JP2012235962A - Electric endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric endoscope device that can adjust image parameters such as color balance or brightness according to the type of special light or a user when the special light is observed.SOLUTION: The electric endoscope device: an operation unit that receives input from the user; a lighting unit that selects either white light or the special light according to the input to the operating unit as illuminating light to light an object; a storage unit 203 that stores the image parameters according to each of the white light and the special light;and an image processing circuit 230 that executes image signal processing based on the image parameters. The image processing circuit selects the image parameters according to the illuminating light selected by the lighting unit, and executes the image signal processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus that displays an endoscopic image output from an electronic endoscope on a monitor, and is particularly capable of special light observation, and the color of the endoscopic image during special light observation The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of adjusting the balance.

  An electronic endoscope having a built-in objective optical system and an image sensor at the distal end of an insertion tube of the endoscope, and a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor by processing a video signal output from the electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope apparatus including an electronic endoscope processor is widely used for diagnosis in a body cavity or the like.

  In the diagnosis using an electronic endoscope device, in addition to normal observation in which white light is emitted and a color image similar to that seen with the naked eye is displayed on the monitor, ultraviolet to blue excitation light is irradiated to observe the autofluorescence spectrum. Special light observations such as autofluorescence observation, narrow-band light observation that irradiates narrow-band light and observes blood vessels in the mucosal surface layer, infrared light observation that irradiates near-infrared light and observes blood vessels deep in the submucosa It has been broken.

  In such special light observation, since the fluorescent substance content in the body and the thickness of the epithelium differ depending on the patient, the color balance of the image obtained by special light observation differs depending on the patient, so color balance adjustment is possible during special light observation. A possible electronic endoscope apparatus has also been developed (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2005-131130

  However, since the configuration described in Patent Document 1 performs mucous membrane color correction based on a normal mucous membrane image during special light observation, the mucosal color variation for each patient is corrected, but it is not always necessary for the object to be observed. It does not make it easy to see blood vessels on the surface of the mucosa and blood vessels in the deep submucosa. In addition, since the color balance and brightness of the desired endoscopic image during special light observation differ depending on the user (physician), there has been a demand to adjust the endoscopic image according to preference.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of optimizing the color balance, luminance, and the like of an endoscopic image according to the type of illumination light and the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention images an object in a body cavity with an imaging device, and outputs an endoscope image from the imaging device as a video signal; An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising a monitor and a processor for electronic endoscope that processes a video signal and generates a video signal that can be displayed on the monitor, an operation unit that receives an input from a user, and an operation unit In accordance with the input to the illuminator, an illuminating means for selecting and illuminating either white light or special light as illumination light for the subject, a storage means for storing image parameters corresponding to the white light and special light, and an image parameter An image processing circuit for processing the video signal based on the image signal, and the image processing circuit selects an image parameter in accordance with the illumination light selected by the illumination unit and processes the video signal.

  With such a configuration, an image parameter is changed according to the illumination light selected by the user, and the video signal is processed. Therefore, the endoscope image is subjected to optimal image processing according to the type of illumination light.

  The image processing circuit further includes user selection means for selecting a user in response to an input to the operation unit, the storage means stores image parameters corresponding to white light and special light for each user, and the image processing circuit includes: According to the user selected by the user selection means and the illumination light selected by the illumination means, it is possible to select the image parameter and process the video signal. With such a configuration, the video signal is processed by changing the image parameter desired by the user for each illumination light selected by the user, so that optimal image processing according to the user and the type of illumination light is performed. Can be performed.

  The image parameter is preferably configured to be changeable by input to the operation unit. With such a configuration, the user can adjust the endoscopic image according to his / her preference for each type of illumination light.

  The image processing circuit may include a color conversion circuit that performs color conversion by performing matrix calculation on the video signal, and the image parameter may include a matrix coefficient used in matrix calculation. In this case, the image processing circuit includes a video signal separation circuit that separates the video signal color-converted by the color conversion circuit into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, a luminance adjustment circuit that adjusts an amplification factor of the luminance signal, and a color difference signal A color adjustment circuit for adjusting the amplification factor, and the image parameter may include a luminance signal amplification factor and a color difference signal amplification factor. With such a configuration, the user can obtain an endoscopic image having a color balance and luminance according to preference for each type of illumination light.

  Further, the illuminating means may be configured to include a light source that emits white light and a filter that extracts special light from the white light.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic endoscope apparatus that can optimize the color balance, luminance, and the like of an endoscopic image according to the type of illumination light and the user is realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view when the filter turret 212 built in the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the condenser lens 210 side. FIG. 3 is a transmission characteristic diagram of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d arranged in the filter turret 212 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an image parameter management database in which image parameters 1 to 12 used in the signal processing circuit 230 of FIG. 1 are stored. FIG. 5 is a main flowchart of an image adjustment processing routine executed by the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image parameter management database when the initial value is read in step S2 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the filter change subroutine executed in step S5 of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the user change subroutine executed in step S6 of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the user addition subroutine executed in step S7 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the parameter change subroutine executed in step S8 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the preset setting subroutine executed in step S9 of FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 100, an electronic endoscope processor 200, and a monitor 300.

  The electronic endoscope processor 200 includes a system controller 202, a timing controller 204, and the like. The system controller 202 executes various programs stored in the memory 203 and comprehensively controls the entire electronic endoscope apparatus 1. The system controller 202 is connected to the touch panel 218 and changes each operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 and parameters for each operation in accordance with an instruction from the user input from the touch panel 218. The timing controller 204 outputs a clock pulse for adjusting the signal processing timing to various circuits in the electronic endoscope apparatus 1.

  The lamp 208 emits white light after being started by the lamp power igniter 206. As the lamp 208, a high-intensity lamp such as a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, or a metal halide lamp is suitable. The illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208 passes through any one of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d provided in the filter turret 212, as will be described later. Then, the light is condensed by the condenser lens 210, is limited to an appropriate amount of light through a diaphragm (not shown), and enters an incident end of an LCB (Light Carrying Bundle) 102.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the filter turret 212 of the present embodiment when viewed from the condenser lens 210 side. The filter turret 212 is a disk-like member in which filters 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d are arranged. The center of the filter turret 212 is connected to the rotation shaft 214 a of the motor 214 and is driven to rotate by the motor 214. The filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d are optical filters having different transmission characteristics, and are arranged at an interval of approximately 90 degrees with the rotation shaft 214a of the motor 214 as the center. In addition, a circular opening 212e indicating the reference position of the filter turret 212 is formed between the filters 212c and 212d of the filter turret 212. The opening 212e is detected by the photo interrupter 213 disposed in the vicinity of the filter turret 212 when the filter turret 212 is rotationally driven by the motor 214, and is used for controlling the rotational position of the filter turret 212. The photo interrupter 213 detects the opening 212e and outputs a detection signal to the driver 216. The motor 214 is a pulse motor, for example, and is driven under the control of the driver 216. The driver 216 supplies a predetermined pulse signal to the motor 214 with reference to the detection signal from the photo interrupter 213 (that is, the position of the opening 212e), and controls the rotational position of the filter turret 212. The user can select any one of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d by operating the touch panel 218, and the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208 is selected by the user. The rotational position of the filter turret 212 is controlled so as to pass through any one of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d. For example, when the filter turret 212 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2, the illumination light L (dotted line portion in FIG. 2) passes through the filter 212 a, is collected by the condenser lens 210, and enters the LCB 102. Incident on the edge.

  FIG. 3 is a transmission characteristic diagram of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d of this embodiment. The filter 212a is a colorless filter that transmits the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208 as it is. Accordingly, white light having a broad spectrum emitted from the lamp 208 is emitted through the filter 212a. The filter 212b is a filter that extracts only light in a narrow band (for example, ± 10 nm) having a peak at a wavelength of 415 nm with respect to the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208. Therefore, the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208 is converted into blue narrow-band light by passing through the filter 212b and emitted. The filter 212c is a filter that extracts only light in a narrow band (for example, ± 10 nm) having a peak at a wavelength of 540 nm with respect to the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208. Therefore, the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208 is converted into green narrowband light by passing through the filter 212c and emitted. The filter 212d is a filter that extracts only light in a narrow band (for example, ± 10 nm) having a peak at a wavelength of 650 nm with respect to the illumination light L emitted from the lamp 208. Therefore, the illumination light L radiated from the lamp 208 is converted into a red narrow band light by passing through the filter 212d and emitted. As described above, in this embodiment, the user can select any one of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, or 212d by operating the touch panel 218, and appropriately switch these filters. This makes it possible to observe the subject with the desired white light or narrow band light (that is, special light). The light obtained by the filters 212b and 212c is a wavelength band that is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood, and thus is effective when observing blood vessels with the electronic endoscope apparatus 1. Further, the light obtained by the filter 212d penetrates deeper into the epithelium of the subject than the light obtained by the filters 212b and 212c, which is effective when observing the deep layer portion of the subject.

  As shown in FIG. 1, light that has passed through the filter 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, or 212 d and entered the incident end of the LCB 102 propagates by repeating total reflection in the LCB 102. The illumination light propagated in the LCB 102 is emitted from the emission end of the LCB 102 disposed at the tip of the electronic endoscope 100. The illumination light emitted from the exit end of the LCB 102 illuminates the subject via the light distribution lens 104. The reflected light from the subject forms an optical image at each pixel on the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 108 via the objective lens 106.

  The solid-state image sensor 108 is a single-plate color CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor in which various filters such as an IR (InfraRed) cut filter 108a and a Bayer array color filter 108b are arranged on the front surface of the light receiving surface. The optical image formed by the pixel is accumulated as a charge corresponding to the amount of light, and converted into an imaging signal corresponding to each of R, G, and B colors. The converted imaging signal is input to the driver signal processing circuit 112, and after being subjected to processing such as AD conversion and signal amplification, is output to the color interpolation circuit 220 of the electronic endoscope processor 200. In another embodiment, the solid-state imaging device 108 is not limited to a CCD image sensor, but may be a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

  The driver signal processing circuit 112 accesses the memory 114 and reads unique information of the electronic endoscope 100. The unique information of the electronic endoscope 100 includes, for example, the number of pixels and sensitivity of the solid-state image sensor 108, a compatible rate, a model number, and the like. The driver signal processing circuit 112 outputs the unique information read from the memory 114 to the system controller 202.

  The system controller 202 performs various calculations based on the unique information of the electronic endoscope 100 and generates a control signal. The system controller 202 uses the generated control signals to operate various circuits in the electronic endoscope processor 200 so that processing suitable for the electronic scope connected to the electronic endoscope processor 200 is performed. Control timing.

  The timing controller 204 supplies clock pulses to the driver signal processing circuit 112 in accordance with timing control by the system controller 202. The driver signal processing circuit 112 drives and controls the solid-state imaging device 108 at a timing synchronized with the frame rate of the video processed on the electronic endoscope processor 200 side according to the clock pulse supplied from the timing controller 204.

  The color interpolation circuit 220 performs a well-known color interpolation process for the R, G, and B color image signals processed by the driver signal processing circuit 112, that is, the luminance signal corresponding to each pixel of the solid-state image sensor 108. Specifically, for the luminance signal corresponding to the R pixel of the solid-state image sensor 108, the G and B luminance signals in the R pixel are obtained by calculation from the luminance signals corresponding to the surrounding G and B pixels, and the solid state For the luminance signal corresponding to the G pixel of the image sensor 108, the R and B luminance signals at the G pixel are obtained by calculation from the luminance signals corresponding to the surrounding R and B pixels. For the luminance signal corresponding to the pixel, the R and G luminance signals in the B pixel are obtained by calculation from the luminance signals in the surrounding R and G pixels. That is, R, G, and B luminance signals (luminance information) corresponding to each pixel of the solid-state image sensor 108 are generated by the color interpolation processing in the color interpolation circuit 220. Then, the image signal subjected to the color interpolation process is sent to the color conversion circuit 232 of the signal processing circuit 230.

  The signal processing circuit 230 includes a color conversion circuit 232, a luminance adjustment circuit 234, and a color adjustment circuit 236.

  The color conversion circuit 232 is a circuit that performs color conversion processing on the R, G, and B luminance signals of each pixel input from the color interpolation circuit 220. Specifically, by performing a matrix operation represented by the following Equation 1, color conversion is performed on the R, G, and B imaging signals input from the color interpolation circuit 220, and further, R, G, The B imaging signal is converted into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr.

In Equation 1, R, G, and B image signals input from the color interpolation circuit 220 are represented by R _in , G _in , and B _in , and R, G, and B image signals after color conversion processing are represented by R. It is expressed as _out , G _out , and B _out . M _{11 to} M ₃₃ are matrix elements of the color matrix M, and the color balance of the endoscopic image is adjusted by appropriately changing this value and changing the balance of R _in , G _in , and B _in. It becomes possible. In the present embodiment, M ₁₁ , M ₁₂ ,... M ₃₃ are referred to as image parameters 1, 2,. The image parameters 1, 2,... 9 are set according to the user and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c, or 212d selected by the user in the image adjustment process described later, and are set to values desired by the user. It is configured to be changeable. In this way, the R, G, and B image signals (R _out , G _out , B _out ) that have been color-converted by Equation 1 are further converted from the R, G, and B color systems to Y, Cr by a known matrix operation. , Cb color system, that is, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb are converted and sent to the luminance adjustment circuit 234 and the color adjustment circuit 236 in the subsequent stage.

  The luminance adjustment circuit 234 adjusts the brightness (luminance) of the endoscopic image by adjusting the gain value (amplification factor) of the luminance signal Y input from the color conversion circuit 232. The gain value of the luminance signal Y is set according to the user and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user in the image adjustment process described later, as in the case of the image parameters 1, 2,... In addition, the user can change the value to a desired value. In this way, the luminance signal Y whose gain has been adjusted by the luminance adjustment circuit 234 is sent to the subsequent gamma correction circuit 240. In the present embodiment, the gain value of the luminance signal Y adjusted by the luminance adjustment circuit 234 is referred to as an image parameter 10.

  The color adjustment circuit 236 adjusts the color balance of the endoscopic image by adjusting the gain values (amplification factors) of the color difference signals Cb and Cr input from the color conversion circuit 232. The color difference signals Cb and Cr are set according to the user and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user in the image adjustment process described later, as in the case of the image parameters 1, 2,... Moreover, it is comprised so that a user can change to a desired value. In this way, the color difference signals Cb and Cr whose gains have been adjusted by the color adjustment circuit 236 are sent to the subsequent gamma correction circuit 240. In the present embodiment, the gain values of the color difference signals Cb and Cr adjusted by the color adjustment circuit 236 are referred to as image parameters 11 and 12, respectively.

  The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr adjusted by the luminance adjustment circuit 234 and the color adjustment circuit 236 are input to the gamma correction circuit 240. The gamma correction circuit 240 is a circuit for performing known gamma correction. The gamma correction circuit 240 corrects the input luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr according to the characteristics of the monitor 300, and outputs a video signal of a predetermined format (for example, , NTSC format) and output to the monitor 300. As a result, the endoscope image of the subject imaged by the solid-state image sensor 108 of the electronic endoscope 100 is displayed on the monitor 300 after color balance adjustment and luminance adjustment.

  As described above, the signal processing circuit 230 built in the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236, and images used in these circuits. By setting the parameters 1 to 12 according to the user and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user, color balance adjustment and luminance adjustment according to the selected special light (illumination light) are performed. In addition, the color balance adjustment and brightness adjustment desired by the user are also possible. Therefore, even when the observation is performed while changing the special light depending on the part to be observed by the user or the angle of view (size) of the subject, the optimum color balance adjustment and luminance adjustment are performed. The image parameters 1 to 9 of the color conversion circuit 232 are parameters that greatly affect the color balance, and thus function as a kind of coarse adjustment. The image parameters 10 to 12 of the luminance adjustment circuit 234 and the color adjustment circuit 236 are , Function as a fine adjustment. In the present embodiment, the image parameters 10 to 12 of the luminance adjustment circuit 234 and the color adjustment circuit 236 can be adjusted while looking at the monitor 300. For example, the touch panel 218 has a user interface for adjusting luminance and a color. It is also possible to display the user interface for adjustment and change the image parameters 10 to 12 by operating the user.

  In the present embodiment, the image parameters 1 to 12 are managed by an image parameter management database stored in the memory 203, and the image parameter management database reads and writes desired image parameters 1 to 12 by the system controller 202. (Memory) is made. The memory 203 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM, for example. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an image parameter management database in which image parameters 1 to 12 used in the image adjustment processing of this embodiment are stored. The image parameter management database is already stored (preset) by the combination of the user set via the touch panel 218 and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user. 12 is a database for reading out 12 and newly storing image parameters 1-12. In the present embodiment, the user can input a user ID via the touch panel 218, and the input user ID is stored in a memory (not shown) stored in the system controller 202 as the current user ID. Stored in the figure). Further, the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user operating the touch panel 218 is stored as a current filter No. in a memory (not shown) built in the system controller 202. In the present embodiment, the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d correspond to current filter numbers “0”, “1”, “2”, and “3”, respectively. Then, the system controller 202 reads predetermined image parameters 1 to 12 from the image parameter management database based on the current user ID and current filter No. information stored in the memory built in the system controller 202, or creates a new one. For example, image parameters 1 to 12 are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image parameter management database includes a user database (hereinafter referred to as “user DB”), a parameter database (hereinafter referred to as “parameter DB”), and a parameter set database (hereinafter referred to as “parameter set DB”). The user DB obtains image parameters 1 to 12 set in advance for each of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d by the user from the current user ID and the current filter No. This is a database for obtaining preset setting values for specifying the image parameters 1 to 12 as a set of parameter sets, which is a parameter set based on the filter No. and the preset setting values obtained by the user DB. Para in DB The parameter set DB is a database that stores a plurality of parameter sets with the image parameters 1 to 12 as a set of parameter sets, and the parameter DB is a set of parameter sets (that is, image parameter 1). ˜12 (Param 1 to 12 in FIG. 4) is specified, the specified setting values of Param 1 to 12 are referred to by the system controller 202. In the case of FIG. Since “3” is set for each, the system controller 202 searches the user DB based on the user ID “3” corresponding to the current user ID and the filter No “3” corresponding to the current filter No. , Obtain preset setting value “2” Next, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB on the condition of the filter No. “3” and the preset set value “2” to obtain “parameter set 12.” Then, the system controller 202 obtains “parameter set 12.” Params 1 to 12 (image parameters 1 to 12) stored as “parameter set 12” are referred to. Image parameters 1 to 12 referred to by the system controller 202 are stored in a working memory (not shown) included in the system controller 202. ) Is stored in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. As a result, the user with the current user ID “3” (that is, Dr. C) is set to the current filter No. “3” (ie, filter 212c) On the other hand, an endoscopic image on which color balance adjustment and brightness adjustment which have been set in advance is performed is displayed on the monitor 300. As described above, in this embodiment, the image parameters 1 to 12 are managed in the database by a combination of the user and the filter 212a, 212b, 212c, or 212d selected by the user. The user's favorite color balance value and brightness adjustment value for each of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d (that is, each special light) are registered in the image parameter management database as a parameter set, whereby each filter The color balance adjustment and the luminance adjustment desired by the user can be automatically performed when switching between the two. In the present embodiment, three preset setting values are assigned to each of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d, and twelve parameter sets are used. However, the present invention is limited to this configuration. The number of preset setting values and parameter sets may be increased or decreased according to the number of user IDs, for example.

  Next, image adjustment processing executed by the system controller 202 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a main flowchart of the image adjustment processing routine of the present embodiment. The image adjustment processing routine shown in FIG. 5 is executed when the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is turned on.

  When this routine starts, step S1 is executed. In step S <b> 1, the system controller 202 reads various parameters from the memory 203 and the memory 114, and performs system activation processing (that is, initialization processing) for the entire electronic endoscope apparatus 1. Next, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, the system controller 202 reads default values (initial values) of the image parameters 1 to 12 stored in the memory 203. Specifically, immediately after the power is turned on (that is, in step S2), “0” is set to the current user ID and the current filter No, and the image parameters 1 to 12 are stored from the image parameter management database based on the user ID and the filter No. Is read. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the image parameter management database when reading the initial values. The system controller 202 searches the user DB based on the current user ID and the current filter No (user ID: 0, filter No: 0), and obtains a preset setting value “0”. Next, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB based on the filter No and the preset setting value (filter No: 0, preset setting value: 0), and obtains “parameter set 1”. Then, the image parameters 1 to 12 stored as “parameter set 1” in the parameter set DB are referred to, and the setting values are stored in the working memory. Next, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the system controller 202 sets the image parameters 1 to 12 (parameter set 1) read in step S <b> 2 in the above-described color conversion circuit 232, luminance adjustment circuit 234, and color adjustment circuit 236, and via the driver 216. The motor 214 is driven to control the rotational position of the filter turret 212 so that the illumination light L passes through the filter 212a. Accordingly, white light is emitted from the light distribution lens 104, and image parameters 1 to 12 that are optimal for white light (that is, image parameters 1 to 12 that are optimal for normal observation (parameter set 1)) are color conversion circuits 232. The luminance adjustment circuit 234 and the color adjustment circuit 236 are set. The endoscopic image obtained with white light as described above is displayed on the monitor 300 after color balance adjustment and luminance adjustment by the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. Next, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the system controller 202 waits for input of various events input by the user from the touch panel 218. Specifically, the touch panel 218 includes a filter change button for switching the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d, a user change button for changing the user, a user addition button for adding a user, and an image parameter change. A parameter change button for performing the preset operation and a preset change button for performing the preset setting are displayed, and the user touches the touch panel 218 and waits until one of the buttons is selected. In step S4, when the system controller 202 detects the touch of the filter change button (S4: filter change command), the process proceeds to step S5, and when the touch of the user change button is detected (S4: user change command), the process If the touch of the user addition button is detected (S4: user addition command), the process proceeds to step S7. If the touch of the parameter change button is detected (S4: parameter change command), the process proceeds to step S6. If the touch of the preset change button is detected (S4: preset setting command), the process proceeds to step S9. If the power is turned off in step S4, the image adjustment processing routine ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the filter change subroutine executed in step S5 of FIG. When the filter change subroutine is executed, step S51 is executed.

  In step S51, the options of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d are displayed on the touch panel 218, and input from the user is awaited (step S51: NO). When one of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, or 212d is selected by the user (step S51: YES), the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the system controller 202 drives the motor 214 via the driver 216, and the filter turret so that the illumination light L passes through any of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, or 212d selected by the user in step S51. The rotational position of 212 is controlled. Next, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the current filter No (FIG. 4) stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 is changed to a variable corresponding to any of the filters 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected by the user in step S51. That is, it is changed to any one of 0 to 3, and the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S54, the system controller 202 searches the user DB of the image parameter management database using the current user ID and the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202, and determines the current user ID and the current user ID. The preset setting value specified by the filter No. is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB of the image parameter management database using the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 and the preset setting value acquired in step S54. A set of parameter sets (that is, image parameters 1 to 12) specified by the current filter No. and preset setting values are acquired. Then, the filter change subroutine ends, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S10 (FIG. 5), the system controller 202 sets the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S55 in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. As described above, the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S55 are set in the corresponding circuits, so that the user's favorite color balance corresponding to the filter 212a, 212b, 212c or 212d selected in step S51. The brightness adjustment is reflected in the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 300. Subsequently, the process returns to step S4, and the input from the user is awaited again.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the user change subroutine executed in step S6 of FIG. When the user change subroutine is executed, step S61 is executed.

  In step S61, the user ID and user name (FIG. 4) registered in the user DB of the image parameter management database are displayed on the touch panel 218, and input from the user is awaited (step S61: NO). When the user operates the touch panel 218 to input a user ID (step S61: YES), the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, the input user ID is compared with the current user ID. If the input user ID and the current user ID are different (step S62: YES), the process proceeds to step S63. On the other hand, if the input user ID is the same as the current user ID (step S62: NO), the user change subroutine is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S63, the system controller 202 changes the current user ID (FIG. 4) stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 to the user ID input in step S61, and proceeds to step S64.

  In step S64, the system controller 202 searches the user DB of the image parameter management database using the current user ID and the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202, and determines the current user ID and the current user ID. The preset setting value specified by the filter No. is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S65, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB of the image parameter management database using the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 and the preset setting value acquired in step S64. A set of parameter sets (that is, image parameters 1 to 12) specified by the current filter No. and preset setting values are acquired. Then, the filter change subroutine ends, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S10 (FIG. 5), the system controller 202 sets the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S65 in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. As described above, the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S65 are set in the corresponding circuits, so that the user's favorite color balance and brightness adjustment corresponding to the user ID input in step S61 can be performed on the monitor 300. Will be reflected in the endoscopic image displayed on the screen. Subsequently, the process returns to step S4, and the input from the user is awaited again.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the user addition subroutine executed in step S7 of FIG. When the user addition subroutine is executed, step S71 is executed.

  In step S71, a screen prompting input of a user ID and a user name (FIG. 4) registered in the user DB of the image parameter management database is displayed on the touch panel 218, and input from the user is awaited (step S71: NO). If the user ID and the user name are input by the user (step S71: YES), the process proceeds to step S72.

  In step S72, for the user ID input in step S71, a screen for inputting preset setting values for each filter No. is displayed, and the user operates the touch panel 218, whereby the desired image parameters 1 to 12 for each filter No. are displayed. Is stored as a parameter set. Next, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the system controller 202 determines whether the user ID is duplicated for the user ID input in step S71. Specifically, the system controller 202 compares the user ID already registered in the user DB of the image parameter management database with the user ID input in step S71, and determines the presence or absence of duplication. If it is determined in step S73 that the user IDs overlap (step S73: YES), the process proceeds to step S78, an error display indicating that the user IDs overlap is displayed on the touch panel 218, and this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S73 that the user IDs do not overlap (step S73: NO), the process proceeds to step S74.

  In step S74, the system controller 202 registers the user ID and user name input in step S71 and the preset setting value input in step S72 in the user DB of the image parameter management database. Next, the process proceeds to step S75.

  In step S75, the system controller 202 changes the current user ID stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 to the user ID registered in step S74. Next, the process proceeds to step S76.

  In step S76, the system controller 202 searches the user DB of the image parameter management database using the current user ID and the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202, and determines the current user ID and the current user ID. The preset setting value specified by the filter No. is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB of the image parameter management database using the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 and the preset setting value acquired in step S76. A set of parameter sets (that is, image parameters 1 to 12) specified by the current filter No. and preset setting values are acquired. Then, the filter change subroutine ends, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S10 (FIG. 5), the system controller 202 sets the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S77 in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. As described above, the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S77 are set in the corresponding circuits, so that the user's favorite color balance and brightness adjustment corresponding to the user ID input in step S71 can be performed on the monitor 300. Will be reflected in the endoscopic image displayed on the screen. Subsequently, the process returns to step S4, and the input from the user is awaited again.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the parameter change subroutine executed in step S8 of FIG. When the parameter change subroutine is executed, step S81 is executed.

  In step S81, the system controller 202 searches the user DB of the image parameter management database using the current user ID and the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202, and the current user ID and current The preset setting value specified by the filter No. is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S82.

  In step S82, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB of the image parameter management database using the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 and the preset setting value acquired in step S81, A set of parameter sets (that is, image parameters 1 to 12) specified by the current filter No. and preset setting values are acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S83.

  In step S83, the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S82 are displayed on the touch panel 218, and the user waits for any one of the image parameters 1 to 12 to be specified (step S83: NO). If any one of image parameters 1 to 12 is specified by the user (step S83: YES), the process proceeds to step S84.

  In step S84, a screen prompting input of a setting value (change value) for any one of the image parameters 1 to 12 specified in step S83 is displayed on the touch panel 218, and input from the user is waited for (step S84). S84: NO). When a new set value is input by the user (step S84: YES), the process proceeds to step S85.

  In step S85, the system controller 202 registers (that is, records in the parameter set DB) the setting value input in step S84 as any one of the image parameters 1 to 12 specified in step S83. The setting values of the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S82 are changed (updated) to the setting values input in step S84. Next, the process proceeds to step S86.

  In step S86, a confirmation screen as to whether or not to end the parameter change subroutine is displayed on the touch panel 218, and input from the user is awaited. If it is determined in step S86 that the parameter change subroutine is not terminated (that is, the setting values of the image parameters 1 to 12 are continuously changed), the process returns to step S83, and steps S83 to 83 are performed again. The process up to 85 is repeated. On the other hand, if an input to end the parameter change subroutine is made in step S86, the process proceeds to step S87.

  In step S87, the system controller 202 hides the display relating to the image parameters 1 to 12, ends the parameter change subroutine, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S10 (FIG. 5), the system controller 202 sets the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S82 and updated in step S85 in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. As described above, the image parameters 1 to 12 updated in step S85 are set in the corresponding circuits, whereby the user's favorite color balance and brightness adjustment are reflected in the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 300. The Rukoto. Subsequently, the process returns to step S4, and the input from the user is awaited again.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the preset setting subroutine executed in step S9 of FIG. When the preset setting subroutine is executed, step S91 is executed.

  In step S91, the user ID and user name (FIG. 4) registered in the user DB of the image parameter management database are displayed on the touch panel 218, and the system controller 202 allows the user to operate the touch panel 218 and input the user ID. (Step S91: NO). When the user ID is input (step S91: YES), the process proceeds to step S92.

  In step S92, the system controller 202 searches the user DB on the condition of the user ID input in step S91, acquires the preset setting value for each filter No corresponding to the user ID input in step S91, and acquires it. The preset set value is displayed on the touch panel 218 together with the filter No. Next, the process proceeds to step S93.

  In step S93, the process waits for one of the filter Nos displayed on the touch panel 218 in step S91 to be specified by the user (step S93: NO). If one of the filter numbers is designated by the user (step S93: YES), the process proceeds to step S94.

  In step S94, a screen for setting preset setting values is displayed on the touch panel 218 for the filter No specified in step S93, and preset setting values corresponding to image parameters 1 to 12 (parameter sets) desired by the user are displayed. Is awaited (step S94: NO). When the preset setting value is input by the user, the process proceeds to step S95.

  In step S95, the system controller 202 registers (that is, records in the user DB) the preset setting value input in step S94 as the preset setting value of the filter No specified in step S93, and the process proceeds to step S96. move on.

  In step S96, the system controller 202 compares the user ID input in step S91 with the current user ID stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202. If it is determined in step S96 that the user ID is not equal to the current user ID (step S96: NO), the preset setting subroutine is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S96 that the user ID is equal to the current user ID (step S96: YES), the process proceeds to step S97.

  In step S97, the system controller 202 searches the user DB of the image parameter management database using the current user ID and the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202, and the current user ID and current The preset setting value specified by the filter No. is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to step S98.

  In step S98, the system controller 202 searches the parameter DB of the image parameter management database using the current filter No. stored in the memory (not shown) of the system controller 202 and the preset setting value acquired in step S97. A set of parameter sets (that is, image parameters 1 to 12) specified by the current filter No. and preset setting values are acquired. Then, the preset setting subroutine ends, and the process proceeds to step S10 (FIG. 5).

  In step S10 (FIG. 5), the system controller 202 colors the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S98 (that is, a set of parameters specified based on the preset setting value input in step S94). The conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236 are set. As described above, the image parameters 1 to 12 acquired in step S98 are set in the corresponding circuits, whereby the user's favorite color balance and brightness adjustment specified by the current user ID are displayed on the monitor 300. This is reflected in the endoscope image. When it is determined in step S96 that the user ID is not equal to the current user ID (that is, when the preset setting value of another user is changed), the process of step S98 is not performed and a new image parameter is set. 1 to 12 are not acquired. In step S10, the image parameters 1 to 12 that are already stored in the working memory at that time are reset in the color conversion circuit 232, the luminance adjustment circuit 234, and the color adjustment circuit 236. To do. That is, in the present embodiment, when the preset setting value of another user is changed, there is no change of the user itself, so that the color balance and the luminance adjustment are not substantially performed. .

  The above is the description of the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, special light is obtained with a white light source and a filter, but an LED light source that emits special light (narrow band light) may be used.

  Further, in the filter turret 212 of this embodiment, the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d are arranged at an interval of about 90 degrees with the rotation shaft 214a of the motor 214 as the center. As described above, the filters 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d may be divided into a plurality of concentric regions centered on the rotation shaft 214a of the motor 214, respectively. In this case, a mechanism for moving the position of the filter turret 212 forward and backward with respect to the optical axis of the illumination light L is provided, and the position of the filter turret 212 is changed according to the filter (white light or special light) selected by the user. Is desirable. In this case, the filters 212a and 212b are alternately arranged in the rotation direction of the filter turret 212 in the concentric first region, and the filters 212a and 212c are arranged in the rotation direction of the filter turret 212 in the concentric second region. Alternatively, the filters 212 a and 212 d may be alternately arranged in the rotation direction of the filter turret 212 in the concentric third region, and the subject may be imaged while the filter turret 212 is rotated. is there. In this case, since white light and special light are emitted alternately in each concentric region, by combining the switching timing of white light and special light with the frame rate of the solid-state image sensor 108, It is possible to obtain a normal observation image using white light and a special light observation image using special light alternately (simultaneously).

  Moreover, although the filter 212b, the filter 212c, and the filter 212d of this embodiment were demonstrated as a monochromatic filter which each transmits the narrowband light of wavelength 415nm, 540nm, and 650nm, it is not limited to this, For example, wavelength 415nm And 540 nm, or a multimodal filter that transmits wavelengths 415 nm, 540 nm, and 650 nm simultaneously. In this case, the color separation of each narrowband light may be performed by the Bayer array color filter 108b of the solid-state image sensor 108.

  In the present embodiment, the solid-state image sensor 108 includes R, G, and B Bayer array color filters 108b, and the R, G, and B image signals are color-converted by Equation 1, and further color-converted. The R, G, and B imaging signals thus converted are converted into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the solid-state image sensor 108 may have a complementary color Cy (cyan), Mg (magenta), Ye (yellow), or G (green) filter. In this case, the color conversion circuit 232 temporarily converts each imaging signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, and G into R, G, and B by matrix operation similar to Equation 1, and further converts the R, G, and B of the color-converted R, G, and B What is necessary is just to set it as the structure which converts an imaging signal into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr.

1 Electronic Endoscope Device 100 Electronic Endoscope 102 LCB
104 Light Distribution Lens 106 Objective Lens 108 Solid-State Image Sensor 108a IR Cut Filter 108b Bayer Array Color Filter 112 Driver Signal Processing Circuit 114, 203 Memory 200 Electronic Endoscope Processor 202 System Controller 204 Timing Controller 206 Lamp Power Supply Igniter 208 Lamp 210 Collection Optical lens 212 Filter turret 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d Filter 213 Photo interrupter 214 Motor 216 Driver 218 Touch panel 220 Color interpolation circuit 230 Signal processing circuit 232 Color conversion circuit 234 Brightness adjustment circuit 236 Color adjustment circuit 240 Gamma correction circuit 300 Monitor

Claims (6)

An electronic endoscope that images a subject in a body cavity with an image sensor and outputs an endoscopic image from the image sensor as a video signal, a monitor, and a video signal that processes the video signal and can be displayed on the monitor An electronic endoscope device comprising: an electronic endoscope processor for generating
An operation unit for receiving input from the user;
Illumination means for selecting and irradiating either white light or special light as illumination light for the subject according to an input to the operation unit;
Storage means for storing image parameters corresponding to each of the white light and the special light;
An image processing circuit for processing the video signal based on the image parameter;
Have
The electronic endoscope apparatus, wherein the image processing circuit selects the image parameter and processes the video signal in accordance with the illumination light selected by the illumination unit. Further comprising user selection means for selecting a user in response to an input to the operation unit;
The storage means stores image parameters corresponding to the white light and the special light for each user,
The image processing circuit selects the image parameter and processes the video signal in accordance with the user selected by the user selection unit and the illumination light selected by the illumination unit. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.   The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image parameter can be changed by an input to the operation unit. The image processing circuit includes a color conversion circuit that performs color conversion by performing a matrix operation on the video signal,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image parameter includes a matrix coefficient used in the matrix calculation. The image processing circuit includes:
A video signal separation circuit for separating the video signal color-converted by the color conversion circuit into a luminance signal and a color difference signal;
A luminance adjustment circuit for adjusting an amplification factor of the luminance signal;
A color adjustment circuit for adjusting an amplification factor of the color difference signal;
Further comprising
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image parameter includes an amplification factor of the luminance signal and an amplification factor of the color difference signal.   6. The electron according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit includes a light source that emits the white light and a filter that extracts the special light from the white light. Endoscopic device.

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