JPH06335449A - Electronic endoscope equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electronic endoscope equipment capable of an optimum driving and signal processing for an image pickup means or an electronic endoscope, provided with no adjusting means inside the electronic endoscope. CONSTITUTION:At the tip of an electronic scope. an image pickup element portion 11 for picking up images and a data storing portion 12 for storing corrected data on the sensitivity in an image pickup element, which causes dispersion depending on an electronic scope, a saturation level, etc., are formed in the same chip; by applying a drive signal through an image pickup element drive line, data are read from the data storing portion 12 and outputted to the side of a processor through an image pickup element outputting signal line, so that processing characteristics of a process circuit in the processor may be set at a condition suitable for signal processing of the image pickup element portion 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus in which information for driving an image pickup means or performing signal processing is recorded on the electronic endoscope side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional electronic endoscope apparatus includes an electronic endoscope 201, as shown in FIG. The electronic endoscope 201 has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 202, for example, and a large-diameter operation portion 203 is connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 202. A flexible cable 204 extends laterally from the rear end of the operation unit 203.
A connector 205 is provided at the tip of No. 4. The electronic endoscope 201 includes a video processor 2 in which a light source device and a signal processing circuit are incorporated via the connector 205.
It is designed to be connected to 06. Further, a monitor 207 is connected to the video processor 206.

A rigid tip portion 209 and a curving portion 210 adjacent to the tip portion 209 and capable of curving toward the rear side are sequentially provided on the tip end side of the insertion portion 202. Further, by rotating the bending operation knob 211 provided on the operation portion 203, the bending portion 210 can be bent in the left-right direction or the vertical direction. Also,
The operation section 203 is provided with an insertion port 212 that communicates with a treatment tool channel provided in the insertion section 2.

As shown in FIG. 21, a light guide 2 for transmitting illumination light is provided in the insertion portion 202 of the electronic endoscope 201.
14 is inserted. The tip end surface of the light guide 214 is arranged at the tip end portion 209 of the insertion portion 202, and the illumination light can be emitted from the tip end portion 209.
Further, the incident end side of the light guide 214 is inserted into the universal cord 204 and connected to the connector 205.

An objective lens system 215 is provided at the tip 209, and a solid-state image pickup device 216 is provided at the image forming position of the objective lens system 215. The solid-state image sensor 216 has sensitivity in a wide wavelength range from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region including the visible region. Signal lines 226 and 227 are connected to the solid-state imaging device 216, and the signal lines 226 and 227 are inserted into the insertion portion 202 and the universal cord 204 to allow the connector 2 to be inserted.
05 is connected.

On the other hand, in the video processor 206, a lamp 22 that emits light in a wide band from ultraviolet light to infrared light
1 is provided. As the lamp 221, a general xenon lamp, a strobe lamp, or the like can be used. The xenon lamp and strobe lamp emit a large amount of not only visible light but also ultraviolet light and infrared light. Power is supplied to the lamp 221 from a power supply 222.

A motor 22 is provided in front of the lamp 221.
A rotary filter 250 that is rotationally driven by 3 is provided. Filters that transmit light in the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) wavelength regions for normal observation are arranged in the rotary filter 250 along the circumferential direction.

The motor 223 is controlled in rotation by a motor driver 225 and driven. The light that has passed through the rotary filter 250 and is time-sequentially separated into lights in the R, G, and B wavelength regions is further incident on the incident end of the light guide 214, and the tip is passed through the light guide 214. The light is guided to the portion 209, emitted from the tip portion 209, and illuminates the observation site.

The return light from the observation site due to this illumination light is transmitted by the objective lens system 215 to the solid-state image pickup device 216.
An image is formed on the top and photoelectrically converted. The solid-state image sensor 216 is connected to the solid-state image sensor 216 via the signal line 226.
A drive pulse is applied from the driver circuit 231 in the video processor 206, and the drive pulse is used for reading and transfer.

The video signal read from the solid-state image pickup device 216 is inputted to the preamplifier 232 provided in the video processor 206 or the electronic endoscope 201 through the signal line 227. There is. The video signal amplified by the preamplifier 232 is input to the process circuit 233, is subjected to signal processing such as γ correction and white balance, and is converted by the A / D converter 234.
It is designed to be converted into a digital signal.

This digital video signal is, for example, red (R), green (G), blue (B) by the select circuit 235.
Are selectively stored in the three memories (1) 236a, the memory (2) 236b, and the memory (3) 236c corresponding to the respective colors. The memory (1) 236a,
The memory (2) 236b and the memory (3) 236c are read simultaneously, converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 237, output as R, G, B color signals, and input to the encoder 238. The encoder 238 outputs the NTSC composite signal. Then, the R, G, B color signals or the NTSC composite signal is transmitted to the color monitor 20.
7, and the color monitor 207 displays the observed region in color.

A timing generator 242 is provided in the video processor 206 to generate the timing of the entire system. The timing generator 242 synchronizes the circuits of the motor driver 225 and the driver circuit 231. .

Here, the electronic endoscope 201 can be separated from the video processor 206, and in general, one video processor 206 can be used by connecting different types of electronic endoscopes. Is. In that case, due to the non-uniformity of the image pickup device, various filters, and illumination system inside the electronic endoscope, various combinations such as a drive system, a signal processing system, and a color correction may be applied to the combination of the electronic endoscope and the video processor. It is necessary to make a correction.

Therefore, in the conventional example, the electronic endoscope has an adjusting means for correcting various non-uniformities, or the electronic endoscope itself is provided with an ID number, and the inside of the video processor is provided according to the ID number. Various corrections were made by using the correction data stored in the memory or the like.

[0015]

In the case where the adjusting means is provided inside the electronic endoscope, a circuit as the adjusting means is required, and the circuit must be arranged inside the electronic endoscope. The endoscope itself becomes larger. Also,
In order to make various corrections, the scale of the adjusting means becomes large, and there is naturally a limit in providing the adjusting means inside the electronic endoscope.

In the case of the method of attaching the ID number to the electronic endoscope side, a special terminal for reading the ID number is required, and the number of terminals for connecting the electronic endoscope and the video processor increases, resulting in cost reduction. When the number of terminals is increased and the number of terminals is increased, the reliability with respect to the number of times of connection is reduced, and the contact failure is more likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and an adjusting means is provided inside the electronic endoscope, and an ID is provided.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of optimal driving and signal processing for an image pickup means or an electronic endoscope without requiring provision of a special terminal for reading a number.

[0018]

An electronic endoscope having an elongated insertion portion, an image pickup means, and a signal processing device having the signal processing means, to which the electronic endoscope is detachably connected, are provided. In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the data generating means for generating data corresponding to the characteristic or type of the image pickup means used in the electronic endoscope and the output of the data generating means are superimposed on the output signal line of the image pickup element means. And a superimposing means for controlling the image pickup means in the signal processing device based on the data obtained from the output signal line of the image pickup means. The configuration having the correction / change means for correcting or changing the processing for the signal enables optimum driving and signal processing for the image pickup means or the electronic endoscope.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an image pickup element chip, and FIG. 3 shows an image pickup element. 1 shows a configuration for recording data in a data storage unit of a chip.

The electronic endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Is an electronic endoscope (hereinafter, referred to as an electronic scope) 2, a light source unit 3 that supplies illumination light to the electronic scope 2, a processor unit 4 that performs signal processing for image pickup means of the electronic scope 2, and the processor unit. 4 and a monitor (not shown) for displaying the video signal output from the display unit 4.

The electronic scope 2 has a light guide 6 in an elongated insertion portion, and the light source portion 3 has the light guide 6.
The illuminating light is supplied to the end surface on the hand side of the, and the illuminating light transmitted from the tip surface is emitted. The illuminated object such as a diseased part is imaged by the objective lens 7 provided at the tip of the insertion part on the image pickup element 8 having the image pickup surface on its focal plane, and photoelectrically converted.

In this embodiment, the image pickup device 8 photoelectrically converts an optical image as shown in FIG. 2 and outputs a photoelectrically converted signal when a drive signal is applied thereto.
And the data storage unit 12 for storing the characteristic data of the image pickup device unit 11 and the information about the characteristic data of the electronic scope 2 having the image pickup device unit 11 are formed on the same chip 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the image pickup device unit 11 has the same structure as an image pickup device represented by a CCD, and photoelectrically converts the formed subject image, and the image output unit 14 receives a drive signal. A video signal is output from the signal switching unit 15 through the image sensor output signal line 16.

Further, the data storage section 12 formed on the same chip 13 and storing data can store data and output data in response to a drive signal input to the chip 13. Data input / output is performed through the image sensor output signal line 16 by switching the signal switching unit 15 to the data storage unit 12 side. The switching of the signal switching unit 15 and the drive switching of the data storage unit 12 and the image pickup device unit 11 are performed by a signal included in the drive signal.

The electronic endoscope apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to perform the above operation. The drive circuit 17 included in the processor unit 4 outputs a drive signal for driving the data storage unit 12 inside the image sensor 8 by the control circuit 18. In the image sensor 8, the signal switching unit 15 is switched to the data storage unit 12 side, and the data stored in the data storage unit 12 is output by the drive signal through the image sensor output signal line 16.

The data signal input to the processor section 4 is switched to the contact b side by the switching means 19 and input to the data decoder 21. The data decoder 21 generates control data from the sent data, and the process control signal generator 22 controls the process circuit 23. This control is based on the decrypted data, for example, the factors that vary for each electronic scope 2 (for example, the scope optical system, the color / sensitivity / saturation level in the image sensor unit 11, etc.)
Control to correct them. Further, the data itself may be data for correcting a factor that varies for each electronic scope 2.

When the correction control is completed, the control circuit 18 switches the drive circuit 17 to a signal for driving the image pickup device section 11 of the image pickup device 8, and the drive signal is output through the drive signal line 24. In the image sensor 8, the signal switching unit 15 is switched to the image sensor unit 11 side, and the video signal is output by the drive signal.

The output video signal is sent to the processor section 4 through the image sensor output signal line 16, switched to the contact a side by the signal switching means 19, and input to the process circuit 23.

Since the process circuit 23 is optimally set by the data sent from the data storage section 12 of the image pickup device 8 as described above, the video signal input to the process circuit 23 is connected to the connected electronic device. Optimal processing is applied to the scope 2 and the result is output. Next, the image sensor 8
An example of a means for writing data in the data storage unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The chart 25 is adapted to be illuminated by the illumination light generated by the light source unit 3 and transmitted through the light guide 6.

The amount of illumination light or the like is controlled by the control circuit 26 to a light amount suitable for data generation. The image of the chart 25 is photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device section 11 of the image pickup device 8 and input to the processor section 27 as a video signal through the image pickup device output signal line 16.

The input signal is transmitted to the contact a side by the signal switching means 28, and the process circuit 23 performs a predetermined process. The output of the process circuit 23 is input to the characteristic information analyzer 29, and various signal levels (luminance level, saturation, hue, etc.) of the output signal of the process circuit 23 for the chart 25 are analyzed.

Based on this analysis information, the data generation circuit 30 generates data to be stored in the data storage section 12 of the image sensor 8. When the storage data is generated by the data generation circuit 30, the control circuit 26 causes the drive circuit 17 to generate a data storage drive signal to the data storage unit 12 of the image sensor 8, and the data storage unit 12 of the image sensor 8 stores the data. Enter memory mode.

The output data of the data generating circuit 30 is sent to the image pickup device 8 through the image pickup device output signal line 16 by switching the signal switching means 28 to the contact b side and stored in the data storage section 12. By the above data writing method, it is possible to generate data capable of correcting the variation of the electronic scope 2 and the image pickup device 8.

By writing data by the method described in FIG. 3 and controlling the process circuit 23 by the method described in FIG. 2, optimum signal processing is performed for the image pickup device 8 of each connected electronic scope 2. This makes it possible to prevent various variations due to the electronic scope 2.

In this embodiment, the writing of data is performed while the electronic scope 2 is connected, but it is also possible to write the data using a jig or the like in the state of the image pickup device 8.

In this embodiment, the output signals of the image pickup device section 11 and the data storage section 12 are switched by the output section 14, but the data of the data storage section 12 is directly transmitted to the output transfer section to output the image pickup section output signal. May be output as. Also,
In the above embodiments, the image pickup device section 11 and the data storage section 12 are described as existing on the same chip 13, but the chips can be formed in the same block like a hybrid IC even if the chips are different.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4
Shows a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 31 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the data storage unit 1 is provided in the image sensor 8.
However, in this embodiment, the storage means 34 is provided inside the electronic scope 32 separately from the image pickup element 33, and a new signal line is provided for reading data from the storage means 34. The signal line for driving the image sensor 33 and the output signal line of the image sensor 33 can be shared without providing.

Image pickup device 3 built in the electronic scope 32
3 is driven by the drive signal sent from the processor unit 35 through the drive signal line 36, and a signal for the subject image photoelectrically converted is output. On the other hand, the image sensor 3
Part of the drive signal for driving 3 is input to the storage means 34, the data stored in the storage means 34 formed of a ROM or the like is output at a predetermined timing, and the adder 37 outputs the image sensor 33. The signal is added to the signal and sent to the processor unit 35 through the image sensor output signal line 38.

In the processor section 35, when the output of the storage means 34 is sent, the information decoding means 39
The data from the storage means 34 is decoded and the control information is transmitted to the control means 40. The control means 40 controls the set values of the drive circuit 41, the amplitude correction circuit 42, and the waveform correction circuit 43 based on the control information.

The drive circuit 41 generates an optimum drive timing for the image pickup device 33 by the electronic scope 32. The amplitude correction circuit 42 corrects the amplitude of the drive waveform so that the output waveform of the drive circuit 41 becomes the optimum amplitude in the image sensor 33 at the tip of the electronic scope 32.

The correction of the amplitude of the drive waveform can be realized by controlling the power supply voltage of the output buffer and the like. The waveform correction circuit 43 performs matching correction of the output waveform of the amplitude correction circuit 42 and correction of the frequency characteristic in cable transmission (frequency peaking), and transmits it as a drive signal to the image sensor 33 through the drive signal line 36 inside the electronic scope 32. It This correction can be easily performed by switching the matching resistance value of the drive signal and the value of the capacitor connected in parallel with it.

After these corrections are made, the image pickup device 33
, A drive signal optimal for driving the image pickup device 32 is applied, and the signal output from the image pickup device 33 is guided to the process circuit 23 of the processor unit 35, converted into a standard video signal, and illustrated. Not output to the monitor. In addition,
The light guide 6 of the electronic scope 32 as in the first embodiment.
Illumination light is supplied from the light source unit 3.

The timing of waveform correction will be described with reference to FIG. First, the storage unit 3 from the processor unit 35
4. Transmit a memory enable signal to enable 4. This signal can also be used by using the DC bias signal of the image sensor 33. Further, a signal corresponding to the vertical synchronizing signal (VD) is used as the address reset signal of the storage means 34.

In the storage means 34 whose address has been reset by VD, the address is incremented by a signal having a horizontal synchronizing signal period such as φV, and the data is R-corresponding to it.
It is output from the storage means 34 such as OM. The output data is superimposed on the image sensor output signal line 38 by the adder 37 and is output.

Based on this output data, each correction circuit in the processor section 35 is optimized as described above, and at the same time, the memory enable signal is disabled and the storage means 34 is disabled. Can obtain a video signal by a normal CCD output.

Since the storage means 34 does not need to be driven as strictly as the image pickup element 33, it first sends some standard drive signal, reads the data from the storage means 34, and then, as described above, under normal drive conditions. It suffices to drive the image sensor 33.

This embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the adder 37 is used when data is superimposed on the image sensor output signal line 38, but a signal switching means such as a switch may be used.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. When the image sensor 33 is a CCD, as shown in FIG.
CC corresponding to the reset signal (φR) applied to the CD
The reset section appears in the D output signal waveform. In FIG. 6, as in the second embodiment, the storage means 34 is driven by using a part of the drive signal, and the data is output. Data is,
The image sensor 3 is superimposed on the reset signal by the adder 37.
Entered in 2.

Data is read by sampling the signal output from the CCD in response to the reset signal in the processor unit 35 as shown in FIG.
After reading, the CCD drive signal is optimized as in the second embodiment. The effects of this modification are similar to those of the second embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Light from the lamp 46 of the light source unit 45 is guided by the light guide 47 to the tip of the electronic scope 48 to illuminate the subject 49. The reflected light is imaged by the CCD 50. The CCD 50 is driven by a drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 53 by a timing pulse from a pulse generator 52 in a processor section (also referred to as a camera control unit) 51, and is read out as a video signal.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), a light-emitting diode array 54 is provided on the light-shielded one-row portion of the upper portion of the CCD 50, and the light-emitting diode array 54 has a predetermined pattern. The shaded pixels in the one column portion are shielded from the outside light by the shading portion so as to receive only the light of the light emitting diodes facing each other of the light emitting diode array 54, and therefore the charge is determined depending on whether or not the light emitting diodes emit light. It is decided whether or not to collect.

When the CCD drive signal is applied and read from the CCD 50, the data portion is superposed on the video portion as shown in FIG. 10E between the vertical synchronizing signals shown in FIG. 10D. Read out. After the reset noise is removed by the CDS circuit 55, the video portion is processed by the video processing circuit 56 according to the timing pulse from the pulse generator 52 and output as a video output.

The output of the CDS circuit 55 is also input to the superimposition data extraction circuit 57. In the superimposition data extraction circuit 57, the CDS output of the data section as shown in FIG. 10B is shown in FIG. 10C. Extract such a bit pattern. The number of bits of the data part is determined by the number of horizontal pixels, and for example, in the case of 244 pixels, data of 244 bits can be superimposed. The data to be superimposed is C
The type of the CD 50, the characteristic data of the CCD 50, etc. are superimposed.

The superimposition data extraction circuit 57 converts the characteristic data of the CCD 50 from the extracted bit pattern into the dimming circuit 58.
Then, in the dimming circuit 58, the CDS output and this CCD
The optimum target value is obtained from the characteristic data of 50 and the light source unit 45
The light amount of the lamp 46 is controlled.

In the image processing circuit 56, the CCD
The signal processing and the dimming value are changed based on 50 types and characteristic data. In this way, the CCD array outputs the light emitting diode array 54
Since the data is superimposed by the above, the information from the electronic scope 47 can be sent to the camera control unit 51 without increasing the number of signal lines. The light emitting pattern of the light emitting diode array 54 may be performed using a memory or the like not shown.

FIG. 11 shows an electronic endoscope apparatus 61 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Light from the lamp 46 of the light source unit 45 is guided to the tip of the electronic scope 62 by the light guide 47 to illuminate the subject 49, and the reflected light is imaged by the CCD 50. The CCD 5 is driven by the drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 53 by the timing pulse from the pulse generator 52 in the processor unit 51.
0 is driven to output the output signal of the CCD 50 as a video signal.

The output signal of the CCD 50 is measured in advance and stored in the saturation data memory 63 as CC.
The data saturation circuit 64 superimposes the D saturation level data on the blanking portion of the CCD output at the timing shown in FIG. That is, in the vicinity of the timing at which the vertical synchronizing signal shown in FIG. 12A is output, the data is superimposed on the (video signal portion) as shown in FIG. 12B during the blanking period in which the video signal portion does not exist. Output.

The CDS circuit 55 obtains a video signal from which reset noise has been removed from the CCD output on which this data is superimposed. The video processing circuit 56 processes this video signal according to the timing pulse from the pulse generator 52,
Output as video output. Further, from the output of the CDS circuit 55, the CCD saturation level data superposed on the electronic scope 62 side is extracted by the superimposition data extraction circuit 57 and is supplied to the dimming circuit 58. An optimum target value is obtained from the video signal level and the light amount of the lamp 46 of the light source unit 45 is controlled.

As described above, the CCD saturation level data measured in advance on the electronic scope 62 side is superimposed, and this is extracted on the processor section 51 side, and the light is adjusted accordingly. It can be adjusted to the light level.

FIG. 13 shows an electronic endoscope apparatus 71 which is a modification of the fourth embodiment. In this modification, in FIG. 11, an electronic scope 73 having a liquid crystal filter 72 in front of the CCD 50 is used without the saturated data memory 63 and the data superimposing circuit 64.

The reflected light from the subject 49 is reflected by the liquid crystal filter 72.
The image is picked up by the CCD 50 through. The liquid crystal filter 72 is normally driven by the liquid crystal drive circuit 76 during the exposure time from the shutter control circuit 75 in the processor section 74.

The output of the CDS circuit 55 is input to the dimming circuit 58, and the dimming circuit 58 adjusts the light amount of the lamp 46 of the light source unit 45 so that the light level of the lamp 46 becomes a predetermined level according to the video signal level output from the CDS circuit 55. Are in control.

Here, the pattern display instruction circuit 77 issues a pattern display instruction when a white image is taken, such as during white balance, and a predetermined pattern is stored in the pattern memory 78 as shown in FIG. Data is generated in the liquid crystal filter 72 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 76.

The CCD 50 images the reflected light of this black and white pattern through the liquid crystal filter 72. The pattern reading circuit 79 removes the reset noise from the CCD output and outputs the CDS output shown in FIG.
The bit pattern as shown in FIG.
14D is read as a meaningful signal only in the bit pattern mask as shown in FIG.

Depending on the information read by the pattern reading circuit 79, for example, CCD type, CCD saturation level data, image pickup system information, etc., the characteristics of the image processing circuit 56 are changed or the dimming value is changed depending on the CCD type. Or C
The target value of dimming is changed depending on the CD saturation level.

As described above, the electronic scope 73 has a function of displaying a predetermined pattern on the liquid crystal filter 72 provided on the front surface of the CCD 50, and by reading this, the number of connecting lines between the electronic scope 73 and the processor section 74 is increased. It is possible to send a large amount of information to the processor unit 74 without causing it.

Since this modification uses a liquid crystal drive line different from the signal line for driving the CCD 50, the number of drive lines is larger than that in the fourth embodiment. , You may reduce it.

FIG. 15 shows the overall configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus 81 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The processor 82 is provided with a detachable connector for the electronic scope 83, and the electronic scope 83 of a different type is attached thereto.

A solid-state image pickup device 84 is provided at the tip of the electronic scope 83, and a light guide 85 provided in the electronic scope 83 provides illumination light from a light source device 86 according to the image pickup method of the electronic scope 83. It is transmitted and emitted from the front end surface to the subject side.

A signal line 87 is embedded in the electronic scope 83, the drive signal generated in the processor 82 is sent to the solid-state image sensor 84, and the video signal from the solid-state image sensor 84 is transmitted to the processor 82. To do. A stripe filter 84a for color separation is attached to the front surface of the solid-state image sensor 84 in the electronic scope 83. A mosaic filter is attached to an electronic scope (not shown) different from the electronic scope 83.

In the processor 82, the video signal is processed into a signal form that can be displayed on the monitor 88.
Output to. FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of the signal processing system of this embodiment.

The light from the lamp 89 in the light source device 86 is condensed by the lens 90, supplied to the light guide 85, and emitted from the front end surface thereof. The illuminated subject is imaged by the objective lens 91 at the tip of the electronic scope 83 on the solid-state image pickup device 84 arranged on the focal plane thereof, and photoelectrically converted. A stripe filter 84a is attached to the front surface of the solid-state imaging device 84, and color separation is performed for each horizontal line or vertical line pixel.

In the solid-state image pickup device 84, the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating means 93 in the processor 82 is supplied to the signal line 8.
A video signal, which is applied via 7a and photoelectrically converted, is output. A read signal for reading the stored information is applied from the drive signal generation means 93 to the superimposition information storage means 94 during the output period of the video signal.

The information from the superimposition information storage means 94 is added by the adder 9 to the video signal at a predetermined timing obtained from the drive signal, that is, at a timing other than the video signal output period.
5 is added.

This information represents the configuration information of the color filter provided on the front surface of the image pickup surface of the solid-state image pickup element 84,
When the color filter is the stripe filter 84a, signals shown in FIG. 17A are added, and when the color filter is a mosaic filter, signals shown in FIG. 17B are added. The video signal on which the information is superimposed is sent to the processor 82.

Inside the processor 82, the information superimposed on the video signal is superimposed signal reading means 96 at the timing of the detection pulse (FIG. 17C) from the drive signal generating means 93.
Is read and the configuration of the color filter is determined.

The video signal is input to the signal processing means 97 for stripe filter and the signal processing means 98 for mosaic filter provided inside the processor 82, and the multiplexer 99 is switched by the output of the superposition signal reading means 96. As a result, the video signal subjected to signal processing according to the type of color filter is sent to the monitor 88 and displayed.

Next, a modification of the fifth embodiment will be described. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, information is superimposed on the solid-state image sensor 84 at a location other than the effective image period. In the modification, as shown in FIG. 18A, vertical transfer pulses φV1 to φV
4 edge portions A, B, C, D are detected, and the video signal or drive signal is gated according to the timing,
A plurality of these pieces of information are superimposed and output as shown in FIG. 18B during the horizontal blanking period. Thus, when the vertical transfer pulse has four phases, 2 to the fourth power, that is, 16 pieces of information can be superimposed.

After this is detected by the CDS circuit inside the processor, the superposition information is read at the detection timings A'to D'created using the timings A to D of the edge portion of the vertical transfer pulse (FIG. 18 (c). )reference). Further, by changing the phase of the signal according to the timing of the edge portion of the vertical transfer pulse as shown in FIG. 18 (d) and also using the negative side output of the CDS circuit output, 3 4th power, that is, 81 pieces of information According to the fifth embodiment and its modification, it is possible to superimpose the information on the arrangement of the color filters superimposed on the video signal even when an electronic scope having different color filters is connected to the processor. The automatic determination in the processor can save the operator the trouble of selecting the color filter array. In addition, it is possible to prevent mistakes in selection, which further improves the diagnosability.

FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The solid-state image sensor 84 at the tip of the electronic scope 102 is driven by the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating means 93 in the processor 103, and the irradiation light from the light source device 104 is applied to the subject through the light guide 85.

The reflected light from the subject is photoelectrically converted by the solid-state image sensor 84 and output as a video signal. Information from the superimposition information storage means 94 is added to this video signal by the adder 95 at a predetermined timing obtained from the drive signal, that is, at a timing other than the video signal output period.

This information indicates whether the image pickup method of the electronic scope 102 is the simultaneous method or the frame sequential method, that is, the presence or absence of the color filter provided on the front surface of the image pickup surface of the solid-state image pickup device 84. In the case of the simultaneous method, FIG. In the case of a) and the frame sequential system, signals as shown in FIG. 17B are added. The video signal on which the information is superimposed is sent to the processor 103.

In the processor 103, the information superimposed on the video signal is read by the superimposed signal reading means 96 at the timing of the detection pulse from the drive signal generating means 93 (FIG. 17 (c)), and the CPU 105 discriminates the imaging method. It

The signal processing circuit 10 inside the processor 103.
Reference numeral 7 is composed of a programmable logic circuit element 111 and a memory 112, and is programmed into a circuit configuration according to the image pickup method based on the program data stored in the data ROM 113 by the output of the CPU 105.

Further, the CPU 105 in the processor 103 sends the determination result of the imaging method to the CPU 114 in the light source device 104, and the CPU 114 in the light source device 104 accordingly inserts the rotary filter 115 in the light source device 104 on the illumination optical axis. , Or retract from the illumination optical axis. As a result, the illumination system and signal processing are performed according to the difference in the imaging system, and the video signal is sent to the monitor and displayed.

According to this embodiment, even when the electronic scopes of different image pickup methods are connected to the processor, the operator automatically determines the image pickup method by automatically discriminating the image pickup method information superimposed on the video signal in the processor. It is possible to save the trouble of selecting. In addition, it is possible to prevent an erroneous selection of the imaging method, and the diagnostic operability is further improved.

[0086]

According to the present invention, it is possible to optimally drive the image pickup means or the endoscope and perform signal processing depending on the types of the image pickup means and the endoscope. As a result, the best signal can always be obtained for the connected endoscope, and various variations due to the endoscope can be absorbed.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image sensor chip.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration for recording data in a data storage unit of an image sensor chip.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of timing of waveform correction.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a distal end side of an electronic scope according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of an output signal when a reset signal is applied to the image sensor.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of a modified example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram of a modified example of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic scope 3 ... Light source part 4 ... Processor part 8 ... Imaging device 11 ... Imaging device part 12 ... Data storage part 13 ... Chip 15 ... Signal switching part 16 ... Imaging device output signal line 17 ... Drive circuit 18 ... Control circuit 19 ... Signal switching means 21 ... Data decoder 22 ... Process control signal generator 23 ... Process circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic endoscope including an electronic endoscope having an elongated insertion portion, an image pickup means, and a signal processing device having a signal processing means to which the electronic endoscope is detachably connected. In a mirror device, data generating means for generating data corresponding to the characteristics or type of image pickup means used in an electronic endoscope, and superimposing means for superimposing the output of the data generating means on the output signal line of the image pickup element means. Is provided inside the electronic endoscope, and based on the data obtained from the output signal line of the image pickup means, drive the image pickup means in the signal processing device or process the output signal of the image pickup means. An electronic endoscope apparatus having correction / change means for correcting or changing.