JP2017202007A - Electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope device suitable for observing a subject image continuously even when a trouble occurs in a processor.SOLUTION: An electronic endoscope device is composed of a primary signal processing circuit for subjecting a pixel signal output from an image pickup device of an electronic scope to signal processing and generating an image signal, a secondary signal processing circuit for subjecting the image signal output from the primary signal processing circuit to image processing, and generating a video signal, a plurality of insulation transmission means including at least one normal insulation transmission means for transmitting the image signal from the primary signal processing circuit to the secondary signal processing circuit in an insulated manner in a normal state, and transmission determination means for determining whether or not the normal insulation transmission means can transmit the image signal. Based on the result of the determination by the transmission determination means, the primary signal processing circuit changes a method for transmitting the image signal to the secondary signal processing circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus.

  An electronic endoscope apparatus including an electronic scope and a processor is known. The subject image captured by the electronic scope is transmitted to the processor as an electrical signal. The processor performs signal processing and image processing on the electrical signal to generate a video signal and transmits it to the monitor. Thereby, the image of the subject can be observed.

  The processor has a plurality of circuits for executing various signal processes. Among these circuits, an isolator is provided between the electronic scope side (patient side) circuit (primary circuit) and the circuit (secondary circuit) that performs signal processing on the signal output from the primary circuit. It has been. Thereby, a primary circuit and a secondary circuit are insulated with respect to a direct current, and the electrical influence to the patient by a secondary circuit can be prevented. As this type of electronic endoscope, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic endoscope apparatus in which a primary circuit and a secondary circuit are insulated by a photocoupler.

JP 2000-350697 A

  In the electronic endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a photocoupler is used for communication between a primary circuit and a secondary circuit. However, if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the photocoupler while the subject is being observed with the electronic endoscope apparatus, the subject may not be observed despite the observation being performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus suitable for continuously observing a subject image even when a problem occurs in a processor.

  An electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a primary signal processing circuit that performs image processing on a pixel signal output from an image sensor of an electronic scope to generate an image signal, and a primary signal processing circuit. A secondary signal processing circuit that performs image processing on the output image signal to generate a video signal, and at least one image signal that is insulated from the primary signal processing circuit to the secondary signal processing circuit in a normal state A plurality of insulation transmission means including a normal insulation transmission means; and a transmission determination means for judging whether or not the normal insulation transmission means can transmit an image signal. In this configuration, the primary signal processing circuit changes the transmission method of the image signal to the secondary signal processing circuit based on the determination result by the transmission determining means.

  According to such a configuration, the image signal is transmitted to the secondary signal processing circuit by the normal insulation transmission unit in the normal state. Further, when a malfunction occurs in the operation of the normal insulation transmission means and the image signal cannot be transmitted, the image signal is transmitted to the secondary signal processing circuit by the insulation transmission means other than the normal insulation transmission means. Therefore, the subject image can be continuously observed even when a malfunction occurs in the operation of the normally insulated transmission means.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the normally insulated transmission means converts, for example, an image signal into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal to the secondary signal processing circuit through an optical fiber.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when the transmission determination unit determines that the normal insulation transmission unit cannot transmit the image signal, the primary signal processing circuit, for example, compresses the compressed image with a smaller data amount than the image signal. A signal is generated, and the compressed image signal is transmitted to the secondary signal processing circuit by an insulating transmission unit other than the normal insulating transmission unit among the plurality of insulating transmission units.

  Moreover, in one Embodiment of this invention, an electronic endoscope apparatus is provided with two or more normal insulation transmission means, for example. In this case, when the transmission determination means determines that two or more normal insulation transmission means include those capable of transmitting image signals and those not capable of transmitting image signals, the primary signal processing circuit Transmits the image signal using only the normally isolated transmission means capable of transmission.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission determining means determines that two or more normal insulated transmission means include those capable of transmitting an image signal and those not capable of transmitting an image signal. In this case, the primary signal processing circuit transmits the image signal by increasing the transmission speed by using, for example, only normal insulation transmission means capable of transmission.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission determining means determines that two or more normal insulated transmission means include those capable of transmitting an image signal and those not capable of transmitting an image signal. In this case, for example, the primary signal processing circuit generates a compressed image signal having a data amount smaller than that of the image signal, and transmits the compressed image signal using only the normally insulated transmission means capable of transmitting.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when the transmission determination unit determines that the normal insulation transmission unit cannot transmit the image signal, the secondary signal processing circuit, for example, outputs a plurality of determination results by the transmission determination unit. The transmission is transmitted to the primary signal processing circuit by the insulation transmission means other than the normal insulation transmission means.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic endoscope apparatus suitable for continuously observing a subject image even when a problem occurs in a processor is provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic endoscope apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the part from the front | former stage signal processing circuit to the back | latter stage signal processing circuit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an electronic endoscope apparatus will be described as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Configuration of electronic endoscope apparatus 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 is an apparatus specialized for medical use, and includes an electronic scope 100, a processor 200, and a monitor 300.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the processor 200 from the front-stage signal processing circuit 211 to the rear-stage signal processing circuit 226. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 and the post-stage signal processing circuit 226 will be described later.

  The processor 200 includes a primary circuit 210, a secondary circuit 220, an isolator 230, an operation panel 240, and a light source unit 250. The isolator 230 insulates the primary circuit 210 and the secondary circuit 220 from direct current. As the isolator 230, for example, a photocoupler, an isolator using a pulse transformer, a GMR (Giant Magneto Resistance) isolator, or the like is used.

  The secondary circuit 220 includes a system controller 221 and a timing controller 222. The system controller 221 executes various programs stored in the memory 223 and controls the entire electronic endoscope apparatus 1 in an integrated manner. The system controller 221 is connected to the operation panel 240. The system controller 221 changes each operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 and parameters for each operation in accordance with an instruction from the operator input from the operation panel 240. The timing controller 222 outputs a clock pulse for adjusting the operation timing of each unit to each circuit in the electronic endoscope apparatus 1.

  The light source unit 250 includes a lamp 251, a lamp power igniter 252, and a condenser lens 253. The lamp 251 emits the irradiation light L after being started by the lamp power igniter 252. The lamp 251 is, for example, a high-intensity lamp such as a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, or a metal halide lamp, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The irradiation light L is light having a spectrum that spreads mainly from the visible light region to the invisible infrared light region (or white light including at least the visible light region).

  The irradiation light L emitted from the lamp 251 is condensed on the incident end face of an LCB (Light Carrying Bundle) 102 by the condenser lens 253 and is incident on the LCB 102.

  Irradiation light L incident on the LCB 102 propagates in the LCB 102. The irradiation light L propagating through the LCB 102 is emitted from the emission end surface of the LCB 102 disposed at the tip of the electronic scope 100 and is irradiated onto the subject via the light distribution lens 104. The return light from the subject irradiated with the irradiation light L forms an optical image 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 having a complementary color checkered pixel arrangement. The solid-state image sensor 108 accumulates an optical image formed by each pixel on the light receiving surface as a charge corresponding to the amount of light, and generates image signals of yellow Ye, cyan Cy, green G, and magenta Mg. The image signals of two pixels adjacent in the vertical direction are added, mixed, and output. The solid-state imaging element 108 is not limited to a CCD image sensor, and may be replaced with a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or other types of imaging devices. The solid-state image sensor 108 may also be one equipped with a primary color filter (Bayer array filter).

  A driver signal processing circuit 110 is provided in the connection portion of the electronic scope 100. The driver signal processing circuit 110 receives an image signal of the subject irradiated with the irradiation light L from the solid-state imaging device 108 at a predetermined frame rate. In the present embodiment, the frame rate is 1/30 second. The driver signal processing circuit 110 performs predetermined processing on the image signal input from the solid-state image sensor 108 and outputs the processed signal to the primary circuit 210 of the processor 200.

  The driver signal processing circuit 110 accesses the memory 112 and reads unique information of the electronic scope 100. The unique information of the electronic scope 100 recorded in the memory 112 includes, for example, the number and sensitivity of the solid-state image sensor 108, the operable frame rate, the model number, and the like. The driver signal processing circuit 110 outputs the unique information read from the memory 112 to the processor 200.

  The unique information of the electronic scope 100 read from the memory 112 is input to the system controller 221 via the primary circuit 210 and the isolator 230. The system controller 221 performs various calculations based on the unique information of the electronic scope 100 and generates a control signal. The system controller 221 controls the operation and timing of various circuits in the processor 200 using the generated control signal so that processing suitable for the electronic scope 100 connected to the processor 200 is performed.

  The timing controller 222 supplies clock pulses to the driver signal processing circuit 110 according to timing control by the system controller 221. The driver signal processing circuit 110 drives and controls the solid-state imaging device 108 at a timing synchronized with the frame rate of the video processed on the processor 200 side in accordance with the clock pulse supplied from the timing controller 222. The driver signal processing circuit 110 performs signal processing such as amplification processing on the pixel signal output from the solid-state imaging device 108 and outputs the processed signal to the primary circuit 210 of the processor 200.

  The primary circuit 210 includes a pre-stage signal processing circuit 211, an optical signal transmission circuit 212, and a current detection circuit 213. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates an image signal by performing predetermined signal processing such as demosaic processing, matrix calculation, Y / C separation on the pixel signal input from the driver signal processing circuit 110 in one frame period, Output to the optical signal transmission circuit 212.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical signal transmission circuit 212 includes VCSELs (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting LASER) 11a and 11b, and VCSEL drivers 10a and 10b that drive the VCSELs 11a and 11b to emit light. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 divides the image signal into two signals and inputs them to the VCSEL drivers 10a and 10b. The VCSEL drivers 10a and 10b drive the VCSELs 11a and 11b to emit light based on the input image signals, respectively. As a result, the image signal is converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal. The image signal converted into the optical signal propagates through the optical fibers 231 and 232 and is input to the secondary circuit 220. The optical signal transmission circuit 212 may include a semiconductor laser or an LED instead of the VCSELs 11a and 11b.

  The current detection circuit 213 included in the primary circuit 210 detects the drive current of the optical signal transmission circuit 212. Based on the value of the drive current, it is determined whether or not the optical signal transmission circuit 212 is normally driven.

  The secondary circuit 220 includes an optical signal receiving circuit 224, a current detection circuit 225, and a post-stage signal processing circuit 226.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical signal receiving circuit 224 includes two light receiving elements 20a and 20b and amplifier circuits 21a and 21b. The light receiving elements 20a and 20b receive the optical signals propagated in the optical fibers 231 and 232, respectively, and convert them into electric signals. The image signal converted into the electric signal is amplified by the amplifier circuits 21 a and 21 b and input to the subsequent signal processing circuit 226.

  The current detection circuit 225 included in the secondary circuit 220 detects the drive current of the optical signal reception circuit 224. Based on the value of this drive current, it is determined whether or not the optical signal receiving circuit 224 is normally driven.

  The post-stage signal processing circuit 226 processes the electrical signal (image signal) input from the optical signal receiving circuit 224 to generate monitor display screen data, and the generated monitor display screen data has a predetermined format. Convert to video signal. The converted video signal is output to the monitor 300. As a result, a color image of the subject is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 300.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the primary circuit 210 and the secondary circuit 220 are connected by the isolator 230 and the optical fibers 231 and 232. As a result, the primary circuit 210 and the secondary circuit 220 are insulated from direct current. Therefore, the secondary circuit 220 is prevented from having an electrical influence on the human body that is the subject via the primary circuit 210 and the electronic scope 100.

  In the present embodiment, optical signals using the VCSELs 11a and 11b, the optical fibers 231 and 232, and the like are used for transmission of image signals from the primary circuit 210 to the secondary circuit 220. By using the VCSELs 11a and 11b, the optical fibers 231 and 232, etc., high-speed signal transmission (for example, several Gbps to several tens Gbps) is possible. Therefore, it is possible to transmit an image signal with a large amount of data, and it is possible to observe a subject image with high resolution.

  In this embodiment, the transmission speed of an image signal can be further improved by using a plurality of VCSELs 11a and 11b, optical fibers 231 and 232, and the like for transmission of an image signal.

  In this embodiment, an image signal is transmitted by the optical signal transmission circuit 212, the optical fibers 231 and 232, and the optical signal reception circuit 224 in the normal state. However, the transmission method of the image signal is changed when a failure occurs in the operation of the members related to the transmission of the optical signal such as the optical signal transmission circuit 212, the optical fibers 231 and 232, or the optical signal reception circuit 224. Hereinafter, the changing operation of the image signal transmission method in the present embodiment will be described.

[When a failure occurs in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212]
First, an operation for changing a transmission method when a problem occurs in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212 will be described. The optical signal transmission circuit 212 includes VCSELs 11a and 11b and VCSEL drivers 10a and 10b. When the VCSELs 11 a and 11 b and the VCSEL drivers 10 a and 10 b are normally driven, a drive current flows through the optical signal transmission circuit 212. By detecting this drive current by the current detection circuit 213, it is possible to determine whether the optical signal transmission circuit 212 is operating normally or a failure has occurred.

  The value of the drive current detected by the current detection circuit 213 is input to the system controller 221 via the isolator 230. The system controller 221 determines whether or not the optical signal transmission circuit 212 is operating normally based on the value of the drive current. If it is determined that a problem has occurred in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212, the system controller 221 outputs an operation change command to the previous signal processing circuit 211. In response to this operation change command, the image signal generation processing and output processing of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 are changed.

  In the normal state, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates an image signal by performing predetermined signal processing on all the pixel signals output from the driver signal processing circuit 110. On the other hand, when receiving the operation change command, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates an image signal using only some of the pixel signals output from the driver signal processing circuit 110. Specifically, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates an image signal with low resolution by thinning out pixel signals. Alternatively, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates an image signal using a pixel signal in a specific area (for example, an area corresponding to the center of the object image) in the object image. In this way, a compressed image signal with a small amount of data is generated by using only a part of the pixel signal.

  The pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 outputs the generated compressed image signal to the isolator 230 instead of the optical signal transmission circuit 212. The isolator 230 transmits the compressed image signal to the subsequent signal processing circuit 226. The post-stage signal processing circuit 226 generates a video signal based on the compressed image signal and outputs it to the monitor 300. As a result, a captured image with a low resolution or a narrow imaging range is displayed on the monitor 300 as compared with the case of transmitting an optical signal.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a problem occurs in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212, an image signal with a small amount of data is transmitted via the isolator 230. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a captured image is not displayed on the monitor 300.

  Note that the transmission speed of the image signal by the isolator 230 is lower than the transmission speed of the image signal of the optical signal transmission circuit 212, the optical fibers 231, 232, and the like. However, the compressed image signal transmitted by the isolator 230 has a smaller amount of data than the image signal. Therefore, the compressed image signal can be transmitted without reducing the frame rate, and the captured image can be displayed on the monitor 300 without delay.

  Note that the frame rate of the compressed image signal may be changed according to the transmission speed of the isolator 230. Thereby, even when the transmission speed of the isolator 230 is low, the captured image can be displayed on the monitor 300.

  Further, the value of the drive current detected by the current detection circuit 213 may be input to the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 without being input to the system controller 221. In this case, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 switches whether to output the image signal to the optical signal transmission circuit 212 or to the isolator 230 based on the value of the drive current.

[When trouble occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232 or the optical signal receiving circuit 224]
Next, an operation of changing the transmission method when a problem occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232 and the optical signal receiving circuit 224 will be described. The optical signal receiving circuit 224 includes light receiving elements 20a and 20b and amplifier circuits 21a and 21b. When the light receiving elements 20a and 20b and the amplifier circuits 21a and 21b are normally driven, a driving current flows through the optical signal receiving circuit 224. By detecting this drive current by the current detection circuit 225, it is possible to determine whether the optical signal reception circuit 224 is operating normally or a failure has occurred.

  In addition, when a problem occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232, an image signal is not input to the optical signal receiving circuit 224. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the optical fibers 231 and 232 are operating normally based on the driving state of the optical signal receiving circuit 224 or the post-stage signal processing circuit 226 that processes the image signal. As a case where trouble occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232, for example, when the optical fibers 231 and 232 are not normally connected to the optical signal transmission circuit 212 or the optical signal reception circuit 224, or when the optical fibers 231 and 232 are It may be bent and the optical signal cannot be transmitted.

  The system controller 221 determines whether or not the optical fibers 231 and 232 and the optical signal receiving circuit 224 are operating normally. When the system controller 221 determines that a problem has occurred in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232 or the optical signal receiving circuit 224, the system controller 221 outputs an operation change command. The operation change command is input to the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 via the isolator 230. In response to this operation change command, the image signal generation processing and output processing of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 are changed.

  The change in the generation processing and output processing of the image signal of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 is the same as the processing in the case where a malfunction occurs in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212. That is, when receiving the operation change command, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates and outputs a compressed image signal. The compressed image signal is transmitted through the isolator 230 and input to the post-stage signal processing circuit 226. Thereby, even when a malfunction occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232 or the optical signal receiving circuit 224, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a captured image is not displayed on the monitor 300.

[If one of the two sets of VCSELs and VCSEL drivers malfunctions]
As shown in FIG. 2, the optical signal transmission circuit 212 of this embodiment has two sets of VCSELs and VCSEL drivers (a set of VCSEL 11a and VCSEL driver 10a and a set of VCSEL 11b and VCSEL driver 10b). Therefore, as a case where a failure occurs in the operation of the optical signal transmission circuit 212, there is a case where a failure occurs not only in the case where both the two sets of operations occur, but also in the operation of only one set. At this time, since the other one set operates normally, it is possible to transmit an image signal using only the other one set. In the following, an image signal transmission method using one set of VCSEL and VCSEL driver will be described.

  The system controller 221 determines whether or not the optical signal transmission circuit 212 is operating normally based on the value of the drive current detected by the current detection circuit 213. When it is determined that one of the two sets of VCSEL and the VCSEL driver included in the optical signal transmission circuit 212 is operating normally and the other is malfunctioning, the system controller 221 sends an operation change command to the preceding stage. Output to the signal processing circuit 211. In response to this operation change command, the image signal generation processing and output processing of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 are changed.

  In the normal state, the image signal generated by the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 is divided into two and transmitted by two sets of VCSELs and VCSEL drivers. On the other hand, for example, when only the set of the VCSEL 11a and the VCSEL driver 10a operates normally and the set of the VCSEL 11b and the VCSEL driver 10b does not operate normally, the image signals are not divided into two, and the VCSEL 11a and the VCSEL Transmitted by a set of drivers 10a. Specifically, when receiving the operation change command, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 increases the transmission speed of the image signal by about twice and outputs it. The image signal whose transmission speed is increased approximately twice is input to the normally operating VCSEL driver 10a, and is converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal by the VCSEL 11a. The optical signal is transmitted to the optical signal receiving circuit 224 via the optical fiber 231 connected to the VCSEL 11a.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when one of the two sets of VCSELs and the VCSEL driver has a problem, the VCSEL and the VCSEL driver that operate normally after the transmission speed is increased. Is transmitted using a set of As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a captured image is not displayed on the monitor 300. Further, although only one set of VCSEL and VCSEL driver is used for transmission of the image signal, the image signal is transmitted at a transmission speed approximately double. Therefore, the transmission speed of the image signal using one set of VCSEL and the VCSEL driver is substantially the same as the transmission speed when using two sets of VCSEL and the VCSEL driver. Therefore, it is not necessary to thin out or compress the image signal for transmission, and the resolution of the captured image displayed on the monitor 300 does not decrease.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmission speed of the image signal is increased approximately twice, but the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the specifications of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211, the optical signal transmission circuit 212, and the like, the transmission speed of the image signal may not be doubled. In this case, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates a compressed image signal having a data amount smaller than that of the image signal, and outputs the compressed image signal at a higher transmission speed. For example, when the transmission speed of the image signal can only be increased up to 1.5 times, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 generates a compressed image signal having a data amount of 75% when the data amount of the image signal is 100%. . By transmitting this compressed image signal at a transmission speed of 1.5 times, the frame rate of the compressed image signal is substantially the same as the frame rate in the case of transmitting the image signal using two sets of VCSEL and VCSEL drivers. It becomes.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the optical signal transmission circuit 212 includes two sets of VCSELs and VCSEL drivers has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the optical signal transmission circuit 212 may include three or more sets of VCSELs and VCSEL drivers. In this case, the optical fiber, the light receiving element and the amplifier circuit included in the optical signal receiving circuit 224 are changed according to the number of sets of the VCSEL and the VCSEL driver.

[If a malfunction occurs in the operation of one of the two sets of optical fiber, light receiving element, and amplifier circuit]
In addition, the processor 200 of this embodiment includes two sets of an optical fiber, a light receiving element, and an amplifier circuit (a set of an optical fiber 231, a light receiving element 20a, and an amplifier circuit 21a, and an optical fiber 232, a light receiving element 20b, and an amplifier circuit 21b. Set). For this reason, when a problem occurs in the operation of the optical fibers 231 and 232 or the optical signal receiving circuit 224, a problem occurs in the operation of only one set as well as in the case where a problem occurs in both of the two sets of operations. There is a case. At this time, since the other one set operates normally, it is possible to transmit an image signal using only the other one set.

  Based on the current value detected by the current detection circuit 225 and the driving state of the optical signal reception circuit 224 or the post-stage signal processing circuit 226, the system controller 221 operates the set of the optical fiber, the light receiving element, and the amplification circuit normally. It is determined whether or not. When it is determined that one is operating normally and the other is defective, the system controller 221 outputs an operation change command to the preceding signal processing circuit 211. In response to this operation change command, the image signal generation processing and output processing of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 are changed.

  The change in the image signal generation process and output process of the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 is the same as the process when a malfunction occurs in one of the two sets of VCSEL and VCSEL drivers. In other words, when receiving the operation change command, the pre-stage signal processing circuit 211 increases the transmission speed of the image signal by about twice and outputs it. The image signal whose transmission speed has been increased approximately twice is input to a VCSEL driver corresponding to a set of normally operating optical fiber, light receiving element, and amplifier circuit, and converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal by the VCSEL. . The optical signal is transmitted through a set of normally operating optical fibers, light receiving elements, and amplifier circuits. Thus, even when a malfunction occurs in one of the two sets of the optical fiber, the light receiving element, and the amplifier circuit, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the captured image is not displayed on the monitor 300.

  The above is the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the embodiment of the present invention also includes contents appropriately combined with embodiments or the like clearly shown in the specification or obvious embodiments.

1 Electronic endoscope apparatus 10a, 10b VCSEL driver 11a, 11b VCSEL
20a, 20b Light receiving element 21a, 21b Amplifier circuit 100 Electronic scope 102 LCB
104 Light distribution lens 106 Objective lens 108 Solid-state imaging device 110 Driver signal processing circuit 112 Memory 200 Processor 210 Primary circuit 211 Pre-stage signal processing circuit 212 Optical signal transmission circuit 213 Current detection circuit 220 Secondary circuit 221 System controller 222 Timing controller 223 Memory 224 Optical signal receiving circuit 225 Current detection circuit 226 Post-stage signal processing circuit 230 Isolator 231 Optical fiber 232 Optical fiber 240 Operation panel 250 Light source unit 251 Lamp 252 Lamp power source igniter 253 Condensing lens

Claims (7)

A primary signal processing circuit for generating an image signal by performing signal processing on a pixel signal output from an imaging device of an electronic scope;
A secondary signal processing circuit for generating a video signal by performing image processing on the image signal output from the primary signal processing circuit;
A plurality of insulated transmission means including at least one normal insulated transmission means for transmitting the image signal in an insulated state from the primary signal processing circuit to the secondary signal processing circuit in a normal state;
Transmission determining means for determining whether or not the normal insulation transmission means can transmit the image signal;
With
The primary signal processing circuit changes a transmission method of the image signal to the secondary signal processing circuit based on a determination result by the transmission determination unit;
Electronic endoscope device. The normally insulated transmission means is
Converting the image signal into an optical signal;
Transmitting the optical signal to the secondary signal processing circuit by an optical fiber;
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. When the transmission determination means determines that the normal insulation transmission means cannot transmit the image signal, the primary signal processing circuit is:
Generating a compressed image signal with a smaller amount of data than the image signal;
Transmitting the compressed image signal to the secondary signal processing circuit by an insulation transmission means other than the normal insulation transmission means among the plurality of insulation transmission means;
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Comprising two or more normally insulated transmission means,
When the transmission determination means determines that the two or more normal insulation transmission means include one that can transmit the image signal and one that cannot transmit the image signal, the primary The signal processing circuit transmits the image signal using only the normally insulated transmission means capable of transmission,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 2. When the transmission determination means determines that the two or more normal insulation transmission means include one that can transmit the image signal and one that cannot transmit the image signal, the primary The signal processing circuit uses only the normal transmission means that can transmit, and transmits the image signal by increasing the transmission speed.
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4. When the transmission determination means determines that the two or more normal insulation transmission means include one that can transmit the image signal and one that cannot transmit the image signal, the primary The signal processing circuit
Generating a compressed image signal with a smaller amount of data than the image signal;
Transmitting the compressed image signal using only the normally insulated transmission means capable of transmission,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. When the transmission determination means determines that the normal insulation transmission means cannot transmit the image signal, the secondary signal processing circuit displays the determination result by the transmission determination means among the plurality of insulation transmission means. Transmit to the primary signal processing circuit by an insulating transmission means other than the normal insulating transmission means,
The electronic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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