the above embodiment, the identification information (type name) of the light source and the W / B parameter are associated with each other and stored in the memory, but there are many cases where one or two external light source devices are used. For this reason, the light source identification information may not be recorded in the memory, and the light source may be identified by an address for storing data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data arrangement of a modified example in which the external light source device is identified by the address of the area for storing the W / B parameter. In the example of FIG. 8, the W / B parameter of the internal light source is previously set at address 1, the W / B parameter of the external light source device having the light guide connection detection function is set at address 2, and the light guide connection detection function is set at address 3. It is set to store the W / B parameter of the external light source device that does not. In this case, in the processes S3, S6, and S8 in FIG. 3 (or the processes S104, S107, and S109 in FIG. 7), the address of the memory corresponding to the light source in use is designated instead of the “type name” of the light source in use. Then, the W / B parameter stored at the address is read in the process S21 (or process S111). With this configuration, an area for storing the identification information of the light source becomes unnecessary, and the present invention can be applied to an environment where the memory capacity is small.

In the above embodiment, for the external light source device that does not have the light guide connection detection function, the model name is automatically recorded as “unknown”, but the user is required to input the identification number of the light source in use. The identification information such as the model name input by the user may be stored in the memory. In this case, a plurality of W / B parameter storage areas of an external light source device that does not have a light guide connection detection function may be provided. With this configuration, even when the user has a plurality of external light source devices that do not have the light guide connection detection function, the W / B parameters stored in the past are used without performing white balance measurement each time they are used. Endoscopic observation can be performed. Further, when the processor determines that the external light source device having no light guide connection detection function has been switched, the processor displays a list of the external light source devices recorded in the memory, and the light source used from the displayed list by the user. May be selected.

In the above embodiment, the processor is connected to one external light source device having a light guide connection detection function. However, the processor may be connectable to a plurality of external light source devices having a light guide connection detection function. Also in this case, it is determined that the illumination light emitted from the external light source device (or the internal light source of the processor) that detects the connection of the light guide is being used for endoscopic observation, and the W / B corresponding to the light source in use The parameter is acquired from the memory and used for gain adjustment processing. In the above embodiment, the processor includes the internal light source, but the processor may not include the internal light source.

The above embodiment is an example in which a strobe light source is used as an external light source device. However, the external light source device is not limited to a strobe light source, and an arbitrary light source (for example, a normal white light source such as a halogen lamp or a xenon lamp, for special light observation) Can be used. In addition, when using an ultraviolet light source or an infrared light source, for example, a special white balance adjustment is performed so that an image of fluorescence or infrared light generated by irradiation with ultraviolet light is displayed in white (or other specific color). You may go.

In the above embodiment, the memory for storing the white balance parameter is provided in the electronic endoscope, but may be provided in the processor.

Moreover, although the endoscope apparatus of the above embodiment includes only one internal light source, it may include a plurality of internal light sources. In that case, it is possible to detect which internal light source is used by providing a mechanism for detecting the connection of the light guide for each internal light source.

In addition, the work of switching the light source to be used by replacing the light guide during the procedure is often performed, but since white balance adjustment processing cannot be performed during the procedure, when performing such a task in the past, it is accurate. The color tone could not be observed. By using the electronic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if the light source used during the procedure is switched, the endoscopic observation in an appropriate color tone can be continued without any operation by the operator. Is possible.

In the above embodiment, the light source in use is determined based on the detection result of the light guide connection detection function, and the white balance is changed to a white balance suitable for the determined light source in use. The configuration of the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, parameters other than white balance for electronic endoscope devices, function enable / disable settings, and other various settings (collectively referred to as “operation mode”) are suitable for the determined light source in use. The configuration set to the above is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: an electronic endoscope; and a processor that processes image data captured by the electronic endoscope,
The electronic endoscope includes a storage device in which a plurality of areas capable of storing white balance setting values are provided, and the storage device corresponds to a white balance setting value corresponding to an internal light source included in the processor and an external light source. The white balance setting value is stored,
The processor is
A first light guide connection detector for detecting whether or not a light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor when the electronic endoscope is used;
A white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires a white balance setting value corresponding to a light source being used by the electronic endoscope from the storage device;
An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising:
When the first light guide connection detection unit detects that the light guide is connected to the processor, it determines that the internal light source is in use, and the light guide is not connected to the processor. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external light source is determined to be in use when an external light source is detected.
The processor includes a second light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not the light guide is connected to the external light source, and a detection result transmission unit that transmits the detection result to the processor. A detection result receiving unit capable of receiving the detection result from the first external light source as described above;
Of the internal light source and the one or more first external light sources, the one that detects the connection of the light guide is determined as the light source being used by the electronic endoscope.
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 2.
When the first and second light guide connection detection units both detect that the light guide is not connected, a second external light source that does not include the second light guide connection detection unit Determining that the electronic endoscope is a light source in use;
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 3.
The processor is
A white balance adjustment unit for performing a white balance adjustment process for generating a white balance setting value corresponding to a light source being used by the electronic endoscope;
A white balance setting value recording unit that records the generated white balance setting value in the storage device in association with the determined light source in use;
Further comprising
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus is characterized in that:
The white balance setting value recording unit records the determined identification information of the light source in use in association with the generated white balance setting value in the storage device.
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 5.
The white balance setting value recording unit records white balance setting values corresponding to the internal light source, the first external light source, and the second external light source in corresponding predetermined storage areas, respectively. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 5.
The processor further includes a function disabling unit that disables a function not suitable for the determined light source in use.
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus is characterized in that
The processor further includes a function enabler that enables a function suitable for the determined light source in use.
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electronic endoscope apparatus is characterized.
A light guide connection detector for detecting whether or not a light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor when the electronic endoscope is used;
A light source determination unit that determines a light source in use by the electronic endoscope based on a detection result of the light guide connection detection unit;
An operation mode setting unit for setting an operation mode suitable for the determined light source in use;
An electronic endoscope processor comprising:
A light source device for supplying illumination light to a light guide of an electronic endoscope,
A light guide connection detector for detecting whether or not the light guide is connected to the light source device;
A detection result transmitter for transmitting the detection result to the processor for electronic endoscope;
A light source device comprising:
The light source device according to claim 11, further comprising an identification information transmission unit that transmits identification information of the light source device to the electronic endoscope processor.
An electronic endoscope; a processor connected to the electronic endoscope for processing image data captured by the electronic endoscope; and a first external light source for supplying illumination light to a light guide of the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope system comprising:
The electronic endoscope includes a storage device provided with a plurality of storage areas for storing white balance setting values, and the storage device includes a white balance setting value corresponding to an internal light source included in the processor and the first Stores the white balance setting value corresponding to the external light source,
The processor includes a first light guide connection detection unit that detects whether or not a light guide of the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor,
The first external light source is
A second light guide connection detector for detecting whether or not the light guide is connected to the first external light source;
A detection result transmission unit that transmits a detection result of the second light guide connection detection unit to the processor;
The processor is
A detection result receiver that receives the detection result of the second light guide connection detector transmitted from the detection result transmitter;
Use of determining whether the light source in use by the electronic endoscope is the internal light source or the first external light source based on detection results of the first and second light guide connection detection units A light source determination unit;
A white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires a white balance setting value corresponding to the determined light source in use from the storage device;
A color tone adjustment unit that adjusts the color tone of the image data using the white balance setting value;
An electronic endoscope system characterized by that.
An electronic endoscope; a processor connected to the electronic endoscope for processing image data captured by the electronic endoscope; and a first external light source for supplying illumination light to a light guide of the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope system including a plurality of light source devices including:
The electronic endoscope includes a storage device provided with a plurality of storage areas for storing white balance setting values, and the storage device stores white balance setting values corresponding to each of the plurality of light source devices. ,
The first external light source is
A light guide connection detector for detecting whether or not the light guide is connected to the first external light source;
A detection result transmission unit that transmits the detection result to the processor;
The processor is
A detection result receiving unit for receiving the detection result from the first external light source;
Based on the detection result, a used light source determination unit that determines which of the plurality of external light sources is a light source in use by the electronic endoscope;
A white balance setting value acquisition unit that acquires a white balance setting value corresponding to the determined light source in use from the storage device;
An electronic endoscope system comprising: