JP2005124823A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope system capable of smoothly performing an endoscopic inspection. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic endoscope 2 with a built-in CCD 30 is provided with a rewritable information storage part 48 where information such as the name of a user for whom use for the endoscopic inspection is scheduled and the scheduled date and time of the use and the kind of the electronic endoscope 2 are written. By connecting the electronic endoscope 2 to a video processor 6, a CPU 56 reads the information, displays the name of the user on a monitor, prevents the use by a person other than the displayed user and executes the control of setting for performing an image processing suitable for the connected electronic endoscope 2 from the information of the kind of the electronic endoscope 2 or the like, and the smooth endoscopic inspection is facilitated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that performs endoscopy with an endoscope.

  In recent years, various types of endoscopes such as endoscopes having different numbers of pixels and magnifying endoscopes have been developed. Furthermore, by performing image processing on an image obtained by an endoscope, it is possible to easily distinguish between a normal site and a lesioned part in a subject.

  Therefore, the user selects the type of endoscope according to the subject and performs image processing as necessary.

  In order to deal with a variety of endoscopes as described above, for example, in the conventional example of Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-22272, a condition information storage unit required as a setting condition for imaging and displaying on each endoscope An endoscope apparatus provided with the above is disclosed.

A user who performs endoscopy connects the endoscope to a video processor as a signal processing device that performs signal processing, thereby storing the endoscope in a condition information storage unit of the endoscope connected to the video processor. The stored contents are read out, and the video processor can perform signal processing with condition settings suitable for the endoscope.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-22272

  However, in the above-described conventional example, the endoscope that the user intends to use for performing endoscopy may be used by another user. In other words, in the conventional example, even an endoscope that a specific user intends to use may be used by another user, which makes it difficult to perform endoscopy smoothly. .

  In addition, even if the user can use the endoscope he / she intends to use, setting work is required for each endoscopy in order to set the optimal image processing for the user. It takes time for work.

  For example, even in the conventional example, an image correction value such as white balance is stored for each solid-state imaging device provided in the endoscope, and a good image is obtained even when the endoscope is connected to different video processors. However, in order to perform specific image processing intended by the user, it is necessary to change the setting separately, which takes time. In addition, if the setting conditions are forgotten, it takes time to perform a further target inspection, making it difficult to perform endoscopic inspection smoothly.

(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can smoothly perform endoscopy.

  More specifically, the present invention makes it easy for a user who performs an endoscopy to use an endoscope that is scheduled to be used, or can be set to a setting condition that allows appropriate image processing according to the user, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can be set in an environment in which endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

The present invention provides an endoscope in which a solid-state imaging device is disposed in a long and thin insertion portion that can be inserted into a body cavity or the like, and the endoscope is detachable via a connector portion, and images are taken by the solid-state imaging device. In an endoscope apparatus having a signal processing device that performs signal processing of a signal,
On the endoscope side, a rewritable information storage unit that stores at least one of information of a user who intends to use the endoscope and setting information of image processing associated with the user;
A storage unit control unit that is provided on the signal processing device side and outputs an operation instruction signal for reading or writing the storage contents of the information storage unit;
Control means for controlling the connection based on the information read from the information storage unit by turning on the power in the state where the connector unit is connected or the connector unit is connected,
It is provided with.

  With the above-described configuration, the control unit performs control for preventing the use of the endoscope by a user other than the displayed user who is scheduled to use, for example, by performing control for displaying user information. Therefore, endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

  According to the present invention, the control means performs control for preventing the use of the endoscope by a user other than the displayed user who is scheduled to use by performing control for displaying the user information. Endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

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

  FIGS. 1 to 15 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the main part in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 shows a display example of a menu screen, and FIG. 5 shows an endoscope image display area, a display position and a size displayed on a monitor screen. FIG. 6 shows a display example in which the processed image is displayed in a pseudo color in the region of interest set in the endoscopic image display region, and FIG. 7 shows a display example different from FIG. 8 shows menu items provided in the video processor, selectable types of the items, types of operation switches, items that can be assigned to the operation switches, and the like, and FIG. 9 turns on the power of the endoscope apparatus. Processing at startup 10 shows a display example displayed on the monitor in the processing operation of FIG. 9, FIG. 11 shows the operation of detecting the CCD type and generating the corresponding mask signal, and FIG. 12 is the type 1 in FIG. FIG. 13 shows an operation for changing the threshold value for determining whether or not to perform image processing in the region of interest according to the size of the region of interest when image processing is performed. Shows the processing operation for displaying the original image and the processed image after image processing, and FIG. 15 shows the processing operation of the pseudo color processing in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 2 provided with an imaging unit, a light source unit 3 that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 2, and an imaging unit. On the other hand, a video processor 6 including a video signal processing block 4 that performs video signal processing (image signal processing) and an image processing block 5 that performs image processing on an output signal from the video signal processing block 4, and the video processor 6 Connected to the video processor 6 and a monitor image photographing device 8A for photographing a monitor image (endoscopic image) displayed on the monitor 7 for displaying an image signal output from the video signal. It has an image filing device 8B that performs recording, and a keyboard 9 that transmits an image processing ON / OFF instruction signal and inputs patient data. The electronic endoscope 2 has an elongated and movable insertion portion 11, for example, and a thick operation portion 12 is connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 11. A flexible universal cord 13 is extended from the side, and a connector 14 at the end of the universal cord 13 is detachably connected to a connector receiving portion 15 of the video processor 6.

  The insertion portion 11 of the electronic endoscope 2 includes a rigid distal end portion 16 from the distal end side, a bendable bending portion 17 adjacent to the distal end portion 16, and a long flexible portion 18 having flexibility. Is provided. Further, the user can bend the bending portion 17 in the left-right direction or the up-down direction by rotating the bending operation knob 19 provided in the operation unit 12 of the electronic endoscope 2. Further, the operation section 12 of the electronic endoscope 2 is provided with an insertion port 20 that communicates with a treatment instrument channel provided in the insertion section 11.

  Further, a scope switch 10 such as a freeze switch for giving a freeze instruction, a release switch for giving a release instruction, an observation mode changeover switch or the like is provided on the top of the operation unit 12 of the electronic endoscope 2. When the user operates the scope switch 10 to give a freeze instruction, for example, the instruction signal is input to the control circuit 40 (see FIG. 2) inside the video processor 6, and the control circuit 40 displays a freeze image. Thus, the memory unit 39 (the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, 39b) is controlled.

  Further, when the user performs a freeze instruction operation from the keyboard 9 or the front panel 55 (see FIG. 2) of the video processor 6, the instruction signal is sent to the control circuit 40 via the CPU 56 (see FIG. 2). The control circuit 40 performs corresponding control.

  When the user performs a release instruction operation, the CPU 56 first controls the display of the freeze image via the control circuit 40 if the freeze image is not displayed, and causes the monitor image photographing apparatus 8A to release the release image. A control signal is sent, and the monitor image photographing device 8A takes a picture according to the control signal.

  Further, the user can operate the keyboard 9 and the front panel 55 of the video processor 6 to input an instruction to turn on image processing and to turn off image processing. The CPU 56 controls the IHb calculation circuit 61, the IHb average value calculation circuit 62, the luminance detection circuit 67, the invalid area detection circuit 68 and the like of the IHb processing block 44 to perform corresponding image processing.

  When the user operates the observation mode changeover switch to give an instruction to change the observation mode, the instruction signal is input to the control circuit 40 inside the video processor 6, and the control circuit 40 moves the moving motor 31 described later. Thus, the rotation filter 27 is moved to perform control such as switching the observation mode from normal observation to fluorescence observation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an illumination lens 21 and an objective optical system 22 are attached to the illumination window and the observation window at the distal end portion 16, respectively. For example, a charge coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 30 is disposed at the imaging position of the objective optical system 22 as a solid-state imaging device.

  A light guide 23 made of a fiber bundle is disposed on the rear end side of the illumination lens 21. The light guide 23 is inserted through the insertion portion 11, the operation portion 12, and the universal cord 13 and is connected to the connector 14. .

  Then, the user connects the connector 14 to the video processor 6 so that the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 3 in the video processor 6 enters the incident end of the light guide 23. ing.

  The light source unit 3 includes a lamp 24 that generates illumination light. The illumination light of the lamp 24 is incident on a rotary filter 27 rotated by a motor 26 through a diaphragm 25 disposed in the optical path, and the light transmitted through the rotary filter 27 is condensed by a condenser lens. Then, the light is incident on the incident end of the light guide 23.

  The lamp 24 emits illumination light including visible light. The diaphragm 25 is driven by a diaphragm motor 25 a controlled by the control circuit 40.

  In the rotary filter 27, a normal observation RGB filter 28 is disposed on the inner peripheral side, and a fluorescence observation filter 29 is disposed on the outer peripheral side. The rotary filter 27 is moved together with the motor 26 that rotates the rotary filter 27 by a moving motor 31 in a direction perpendicular to the optical path (see reference symbol P in FIG. 1).

  For example, a rack is attached to the motor 26, and the rotary filter 27 and the motor 26 are moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical path (see reference A in FIG. 1) by a moving motor 31 provided with a pinion gear. That is, when an instruction to switch the observation mode is given, the moving motor 31 moves the rotary filter 27 and the like, and switches the filter arranged in the optical path.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in this rotary filter 27, the RGB filter 28 for normal observation is arranged on the concentric inner peripheral side, and the fluorescence observation filter 29 is arranged on the concentric outer peripheral side. Then, according to switching between the normal mode and the fluorescence mode, the inner-side RGB filter 28 and the outer-side fluorescence observation filter 29 are selected.

  The RGB filter 28 for normal observation on the inner peripheral side has a transmission characteristic as shown in FIG. That is, the R filter 28a is set to transmit the red wavelength band of 600 to 700 nm, the G filter 28b is set to transmit the green wavelength band of 500 to 600 nm, and the B filter 28c is set to transmit the blue wavelength band of 400 to 500 nm. Yes.

  The fluorescence observation filter 29 provided on the outer peripheral side includes R2, G2, and E filters 29a, 29b, and 29c, and the transmission characteristics thereof are set to the characteristics shown in FIG. That is, the R2 filter 29a is set to transmit 600 to 660 nm, the G2 filter 29b is set to transmit 540 to 560 nm, and the E filter 29c is set to transmit 400 to 470 nm. Note that the transmission characteristics of the R2 filter 29a and the G2 filter 29b are set to a low level, and red and green color signals imaged under these narrow-band illumination lights (for simplicity, R2 and R2 respectively). , Abbreviated as G2 signal) and the fluorescence signal so that pseudo color display can be performed for fluorescence observation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an excitation light cut filter 32 for cutting the excitation light is disposed in front of the CCD 30, and the excitation light cut filter 32 is set to have transmission characteristics as shown in FIG. Has been. Specifically, the excitation light cut filter 32 transmits light in the wavelength band of 490 to 700 nm, that is, visible light excluding a part on the short wavelength side of the blue band.

  The light emitted from the lamp 24 is separated into each wavelength region in time series by the rotary filter 27 and is incident on the incident end of the light guide 23.

  This illumination light is guided to the distal end portion 16 by the light guide 23 and passes through the illumination lens 21 attached to the illumination window on the distal end surface to irradiate the subject such as the site to be inspected in a surface sequential manner. In this case, in the normal observation mode, R, G, B normal observation surface-sequential illumination light is used. In the fluorescence observation mode, the illumination light is R2, G2, and E in the order of frames.

  An object image illuminated by plane-sequential illumination light is imaged on the photoelectric conversion surface by the objective optical system 22 on the CCD 30 disposed at the imaging position of the objective optical system 22, and is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 30. Converted. When a CCD drive signal is applied by the CCD driver 33, the CCD 30 reads and outputs the signal charge photoelectrically converted and accumulated by the CCD 30. The control circuit 40 (or the CPU 56) controls the CCD driver 33 so that the electronic shutter can be operated to variably control the charge accumulation time of the CCD 30.

  A time-series image signal (imaging signal) that is photoelectrically converted and output from the CCD 30 is input into the video signal processing block 4 and is amplified to a predetermined range of an electrical signal (for example, 0 to 1 volt). Input to the amplifier 34.

  In this case, the time-series image signals are R, G, and B color signals in the normal observation mode, and signals captured under R2 and G2 illumination in the fluorescence observation mode (denoted as R2 and G2), It becomes a fluorescence signal imaged under the excitation light of E.

  The output signal of the amplifier 34 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 35 and further input to an auto gain control circuit (abbreviated as AGC circuit) 36, and the gain is adjusted by the AGC circuit 36 so as to obtain an appropriate level. It is automatically controlled. The signal passed through the AGC circuit 36 is input to a 1-input 3-output selector 37.

  The imaging signals sent in time series are switched to R, G, B color signals or R2, G2, and fluorescence signals by the selector 37 and input to the white balance adjustment circuit 38. The white balance adjustment circuit 38 adjusts the gain for each color signal, that is, adjusts the white balance so that the levels of the R, G, and B color signals are equal when a white subject as a reference is imaged. The output signal of the white balance adjustment circuit 38 is input to the memory unit 39.

  Signals input to time-series examples such as R, G, and B color signals are stored in R, G, and B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b constituting the memory unit 39.

  That is, in the normal observation mode, the R, G, and B color signals are stored in the R, G, and B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b constituting the memory unit 39, respectively. In the fluorescence observation mode, R2, G2, and fluorescence signals are stored in the R, G, and B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b, respectively.

  A / D conversion by the A / D converter 35, switching of the selector 37, control at the time of white balance adjustment, and storage (writing) of color signals to the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, 39b of the memory unit 39 ) And reading are controlled by the control circuit 40.

  The control circuit 40 sends a reference signal to a synchronization signal generation circuit (abbreviated as SSG in FIG. 2) 41, and the synchronization signal generation circuit 41 generates a synchronization signal synchronized therewith.

  It should be noted that a state in which still images are displayed can be set by prohibiting writing to the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b here (internal circuits in the synchronization circuit 53 described later). (Also possible with memory).

  The output signal of the A / D converter 35 is input to a photometric circuit 42 that performs photometry, and the photometric signal is input to the control circuit 40. Then, the control circuit 40 compares the average value obtained by integrating the photometric signal with a reference value (in the case of appropriate brightness), and controls the aperture motor 25a as a dimming signal so as to reduce the difference. The aperture amount (on the illumination optical path) of the diaphragm 25 driven by the diaphragm motor 25a is varied and adjusted to an appropriate illumination light amount.

  The diaphragm motor 25a is provided with a rotary encoder (not shown) as position detecting means for detecting the diaphragm position (corresponding to the opening amount) of the diaphragm 25, and a detection signal of this rotary encoder is input to the control circuit 40. Is done. Based on this detection signal, the control circuit 40 can detect the position of the diaphragm 25. The control circuit 40 is connected to the CPU 56 via a signal line that transmits signals in both directions, and the CPU 56 can also check the position of the diaphragm 25.

  In the case of the normal observation mode, the color signals R, G, and B signals read from the R, G, and B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b are the amount of dye that becomes the amount of blood information constituting the image processing block 5. Is input to an IHb processing block 44 that performs processing such as calculation of a value (hereinafter abbreviated as IHb) that correlates with the amount of hemoglobin.

  In the present embodiment, this IHb processing block 44 calculates pseudo color based on the calculation of the amount (value) of IHb at each pixel and the average value thereof and the value of IHb at each pixel within the set region of interest. The configuration includes an IHb processing circuit unit 45 that performs a pseudo image generation process to be displayed as an image, and an invalid region detection unit 46 that detects an invalid region that is not suitable for image processing for the set region of interest.

  In addition, in this embodiment, when an IHb pseudo color image is displayed as a freeze image, a color misregistration detection circuit 47 that performs color misregistration detection is also provided so that it can be displayed with little color misregistration. The frame sequential signal output from the IHb processing block 44 is γ corrected by the γ correction circuit 50, and further the structure enhancement is performed by the subsequent image processing circuit 51. After that, the patient superimposing circuit 52 superimposes the patient data and the calculated average value of IHb, and then the synchronizing circuit 53 converts the frame sequential signal into a synchronized signal.

  The synchronization circuit 53 has three frame memories inside, and sequentially writes frame-sequential signal data to the temporary three frame memories, and simultaneously reads out the synchronized signals such as synchronized RGB signals. Output.

  The synchronized signals are respectively input to the three D / A converters of the D / A converter 54, converted into analog RGB signals and the like, and input to the monitor 7, the monitor image photographing device 8A, and the image filing device 8B. The Note that writing and reading of the frame memory in the synchronization circuit 53 and D / A conversion of the D / A conversion unit 54 are controlled by the control circuit 40.

  The CPU 56 controls the operations of the γ correction circuit 50, the subsequent image processing circuit 51, and the character superimposing circuit 52.

  The monitor image photographing device 8A is a monitor (not shown) that displays an image or the like as with the monitor 7, and a photograph photographing device (specifically a camera) that records an image or the like displayed on the monitor by photographing. Consists of

  Then, the user displays a normal image (also referred to as an original image) illuminated and imaged with normal visible light on the monitor 7, or by an instruction operation from the switch or keyboard 9 provided on the front panel 55 of the video processor 6. When an instruction to display an IHb image is given, the instruction signal is input to the CPU 56, and the CPU 56 controls the IHb processing block 44 and the like in response to the instruction signal.

  When the fluorescence observation mode is set, the R2, G2, and fluorescence signals read from the R, G, and B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b pass through the image synthesis circuit 65, the frame sequential circuit 66, and the like. For example, pseudo color display is performed by using red and green color signals by R2 and G2 and fluorescent signals colored by blue color signals.

  In this embodiment, each electronic endoscope 2 includes information on the type of electronic endoscope 2 together with information on a user who intends to use the electronic endoscope 2 for endoscopy. Even when an electronic endoscope 2 of a different type is attached to the video processor 6, an information storage unit 48 that stores unique identification information and the like is provided and stored in the information storage unit 48 on the video processor 6 side. Information on the type of the electronic endoscope 2, information on the user, and the like are read out and controlled to be effectively used for endoscopy.

  For this reason, even if the electronic endoscope 2 of a different type is connected to the video processor 6, appropriate signal processing can be performed on the electronic endoscope 2. The information storage unit 48 is configured by, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM, or the like that can electrically rewrite stored contents and has nonvolatile characteristics.

  Here, the types of information included in the identification information unique to the electronic endoscope 2 are, for example, optical type information such as angle of view and optical zoom, and usage information (use information for upper digestive tract or lower digestive tract). In addition, it is information such as the number of pixels of the built-in CCD 30.

  When the connector 14 of the electronic endoscope 2 is connected to the video processor 6, the information storage unit 48 is electrically connected to the control circuit 40 through a signal line, and the information storage unit 48 controls this control. The CPU 56 is also electrically connected through the circuit 40. Then, the CPU 56 performs control to write information into the information storage unit 48 via the signal line and to read out information stored (written) in the information storage unit 48. The CPU 56 stores information read from the information storage unit 48 via the control circuit 40 in, for example, a control data storage unit 56a (as a second information storage unit) provided inside the CPU 56.

  The CPU 56 controls the operation and settings of the video processor 6 based on the data (information) stored in the control data storage unit 56a (the CPU 56 performs the control operation based on the information read from the information storage unit 48). Can also be done). Further, the CPU 56 sends information on the type of the electronic endoscope 2 to a region of interest setting circuit 63, which will be described later, so that the region of interest having an appropriate display size is set even when the CCD type such as the number of pixels of the CCD 30 is different. Can be done.

  Next, the configuration of the IHb processing block 44 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the R signal from the R memory 39r and the G signal from the G memory 39g are input to the IHb calculation circuit 61 in the IHb processing block 44, and IHb is calculated. The output signal of the IHb calculation circuit 61 is input to the IHb average value calculation circuit 62 that calculates the IHb average value.

  Further, the CCD type information detected by the CPU 56 is input to a region of interest setting circuit 63 that sets a region of interest. The region of interest setting circuit 63 displays a pseudo image according to the information of the CCD type. The display area of the pseudo image is set so as to display at an appropriate size.

  Also, the information on the region of interest set by the region of interest setting circuit 63 is sent to the IHb calculation circuit 61 and the IHb average value calculation circuit 62, and IHb is calculated from pixels in the region of interest other than the invalid region.

  Specifically, the IHb calculation circuit 61 calculates the value of IHb in each pixel by performing the calculation of the following equation (1).

IHb = 32 × log ₂ (R / G) (1)
R: R image data excluding the invalid region in the region of interest G: G image data excluding the invalid region in the region of interest This expression (1) can be easily realized by a circuit, for example, input R This can be realized by calculating image data and G image data using a divider (not shown) and converting the output result using a log conversion table (not shown) configured by a ROM or the like. Further, the above equation (1) may be calculated using a CPU or the like.

  The IHb calculated by the IHb calculation circuit 61 is output to the IHb average value calculation circuit 62, and the IHb average value calculation circuit 62 is an invalid region in the region of interest set by the region of interest setting circuit 63 with respect to the input IHb. The IHb average value is calculated by averaging in the region excluding. Note that the post-stage image processing circuit 51 may be color tone adjustment or color enhancement.

  The IHb calculated by the IHb calculation circuit 61 is input to the pseudo image generation circuit 64. The pseudo image generation circuit 64 generates a pseudo image to be displayed in pseudo color from the value of IHb, and outputs the pseudo image to the image synthesis circuit 65 that performs image synthesis. The pseudo image generation circuit 64 also receives a signal corresponding to the invalid area from the invalid area display circuit 69.

  The image composition circuit 65 receives the pseudo image data generated by the pseudo image generation circuit 64 and the R, G, B image data from the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, 39b. 65 performs a process of combining both image data based on the mask signal from the region-of-interest setting circuit 63, and outputs the combined image data to the frame sequential circuit 66 that converts the combined image data into a frame sequential signal. Specifically, the image composition circuit 65 outputs R, G, B image data corresponding to the original image when the mask signal is “0”, and outputs pseudo image data when the mask signal is “1”. The image data synthesized so as to output the image data indicating the invalid area is output to the subsequent frame sequential circuit 66. In this case, the image data indicating the invalid area is displayed in an achromatic color.

  The frame sequential circuit 66 performs a process of outputting the R, G, and B components of the combined image data in a frame sequential manner. That is, image data of R, G, and B components is output in frame sequential order to the γ correction circuit 50 side.

  In this embodiment, the region of interest information (specifically, mask signal) by the region of interest setting circuit 63 is sent to the γ correction circuit 50 and the subsequent image processing circuit 51, and the region of interest is selected by the user. Gamma correction and structure enhancement can be performed on the surrounding original image portion.

  In addition, the IHb average value calculated by the IHb average value calculation circuit 62 is sent to the character superimposing circuit 52 so that the calculated IHb average value can be displayed on the monitor screen. Also in this case, display / non-display can be selected via the CPU 56 by the user's selection.

  The R, G, B image data from the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, 39b is input to the luminance detection circuit 67 that constitutes the invalid area detector 46. The luminance detection circuit 67 detects the luminance level of the R, G, and B image data in the region of interest and outputs the detection result to the invalid region detection circuit 68.

  The invalid area detection circuit 68 detects (determines) whether or not it is an invalid area by comparing with a preset threshold value.

  The invalid area detection circuit 68 compares the luminance level detected by the luminance detection circuit 67 with two threshold values. The two threshold values are a halation detection threshold value and a dark portion detection threshold value, the halation detection threshold value is set to 200/255, and the dark portion detection threshold value is set to 20/255. ing. Here, 255 indicates a saturation level when quantized with 8 bits.

  When the luminance level is equal to or lower than the threshold value for dark portion detection and when the luminance level is equal to or higher than the threshold value for halation detection, it is determined as an invalid area.

  The invalid area detection circuit 68 outputs the invalid area detection result to the invalid area display circuit 69 and also outputs it to the IHb calculation circuit 61, the IHb average value calculation circuit 62, and the CPU 56. The invalid area display circuit 69 outputs a 0 or 1 signal indicating the invalid area portion to the pseudo image generation circuit 64 so that the invalid area is displayed in, for example, an achromatic color (gray).

  Also, the IHb calculation circuit 61 does not calculate IHb in the region of interest when the invalid region detection information is input from the invalid region detection circuit 68, and the IHb average value calculation circuit 62 is invalid in the region of interest. The IHb average value is calculated in the area excluding the area.

  Further, the CPU 56 counts (counts) the size (size) of the invalid area based on the invalid area detection information, and determines whether or not to perform image processing (compared to a threshold value). The user can be notified by voice from the speaker 70 connected to the CPU 56 or display on the monitor 7.

  The CPU 56 includes, for example, a ROM 56c as a recording means in which a control program for performing such an image processing method is written, for example, and the CPU 56 reads the control program in the ROM 56c at the time of start-up and reads the above-described control program. Such image processing is performed. Specifically, control is performed so as to perform the image processing operations of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 to 15.

  When the user gives an instruction to display an IHb image from an instruction switch provided on the front panel 55 of the video processor 6 or the keyboard 9, the instruction signal is input to the CPU 56, and the CPU 56 responds to the instruction signal by the IHb. The processing block 44 and the like are controlled.

  In this case, when the user gives an instruction to turn on / off the display of the IHb image (pseudo image) or ON / OFF of the color enhancement from the switch provided on the front panel 55 or the keyboard 9, the CPU 56 responds to the instruction. ON / OFF control. The user can also input information to be written in the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 by operating the keyboard 9. That is, the keyboard 9 forms information input means for inputting write information to the information storage unit 48.

  The R, G, B image data from the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, 39b is input to the color misregistration detection circuit 47, and the correlation amount of the R, G, B image data is detected. Detects the amount of color misregistration.

  When an image freeze instruction is given, a signal is sent to the control circuit 40 so that an image with the smallest color misregistration is detected within a set time or the like, and an image of the field in which the image with the smallest color misregistration is detected is displayed. The sending and control circuit 40 disables writing to the R, G, B memories 39r, 39g, and 39b of the memory unit 39 and displays the image displayed on the monitor 7 as display means and the monitor of the monitor image photographing device 8A. Set the displayed image to the still image state.

  FIG. 4 shows a menu screen for performing various settings from the front panel 55 and the keyboard 9. By displaying the menu screen, as shown in FIG. 4A, the display size of the endoscopic image, the display size of the region of interest, the selection of Normal / Wide in the IHb range as the processed image, and the display of the average value of IHb ON / OFF, freeze level selected from 1 to 7 as shown in FIG. 4B, color shift detection by pre-freeze / color shift prevention freeze, full / light character display, average / auto / peak photometry The system can be selected and set.

  A more detailed content of the menu shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.

  Here, regarding the display size item of the endoscopic image, for example, it can be selected from large, medium, and small shown in the type column, and the display size of the region of interest set in the endoscopic image is also large, medium, Selectable from small. When Normal is selected as the IHb range, the IHb values from 30 to 70 are displayed in 16 levels of pseudo color, and when Wide is selected, the IHb values are from 10 to 90. Things are displayed in 16 levels of pseudo-color.

  The IHb average value can be selected to display / not display a value obtained by averaging the IHb of each pixel in the region of interest by ON / OFF.

  The freeze level varies the number of images to be detected for color misregistration detection. The number of images is either before or after the freeze switch is pressed, and is determined by the image captured in the memory for a predetermined time. The value of the level can be set from 1 to 7, for example, about 50 msec at level 1 and about 1 sec at level 7.

  In the color misregistration detection, pre-freezing is performed before the freeze switch is pressed and a color misregistration prevention freeze is performed after the freeze switch is pressed.

  In addition, the full character display displays all necessary items, and the light is displayed limited to some information. In addition to the endoscopic image, information such as a patient ID number and date is displayed on the monitor screen. If you select Full, all necessary items are displayed. When the light is selected, the display is simplified by limiting to a part of information. Also, when full, character information often overlaps the endoscopic image, but the light has the effect of preventing this.

  Further, photometry is selected from average / auto / peak, and the light quantity of the light source is adjusted so that the brightness of the endoscopic image is in a desired state. When the average is selected, the entire image is adjusted to be bright. In this case, if a dark part and a bright part are projected together, halation may occur. The peak is adjusted to prevent halation but may feel dark. Auto adjusts so that even if a treatment instrument or the like appears in an image, the halation caused by the image is ignored and the image is not darkened while preventing halation as much as possible.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8C, the functions assigned to the operation switches to be controlled by the video processor 6 are assigned to the scope switch 10 (scope SW1 to SW4 in the electronic endoscope 2) and the option SW of the keyboard 9. To the option SW of the front panel 55.

  In addition, as a function that is actually assigned to the scope SW1 and the like in FIG. 8C, a function as shown in FIG. 8B can be assigned. Here, when an item (function) of IHb is assigned, ON / OFF can be selected. When turned ON, IHb image processing (IHb pseudo color, IHb average value display) is executed.

  In addition, when the freeze item is assigned, ON / OFF can be selected, and a still image is obtained from a moving image by turning ON. Also, when the release item is assigned, ON / OFF can be selected, and by turning it ON, an image is recorded (photograph, filing) from a still image. Further, when the structure enhancement item is assigned, it is possible to select off / weak / strong, and the structure enhancement level of the image is switched according to these types.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the region of interest 7c is set at, for example, five different positions from the case of only the endoscope image display region 7a (FIG. 5A) (from the center position in FIG. 5B to FIG. 5F). And the region of interest 7c shown in FIG. 5E, for example, is set from a large state to a middle state (FIG. 5G) and small (FIG. 5H).

  In this embodiment, it is possible to set the region of interest 7c for performing image processing such as IHb processing on the endoscopic image, and when the image processing in the region of interest 7c is performed, the luminance is determined by the luminance level. An invalid area is detected (determined) as to whether or not the invalid area is inappropriate for processing. In addition, an invalid area is displayed and image processing is optimized by prohibiting or notifying image processing according to the size of the invalid area.

  Although it has been described with reference to FIG. 5 that the position and size of the region of interest 7c can be selected and set, FIG. 6 illustrates a processed image obtained by performing image processing on the region of interest 7c from a state in which the endoscope image is displayed in the endoscope image display region 7a. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in the case of displaying a pseudo color image to be displayed in a pseudo color according to the value of IHb.

  For example, in a normal operation state, the endoscope image is displayed as a moving image in the octagonal endoscope image display area 7a on the display surface of the monitor 7 as shown in FIG. In addition to patient data and the like, an IHb average value display preparation display is displayed on the left side of the endoscope image display area 7a.

  Specifically, IHb = --- (indicated by 7b) is displayed, and preparations for displaying the IHb average value are made. The display of the IHb average value display preparation can be hidden by selection. It should be noted that information serving as a standard for diagnosing whether a lesion part or a healthy part (normal part) can be obtained based on the average value of IHb.

  Then, when the user performs an instruction operation to turn on the display of the pseudo color image, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user sets the region of interest 7c in the endoscope image display region 7a as an image processing image. Displays a pseudo color image. In this case, when an image processed image is displayed in the region of interest 7c, the luminance level is detected, and the invalid region detection circuit 68 determines whether or not the region is an invalid region.

  If the size of the invalid area 7d is a size suitable for image processing, the monitor 7 enters a state in which the pseudo color image 7e is displayed in a portion excluding the invalid area 7d, and the invalid area 7d is displayed. Display in achromatic color. Also, the display of the IHb average value (indicated by 7f) can be performed from the display of the IHb average value display preparation in FIG. FIGS. 6B and 6C show the region of interest 7c set to a large size. When the region of interest 7c is set to a large size as will be described later with reference to FIG. 13, it is determined whether to execute image processing based on whether the invalid region 7d is 40% or less of the region of interest 7c. .

  In the case of FIG. 6B, since the invalid area 7d is 40% or less of the region of interest 7c, image processing is executed, and as a result of image processing, a pseudo color image 7e is displayed in the region of interest 7c. The display 7f of the average value of IHb is performed.

  On the other hand, in the case where the size of the invalid area 7d is greater than or equal to the size unsuitable for image processing, specifically in the case shown in FIG. 6C, the invalid area 7d exceeds 40% of the region of interest 7c. In this case, the image processing is not executed, the pseudo color image 7e is not displayed, and the display 7f of the average value of IHb is not performed. In the case of FIG. 6C, the invalid area 7d is a dark part. In this case, the invalid area 7d is mainly a dark part. The user is notified that the amount of light should be increased, and the user can optimize the image processing so that the invalid area 7d can be reduced and image processing can be performed by performing an operation in accordance with this notification. To. In this case, the endoscope image display region 7a, the region of interest 7c, and the invalid region 7d may not be displayed.

  In addition, a color bar 7g indicating a range when displayed as a pseudo color image is displayed on the right side of the endoscope image display area 7a. In this case, it is shown in the case of a standard range (however, in FIG. 5, it is simplified and shown as Norm).

  FIG. 7A shows a display example when the region of interest 7c is set to a medium size, and FIG. 7B shows a display example when the region of interest 7c is set small and dark. As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the region of interest 7c is set to a medium size and a small size, if the invalid region 7d is 30% or 20% or less of the region of interest 7c, image processing is performed. % And 20%, image processing is not executed. In FIG. 7A, the invalid region 7d is 30% or less of the region of interest 7c, which is a display example when image processing is executed. FIG. 7B shows the invalid region 7d exceeding 20% of the region of interest 7c. This is a display example when image processing is not executed. Also, notification is performed, and the user can optimize the image processing by performing an operation according to the notification.

  FIG. 7C shows a case where the region of interest is large and the ratio of the invalid region 7d is small (substantially the same as the case of FIG. 6B), whereas FIG. An example in which the pseudo color display range is changed from Normal to Wide is shown.

  In this embodiment, an information storage unit 48 is provided in each electronic endoscope 2, information on the scheduled date and time of use for performing an endoscopic examination, information on the name of the user used at that date and time, and the electronic endoscope 2. By storing the type of information in advance, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is activated, the CPU 56 as the control means in the video processor 6 reads the information and displays the name of the user who is scheduled to use it. One of the characteristics is that it is easy for a user who intends to use the endoscope to perform an endoscopic examination smoothly by performing control.

  Next, an initial operation when the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is activated to perform endoscopy or the like will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the video processor 6 and the monitor 7 are connected as shown in FIG. 1 and the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 56 and the like of the video processor 6 are in an operating state as shown in the first step S141. . In step S <b> 142, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the electronic endoscope 2 is connected to the video processor 6 via the control circuit 40.

  In this case, depending on whether the CPU 56 can access the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 via the control circuit 40, the connector 14 of the electronic endoscope 2 is connected to the connector receiving unit 15 of the video processor 6. It is determined whether or not it is in a connected state.

  When determining that the electronic endoscope 2 is not connected, the CPU 56 waits for the electronic endoscope 2 to be connected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic endoscope 2 is connected, the CPU 56 from the information storage unit 48 provided in the electronic endoscope 2 via the control circuit 40 as shown in step S143. 2 types of information, the name of the user (physician) who intends to use this electronic endoscope 2, the date and time of scheduled use for performing endoscopy using this electronic endoscope 2, etc. The information is read out and stored in, for example, the control data storage unit 56a in the CPU 56.

  Then, in the next step S144, the CPU 56 determines from the date / time when the electronic endoscope 2 was connected and the information on the date / time when the endoscopic examination is scheduled to be used, and the name of the user currently used for the endoscopic examination. And the like are read from the control data storage unit 56a, and the information is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 7.

  FIG. 10 shows a display example on the display screen of the monitor 7 in step S144. On the monitor 7, in the current endoscopic examination, the identification information (CF) of the electronic endoscope 2 is displayed and the information of the user scheduled to be used is displayed. Specifically, “User is Kaneko” is displayed.

  Or if there are multiple users, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 10, for example, “Today, the user from 10:00 to 12:00 is Kaneko. Also, the use from 14:00 to 15:00 The person is Sugimoto ". In FIG. 10, for the sake of space, the display is simplified.

  Thus, since the name (name), date, etc. of the user who is going to use the electronic endoscope 2 are displayed, it is possible to effectively prevent other users from using it. Therefore, the user who is scheduled to use can smoothly perform the endoscopy scheduled using the electronic endoscope 2.

  Further, a person other than the user who intends to use the electronic endoscope 2 can know the status of the use of the electronic endoscope 2 from the display content on the monitor 7 and can also confirm it.

  In this embodiment, it is also possible to register (store) information scheduled to be used. After the information display process in step S144 in FIG. 9, the CPU 56 determines whether or not an instruction input for registering a use schedule to use the electronic endoscope 2 is made as shown in the next step S145. Do. In this case, it may be displayed whether to register the use schedule.

  If no instruction is input or if there is no input for a certain period of time, the CPU 56 returns to the process of step S144, for example. On the other hand, when an instruction to register the use schedule is input, as shown in step S146, the CPU 56 receives input information such as the date and time of the use and the name of the user from the keyboard 9 or the like.

  When the information on the scheduled date and time, the name of the user, and the like are input, the CPU 56 asks for confirmation as to whether or not the registration is OK as shown in step S147. If the user inputs an instruction such as a Yes key if the content is OK, the process proceeds to step S148. On the other hand, when the user cancels the input information or tries to cancel or change the information, if the user inputs an instruction such as No, the process returns to step S144.

  In step S148, the CPU 56 writes the information input in step S146 into the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 via the control circuit 40. In other words, the storage content is updated to the storage content in which the newly input information is added to the storage content before the writing. Then, after confirming that the writing has been performed normally, the CPU 56 returns to step S144. It should be noted that the user display process in step S144 ends when a predetermined time has elapsed, and is ready for other processes.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B and the like, when a pseudo color image or an invalid region 7d is displayed only in the region of interest 7c set in the endoscope image display region 7a, the region of interest setting circuit 63 generates a mask signal by the action shown in FIG. 11 so that a processed image such as a pseudo color image can be displayed in an appropriate size even in the case of the CCD 30 having a different number of pixels.

  Therefore, the CPU 56 sends information on the type of the electronic endoscope 2 read from the information storage unit 48, more specifically information on the CCD 30, to the region of interest setting circuit 63 so that a mask signal can be generated appropriately. Yes.

  For example, when a pseudo color image is displayed as a processed image, the region-of-interest setting circuit 63 determines whether the CCD 30 actually used is of type 1 as shown in step S1 of FIG. If it is determined that this is the case, a mask signal for type 1 is generated as shown in step S 2, and this mask signal is output to the image composition circuit 65.

  The mask signal for type 1 is “1” at the timing of displaying a processed image such as a pseudo color image, and outputs a binary mask signal that is “0” in other periods. By this mask signal, image synthesis is performed such that a processed image such as a pseudo color image is partially inserted into the original image and output to the subsequent stage. Then, a pseudo color image is partially displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the step does not correspond to step S1 in FIG. 11, the process proceeds to step S3 to determine whether or not the CCD 30 is of type 2. When it is determined that the type 2 type is applicable, the region-of-interest setting circuit 63 generates a type 2 mask signal and outputs the mask signal to the image composition circuit 65 as shown in step S4. Also in this case, a pseudo color image is displayed in substantially the same manner as in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the condition in step S3 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S5, and a mask signal corresponding to another type is generated. In this manner, even in the case of a plurality of types of CCD 30, partial display of a pseudo color image can be performed with a size appropriate for the number of pixels of the CCD 30 and the like.

  For example, in the type 1 CCD 30, if the number of pixels is 400 × 400, the size of the region of interest is large, and the position is the central portion, the central portion is 200 × 200. A binary mask signal is generated that is “1” in the pixel region (that is, ¼ size) and “0” in other periods. In the type 2 CCD 30, the number of pixels is 800 × 600, and in this case, “1” is obtained in a 400 × 300 pixel region (again a size of ¼) at the center, and the other periods. Then, a binary mask signal which is “0” is generated.

  Accordingly, in either case of type 1 or type 2, the pseudo color image is displayed at the 1/4 display size at the center of the original image or the like.

  In either case of type 1 or type 2, a mask signal corresponding to the size of the region of interest 7c is generated. FIG. 12 shows the processing content of, for example, type 1 mask signal generation. When this process starts, in step S6, the region of interest setting circuit 63 determines whether the region of interest 7c to be set or selected is large. If this is the case, the process proceeds to step S8a to generate a mask signal corresponding to the large area of interest 7c, and in the next step S9a, the threshold value of the invalid area 7d is set.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the region of interest 7c is not large, the process proceeds to the next step S7, and the region of interest setting circuit 63 determines whether the region of interest 7c is inside. If this is the case, the process proceeds to step S8b to generate a mask signal corresponding to the intermediate region of interest 7c, and in the next step S9b, the threshold value of the invalid region 7d is set.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the region of interest 7c is not inside, the process proceeds to step S8c to generate a mask signal corresponding to the small region of interest 7c, and in the next step S9c, the threshold value of the invalid region 7d is set. I do.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the threshold value is set according to the size of the region of interest 7c, and image processing is performed more appropriately, that is, so as to maintain a predetermined accuracy.

  The operation of setting the threshold value according to the size of the region of interest 7c in this way will be described with reference to FIG. As described below, the threshold value is variably set according to the size of the region of interest 7c when the region of interest 7c is set large. ) Even if the relative ratio is large, the number of pixels in the remaining area is sufficiently large. Therefore, in this case, the analysis result can be obtained with sufficiently high accuracy. Therefore, the larger the region of interest 7c is, the larger the threshold is set.

  When the image processing is started as shown in FIG. 13, the position and size of the region of interest 7c are set as shown in step S11. In this case, the user performs an input operation for setting the position and size of the region of interest 7c from the keyboard 9 or the like.

  In the next step S12, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the size of the region of interest 7c set in this way is large. If it is determined that the threshold value is large, the threshold value is set to 40% as shown in step S14a, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 56 determines in step S12 that the size of the region of interest 7c is not large, the process proceeds to the next step S13, and determines whether or not the size of the region of interest 7c is medium. And when it is judged that it is inside, as shown to step S14b, a threshold value is set to 30% and it moves to step S15.

  In step S13, if the CPU 56 determines that the size of the region of interest 7c is not medium, the process proceeds to step S14c, determines that the size of the region of interest 7c is small, sets the threshold to 20%, and proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the luminance detection circuit 67 performs luminance calculation for each pixel in the region of interest 7c, and sends the calculation result to the CPU 56.

  In the next step S <b> 16, the CPU 56 calculates the number of pixels using a threshold value for discriminating halation and dark portions from the luminance calculation result.

  In the next step S17, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the number of pixels in the invalid area 7d is equal to or smaller than the threshold value using the threshold values set in steps S14a, 14b, and 14c.

  In the determination, if the number of pixels in the invalid area 7d is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the CPU 56 turns on the image processing in the region of interest 7c and causes the image processing to be performed as shown in step S18. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the number of pixels in the invalid area 7d exceeds the threshold, the CPU 56 turns off image processing in the region of interest 7c as shown in step S19.

  That is, when there are many invalid areas 7d, image processing is prohibited. For this reason, when there are many invalid areas 7d, an inappropriate processing result cannot be obtained, and optimization of image processing is performed so that it is not necessary to check whether the processing result has a predetermined accuracy. I am doing. In addition to this prohibition, the CPU 56 notifies that the image processing is not appropriate as shown in step S20. For example, a notification message or notification sound that “brightness is not appropriate” is performed on the monitor 7 or the speaker 70. For this reason, the user can easily know that the image processing is not performed because the brightness is not appropriate. And it can also optimize so that image processing can be performed by adjusting a brightness.

  In the above, an example in which the number of pixels of the CCD 30 mounted on the electronic endoscope 2 mounted on the video processor 6 is different has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the electronic endoscope 2 mounted on the video processor 6 is not limited thereto. The type can be determined and image processing suitable for the mounted electronic endoscope 2 can be performed.

  That is, based on the information stored in the information storage unit 48, when it is detected that the electronic endoscope 2 having different optical elements such as an angle of view and an optical zoom is mounted, a display with an appropriate size is performed. Set each condition. For example, when the electronic endoscope 2 having the optical zoom function is mounted, the image obtained from the CCD 30 has an overall important meaning, so that the size of the region of interest is set to be increased, while the optical zoom function is set. When the electronic endoscope 2 not equipped with is attached, the size may be set small.

  Also, unlike the upper gastrointestinal endoscope used mainly for stomach observation or the like, when the electronic endoscope 2 for the lower gastrointestinal tract used for large intestine observation or the like is mounted, a relatively dark part having a large lumen is observed. Therefore, the size of the region of interest may be set large so that accurate image processing can be easily performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the user's information and the scheduled time zone are displayed, it is possible to construct the endoscope apparatus 1 that facilitates an endoscopic examination smoothly.

  In addition, a person other than the user who is scheduled to use can easily register in a time zone other than the scheduled time zone, and settings (schedule) so that a plurality of users can perform endoscopy smoothly. You can also.

  In the above description, instead of writing information on the scheduled date and time of use in the information storage unit 48, information such as the order of users scheduled to be used on the scheduled date of use may be written. For example, when a user who performs an endoscopy registers the scheduled date of the endoscopy, if he / she has not been confirmed until the time zone, he / she simply registers that he / she will perform the endoscopy Sometimes, the registered contents may indicate the order. After registration, it may be possible to adjust among a plurality of users as necessary, or the contents of the order may be changed to a time zone.

  Next, the operation of setting the endoscope apparatus 1 to the operating state and performing pseudo color display of the IHb distribution will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on and set in an operating state, the display process of the user shown in FIG. 8 is performed. Thereafter, the CPU 56 in the video processor 6 monitors the instruction input from the keyboard 9 or the like, and determines whether or not the pseudo color ON instruction is input as shown in step S21.

  If the pseudo color is not turned on, the original image is displayed in step S22. For example, the endoscope image is displayed as a moving image on the display surface of the monitor 7 in the state shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, in the case of displaying the original image, the structure-enhanced image of the rear-stage image processing circuit 51 is turned on to display the structure-enhanced image. Further, in the case of pseudo color display, the structure emphasis is automatically set to OFF so that the tone of the pseudo color display does not change.

  For this reason, if the pseudo color display is once made and then the pseudo color is turned off, the structure enhancement OFF processing at the time of the pseudo color image is canceled in step S22, and the original image is displayed in the state of the structure enhancement ON. become.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the pseudo color is ON, the CPU 56 performs a range check in step S23. That is, it is determined whether the color assignment for displaying in pseudo color is normal (normal) or wide (wide).

  Then, the display control of the color bar with the color assignment corresponding to normal or wide is performed. In step S24, it is determined whether the mask signal is 1.

  When the mask signal is 1, the CPU 56 controls the region-of-interest setting circuit 63 to output a region-of-interest setting signal to the image composition circuit 65. Then, the pseudo image generated by the pseudo image generation circuit 64 is synthesized with the original image by the image synthesizing circuit 65 and the pseudo color process is displayed as shown in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S27. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a pseudo color image is displayed in the region of interest 7c in the original image of the endoscope image display region 7a. The invalid area 7d is displayed in an achromatic color. A color bar is displayed on the right side of the endoscopic image display area 7a.

  On the other hand, when the mask signal is not 1, processing for displaying the original image is performed as shown in step S26, and the process proceeds to step S27.

  After the pseudo color image display process, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the structure enhancement in the subsequent image processing circuit 51 is ON in step S27. If ON, the structure emphasis is turned OFF and the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, if the structure enhancement is not turned on, the structure enhancement remains off and the process returns to step S21.

  In this way (when displaying the pseudo color image), the process of automatically turning off the structure enhancement is performed to display the pseudo color image, so that the pseudo color display by IHb was performed. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the pseudo color display from changing due to structure enhancement.

  Details of the display process of the pseudo color process in step S25 are shown in FIG.

  When the display process of the pseudo color process is started, as shown in step S30, the CPU 56 determines whether it is within the region of interest 7c. If this is not the case, a normal image is displayed as shown in step S31.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the region is within the region of interest 7c, luminance calculation is performed by the luminance detection circuit 67 as shown in step S32.

  The result of the luminance calculation is sent to the invalid area detection circuit 68, and the invalid area detection circuit 68 determines whether or not the area is the invalid area 7d as shown in step S33. The determination result is sent to the IHb calculation circuit 61, the invalid area display circuit 69, and the CPU 56.

  If it is determined that the area is not the invalid area 7d, the IHb calculation circuit 61 performs IHb calculation as shown in step S34. Then, as shown in step S35, pseudo color display is performed in the region of interest 7c based on the IHb calculation result.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the area is invalid, the invalid area display circuit 69 performs invalid area display processing as shown in step S36. Further, in step S37, the size of the invalid area 7d is calculated.

  For example, the CPU 56 counts the pixels determined to be the invalid area 7d from the invalid area detection circuit 68 and calculates the size thereof. In step S38, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the calculated size of the invalid area 7d is equal to or smaller than a threshold value.

  In this determination, if the calculated size of the invalid area 7d is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the image processing is continued as shown in step S39. On the other hand, when the calculated size of the invalid area 7d exceeds the threshold, the CPU 56 stops the image processing as shown in step S40.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize the endoscope apparatus 1 that facilitates smooth endoscopic examination. More specifically, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is activated, the name of the user scheduled to be used is displayed on the monitor screen, so that the electronic endoscope 2 is used by a person other than the user scheduled to use. This can be effectively prevented, and therefore endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

  In addition, by displaying the users scheduled to be used and the time zones of each scheduled use, a person other than the user who intends to use the electronic endoscope 2 can smoothly register a new scheduled use, Endoscopy can be performed smoothly even in the case of a user.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, for example, the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 stores the name of the user (scheduled to perform endoscopy) and information on the type of the electronic endoscope 2, and a video processor. On the 6th side (for a user who desires automatic setting of image processing), setting information to be set (setting conditions) for image processing desired by the user is registered (stored) in advance in, for example, the control data storage unit 56a. It has a configuration.

  Then, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the user has set (registered) image processing conditions on the video processor 6 side based on the user information read from the information storage unit 48. Can automatically set image processing corresponding to the user according to the setting information. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation at the time of starting of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in step S151 (when the electronic endoscope 2 is connected to the video processor 6 and the power of the video processor 6 is turned on and the CPU 56 is set to the operating state), the CPU 56 stores the information storage unit 48. The name of the user and the type of the electronic endoscope 2 are read out. Then, the read information is stored in the control data storage unit 56a.

  The electronic endoscope 2 is scheduled to perform endoscopy by displaying the name of the user read from the information storage unit 48 on the monitor 7 as described in the first embodiment. However, since this has already been described in the first embodiment, this operation is omitted.

  In the next step S152, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the user of the electronic endoscope 2 is KANEKO registered in the control data storage unit 56a in advance.

  If the name is different from that of KANEKO registered in the control data storage unit 56a, as shown in step S153, the CPU 56 performs pseudo color processing by image processing in the video processor 6, specifically, calculation of IHb. The range is set to Normal which becomes the standard.

  On the other hand, when the user inputs from the keyboard 9 or the like indicating KANEKO, the CPU 56 uses the electronic endoscope 2 type information read from the information storage unit 48 as shown in step S154. It is determined whether the mirror 2 is for magnification observation.

  If it is determined that the electronic endoscope 2 is not for magnifying observation, the CPU 56 sets the pseudo color range for the pseudo color display to Wide by calculating IHb as shown in step S155. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic endoscope 2 is for magnification observation, as shown in step S156, the CPU 56 sets the pseudo color range in the case of pseudo color display by calculating IHb to Normal. To do.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically set image processing setting conditions suitable for a user according to the user.

  A supplementary explanation of the setting from step S154 to step S156 in FIG. 16 according to the type of the electronic endoscope 2 after the user's determination processing as described above is as follows.

  For example, the normal electronic endoscope 2 has a range of image processing (specifically, pseudo-color) so that a portion with a large amount of blood information or a portion with a small amount of blood information such as the stomach mucous membrane or a thick blood vessel can be displayed evenly. Make it wide. On the other hand, the electronic endoscope 2 for magnifying observation often pays attention to a thin blood vessel, and the change in the amount of blood information in that portion is not so much. Therefore, the range of image processing (specifically, pseudo color) is narrowed. Check for minute changes.

  Therefore, by automatically optimizing the image processing range from the type of the electronic endoscope 2 obtained from the information storage unit 48, it is possible to save the trouble of setting the range.

  In the present embodiment, after performing the setting processing in step S155 and step S156, in step S157, the CPU 56 determines the size of the region of interest 7c set in advance by KANEKO based on the information that the user is KANEKO (image processing). Setting). In other words, in addition to the setting of the pseudo color range, the setting contents desired by the user can be set for other image processing items.

  In this way, if image processing setting information is registered (or set) in advance by the user, image processing conditions suitable for the user can be set thereafter. For this reason, operability can be improved and endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

  Accordingly, when the menu is displayed by operating the keyboard 9 or the like in order to confirm the setting contents of the image processing set in the video processor 6 by specifying KANEKO (as a registered user) in this way, For example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the size of the region of interest 7c is large, the IHb range is set to Wide, and the freeze level and character display items are set in advance by KANEKO.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the electronic endoscope 2 can be connected to the video processor 6 and automatically set to the image processing conditions desired by the user, the image processing setting can be made for each endoscopy. The cumbersome work which must perform conditions can be made unnecessary. Further, depending on the type of the electronic endoscope 2 to be used, it is possible to set image processing conditions suitable for the electronic endoscope 2 to be used.

  In addition, by registering information on setting conditions for image processing in the control information recording means such as the control data storage unit 56a of the CPU 56 of the video processor 6, it is possible to store the information in the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2. The information storage unit 48 can be made compact so as to require a small storage capacity, and it can be improved that it takes time (communication time) for reading out (for setting image processing).

  However, setting conditions (setting contents) for image processing may be stored on the information storage unit 2 side of the electronic endoscope 2 so as to be able to cope with different video processors 6 to be used. That is, when the electronic endoscope 2 is stored on the information storage unit 2 side of the electronic endoscope 2, the electronic endoscope 2 is connected to a video processor 6 different from the video processor 6 that is normally used. By reading the stored information from the information storage unit 2 of the electronic endoscope 2, it is possible to set the image processing setting conditions stored (registered) in advance.

  In the description of the processing in FIG. 16, the description has been made only in the case where the registered user is KANEKO, but a plurality of users may be registered. FIG. 18 shows a case where SUGIMOTO and TAKAHASHI are registered in the video processor in addition to KANEKO. In this case, in the process of FIG. 16, if the user in step S152 is KANEKO and if one of KANEKO, SUGIMOTO, and TAKAHASHI is selected, the image processing setting conditions suitable for the selected user are obtained. Will be set.

  A more detailed image processing setting example will be described below.

  As described with reference to FIG. 16, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is set to the use state, the CPU 56 reads the name of the user and the type of the electronic endoscope 2 from the information storage unit 48, and video The setting information stored in advance in the processor 6 is called and applied.

(A) Image processing setting example 1 (photometry): In the case of a specific user, the direct-viewing electronic endoscope 2 performs peak photometry to prevent halation that is likely to occur in luminal observation, and is a side-viewing type. In the electronic endoscope 2, average photometry is performed.

(B) Image processing setting example 2 (character display format): The character display format is an electronic endoscope 2 image by omitting the patient ID, name, date, comment, etc. displayed on the screen. The effect of reducing the character which overlaps is obtained. In the case of a specific user, an area where a comment can be input is increased or the name of the user is displayed according to the type of the electronic endoscope 2.

(C) Image processing setting example 3 (operation SW): In the case of a specific user, the assignment of each function to the plurality of scopes SW1 to SW4 provided in the electronic endoscope 2 is assigned to the electronic endoscope 2. By changing for each type, it is possible to optimize the level of image processing or to perform a specific operation. In addition, a specific user can perform similar operations with respect to the keyboard 9 and the option SW provided on the front panel 55 according to the type of the electronic endoscope 2.

(D) Image processing setting example 4 (menu): For a specific user, for each type of electronic endoscope 2, a setting menu in which frequently used items are collected from a normal setting menu is prepared. Displaying makes it easy to change settings.

(E) Image processing setting example 5 (freeze setting): Freeze is performed by storing an image in the image memory and detecting a color shift and reading an image with little color shift from the image memory to display a still image. To do. The target of color misregistration detection is a predetermined time after the freeze instruction or until a predetermined time elapses from the freeze instruction. The freeze setting is a freeze level for determining such a time, and when the freeze level is large, a predetermined time is increased.

  Further, in the case of a specific user, setting is made so that the freeze setting is switched for each type of electronic endoscope 2.

  For example, in the lung electronic endoscope 2, since the movement of the subject is intense, what is emphasized in the still image is a little color shift and the shape of the subject. In that case, the freeze level is reduced so as to shorten the image search time for color misalignment detection, and a still image that does not change so much can be provided from the shape of the subject when the freeze is instructed. . On the other hand, in the case of the electronic endoscope 2 centering on the examination of the stomach, the freeze level is increased so that a still image with little color shift can be provided.

  In addition, in the case of a specific user, when using the magnifying electronic endoscope 2, the color tone is corrected so that red is conspicuous, and the blood vessels are made conspicuous at the time of magnifying observation so that the observation is easy. May be. In this way, an optimal observation image according to the user's preference may be obtained.

  Alternatively, an image correction value for an electronic endoscope to be used may be written in the information storage unit 48, and the image correction value may be read according to the electronic endoscope 2 to be used and used for image correction. Alternatively, writing may be performed in association with the user, and image correction may be performed only for the specific user associated with the user.

  In addition to information such as the user's name and date and time, the name, patient number or patient identification information (patient ID) to be endoscopically examined by the user (as related information related to the user) is stored in the information storage unit. 48, the CPU 56 of the video processor 6 may read out information such as the name of the patient to be examined together with the name of the user and display it on the monitor 7 or the like when the endoscope apparatus 1 is activated.

  When the user completes the endoscopic examination for the patient, the information stored in the information storage unit 48 may be updated by writing the patient information as inspected.

  Also, along with information on the names of multiple users and the date and time of scheduled examinations, a list of patient names to be examined by each user is read out, and patient names (and examinations from the patient name list are examined each time examinations are performed sequentially). May be displayed. In this way, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the patient name immediately before each examination, and to perform an endoscopic examination efficiently.

  The patient name, patient number, or patient identification information is stored in advance in the control data storage unit 56a on the video processor 6 side, and the CPU 56 reads the patient name and patient read from the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2. It may be determined whether or not the number or the patient identification information matches that stored in the control data storage unit 56a. If they do not match, notification (notification) may be made on the monitor 7 or the like. In this way, as will be described later, the same electronic endoscope 2 can perform analysis with higher accuracy.

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to set the image processing setting conditions suitable for the registered user information and the type of the electronic endoscope 2, so that the endoscopy can be further performed. You can build a smooth environment. In addition, operability can be further improved.

  In addition, when identifying the type of the electronic endoscope 2 based on information read from the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2, the CPU 56 can determine from the identification information unique to each electronic endoscope 2. Also good. For example, if the identification information or the type information is set so that the type of the electronic endoscope 2 can be understood from a part of the identification information, the type can be easily identified.

  Further, instead of writing information on the name of the user scheduled to be used in the information storage unit 48, identification information unique to each user may be written. In this case, information of a conversion table in which information that can be converted so that the name can be calculated from the identification information may be written on the control data storage unit 56a side. In particular, when it is necessary to display the name of the user, a conversion table may be provided.

  Next, the operation of the modification will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, in addition to the type of electronic endoscope 2 and the name of the user, the information storage unit 48 stores information on the number of times the user has used the electronic endoscope 2 and the usage time. The number of times of use and the time of use are displayed on the monitor 7 or the like so that the information can be used.

  In this manner, the frequency of use of the plurality of electronic endoscopes 2 used in each hospital is made uniform according to the information on the number of times of use and use time, or the electronic endoscope 2 is biased toward a specific user (doctor). Make it available for efficiency.

  In a specific description with reference to FIG. 19, it is assumed that the users stored in the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 are KANEKO, SUGIMOTO, and TAKAHASHHI.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on after being turned on, the CPU 56 of the video processor 6 displays the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 as shown in step S <b> 161. Information of the name of the user, the number of times used by the user, the usage time, and the type of the electronic endoscope 2 are read out and stored in the control data storage unit 56a.

  Then, as shown in step S162, the CPU 56 asks the user to determine whether the user is KANEKO. If an operation input other than KAKEKO is made in response to this determination, as shown in step S163, the determination process of another user is advanced.

  For example, if the names of KANEKO, SUGIMOTO, and TAKAHASHI are written as users in the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2, the CPU 56 determines whether the user is SUGIMOTO or the user is TAKAHASHI in step S162. The process for requesting the determination is performed.

  On the other hand, in step S162, when the user performs an operation input indicating that the user is KANAKO, the process proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the CPU 56 displays the information read from the information storage unit 48 regarding the user (KANEKO) on the monitor 7.

  For example, user = KANEKO, electronic endoscope = lower magnification, usage count = 100 times, usage time = 50 hours are displayed.

  Thereafter, as shown in step S165, the user (in this case, KANEKO) executes an endoscopic examination using the electronic endoscope 2. When the endoscopy is executed and a key input for ending the endoscopy is performed from the keyboard 9 or the like, the CPU 56 performs the process shown in step S166. In other words, the CPU 56 increases the number of times of use of this KANEKO by one. In addition, the usage time of this Kaneko is counted and added to the previous usage time.

  In this way, the CPU 56 writes the updated information on the number of times of use of KANEKKO and the usage time in the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 and ends this processing.

  According to this modified example processed in this way, information on the number of times of use and usage time of the electronic endoscope 2 by each user can be obtained, and this information is used for improving the usage state more efficiently. be able to.

  For example, as described above, the electronic endoscope 2 is used to improve efficiency so as not to be biased toward a specific user (doctor), or an average usage time by the electronic endoscope is calculated for each user. Thus, it can be used to efficiently set a schedule (schedule) for endoscopy. It can also be used to calculate the lifetime of the electronic endoscope 2 from the usage time.

  Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, settings of peripheral devices connected to the video processor 6 can be controlled from the type of the electronic endoscope 2 and the name of the user.

  For this reason, the user who wants to perform this control stores in advance the setting information for determining the operation of the peripheral device in the control data storage unit 56a of the video processor 6, for example, by operating the keyboard 9, etc. The processor 6 detects peripheral devices that are actually connected at the time of startup, and performs control to set each connected peripheral device according to the setting information.

  For example, when the light source device and the image filing device 8B are connected to the video processor 6, the setting information for the light source device is read to control the air supply, water supply, and light amount setting of the light source device 3, and image filing. The apparatus 8B can be controlled to set the compression rate and the like when the image is electronically recorded by the image filing apparatus 8B.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the light source unit 3 is built in the video processor 6, in the following embodiments, the light source device will be described as being separate from the video processor 6. In addition, the light source device includes an air / water supply device such as an air / water supply pump for supplying air and water.

  FIG. 20A shows items of air supply, water supply, and light amount in the light source device, types that can be set in each item, and contents thereof.

  For example, as an item of air supply, the amount of air supplied by the pump when air is sent into the body through the electronic endoscope 2 can be increased (increased) in the order of Lo / Med / Hi.

  As an item of water supply, the amount of water supplied by the pump when it is sent through the electronic endoscope 2 toward the outer surface of the endoscope lens (objective optical system 22) can be increased (increased) in the order of Lo / Med / Hi.

  In addition, as an item of light quantity, a target (set amount) of the illumination light quantity supplied to the electronic endoscope 2 can be set within a range of, for example, numerical values 1 to 15, and the larger this numerical value, the brighter it becomes.

  FIG. 20B shows items of the compression rate in the image filing device 8B, types that can be set in the item, and contents thereof.

  In this case, as a compression rate item, a compression rate for electronically recording an image is determined. The compression rate can be set lower in the order of Normal / Fine / Super.

  FIG. 20C shows the frequency of an ultrasonic transducer in an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown) and items of sub-screens that display normal endoscope images (including cases where they are not displayed) beside the ultrasonic images; Types that can be set in each item and their contents are shown.

  In this case, the frequency of ultrasonic oscillation of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of signal processing for that frequency can be selected from, for example, 12/30 MHz. When the frequency is high, the resolution increases, but attenuation in living tissue increases.

  In addition, as a sub-screen item, it is possible to select whether the display size of the normal endoscopic image displayed beside the ultrasonic image is large / small, and to turn off not displaying.

  In this embodiment, the user sets each peripheral device constituting the endoscope device in advance and registers it in the control information storage means such as the control data storage unit 56a of the video processor 6 to use the device. The settings of each peripheral device can be controlled according to the settings registered by the user.

  FIG. 21 shows the operation of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, when the power of the endoscope apparatus 1 is turned on, the video processor 6 is activated, and as shown in step S171, the CPU 56 of the video processor 6 connects the electronic endoscope 2 to the video processor 6. Judgment is made.

  If it is not connected, it waits for connection. When it is detected that the electronic endoscope 2 is connected, the CPU 56 reads the name of the user and the type of the electronic endoscope 2 from the information storage unit 48 of the electronic endoscope 2 as shown in step S172. . Then, the read information is stored in the control data storage unit 56a.

  As shown in the next step S173, the CPU 56 asks the user to determine whether the user is KANEK based on the user information registered in advance in the control data storage unit 56a. If the user performs a different operation input, as shown in step S174, a process of sequentially advancing the judgments of other users is performed.

  On the other hand, when the user inputs that the user is KANEKO in step S173, the CPU 56 connects peripheral devices such as the light source device, the monitor image photographing device 8A, the image filing device 8B, and the ultrasonic observation device as shown in step S175. The state is detected by communication via a communication line. For this reason, the video processor 6 and the peripheral device such as the light source device, the monitor image photographing device 8A, the image filing device 8B, and the ultrasonic observation device are connected via a communication line so that bidirectional communication can be performed.

  Then, as shown in step S176, the CPU 56 sends the setting information registered in advance in the control data storage unit 56a to each peripheral device such as the connected light source device via the communication line, and the operating conditions of each peripheral device And a control operation for setting to reflect the registered setting items.

  In this way, for example, it is possible to set the setting conditions and operation states that reflect the contents preset by the user for each item shown in FIGS. 20 (A), (B), and (C).

  More specifically, a specific user can change the strength of air supply built in the light source device for each type of the electronic endoscope 2 to improve the efficiency of the inspection. . Further, by changing the compression rate when electronically recording the image by the image filing device 8B for recording an image, it is possible to set the balance between the image quality and the capacity desired by the user. In addition, when an ultrasonic observation apparatus is combined, an endoscope suitable for the electronic endoscope 2 to be used is selected according to the type of the user and the electronic endoscope 2 by switching the frequency of the ultrasonic waves. Mirror inspection is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only image processing settings of the video processor 6 but also peripheral devices such as the light source device, the monitor image photographing device 8A, the image filing device 8B, and the ultrasonic observation device are connected. Even when performing endoscopy, the setting conditions and operating conditions of the peripheral devices can be set to reflect the contents preset by the user, and endoscopy can be performed smoothly.

  Further, when an image captured by the electronic endoscope 2 is recorded as shown in FIG. 22, the name of the user and the type of the electronic endoscope 2 are recorded at the periphery of the recorded image as shown in FIG. Or the like may be recorded electronically with the image filing device 8B or photographed with the monitor image photographing device 8A.

  FIG. 22A shows a state in which an endoscope image captured by the electronic endoscope 2 is electronically recorded together with user information in the image filing device 8B.

  In this case, the captured endoscope image is, for example, a JPEG compressed image 001. JPG and images 002. In addition to JPG, these images are information indicating that the user is Kaneko, the pseudo color display range of image processing is Normal, and information indicating that the electronic endoscope is for the large intestine. As user information, for example, at the top of the recorded image, for example, a text file 001. It is recorded as TXT.

  Here, 001. In the condition of TXT, two images are recorded on, for example, a magneto-optical disk (abbreviated as MO disk) that is detachably attached to the image filing device 8B.

  Therefore, for example, when the user is different as the third image or the setting condition of the image processing is changed, the user information is displayed at the top of the third image as 003. It will be recorded as TXT.

  FIG. 22B shows a state where a photograph is taken by the monitor image photographing device 8A. When recording on the monitor image photographing device 8A by photographing, for example, a photograph is taken in a state where the display corresponding to the user information in FIG. The endoscopic image displayed under the same setting conditions as the person information is photographed.

  If there is a change in the user or the setting condition, the photograph is taken with the display corresponding to the user information again, and the subsequent frames become the frames of the endoscopic image photographed under the conditions. . In this case, 20 frames including user information are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the film for 20 frames.

  As shown in FIG. 22, it is easy to identify the user who has performed the inspection by electronic recording or taking a picture with the image recording apparatus. In addition, the user can easily organize his / her inspection images. In addition, if the type of electronic endoscope 2 and the name of the user are transferred to the image recording apparatus, it is possible to control a predetermined compression rate, display size, and the like, thereby realizing optimal image recording.

  Furthermore, even when making a diagnosis later, or when taking a picture of the affected area periodically to check the healing state, the image recording conditions can be known, so that a diagnosis and an objective comparison are easy. In addition, it is easy to set the same image recording condition, and it becomes easy to perform more accurate diagnosis and the like.

  The present invention also includes embodiments that are configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments.

[Appendix]
1. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the user information on a monitor screen.

2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second information storage unit that stores information associated with the user is provided in the signal processing apparatus.

3. The image processing means is a blood information amount calculating means for calculating and imaging a blood information amount, and the imaging range of the blood information amount calculating means can be switched by setting information of image processing in the information storage unit The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

Additional effect 3: Blood flow information suitable for an electronic endoscope and a user can be obtained.

4). User information is written in the information storage unit, image processing setting information is stored in the second information storage unit of the signal processing device, and the signal processing device is configured to store an image based on the image processing setting information. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, which is processed.

Additional effect 4: The endoscope can be made compact by reducing the information storage unit on the endoscope side. In addition, since the amount of information is reduced, the communication time is reduced and the endoscopy can be made more efficient.

5). The second information storage unit of the signal processing device stores image processing setting information or operation switches or information on display of some menus or freeze settings for each user, and the second information storage unit The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, which is read out and controlled from information stored in the apparatus. Additional effect 5: By storing the signal on the signal processing device side, the capacity of the information storage unit on the endoscope side can be reduced, and the reading time can be shortened.

6). The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the second information storage unit stores a patient list scheduled to be endoscopically examined by a user, and the patient list can be read out during the endoscopic examination. apparatus.

Additional effect 6: The patient name can be omitted, and the time required for endoscopy can be shortened.

7). The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein a peripheral device connected to the signal processing device is set based on information related to the user stored in the second information storage unit. 8). The peripheral device is any one of a light source device, an image recording device, and an ultrasonic observation device, and the setting of the light source device (the level of air / water supply, the amount of light), the setting of the image recording device (compression rate), and the ultrasonic observation The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein at least one setting is made in apparatus settings (frequency, screen layout).

Additional effects 7 and 8: Peripheral devices can be easily set.

9. The peripheral device connected to the signal processing device is an image recording device, and the control means communicates with the image recording device and performs control to record the user information and image processing setting information. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 7.

10. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 7, which performs compression setting of the image recording apparatus, photographic recording or electronic recording of a user name, and photographic recording or electronic recording of a user's image processing setting.

Supplementary Note 10: Setting of peripheral devices is simple and a reliable inspection record can be saved.

11. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit can read or write the number or time of use of the endoscope by a user.

Additional effect 11: The use of the endoscope can be made more efficient and uniform.

12 The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user can read or write an image correction value for the endoscope in the information storage unit.

13. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein patient identification information including a patient name and a patient number can be read or written in the information storage unit.

14 The patient identification information is read out from the information storage unit, is determined whether the patient name and the patient number are stored in advance in the signal processing device, and is notified when there is a mismatch. Endoscopic device.

Supplementary explanation to supplementary note 14: In the examination of the large intestine, if there is a stenosis and the thin electronic endoscope 2 must be used, a message that is inconsistent will be displayed except for the corresponding electronic endoscope. Prompt and a suitable insertion can be used with a thin electronic endoscope. In addition, if the follow-up of an inflammatory patient is performed through image processing, for example, throughout the year, if another image is processed by periodically observing with a specific same electronic endoscope, another electronic endoscope can be used. More accurate analysis can be performed than when it is used.

15. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit stores setting information associated with the user, and the control unit controls setting of image processing based on the setting information.

Supplementary Note 15 Effect: It is possible to cope with a plurality of signal processing apparatuses.

16. An endoscope in which a solid-state image sensor is disposed on the distal end side of an elongated insertion section that can be inserted into a body cavity or the like, and signal processing of video signal data captured by the solid-state image sensor is performed by a signal processing device, and display means In an endoscope apparatus that enables display,
The endoscope and the signal processing device can be detachably connected by a connector unit, and the endoscope type is stored on the endoscope side, and user information and image processing settings are set. An information storage unit that stores at least one of the above and allows the stored content to be rewritten,
Storage unit control means for outputting an operation instruction signal for reading or writing the storage contents of the information storage unit to the signal processing device side;
Information input means for inputting write information to the information storage unit;
A control information storage unit for storing information read from the information storage unit;
Have
When the connector is connected or when the power is turned on with the connector connected, the information in the information storage unit is read out and transmitted to the control information storage unit on the signal processing device side, and the control information storage unit An endoscope apparatus that is controlled on the basis of information stored in the endoscope.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the internal structure in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing transmission characteristics and the like of a rotation filter and an RGB filter provided in the rotation filter. The figure which shows the example of a display of a menu screen. The figure which shows the endoscopic image display area displayed on a monitor screen, and the region of interest possible by changing a display position and size. The figure which shows the example of a display which displays a process image in a pseudo color in the region of interest set to the endoscopic image display area. The figure which shows the example of a display different from FIG. The figure which shows the item of the menu provided in the video processor, the kind which can be selected in the item, the kind of operation switch, the item which can be allocated to an operation switch, etc. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation at the time of starting which turned on the power supply of the endoscope apparatus. FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a display example displayed on a monitor in the processing operation of FIG. 12. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for detecting a CCD type and generating a corresponding mask signal. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for generating a type 1 mask signal in FIG. 11. The flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement which changes the threshold value of whether to perform the image processing in a region of interest according to the size of a region of interest when image processing is performed. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation which displays the original image and the processed image which image-processed. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a display processing operation of pseudo color processing in FIG. 14. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation at the time of starting in Example 2 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of the image process in a menu screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display when a some user is registered. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation of a modification. The figure which shows the various item in the light source device in Example 3 of this invention, an image filing apparatus, and an ultrasonic observation apparatus, the kind which can be set by each item, its content, etc. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation which turns on the power supply of an endoscope apparatus and sets a peripheral apparatus etc. to the preset registration state. Explanatory drawing in the case of recording an image etc. on an image filing device and a monitor image photographing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source part 4 ... Video signal processing block 5 ... Image processing block 6 ... Video processor 7 ... Monitor 7a ... Endoscopic image display area 7c ... Area of interest 7d ... Invalid area 8A ... Monitor image photographing device 8B ... Image filing device 9 ... Keyboard 10 ... Scope switch 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 13 ... Universal cord 14 ... Connector 15 ... Connector receiving part 16 ... Tip part 17 ... Bending part 18 ... Flexible portion 21 ... illumination lens 22 ... objective optical system 23 ... light guide 24 ... lamp 25 ... stop 25a ... stop motor 26 ... motor 27 ... rotation filter 28 ... RGB filter 29 ... fluorescence observation filter 30 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Motor for movement 32 ... Excitation light cut filter 39 ... Memory part 40 ... Control circuit 44 ... IHb processing block 45 ... IHb processing circuit part 46 ... Invalid area detection part 47 ... Color shift detection circuit 48 ... Information storage part 51 ... Subsequent stage Image processing circuit 56 ... CPU
56a ... Control data storage unit 57 ... Detection circuit 61 ... IHb calculation circuit 62 ... IHb average value calculation circuit 63 ... Region of interest setting circuit 64 ... Pseudo image generation circuit 65 ... Image composition circuit 66 ... Frame sequential circuit 67 ... Luminance detection circuit 68 ... Invalid area detection circuit 69 ... Invalid area display circuit Agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (4)

An endoscope in which a solid-state image sensor is disposed in an elongated insertion section that can be inserted into a body cavity or the like, and signal processing of a signal imaged by the solid-state image sensor, wherein the endoscope is detachable via a connector section In an endoscope apparatus having a signal processing device for performing
On the endoscope side, a rewritable information storage unit that stores at least one of information of a user who intends to use the endoscope and setting information of image processing associated with the user;
A storage unit control unit that is provided on the signal processing device side and outputs an operation instruction signal for reading or writing the storage contents of the information storage unit;
Control means for controlling the connection based on the information read from the information storage unit by turning on the power in the state where the connector unit is connected or the connector unit is connected,
An endoscope apparatus comprising:   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit further stores information on a type of the endoscope.   The user information in the information storage unit includes at least one of a date and time or an order indicating a use schedule of the endoscope, and at least one of a user name or a user identification information. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The signal processing apparatus includes image processing means for performing image processing, and the control means controls setting of image processing by the image processing means based on information read from the information storage unit. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3.

Images