JP4575691B2 - Video scope of electronic endoscope device with electronic shutter function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus including a video scope having an image sensor, and more particularly to a brightness adjustment process for automatically adjusting the brightness of a subject image displayed on a monitor.

In a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, in order to maintain a displayed subject image with appropriate brightness, a dimming function that adjusts the amount of illumination light applied to the subject by adjusting a diaphragm or the like has a processor ( Alternatively, the brightness adjustment processing can be performed by adjusting the charge accumulation time of the CCD by exhibiting an electronic shutter function. When a videoscope (electronic endoscope) capable of electronic shutter operation is connected to a processor (or light source device) having an electronic shutter control unit, it is determined that electronic shutter operation is possible, and electronic shutter operation is performed electronically. This is executed by the entire endoscope apparatus (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-39514 (FIG. 2)

  In the case of a video scope that can also realize an electronic shutter operation independently of the processor by including an electronic shutter control unit, it is necessary to control the electronic shutter operation according to the performance and type of the processor. For example, when it is better to operate the electronic shutter operation, when the automatic light control function of the processor is operated, a situation in which the brightness of the subject image is not properly maintained occurs. In addition, there are models that have an automatic light control function and models that do not have a processor (light source device). Therefore, it is necessary to make it possible to connect a video scope that can independently implement brightness adjustment processing using the electronic shutter function (by itself) to any type of processor (light source device).

  Therefore, in the present invention, when using a video scope that can realize the electronic shutter function alone, the video scope of the electronic endoscope apparatus that can appropriately maintain the brightness of the subject image according to the type of the processor, the setting state, and the like. It is an issue to provide.

  The video scope of the present invention is a video scope that has an image sensor and is selectively connected to either a light source device or a processor including a light source unit, and can independently perform brightness adjustment processing (by itself). It is a video scope. The video scope includes brightness adjustment processing means and adjustment processing switching setting means.

  The brightness adjustment processing means performs brightness adjustment processing in which the electronic shutter function for the image sensor is controlled so that the displayed subject image is maintained at an appropriate brightness in accordance with the luminance signal based on the image signal read from the image sensor. Execute. Then, the brightness adjustment process switching setting unit switches and sets between execution and non-execution of the brightness adjustment process by the brightness adjustment process unit. Since the brightness adjustment process on the video scope can be executed selectively, the brightness adjustment process can be executed according to the processor model and processor usage setting status, and the most suitable brightness adjustment process is executed. It becomes possible.

  For example, the brightness adjustment process switching setting unit may switch between execution and non-execution of the brightness adjustment process in accordance with a switching operation by the operator. Or it is good to switch according to the setting at the time of previous use. In this case, a memory for storing either execution or non-execution of the brightness adjustment process set by the brightness adjustment process switch setting unit as data is provided, and when the brightness adjustment process switch setting unit is in a power-on state, Execution / non-execution of brightness adjustment processing is set based on data stored in the memory at the previous use.

  When the processor has an automatic dimming function, it is preferable to execute the automatic dimming process by the processor, and when there is no automatic dimming function, the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function is preferably performed. Therefore, a model discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the light source device or the processor is equipped with an automatic dimming function is provided, and the brightness adjustment process switching setting unit is provided with the automatic dimming function in the processor or the light source device. If not, execution of brightness adjustment processing should be set.

  Some types of processors are capable of manual light control by an operator's operation as well as an automatic light control function. For this reason, it is preferable to perform non-execution / execution of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function in accordance with automatic / manual setting in the processor. For this reason, an automatic / manual discrimination means for discriminating whether the automatic light control function of the light source device or the processor is set manually or automatically is provided. If the brightness adjustment processing switching setting means is set manually, the brightness adjustment is performed. It is preferable to set execution of the process, and to set non-execution of the brightness adjustment process when the process is automatically set.

On the other hand, some surgeons may wish to continue observing in a manually set state. Therefore, with regard to manual setting of the light control function of the light source device or processor, a forced manual setting determining means for determining whether or not the forced manual setting prohibiting the brightness adjustment processing in the video scope is provided, and the brightness adjustment processing switching is performed. When the setting means is set to forced manual setting, it is preferable to set non-execution of brightness adjustment processing.

  The processor type and dimming setting may be determined by requesting data transmission to the processor, and the execution of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function may be determined, or the electronic shutter may be determined during mutual communication processing with the processor. Execution of brightness adjustment processing by function may be determined. In the former case, data transmission requesting means for requesting transmission of data relating to the automatic light control function of the light source device or the processor is provided, and the brightness adjustment processing switching setting means is data relating to the automatic light control function transmitted in response to the transmission request. Based on the above, the execution / non-execution of brightness adjustment processing is switched / set. On the other hand, in the latter case, data communication means for mutual communication of data relating to the automatic dimming function is provided with the light source device or the processor, and the brightness adjustment processing switching setting means is based on the received data relating to the automatic dimming function. The brightness adjustment process is switched and set between execution and non-execution.

  The program of the present invention is a program related to the brightness adjustment processing of a video scope that has an image sensor and is connected to a light source device or a processor, and displays a subject in accordance with a luminance signal based on an image signal read from the image sensor Brightness adjustment processing means for executing brightness adjustment processing in which the electronic shutter function for the image sensor is controlled so as to maintain an image with appropriate brightness, and execution and non-execution of brightness adjustment processing by the brightness adjustment processing means And a brightness adjustment processing switching setting means that can be switched and set.

  According to the present invention, the brightness of the subject image can be appropriately maintained according to the type of processor, the setting state, and the like.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 50 having a CCD 54 and a processor 10 that processes an image signal read from the CCD 54, and a monitor 32 and a keyboard 34 that display a subject image are connected to the processor 10. The video scope 50 is detachably connected to the processor 10.

  When a lamp lighting switch (not shown) is operated and turned on, power is supplied from the lamp power source 11 including the lamp control unit 11A to the light source lamp 12. The light emitted from the light source lamp 12 enters the incident end 51 </ b> A of the light guide 51 provided in the video scope 50 through the condenser lens 14. The light guide 51 is an optical fiber bundle that transmits light emitted from the light source lamp unit 12 to the distal end side of the video scope 50. Light that has passed through the light guide 51 is emitted from the emission end 51B and is a light distribution that is a diffusion lens. The observation site S is irradiated with light through the lens 52.

  The light reflected at the observation site S passes through the objective lens 53, whereby a subject image of the observation site S is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54. In this embodiment, a single plate simultaneous type is applied as a color imaging method, and yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), magenta (Mg), and green (G) color elements are checked on the light receiving surface of the CCD. Complementary color filters (not shown) arranged in a line are arranged so as to correspond to the respective pixels on the light receiving surface. In the CCD 54, the image signal of the subject image corresponding to the color passing through the complementary color filter is generated by photoelectric conversion, and the image signal for one frame or one field is sequentially read according to the color difference line sequential method at every predetermined time interval. For example, the NTSC system is applied as a color television system, and image signals for one frame (one field every 1/60 second interval) are sequentially read out every 1/30 second interval, and the AGC ( The signal is sent to the signal processing circuit 55 via Auto Gain Control (not shown here).

The signal processing circuit 55 includes an initial process circuit for performing amplification processing, a signal separation processing circuit for separating luminance signals and color signals, and an R, G, B matrix circuit for generating R, G, B primary color signals. A white balance adjusting circuit, a gamma correction circuit, an image contour emphasizing circuit for emphasizing the image contour, a color matrix circuit for generating a luminance signal and a color difference signal, etc. (all not shown). The image signal input to the signal processing circuit 55 is subjected to various processes in these circuits, thereby generating a video signal and sending it to the processor 10. Further, in order to drive the CCD 54, a CCD drive circuit (not shown) that outputs a drive signal at a predetermined timing is provided.

  In the processor signal processing circuit 28, predetermined processing is performed on the video signal transmitted from the signal processing circuit 55. The processed video signal is output to the monitor 32 as a video signal such as an NTSC composite signal, a Y / C separation signal (S video signal), or an RGB separation signal, whereby a subject image is displayed on the monitor 32.

  A system control circuit 22 including a processor CPU 24 controls the entire processor 10 and outputs control signals to various circuits such as the dimming circuit 23, the lamp controller 11 </ b> A of the lamp power supply 11, and the processor signal processing circuit 28. In the timing control circuit 30, a clock pulse for adjusting a signal processing timing is output to each circuit in the processor 10, and a synchronization signal accompanying the video signal is sent to the processor signal processing circuit 28. The ROM 25 stores data related to the processor type, and the RAM 26 stores data sent from the video scope 50.

  In the video scope 50, a scope control unit 56 that controls the entire video scope 50 and a data rewritable EEPROM 57 are provided, and a program related to the scope control is stored in the ROM 58 in the scope control unit 56. The scope control unit 56 reads data from the EEPROM 57 and controls the signal processing circuit 55. When the video scope 50 is connected to the processor 10, timely data is transmitted and received between the scope control unit 56 and the system control circuit 22, and from the scope control unit 56 to the system control circuit 22 as necessary, or the system control circuit. Data is transmitted from 22 to the scope control unit 56.

  The video scope 50 can execute the brightness adjustment processing of the subject image using the electronic shutter function, and the signal processing circuit 55 generates a luminance signal indicating the brightness of the subject image based on the image signal. To the scope control unit 56. A control signal is sent from the scope control unit 56 to the signal processing circuit 55 in order to control the electronic shutter speed and the like based on the detected luminance signal. Based on this control signal, a drive signal for adjusting the charge accumulation time in the CCD 54 is output from the signal processing circuit 55 to the CCD 54.

  The video scope 50 is provided with a changeover switch 59 for executing ON / OFF of brightness adjustment processing by an electronic shutter function, and is operated by a user as necessary. The scope control unit 56 executes brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function based on the signal sent from the changeover switch 59. In addition, the video scope 50 is provided with a VTR switch, a freeze switch, and a copy switch (all not shown), which are operated as necessary.

A diaphragm 16 is provided between the incident end 51 </ b> A of the light guide 51 and the condenser lens 14, and is opened and closed by driving the motor 18. In the processor 10 shown in FIG. 1, the light amount adjustment of the light passing through the diaphragm 16, that is, the light irradiated to the subject S can be performed by the dimming circuit 23, and a videoscope not having an electronic shutter function is connected In some cases, the automatic light control processing by the processor 10 is executed under certain conditions. In this case, the luminance signal output from the signal processing circuit 55 is sequentially input to the dimming circuit 23, and a control signal is sent from the dimming circuit 23 to the motor driver 20 based on the luminance signal. The motor 18 is driven by a motor driver 20 so as to open and close. The front panel 96 is provided with a series of panel switches PS including a white balance execution switch 96A for executing white balance adjustment and a dimming setting switch 96B for setting automatic dimming / manual dimming. When manual light control is set, the operator can adjust the brightness of the subject image by opening and closing the diaphragm 16 by a predetermined amount by operating a diaphragm opening / closing member (not shown) .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a scope control process executed by the scope control unit 56. When the video scope 50 is turned on by the power supply from the processor 10, the execution starts.

  In step S101, the CCD 54, the signal processing circuit 55, and the like are initialized, and data setting for each register in the signal processing circuit 55, setting of each variable, and the like are performed. In step S102, processing related to the switches other than the selector switch 59 of the video scope 50 is executed. Here, processing corresponding to an operation on a VTR switch, freeze switch, and copy switch (not shown) is executed, and data is transmitted from the video scope 50 to the processor 10 in accordance with the operation.

  In step S <b> 103, communication processing for the processor 10 is executed, and data is transmitted to and received from the processor 10. In step S <b> 104, a control signal for controlling the function of the signal processing circuit 55 is transmitted from the scope control unit 56 to the signal processing circuit 55. In step S105, processes other than the steps S102 to S104 are executed.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not the electronic shutter variable “ae” is “1”. The electronic shutter variable “ae” is a variable indicating whether or not to perform the brightness adjustment processing of the subject image using the electronic shutter function in the video scope 50. When ae = 1, the brightness by the electronic shutter function is set. The execution of the adjustment process is shown. When ae = 0, the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function is not executed (not executed).

  If it is determined in step S106 that ae = 1, that is, the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function is executed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the brightness adjustment process is executed. When step S107 is executed, the process returns to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that ae = 0 instead of ae = 1, step S107 is not executed and the process returns to step S102. Steps S102 to S107 (or S102 to S106) are repeatedly executed until the video scope 50 is turned off.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing brightness adjustment processing, which is a subroutine of step S107 in FIG.

  In step S201, it is determined whether or not the scanning time for one field (here, 1/60 seconds) has elapsed since the previous brightness adjustment processing. Here, since the execution processing time in steps S102 to S107 in FIG. 2 is very short compared to the one-field scanning time, the brightness adjustment processing is performed in accordance with the time when the luminance data corresponding to the subject image for one screen is obtained. Executed. If it is determined that the scanning time for one field has not elapsed, the subroutine ends without performing the brightness adjustment processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the scanning time for one field has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S 202, the luminance data is read from the signal processing circuit 55 and sent to the scope control unit 56. In step S203, the read luminance data value is compared with the reference value. Here, the luminance data indicating the brightness of the subject image is obtained as an average luminance value (luminance level), and the average luminance value is calculated as an integer value of 0 to 255.

  In step S204, the electronic shutter speed, that is, the charge accumulation time is adjusted based on the difference or ratio between the average luminance value and the reference value. When the average brightness value is larger than the reference value, the electronic shutter speed is increased, and when the average brightness value is smaller than the reference value, the electronic shutter speed is decreased. If the subject image cannot be displayed with appropriate brightness only by adjusting the electronic shutter speed, processing for increasing the gain of AGC is performed. In step S205, the determined electronic shutter speed is set in a register in the signal processing circuit 55. When step S205 is executed, the subroutine ends.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S105 in FIG. 2. In the first embodiment, the setting of the brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is performed in other processing (S105) .

  In step S301, the ON / OFF state of the changeover switch 59 is detected. In step S302, it is determined whether or not the changeover switch 59 is in the ON state. If it is determined that the changeover switch 59 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S303, where it is determined to execute brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 1 is set. On the other hand, if it is determined that the changeover switch 59 is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S304, where it is determined not to execute the brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 0 is set. When the electronic shutter variable ae = 1 is set, command data is transmitted to the connected processor so that the automatic light control processing is not executed in the processor.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function can be executed in the video scope 50, and the drive signal of the CCD 54 is controlled by the scope control unit 56. The video scope 50 is provided with a changeover switch 59 for determining whether to execute the brightness adjustment process. When the surgeon performs an ON / OFF operation, the execution / non-execution of the brightness adjustment process is switched. (S302 to S304).

  The changeover switch 59 may be provided inside the scope so that only the video scope 50 and not the surgeon can be switched. Or you may comprise so that a surgeon may operate by operating a keyboard etc.

  Next, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, setting of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is executed based on data stored in the memory. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S101 in FIG. 2, and in the second embodiment, setting of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is executed in the initial setting processing.

  In step S <b> 401, the electronic shutter determination variable be is read from the EEPROM 57. The electronic shutter determination variable “be” is data stored in the EEPROM 57 at the previous use, and be = 1 when the brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is executed, and be = when the electronic shutter function is not executed. Set to zero. When the video scope 50 is turned on, data corresponding to the electronic shutter determination variable be is sent to the scope control unit 56.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not the read value of the electronic shutter determination variable be is 1, that is, whether or not brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function has been executed at the previous use. If it is determined that the electronic shutter determination variable be = 1, the process proceeds to step S403, where the electronic shutter variable ae = 1 is set. On the other hand, when it is determined that the electronic shutter determination variable be = 1 is not 1 but 0, the process proceeds to step S404, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 0 is set.

  Next, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the model of the processor is discriminated and the brightness adjustment processing setting by the electronic shutter function is executed. Other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S101 in FIG. 2, and in the third embodiment, setting of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is executed in the initial setting processing.

  In step S501, data relating to the processor model sent from the connected processor at the same time when the power is turned on is detected. The processor models here are classified according to whether or not they have an automatic dimming function. For example, when the processor connected as shown in FIG. 1 has an automatic dimming function, a signal of “High” level is transmitted to the video scope 50, and when the automatic dimming function is not provided, “ A “Low” level signal is transmitted to the video scope 50.

  In step S502, it is determined whether or not the level of the signal relating to the type of processor sent is low, that is, whether or not the processor is not equipped with an automatic dimming function. If it is determined that the signal level is Low, the process proceeds to step S503, where execution of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is determined, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 1 is set. On the other hand, if it is determined that the signal level is not low, the process proceeds to step S504, where the electronic shutter variable ae = 0 is set. Thereby, the brightness adjustment process is realized by the automatic light control function of the processor.

  Next, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the brightness adjustment process is set by the electronic shutter function based on the presence / absence of the automatic light control function of the processor and the determination of the automatic / manual setting. About another structure, it is the same as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing performed in the subroutine of step S101 of FIG. 2. In the fourth embodiment, setting of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is executed in the initial setting processing S101. Note that the processing in FIG. 7 may be executed in repetitive processing (S102 to S107) as processing in step S105 in FIG.

  In step S601, command data for requesting transmission of data related to automatic light control is transmitted to the connected processor. In step S602, it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined time has passed without receiving response data from the processor, the subroutine ends as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, it is determined whether response data from the processor has been received. If it is determined that no response data has been received from the processor, the process returns to step S602. On the other hand, if it is determined that the response data from the processor has been received, the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, it is determined whether the response data from the processor is data relating to brightness adjustment.

  In the fourth embodiment, the upper 4 bits of the response data related to the brightness adjustment are expressed as ah (data is axh (x = 0 to fh)), the processor model (with or without automatic dimming function), and The data value varies depending on the automatic / manual setting of automatic dimming. “A0h” if the processor does not have an automatic dimming function, “a1h” if it has an automatic dimming function and automatic setting, and “a2h” if it has an automatic dimming function and manual setting. In the case where there is an automatic light control function and forced manual setting is performed, it is represented by “a3h”. Here, the forced manual setting is to maintain the manual setting determined by the operator regardless of the connection of the other video scope 50, and is set by operating the keyboard 34 or the like. In addition to these data, there is command data from the processor side that requests transmission of data relating to the presence or absence of the electronic shutter function of the video scope 50, which is represented by “aah”.

If it is determined in step S604 that the response data from the processor is not data relating to brightness adjustment, the process returns to step S602. On the other hand, when it is determined that the response data from the processor is data related to brightness adjustment ( when the data is axh (x = 0 to fh)) , the process proceeds to step S605.

  In step S605, it is determined whether or not the data is “aah”, that is, whether or not the data is command data requesting data transmission regarding the presence or absence of the electronic shutter function from the processor side. If it is determined that the received data is “aah”, the process returns to step S602. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received data is not “aah”, the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, it is determined whether the received data is “a0h” or “a2h”. That is, it is determined whether the automatic dimming function is not provided in the processor or whether the automatic dimming is set manually. If it is determined that the received data is “a0h” or “a2h”, the process proceeds to step S607, where it is determined to execute brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 1 is set. . On the other hand, if the received data is not “a0h” or “a2h”, that is, it is determined that the processor has an automatic dimming function and is automatically set or forcedly set manually, the process proceeds to step S608. Then, it is decided not to perform the brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function but to perform the light control processing by the processor, and the electronic shutter variable ae = 0 is set.

  Next, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, execution of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is set based on information of data automatically sent from the processor. About another structure, it is the same as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S103 in FIG. 2, and in the fifth embodiment, setting of brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function is performed in communication processing for the processor.

  In step S701, it is determined whether data is transmitted from the connected processor. If it is determined that no data has been transmitted from the processor, the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that data is being transmitted from the processor, the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, it is determined whether or not the transmitted data is data related to brightness adjustment processing. As in the sixth embodiment, regarding the data relating to the brightness adjustment process, the upper 4 bits of the transmitted data are represented by ah, that is, the data is represented by axh (x = 0 to fh). If it is determined that the data is not related to brightness adjustment processing, the process proceeds to step S708, and processing according to the transmitted data is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data is related to the brightness adjustment processing, the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, it is determined whether the received data related to the brightness adjustment process is “aah”, that is, whether the processor side requests data transmission related to the brightness adjustment process of the scope. If it is determined that the received data is “aah”, the process proceeds to step S 707, and data regarding brightness adjustment processing by the electronic shutter function of the video scope 50 is transmitted to the processor 10. The transmitted data relating to the electronic shutter function is represented by either “a1h” for executing the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function or “a2h” for not executing the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function. When the electronic shutter variable ae = 1, the data related to the electronic shutter function is represented by “a1h”, while when the electronic shutter variable ae = 0, the data related to the electronic shutter function is represented by “a2h”. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S703 that the data relating to the brightness adjustment processing is not “aah”, the process proceeds to step S704.

  In steps S704 to S706, processing similar to that in steps S606 to S608 in FIG. 8 is performed. That is, it is determined whether the automatic dimming function is not provided in the processor or is manually set for dimming, and the automatic dimming function is not provided in the processor or is manually set for dimming. In this case, execution of the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function is determined. When the dimming function of the processor is automatic setting or forced manual setting, execution of the brightness adjustment process by the electronic shutter function is determined.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the processor includes both the light source unit and the signal processing unit, and the light source unit and the signal processing unit are integrated. However, the light source device and the signal processing device may be provided separately from each other.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the control process of the scope performed by the scope control part. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process which is a subroutine of step S107 of FIG. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process execution / non-execution setting process by the electronic shutter function which is the subroutine of step S105 of FIG. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process execution / non-execution setting process by the electronic shutter function which is 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process execution / non-execution setting process by the electronic shutter function which is 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process execution / non-execution setting process by the electronic shutter function which is 4th Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the brightness adjustment process execution / non-execution setting process by the electronic shutter function which is 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 processor 50 videoscope 54 CCD (imaging device)
56 Scope Control Unit 57 EEPROM (Memory)
59 selector switch

Claims (7)

An electronic endoscope having an image pickup element at a distal end portion, connected to a light source device or a processor, and capable of performing brightness adjustment processing by an electronic shutter function alone ,
Brightness adjustment for executing brightness adjustment processing for controlling the electronic shutter function for the image sensor so as to maintain a displayed subject image with appropriate brightness according to a luminance signal based on an image signal read from the image sensor Processing means;
Brightness adjustment processing switching setting means capable of switching and setting between execution and non-execution of brightness adjustment processing by the brightness adjustment processing means ,
Further comprising data transmission requesting means for requesting transmission of data relating to the automatic light control function of the light source device or processor,
The brightness adjustment processing switching setting means automatically switches / sets execution and non-execution of the brightness adjustment processing based on data relating to the automatic light control function sent in response to the transmission request. the electronic endoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus. 2. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission request unit requests transmission of data related to automatic light control when the electronic endoscope is connected to a processor and is turned on by power supply. 3. Equipment electronic endoscope . An automatic / manual determining means for determining whether the automatic light control function of the light source device or the processor is set manually or automatically;
The brightness adjustment processing switching setting means sets execution of brightness adjustment processing when manually set, and sets non-execution of brightness adjustment processing when automatically set. The electronic endoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. For manual setting of the automatic light control function of the light source device or processor, further comprising a forced manual setting determining means for determining whether or not the forced manual setting for prohibiting the brightness adjustment processing in the electronic endoscope ,
The electronic endoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the brightness adjustment process switching setting unit sets non-execution of the brightness adjustment process when forced manual setting is performed. . A model discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the light source device or the processor is equipped with an automatic light control function;
4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 3 , wherein the brightness adjustment processing switching setting unit sets execution of brightness adjustment processing when the processor or the light source device is not provided with an automatic light control function. Electronic endoscope of mirror device. The electronic endoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brightness adjustment process switching setting unit switches between execution and non-execution of the brightness adjustment process in accordance with a switching operation by an operator. The electronic endoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic endoscope includes a light source lamp and is connected to a processor capable of executing automatic light control processing.

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