JP2010051634A - Processor for electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processor for electronic endoscopes easily performing adjustment of a color balance at a low cost when using a consumer-use monitor as an alternative for a medical monitor. <P>SOLUTION: In an examination mode for examining a consumer-use monitor 21, a CPU 50 at first controls first to third switch circuits 57a-57c to display an examination image stored in an examination image storage memory 54 on the consumer-use monitor 21 via an image display control circuit 53, inputs an image outputted from an image processing circuit 52 as the result of imaging the display screen by an electronic endoscope 10 and the examination image stored in the examination image storage memory 54 in a color balance determination circuit 55, and allows the circuit 55 to calculate the amount of deviation of a color balance. Then, the CPU 50 controls the image processing circuit 52 based on the amount of deviation of the color balance calculated by the color balance determination circuit 55 to adjust the color balance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processor device for an electronic endoscope that performs image processing on an image signal obtained by an electronic endoscope (scope) and outputs the processed image signal to a monitor.

  In the medical field, medical diagnosis using an electronic endoscope system is actively performed. An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope (scope) having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity and a solid-state imaging device built in the electronic endoscope, in which the electronic endoscope is detachably connected. A processor that receives an image signal (hereinafter simply referred to as an image), performs image processing, and outputs an observation image to a monitor. The electronic endoscope system can observe gastrointestinal tract such as esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, lung trachea and the like by inserting an insertion portion into a body cavity.

  In an electronic endoscope system, a medical monitor is used to display a high-definition image of a subject. Since this medical monitor is expensive, an alternative medical monitor can be easily used in the event of a failure. May not be secured. For this reason, when the medical monitor breaks down at the time of diagnosis, it may lead to the worst situation such as causing the patient being diagnosed to wait for a long time.

  Therefore, an electronic endoscope system is known in which a consumer monitor such as a personal computer can be used in addition to a medical monitor (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this electronic endoscope system, when a medical monitor breaks down, the worst situation can be avoided by using a consumer monitor that can be easily secured as an alternative.

  However, if a consumer monitor is used as an alternative to a medical monitor, the consumer monitor may have a different color balance than the medical monitor due to differences in performance and settings. When the difference in color balance is large, the doctor misrecognizes the color of the subject such as the affected part, and in the worst case, a medical error occurs.

Patent Document 3 discloses an electronic endoscope system that enables easy color adjustment of the electronic endoscope system. In this electronic endoscope system, first, a reference chart is imaged, and color adjustment from the electronic endoscope to the camera control unit (CCU) in the processor device is performed based on the imaging result. Thereafter, the inspection image is displayed on the monitor, the screen is imaged by an electronic endoscope, and the color of the encoder and the monitor for converting the image into a display image is adjusted based on the imaging result.
JP 2001-218734 A JP 2001-197488 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-152656

  However, in the electronic endoscope system described in Patent Document 3, since the encoder and the monitor are adjusted so that the color balance is a predetermined value, it is assumed that the monitor has a color balance adjustment function. Therefore, it is impossible to apply a consumer monitor without a color balance adjustment function. Usually, consumer monitors do not have a color balance adjustment function and can only switch color temperatures.

  In an ordinary electronic endoscope system, an encoder that generates a display image signal to be displayed on a monitor does not have a color balance adjustment function. Therefore, the encoder is configured to adjust the color balance. Then, there is a problem that the cost is improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when using a consumer monitor as an alternative to a medical monitor, an electronic endoscope processor capable of easily and cost-effectively adjusting the color balance. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope processor device according to the present invention includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on an image input from an electronic endoscope, and the image processing unit performs image processing. Image display control means for displaying an image on a monitor, inspection image storage means for storing an inspection image, color balance determination means for comparing two images and calculating a deviation amount of color balance, the image processing means, An image display control means, a switch means for changing a connection state between the color balance determination means, and the switch means for controlling the inspection image stored in the inspection image storage means via the image display control means. As a result of displaying on the monitor and imaging the display screen with the electronic endoscope, an image output from the image processing means and an inspection image stored in the inspection image storage means A first step of inputting color balance determination means to calculate a color balance shift amount; and color balance by controlling the image processing means based on the color balance shift amount calculated in the first step. And a control means for executing a second step of performing the adjustment.

  Note that adjustment data storage means for storing the deviation amount calculated by the color balance determination means as adjustment data is provided, and the control means stores the adjustment data stored in the adjustment data storage means when the power is turned off. It is preferable to erase the data.

  In addition, it is provided with notifying means for notifying whether or not the monitor is unusable, and the control means determines whether or not the color balance deviation amount calculated in the first step is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the deviation amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the second step is executed, and if the deviation amount is larger than the predetermined value, the notification means is informed that the monitor cannot be used. It is preferable.

  The processor device for an electronic endoscope according to the present invention can adjust the color balance easily and at low cost when a consumer monitor is used as an alternative to a medical monitor.

  In FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope system 2 includes an electronic endoscope 10, a processor device 11, a light source device 12, and the like. The electronic endoscope 10 is connected to a flexible insertion portion 13 that is inserted into a body cavity, a hand operating portion 14 that is connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 13, a processor device 11, and a light source device 12. Universal cord 15.

  A distal end portion 16 having a built-in CCD type solid-state imaging device 40 (hereinafter simply referred to as CCD 40) (see FIG. 3) is connected to the distal end of the insertion portion 13. Behind the distal end portion 16 is provided a bending portion 17 in which a plurality of bending pieces are connected. The bending portion 17 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions when the angle knob 18 provided in the hand operation portion 14 is operated and the wire inserted in the insertion portion 13 is pushed and pulled. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 16 is orient | assigned to the desired direction in a body cavity.

  The base end of the universal cord 15 is connected to the connector 19. The connector 19 is of a composite type. The connector 19 is connected to the light source device 12 in addition to the processor device 11.

  The processor device 11 receives an image output from the CCD 40 and performs various signal processing on the received image. The image processed by the processor device 11 is displayed as an observation image on the medical monitor 20 connected to the processor device 11 with a cable. Instead of the medical monitor 20, a consumer monitor 21 used for a personal computer or the like can be connected to the processor device 11. The processor device 11 is electrically connected to the light source device 12 and comprehensively controls the operation of the electronic endoscope system 2.

  The hand operating unit 14 of the electronic endoscope 10 has an air supply / water supply device (incorporated in the light source device 12), in addition to a forceps port 22 through which various treatment tools having an injection needle, a high-frequency knife, and the like are inserted. Operation buttons such as an air / water supply button 23 are provided for air / water supply using air or cleaning water supplied from an air (not shown). Further, on the front surface of the processor unit 11, an operation button for switching between an “observation mode” for performing normal imaging and an “inspection mode” for inspecting color balance when the consumer monitor 21 is used. A front panel 24 having various operation buttons including the above is provided.

  In FIG. 2, an observation window 30, an illumination window 31, a forceps outlet 32, and an air / water supply nozzle 33 are provided on the end surface 16 a of the distal end portion 16. The observation window 30 is disposed at the center on one side of the end face 16a. Two illumination windows 31 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the observation window 30, and irradiate illumination light guided from the light source device 12 through the light guide 65 (see FIG. 3) to the site to be observed in the body cavity. The forceps outlet 32 is connected to a forceps channel (not shown) disposed in the insertion portion 13 and communicates with the forceps port 22 so that the distal end of the treatment tool inserted from the forceps port 22 is exposed. The air / water supply nozzle 33 injects cleaning water and air supplied from the air / water supply device toward the observation window 30 in accordance with the operation of the air / water supply button 23.

  In FIG. 3, a CCD 40 is built in the distal end portion 16 of the electronic endoscope 10, and the CCD 40 is disposed at an imaging position of an objective lens 41 provided to face the observation window 30. The CCD 40 employs a single-plate simultaneous method as a color imaging method, and a color filter composed of a plurality of color segments (for example, a primary color filter with a Bayer arrangement) is disposed on the light receiving surface.

  The TG 42 generates a driving pulse (vertical / horizontal scanning pulse, reset pulse, etc.) for the CCD 40 and a synchronizing pulse for the analog signal processing circuit (AFE) 44 based on the control of the CPU 43. The CCD 40 is driven by a driving pulse input from the TG 42, photoelectrically converts an optical image formed through the objective lens 41, and outputs it as an image.

  The AFE 44 includes a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), and an A / D converter. The CDS circuit performs correlated double sampling processing on the image output from the CCD 40 and removes reset noise and amplifier noise generated in the CCD 40. The PGA amplifies the image from which noise has been removed by the CDS circuit at a predetermined amplification factor designated by the CPU 43. The A / D converter digitizes the image amplified by the PGA. The digital image output from the AFE 44 is input into the processor device 11 via the connector 19 described above.

  The processor device 11 includes a CPU 50, a RAM 51, an image processing circuit 52, an image display control circuit 53, an inspection image storage memory 54, a color balance determination circuit 55, an isolator 56, and first to third switch circuits 57a to 57c. The CPU 50 controls each part in the processor device 11 and controls the entire electronic endoscope system 2 in an integrated manner. The isolator 56 is an insulating separation element for insulating and isolating the electronic endoscope 10 from the processor device 11. The image output from the AFE 44 is input to the image processing circuit 52 via the isolator 56.

  Under the control of the CPU 50, the image processing circuit 52 performs image processing such as color interpolation, color separation, color balance adjustment, gamma correction, and image enhancement processing on an image for one frame input from the AFE 44. The image output from the image processing circuit 52 is input to the first and second switch circuits 57a and 57b. The CPU 50 gives an instruction to the image processing circuit 52 based on the adjustment data stored in the RAM 51 to adjust the color balance of the image.

  The first switch circuit 57a is a switch element that has three terminals A to C and connects the terminal A to the terminal B or the terminal C. The image display control circuit 53 is connected to the terminal A of the first switch circuit 57a, the image processing circuit 52 and the second switch circuit 57b are connected to the terminal B, and the third switch circuit is connected to the terminal C. 57c and the inspection image storage memory 54 are connected.

  The second switch circuit 57 b is an on / off switch, and is connected between the terminal B of the first switch circuit 57 a and the color balance determination circuit 55. The third switch circuit 57 c is an on / off switch, and is connected between the terminal C of the first switch circuit 57 a and the color balance determination circuit 55. Based on the control of the CPU 50, in the observation mode, the terminal A of the first switch circuit 57a is connected to the terminal B, and the second and third switch circuits 57b and 57c are turned off.

  In the observation mode, the image output from the image processing circuit 52 is input to the image display control circuit 53 via the first switch circuit 57a. The image display control circuit 53 converts the image input from the image processing circuit 52 into a display signal for display on the medical monitor 20 and outputs the display signal to the medical monitor 20.

  In the inspection mode for inspecting the consumer monitor 21, the first to third switch circuits 57a to 57c are switched in a predetermined order to be described later based on the control of the CPU 50.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection image storage memory 54 has an inspection image 54a represented as a four-color color bar chart in which white (W) is added to red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Is remembered. The inspection image 54a is output to the image display control circuit 53 and the color balance determination circuit 55 by switching control of the first and third switch circuits 57a and 57c in the inspection mode.

  In the inspection mode, the inspection image 54 a is output to the image display control circuit 53 and displayed on the consumer monitor 21. The inspection image 54 a displayed on the consumer monitor 21 is captured by the electronic endoscope 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a triangular pyramid-shaped light-shielding jig 70 is fitted so that external light other than the display light of the consumer monitor 21 does not enter the distal end portion 16 of the electronic endoscope 10. The inspection image 54 a displayed on the monitor 21 is covered with the light shielding jig 70. The inspection image 54 a displayed on the consumer monitor 21 is captured by the CCD 40 in the electronic endoscope 10, subjected to analog signal processing by the AFE 44, and then input to the image processing circuit 52 via the isolator 56.

  The color balance determination circuit 55 acquires the image output from the image processing circuit 52 via the second switch circuit 57b, and also stores the inspection image stored in the inspection image storage memory 54 via the third switch circuit 57c. 54a is acquired, and the color balance deviation amount including the white balance is calculated by comparing the color balances of both the acquired images. This color balance deviation amount is sent to the CPU 50 as adjustment data for adjusting the color balance. The CPU 50 records the adjustment data sent from the color balance determination circuit 55 in the RAM 51 and controls the image processing circuit 52 with reference to the adjustment data recorded in the RAM 51 to adjust the color balance of the image.

  In addition, when the adjustment data sent from the color balance determination circuit 55 is larger than a predetermined value (maximum value capable of adjusting the color balance) and the color balance cannot be adjusted, the CPU 50 controls the image display control circuit 53. A message indicating that the consumer monitor 21 to be inspected cannot be used is displayed on the consumer monitor 21. This message is displayed in an area other than the part to which the light shielding jig 70 is attached on the screen of the consumer monitor 21 so that the user can visually recognize it.

  Further, when the power of the processor device 11 is turned off, the CPU 50 erases the adjustment data in the RAM 51 so that the adjustment data is not always used.

  The light source device 12 includes a CPU 60, a light source 61, a light source driver 62, a diaphragm mechanism 63, and a condenser lens 64. The CPU 60 communicates with the CPU 50 of the processor device 11 and controls the light source driver 62 and the diaphragm mechanism 63. The light source 61 is a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like, and is driven and controlled by a light source driver 62. The diaphragm mechanism 63 is disposed on the light exit side of the light source 61 and increases or decreases the amount of light incident on the condenser lens 64. The condenser lens 64 condenses the light that has passed through the aperture mechanism 63 and guides it to the incident end of the light guide 65 of the electronic endoscope 10 connected to the light source device 12. The light guide 65 is inserted from the proximal end to the distal end portion 16 of the electronic endoscope 10, and the emission end is connected to each illumination window 31 described above. In the inspection mode, the light emission of the light source 61 is turned off.

  Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope system 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When observing the inside of a body cavity using the electronic endoscope system 2, the electronic endoscope 10, the processor device 11, the light source device 12, and the medical monitor 20 are turned on to turn on the electronic endoscope 10. The insertion portion 13 is inserted into the body cavity, and the observation image inside the body cavity imaged by the CCD 40 is observed on the medical monitor 20 while illuminating the inside of the body cavity with the illumination light from the light source device 12. In this observation mode, the second and third switch circuits 57b and 57c are turned off, and the terminal A of the first switch circuit 57a is connected to the terminal B.

  When the medical monitor 20 breaks down and the consumer monitor 21 is used as an alternative for the processor device 11, when checking the color balance of the consumer monitor 21, first, as shown in FIG. The distal end portion 16 of the insertion portion 13 of the endoscope 10 is inserted into the light shielding jig 70. Next, inspection is started by operating the front panel 24 in the state in which the end surface 16a of the distal end portion 16 is opposed to the screen of the consumer monitor 21 to enter the inspection mode (YES in step S1).

  When entering the inspection mode, first, the switching states of the first to third switch circuits 57a to 57c are changed, the terminal A of the first switch circuit 57a is connected to the terminal C, and the second and third switch circuits 57b. , 57c are turned on (step S2). As a result, the inspection image 54a is output from the inspection image storage memory 54 to the image display control circuit 53 via the first switch circuit 57a, and as a result, the inspection image 54a is displayed on the consumer monitor 21 (step S3). At this time, the inspection image 54a is input from the inspection image storage memory 54 to the color balance determination circuit 55 via the third switch circuit 57c.

  The inspection image 54 a displayed on the consumer monitor 21 is picked up by the CCD 40 in the electronic endoscope 10, subjected to analog signal processing by the AFE 44, and then input to the image processing circuit 52 via the isolator 56. Processing is performed (step S4). At this time, the image subjected to the image processing by the image processing circuit 52 is input to the color balance determination circuit 55 via the second switch circuit 57b.

  Next, the color balance determination circuit 55 compares the difference in color balance between the image input from the image processing circuit 52 and the inspection image 54a input from the inspection image storage memory 54, and calculates a color balance deviation amount. (Step S5). The color balance deviation amount calculated at this time is sent to the CPU 50 as adjustment data for adjusting the color balance, and is recorded in the RAM 51. The CPU 50 determines whether or not the color balance deviation amount is larger than a predetermined value (maximum value capable of adjusting the color balance) (step S6). If the deviation amount is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (YES in step S6). Judgment), the image processing circuit 52 is controlled with reference to the adjustment data recorded in the RAM 51, and the color balance of the image is adjusted (step S7). On the other hand, if the amount of deviation is larger than the predetermined value (NO in step S6), a message indicating that the consumer monitor 21 to be inspected cannot be used (for example, “This monitor cannot be used”). Is displayed on the consumer monitor 21 (step S8).

  When the processor device 11 is turned off (YES in step S9), the CPU 50 deletes the adjustment data in the RAM 51 (step S10).

  As described above, in the present invention, since the color balance is adjusted by the image processing circuit 52, even the consumer monitor 21 that does not have the color balance adjustment function can easily adjust the color balance. . In general, the image processing circuit 52 has a function of performing image processing such as color enhancement of a lesion, and has a color balance adjustment function. Therefore, a new color balance adjustment function is newly provided. There is no need to add the color balance, and the color balance can be adjusted at a low cost.

  In the above embodiment, a message is displayed when it is determined that the consumer monitor 21 is unusable. However, a message display is also displayed when it is determined that the consumer monitor 21 is usable. You can go. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the message display is performed on the screen of the consumer monitor 21, you may alert | report a message using other alerting | reporting means, such as the front panel 24. FIG. Further, a message may be sent to an external device such as a server or printer connected to the electronic endoscope system 2.

  In the above embodiment, the inspection image 54a represented as a color bar chart of four colors R, G, B, and W is stored in the inspection image storage memory 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, any inspection image can be used as long as it is represented by a predetermined color as a reference.

  In addition, the inspection image is not limited to one in which a plurality of colors are included in a single chart, such as a color bar chart, and may be configured by a plurality of single color charts. For example, the inspection image 80 shown in FIG. 7 is composed of four monochrome charts of R, G, B, and W. In this case, the imaging by the electronic endoscope 10 and the determination of the color balance by the processor device 11 may be sequentially performed while displaying the monochrome chart one by one on the consumer monitor 21.

  In the above embodiment, an electronic endoscope used in the medical field is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an industrial endoscope or the like. is there.

It is an external view which shows an electronic endoscope system. It is a top view which shows the end surface of the front-end | tip part of an electronic endoscope. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an electronic endoscope system. It is a top view which shows a test | inspection image. It is a schematic diagram which shows a light-shielding jig | tool. It is a flowchart explaining the effect | action at the time of test | inspection mode. It is a figure which shows the modification of a test | inspection image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Electronic endoscope system 10 Electronic endoscope 11 Processor apparatus 20 Medical monitor 21 Consumer monitor 24 Front panel 40 CCD type solid-state image sensor 50 CPU (control means)
51 RAM (Adjustment data storage means)
52 Image processing circuit (image processing means)
53 Image display control circuit (image display control means)
54 Inspection image storage memory (inspection image storage means)
54a Inspection image 55 Color balance determination circuit (color balance determination means)
57a to 57c 1st to 3rd switch circuit 70 Shading jig 80 Inspection image

Claims (3)

Image processing means for performing image processing on an image input from an electronic endoscope;
Image display control means for displaying an image subjected to image processing by the image processing means on a monitor;
Inspection image storage means for storing the inspection image;
Color balance determination means for comparing two images and calculating a color balance shift amount;
Switch means for changing a connection state between the image processing means, the image display control means, and the color balance determination means;
As a result of controlling the switch means, displaying an inspection image stored in the inspection image storage means on the monitor via the image display control means, and imaging the display screen with the electronic endoscope, the image processing A first step of inputting an image output from the means and an inspection image stored in the inspection image storage means to the color balance determination means to calculate a color balance shift amount; and calculating in the first step Control means for executing a second step of adjusting the color balance by controlling the image processing means on the basis of the color balance deviation amount,
A processor device for an electronic endoscope, comprising:   Adjustment data storage means for storing the deviation amount calculated by the color balance determination means as adjustment data, and the control means stores the adjustment data stored in the adjustment data storage means when the power is turned off. The processor device for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the processor device is erased. Informing means for informing whether or not the monitor is unusable,
The control means determines whether or not the color balance deviation amount calculated in the first step is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and executes the second step if the deviation amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value. 3. The processor device for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein when the deviation amount is larger than a predetermined value, the notification means is notified that the monitor cannot be used.

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