JPH08181981A - Electronic endoscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] An electronic endoscope in which the entire endoscope observation screen is always displayed without any omissions even when the endoscopic observation screen is enlarged and displayed on the monitor screen. The purpose is to provide a device. [Structure] The entire endoscope observation image 100 is displayed on a television monitor 30.
The image enlargement for enlarging the size of the endoscopic observation image 100 corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image pickup device 4 so as to be displayed by enlarging the entire effective screen of the television monitor 30 without protruding from the effective screen 31 of FIG. Means 19 and 20 are provided in the video processor 10.

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 an endoscopic observation image picked up by a solid-state image pickup device is processed by a video processor and displayed on a television monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A solid-state image pickup device used in an electronic endoscope has a smaller number of pixels than a general solid-state image pickup device because of its size limitation. Therefore, in a normal electronic endoscope apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10, a display frame for an endoscopic observation image is set in the central portion of the monitor screen in correspondence with the number of pixels, and the endoscopic view is set within the frame. The mirror observation image 100 is displayed.

When it is desired to observe the lesion in detail, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, only the central portion of the endoscopic observation image can be enlarged and displayed in the display frame.

[0004]

However, when only a part of the image is magnified and displayed in the display frame as described above, the peripheral part other than the magnified part is not displayed on the monitor screen. If endoscopic observation is continued, the lesion may be overlooked.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the endoscopic observation screen is enlarged and displayed on the monitor screen, the entire endoscopic observation screen is always displayed without omission, so that the lesion is not overlooked. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention captures an endoscopic observation image with a solid-state image pickup device and outputs the image pickup signal from the electronic endoscope. In an electronic endoscope apparatus adapted to transmit an image signal obtained by processing the image pickup signal by the video processor to a television monitor and display an endoscope observation image on the television monitor screen. In order to display the entire endoscopic observation image by enlarging the entire effective screen of the television monitor without protruding from the effective screen of the television monitor, the endoscope corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image sensor is displayed. An image enlarging means for enlarging the size of the mirror observation image is provided in the video processor.

The pixel number information of the solid-state image pickup device may be stored in the electronic endoscope and the information may be read by the video processor side. Further, when the scan mode selecting means capable of selecting the underscan mode for reducing the screen size displayed on the television monitor and displaying the entire image within the effective screen is provided, the scan mode selecting means is provided. The image magnifying means may magnify the size of the endoscopic observation image in accordance with the mode selection state.

[0008]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
1 shows an overall configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A solid-state image pickup device 4 such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) is arranged at an image-forming position of an object by an objective optical system 3 provided at the tip of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1. An endoscopic observation image obtained by the optical system 3 is captured. Reference numeral 5 is a light guide fiber bundle for transmitting illumination light that illuminates the observation range.

In the connector section 6 of the endoscope 1 which is detachably connected to the video processor 10, a drive circuit 7 for amplifying signals input to and output from the solid-state image sensor 4 and pixels of the solid-state image sensor 4 are provided. A rewritable read-only memory (EEPR) in which data unique to the electronic endoscope 1 such as numbers is stored.
OM) 8 and the like are arranged.

The video processor 10 also serves as an illumination light source device, and illumination light is incident on the light guide fiber bundle 5 of the electronic endoscope 1 from a light source lamp 11 in the video processor 10.

In the middle of the incident optical path, a three-color rotary filter 12 to which three color filters of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are attached is arranged so as to rotate at a constant speed. Then, the illumination light of each color of red, green and blue is sequentially incident on the light guide fiber bundle 5 with a time shift.

The output end of the CCD process unit 14 connected to the drive circuit 7 of the solid-state image pickup device 4 has a timing circuit 15.
Is connected to the input end of the video process unit 16 via the enlargement control circuit 19, and in the series of processes, the image pickup signal sent from the electronic endoscope 1 is processed and the video signal is converted into a video process unit. 16 to the television monitor 30.

Then, the CCD process unit 14, the timing circuit 15, the enlargement control circuit 19 and the video process unit 1
The operation of 6 is interlocked and controlled by the system control unit 17 having a central processing unit (CPU).

Further, the data on the electronic endoscope 1 side is read from the EEPROM 8 connected thereto via the peripheral driver 18 connected to the system control unit 17.

Within the video processor 10, there is provided a magnification ratio storage circuit 20 for storing the magnification ratio of the endoscopic observation image. The magnification ratio selected there is sent to the magnification control circuit 19 and the television monitor 30. The endoscopic observation image displayed at is enlarged and displayed at the enlargement ratio.

The selection as to whether or not to enlarge the endoscopic observation image is made, for example, by a switch provided on the operation panel (not shown) of the video processor 10, and the selection signal is sent to the system control section 17.

When the enlargement is not selected, the system control section 17 outputs a control signal for selecting the enlargement ratio = 1 (that is, equal magnification) to the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20.

When image enlargement is selected, EEPRO
The system control unit 17 outputs a control signal for selecting the enlargement ratio corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image sensor 4 read from M8 in the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20. Then, according to the enlargement ratio selected in the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20,
The enlargement control circuit 19 enlarges the endoscopic observation image.

On the operation panel (not shown) of the video processor 10, the display of the television monitor 30 is set to the normal scan mode in which the peripheral portion of the image is out of the monitor screen and cannot be seen, or the screen size is slightly reduced. A scan mode selection switch is provided to select whether to set the underscan mode so that all the images are displayed within the effective screen of the television monitor 30.

The scan mode selection signal is input to the system control unit 17, and the display state of the television monitor 30 is switched by the control signal output from the system control unit 17 correspondingly. At the same time, the enlargement ratio selected by the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20 is also changed according to which scan mode is selected.

FIG. 2 shows the contents of the data stored in the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20 for selecting such an enlargement ratio, and the enlargement ratio is always 1 in the standard mode (non-expansion mode). Is being prepared.

In the expansion mode, X ₁ ² , X ₂ ² ... X _n ² in the case of underscan, and Y in the case of normal scan, corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image pickup device 4 (CCD).
Different magnification rates of ₁ ² , Y ₂ ² ... Y _n ² are selected. However, X> Y.

As an example of the state in the case of enlargement, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of underscan in which the entire image is displayed without protruding within the effective screen 31, the endoscopic observation image 100 fills the entire screen. Expansion rate is X ²
Is selected, and the endoscopic observation image 100 is enlarged and displayed in the effective screen 31.

On the other hand, if the same enlargement ratio is adopted in the normal scan, the endoscopic observation image 100 extends beyond the effective screen 31 of the television monitor 30 as shown in FIG. You will not be able to see the surrounding area.

Therefore, in the case of normal scanning, X
By adopting a magnifying power Y ² smaller than ² , the endoscopic observation image 100 is displayed on the effective screen 3 as shown in FIG.
It is displayed without overflowing within 1 area.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts showing the control contents performed by the system control unit 17 for performing the above-described operation. S indicates a control step. This process is started when the enlargement selection switch or the scan mode selection switch of the panel switch is pressed. First, in S1, which kind of solid-state image sensor 4 from the EEPROM 8 is selected.
Read if is used.

Next, in step S2, the state of the enlargement selection switch is read to determine whether or not the enlargement mode is set. In the case of the enlargement mode, the state of the scan mode selection switch is further read in S3 to determine whether it is the underscan mode.

In the underscan mode,
In S4, a control signal for underscan display is output to the television monitor 30, and in S5, the enlargement ratio storage circuit 2
With respect to 0, a control signal for selecting the enlargement ratio X ² for underscan corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image pickup device 4 is output, and the process ends.

If it is not in the underscan mode in S3 (that is, in the normal scan mode), in S6,
A control signal for outputting a normal scan display to the television monitor 30 is output, and control is performed in S7 to select a magnification ratio Y ² for normal scan corresponding to the number of pixels of the solid-state image sensor 4 to the magnification ratio storage circuit 20. Outputs a signal and ends.

If the mode is not the enlargement mode in S2, the state of the scan mode selection switch is read in S8 to determine whether or not the underscan mode. And
In the underscan mode, a control signal for underscan display is output to the TV monitor 30 in S9, and the enlargement ratio is stored in the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20 in S10.
A control signal for selecting 1 is output, and the process ends.

If it is not in the underscan mode in S8 (that is, in the normal scan mode), S11
Then, a control signal for normal scan display is output to the television monitor 30, and the enlargement ratio storage circuit 20 is output in S12.
In response, a control signal for selecting the enlargement ratio = 1 is output and the process ends.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the pixel number information of the solid-state image sensor 4 is
As shown in FIG. 8, a signal of “H” level or “L” level may be fixedly generated by a potential set in the electronic endoscope 1, and as shown in FIG. By opening and closing the switch 22 on the video processor 10 side by the unevenness 9 and the like formed on the connector portion 6 of the endoscope 1,
An "H" level or "L" level signal may be generated.

[0034]

According to the present invention, according to the number of pixels of the solid-state image pickup device of the electronic endoscope used, the entire endoscopic observation image does not protrude from the effective screen of the television monitor screen, and the effective screen is displayed. Since it is enlarged and displayed as much as possible, even when the endoscope observation screen is enlarged and displayed on the TV monitor screen,
The entire endoscopic observation screen is always displayed without omission, and reliable diagnosis can be performed without overlooking the lesion.

If the pixel number information of the solid-state image pickup device is stored in the electronic endoscope and the information is read by the video processor side, various electronic endoscopes having different pixel numbers depending on the model are used. Enlarged display of the entire image can be performed without protruding.

Further, when it is possible to select the underscan mode for display on the television monitor, if the image enlarging means enlarges the size of the endoscopic observation image in accordance with the scan mode selected state, the television monitor is displayed. Therefore, regardless of which scan mode is selected, the enlarged display of the entire image as described above can always be performed without protruding.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of data stored in a magnification ratio storage circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a monitor screen in an underscan mode according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a monitor screen for explaining a state in a normal scan mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the monitor screen in the normal scan mode according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a control processing flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control processing flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a normal monitor screen.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a conventional monitor screen in an enlarged display state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope 4 Solid-state image sensor 8 EEPROM 10 Video processor 17 System control unit 19 Enlargement control circuit 20 Enlargement ratio storage circuit 30 Television monitor 31 Effective screen 100 Endoscopic observation image

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A video signal obtained by imaging an endoscopic observation image with a solid-state imaging device, transmitting the imaging signal from an electronic endoscope to a video processor, and processing the imaging signal with the video processor. In an electronic endoscope apparatus which outputs the image to a monitor and displays the endoscopic observation image on the television monitor screen, the television without the entire endoscopic observation image protruding from the effective screen of the television monitor. The video processor is provided with an image enlarging means for enlarging the size of the endoscopic observation image in correspondence with the number of pixels of the solid-state image pickup device so as to be enlarged and displayed on the entire effective screen of the monitor. And electronic endoscope device. 2. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein pixel number information of the solid-state image pickup device is stored in the electronic endoscope, and the information is read into the video processor side. 3. A scan mode selecting means is provided which can select an underscan mode for reducing the screen size displayed on the television monitor to display the entire image within an effective screen, and the scan mode selecting means is provided. 3. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image enlarging means enlarges the size of the endoscopic observation image in accordance with the mode selection state in FIG.