JP2015062730A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of facilitating the confirmation of a connected external device.SOLUTION: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope processor; an endoscope to be connected to the endoscope processor; an external device connected to the endoscope processor and acquiring an image from the endoscope processor; a display device for displaying a connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device when the external device is connected to the endoscope processor; a selection unit for selecting the external device to output an image; and an indication unit arranged in the endoscope and indicating the acquisition of a still image to the endoscope processor. When an indication to acquire a still image is issued by the indication unit, the endoscope processor determines whether the connection between the external device selected by a distal end part and the endoscope processor is detected or not. The display device displays the connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device when the indication unit indicates the acquisition of a still image to the endoscope processor during a period when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying a connection state with an external apparatus provided for receiving an image.

  The endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope scope that is inserted into a subject's body and an endoscope processor that is provided outside the subject's body and performs image processing. The endoscope scope transmits an image obtained by imaging the observation object to the endoscope processor. The endoscope processor performs image processing on the image and then transmits the image to an external device. The external device is a video printer or an image file device, and prints or stores a received image (Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-204014 A

  However, when printing or storing an image on an external device, the external device must be connected to the endoscope processor before the observation is started. If the user forgets to connect, the image cannot be printed and stored. Therefore, it is necessary to interrupt the observation and connect the external device. Since the observation is performed while wearing a sterilized glove or the like, it is necessary to remove the glove or the like in order to connect the external device, and it is troublesome to connect the external device after starting the observation.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope apparatus that can easily confirm a connected external device.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention acquires an image and outputs the endoscope to the outside, an endoscope scope connected to the endoscope processor, and an endoscope processor connected to the endoscope processor. To select an external device for acquiring an image, a display device for displaying a connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device when the external device is connected to the endoscope processor, and an external device for outputting the image And an instruction unit that is provided in the endoscope scope and instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image.

  When an instruction to obtain a still image is given by the instruction unit, the endoscope processor determines whether or not the connection between the external device selected by the distal end portion and the endoscope processor is detected.

  When the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor, the display device is connected between the endoscope processor and the external device. Display connection status.

  The endoscope processor is configured to select a still image when an external device selected by the selection unit is connected to the endoscope processor and the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image. Send to device.

  For example, the information processing apparatus further includes a warning unit that notifies a user of a connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device. When the endoscope processor is instructed to acquire a still image, a warning is issued.

  For example, the external device is a storage medium that stores images.

  For example, the external device is a printer that prints an image.

  For example, the display device displays the connection after a predetermined time has elapsed since the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor. Clear the status and display the screen that was displayed immediately before displaying the connection status.

  According to the present invention, an endoscope apparatus that can easily check a connected external device is obtained.

An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of an endoscope apparatus. It is the figure which showed the screen of the display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the screen of the display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the 1st connection state display process. It is the flowchart which showed the 2nd connection state display process.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an outline of the endoscope apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The endoscope apparatus 100 includes an endoscope scope 200 that is inserted into a subject's body, an endoscope processor 300 that is provided outside the subject's body and performs image processing, and a display device that is connected to the endoscope processor 300. The main monitor 400 is mainly provided.

  The endoscope scope 200 mainly includes a flexible part 210 to be inserted into the body of a subject, an operation part 220 held by an operator, and a connector 230 that connects the endoscope scope 200 and the endoscope processor 300. Prepare for. The distal end of the flexible part 210 is inserted into the body of the subject, and the operation part 220 is connected to the connector 230 by a flexible cable. A plurality of button switches 221 are provided in the operation unit 220. The button switch 221 forms an instruction unit, and when the user presses the button switch 221, an image is transmitted to the endoscope scope 200 from an imaging element provided at the distal end of the flexible unit 210.

  The main monitor 400 displays an image obtained via the image sensor as a moving image. In addition, it forms a part of a warning unit and displays a warning when an error occurs in the endoscope apparatus 100.

  A sub monitor 310 with a touch panel is provided outside the endoscope processor 300. The sub monitor 310 forms a display device and a selection unit, and the user operates the touch panel after viewing the information displayed on the sub monitor 310 to give an operation instruction to the endoscope apparatus 100. In addition, a keyboard 301 is connected to the endoscope processor 300 to input various data to the endoscope apparatus 100.

  Next, the internal configuration of the endoscope apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The endoscope processor 300 includes a main CPU 302 that controls the operation of the endoscope apparatus 100, an auxiliary storage device 303 that temporarily stores captured images, an input / output CPU 304 that controls input / output of images, and an image. It mainly includes a signal processing unit 305 for processing.

  The main CPU 302 is electrically connected to the button switch 221, the input / output CPU 304, and the signal processing unit 305, and performs main processing in the endoscope apparatus 100.

  The input / output CPU 304 is electrically connected to the sub monitor 310, the main CPU 302, the signal processing unit 305, the auxiliary storage device 303, the speaker 307, and the plurality of external devices IF 306, and controls the sub monitor 310 and the auxiliary storage device 303.

  The signal processing unit 305 is electrically connected to an image sensor (not shown) included in the endoscope scope 200 and the main monitor 400.

  The speaker 307 forms part of a warning unit and emits a warning sound when an error occurs in the endoscope apparatus 100.

  An external device 320 can be connected to each of the external devices IF306. The input / output CPU 304 inputs and outputs images with the external device 320 via the external device IF 306. The external device 320 is, for example, an external USB hard disk, a USB flash memory, a compact flash (trademark registration) card, a USB connection printer, an RS232C connection printer, or the like.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the endoscope apparatus 100 will be described.

  Prior to observation, the user selects an external device 320 for outputting an image by the sub-monitor 310. The process to select is mentioned later.

  When the user inserts the flexible part 210 into the human body and presses the button switch 221, an image is transmitted to the signal processing unit 305. The signal processing unit 305 processes the image and transmits it to the main monitor 400 and the main CPU 302. The main monitor 400 displays an image. The main CPU 302 transmits an image to the input / output CPU 304. The input / output CPU 304 temporarily stores the image in the auxiliary storage device 303 and then transmits the image to the external device 320 via the external device IF 306. The external device 320 stores or prints an image.

  Next, the output destination setting detail menu displayed on the sub monitor 310 will be described with reference to FIG. The output destination setting detail menu is a menu showing a connection state between the endoscope processor 300 and the external device 320, and the user can select the external device 320 that outputs an image by operating the touch panel.

  The sub monitor 310 displays the connection state between the endoscope processor 300 and the external device 320 using the processor icon 311, the connection line 312, the external device icon 313, the selection check box 314, the return icon 315, and the top icon 316.

  When the user touches the return icon 315, the sub monitor 310 displays the screen that was displayed immediately before. When the user touches the top icon 316, the sub monitor 310 displays the highest main screen in the screen display.

  In the external device icon 313, the name of the corresponding external device 320 is displayed. A connection line 312 and an external device icon 313 indicate a connection state between the endoscope processor 300 and the external device 320. When the external device 320 is connected to the endoscope processor 300, the external device icon 313 is clearly displayed in black, and a connection line 312 is provided between the connected external device icon 313 and the endoscope processor 300. Is displayed. The external device icon 313 corresponding to the external device 320 that is not connected is displayed in gray, and the connection line 312 is not displayed between the external device icon 313 that is not connected and the endoscope processor 300.

  The selection check box 314 indicates the external device 320 selected as the image output destination. A black circle is displayed in the selection check box 314 displayed on the right side of the selected external device 320. When the external device 320 is selected as an output destination but is not connected, the corresponding external device icon 313 is displayed in gray, and the frame of the external device icon 313 is displayed in a thicker red frame than the other external device icons 313. Is done.

  Next, an output destination setting detail menu when the external device 320 is newly connected will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the external device icon 313 corresponding to the newly connected external device 320, the name of the newly connected external device 320 is displayed, and the connection line 312 connects the external device icon 313 and the processor icon 311. . The external device icon 313 is clearly displayed in black. Further, the frame of the external device icon 313 is displayed as a thicker blue frame than the other external device icons 313.

  Next, the first connection state display process will be described with reference to FIG. The first connection state display process is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals in the input / output CPU 304.

  In the first step S51, the input / output CPU 304 determines whether or not the external device 320 is newly detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S52. If not detected, the process ends.

  In step S52, an output destination setting detail menu is displayed on the sub monitor 310. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the touch panel during a predetermined period. If operated, the process proceeds to step S54, and if not operated, the process repeats step S53.

  In step S54, after changing the external device that outputs the image according to the user's operation, the output destination setting detail menu is deleted and the main screen is displayed. Then, the process ends.

  By executing the first connection state display process when the external device 320 is newly connected, the user can select the external device 320 quickly and easily.

  Next, the second connection state display process will be described with reference to FIG. The second connection state display process is executed when the user depresses the button switch 221.

  In the first step S61, the image displayed on the main monitor 400 is stopped.

  In step S62, it is determined whether or not the external device 320 selected as the image output destination is correctly detected. If it is detected correctly, the process proceeds to step S63, and the image displayed on the main monitor 400 is captured as a still image. In the next step S64, the image sent from the image sensor is displayed on the main monitor 400 as a moving image.

  If the external device 320 is not correctly detected in step S62, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S65, an error sound is generated on the speaker 307 and “output destination not detected” is displayed on the main monitor 400. Thereby, the user can easily notice that the external device 320 is not correctly detected.

  In step S66, an output destination setting detail menu is displayed on the sub monitor 310. In step S67, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the touch panel during a predetermined period. If operated, the process proceeds to step S68, and if not operated, the process repeats step S67.

  In step S68, after changing the external device that outputs the image according to the user's operation, the output destination setting detail menu is deleted and the main screen is displayed. Then, the process ends.

  By executing the second connection state display process when an image is transmitted to the external device 320 that is not connected, the user can quickly and easily notice that the external device 320 is not connected, and the image can be further displayed. Can be selected quickly and easily.

  According to the present embodiment, even if there is an error in the external device 320 that tried to transmit an image, the user can quickly and easily notice the error in the external device 320, and the external device 320 that can output an image can be quickly and easily. Can be selected.

  Note that the frame of the external device icon 313 that is not connected is not limited to red. Further, the frame of the newly connected external device icon 313 is not limited to blue. At this time, the color of the frame of the external device icon 313 that is not connected is preferably different from the color of the frame of the external device icon 313 that is newly connected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Endoscope apparatus 200 Endoscope scope 210 Flexible part 220 Operation part 221 Button switch 230 Connector 300 Endoscope processor 301 Keyboard 302 Main CPU
303 Auxiliary storage device 304 Input / output CPU
305 Signal processor 306 External device IF
307 Speaker 310 Sub monitor 311 Processor icon 312 Connection line 313 External device icon 314 Selection check box 315 Back icon 316 Top icon 320 External device 400 Main monitor

Claims (5)

An endoscope processor for acquiring images and outputting them externally;
An endoscope scope connected to the endoscope processor;
An external device connected to the endoscope processor for acquiring an image from the endoscope processor;
A display device for displaying a connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device when the external device is connected to the endoscope processor;
A selection unit for selecting an external device to output an image;
An instruction unit that is provided in the endoscope scope and instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image;
The endoscope processor determines whether or not a connection between the external device selected by the distal end portion and the endoscope processor is detected when an instruction to acquire a still image is given by the instruction unit;
When the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor, the display device Display the connection status between the processor and the external device,
When the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is connected to the endoscope processor, the endoscope processor Is transmitted to the selected external device. A warning unit for notifying a user of a connection state between the endoscope processor and the external device;
The warning unit issues a warning when the instruction unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is characterized.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus is a storage medium that stores an image.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a printer that prints an image.   After a predetermined time has elapsed from when the display unit instructs the endoscope processor to acquire a still image when the external device selected by the selection unit is not connected to the endoscope processor. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displayed connection state is erased and a screen displayed immediately before displaying the connection state is displayed.

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