JP2010000185A - Electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an electronic endoscope from being used with a processor as they are when the combination of them is not proper. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the processor 11, thereafter the power source switch of the processor 11 is switched on; thereby, the main microcomputer 33 intercommunicates with the microcomputer 30 for the endoscope and reads the kinds information of the electronic endoscope 10 from an EEPROM 31 via the microcomputer 30 for the endoscope. The mask image corresponding to the kind information is read out from the internal memory 33a and sent to the mask processing section 41. The combination of the electronic endoscope 10 and the processor 11 can be used therefore an monitoring image constituted by combining the endoscope image and the mask image is displayed in the monitor 12. In the case of connecting the electronic endoscope the combination of which and the processor 11 cannot be used, the blackout image constituted by combining the endoscope image and the mask image is displayed in the monitor 12, the endoscope image is not displayed at all; therefore, it is find out that the endoscope cannot be used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system including an electronic endoscope and an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data output from the electronic endoscope and outputs the processed image data to a monitor.

  An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device (hereinafter simply referred to as an imaging device) that images a patient's body cavity, and the electronic endoscope is detachably connected. And a processor device (image processing device) that performs image processing on image data output from the image pickup device and displays an endoscopic image on a monitor.

  CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type image sensors used in electronic endoscopes are intensely developed and rapidly evolved such as an increase in the number of pixels (higher pixels). As a matter of course, an image sensor used for an electronic endoscope is available at the time of development of the electronic endoscope, and a higher performance image sensor is used. For this reason, in the medical field, different types of electronic endoscopes using various imaging elements are currently used in parallel.

If the image sensor is different, the image data output from the electronic endoscope is also different, and the processor device for processing this is also different. For this reason, in order not to make a mistake in the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device, a connector that connects the electronic endoscope to the processor device has a different shape for each type of electronic endoscope. However, as the types of electronic endoscopes increase, providing separate processor devices for all types of electronic endoscopes is a great economic burden for medical institutions. In view of this, there has been proposed a processor device capable of connecting a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes by providing a plurality of connectors having different shapes (Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-209570 A

  However, in the method of providing a plurality of connectors having different shapes as in the processor device described in Patent Document 1, as the number of different types of electronic endoscopes increases, the number of connectors provided in the processor device increases and image processing is performed. As a result, the circuit scale for increasing the cost of the processor device increases. To solve this problem, it is only necessary to share the shape of the connector. However, even if a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes can be physically connected to one processor device, an inappropriate combination in terms of image processing. Occurs, causing malfunctions and failures of the electronic endoscope and the processor device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an electronic endoscope system that prevents the electronic endoscope and the processor device from being used as they are when the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device is inappropriate. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope system according to the present invention has an electronic endoscope and one connection portion to which the electronic endoscope is alternatively and detachably connected. An image processing device that performs image processing on image data output from an electronic endoscope connected via a connection unit and outputs the image data to a monitor; and the connection unit provided in the electronic endoscope or the image processing device. Determining means for determining whether or not the electronic endoscope connected via the image processing apparatus corresponds to the image processing apparatus, and the electronic endoscope connected via the connection unit corresponds to the image processing apparatus. It is characterized by comprising warning means for giving a warning when the discrimination means discriminates that it is not.

  One of the electronic endoscope or the image processing apparatus that does not have the determination unit includes first storage means for storing type information indicating the type, and the electronic endoscope or the image processing apparatus. The other having the discrimination means is an information acquisition means for acquiring the type information from the first storage means, and a second memory for storing a correspondence relationship between the electronic endoscope and the image processing apparatus for each type information. It is preferable that the determination unit performs the determination by comparing the type information acquired by the information acquisition unit with the correspondence relationship of the second storage unit.

  The second storage means is preferably configured so that the correspondence can be rewritten.

  When the electronic endoscope includes the first storage unit, it is preferable that the type information includes specifications of a solid-state imaging device mounted on the electronic endoscope.

  Preferably, the warning means performs the warning by changing a display form of the display screen of the monitor when the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is compatible with the image processing apparatus.

  Preferably, the warning means superimposes a full black mask on the image data output from the electronic endoscope so that the entire display screen of the monitor is darkened.

  The warning means superimposes a mask formed with characters indicating that the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is not compatible with the image processing apparatus on image data output from the electronic endoscope. It is preferable to do.

  The warning means preferably superimposes a character indicating that the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is not compatible with the image processing apparatus on the image data output from the electronic endoscope.

  The electronic endoscope has third storage means for storing use history information including at least one of the number of times of use or use time, and the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit performs the image processing. It is preferable not to update the usage history information when the determination unit determines that the device does not correspond to the device.

  According to the electronic endoscope system of the present invention, an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data output from an electronic endoscope connected via one connection unit and outputs the processed image data to a monitor; A determination unit provided in the endoscope or the image processing apparatus and configured to determine whether or not the electronic endoscope connected via the connection unit corresponds to the image processing apparatus; Since it comprises warning means for giving a warning when it is determined that it is not compatible with the processing device, if the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device is inappropriate, a warning is given by the warning means and used as it is This can be prevented.

  In FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system 2 includes an electronic endoscope 10, a processor device 11, and a monitor 12. The electronic endoscope 10 is connected to an insertion portion 14 to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient, an operation portion 15 that is operated by a surgeon at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 14, and an operation portion 15. And a universal cord 16 extending.

  The end of the universal cord 16 opposite to the operation unit 15 is connected to a control connector 17 of the processor device 11 and is used for transmission of image data and various control signals to and from the processor device 11. 18 and a light source connector 20 that is connected to the light source connector 19 of the processor device 11 and takes in the illumination light emitted from the light source of the processor device 11 is provided. The electronic endoscope 10 and the processor device 11 are detachably connected to each other through these connectors 17 to 20 and used.

  The electronic endoscope 22 includes a control connector 18 and a light source connector 20 that are the same as the electronic endoscope 10 and have the same shape, and can be physically attached to and detached from the processor device 11 in the same manner as the electronic endoscope 10. However, the electronic endoscope 10 has image pickup devices having different numbers of pixels and different types. Therefore, unlike the electronic endoscope 10, the electronic endoscope 22 cannot be used in combination with the processor device 11, unlike image processing such as resolution conversion processing described later in the processor device 11. The electronic endoscopes 10 and 22 are different from each other only in the image pickup elements mounted thereon, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the configuration of the electronic endoscope 10 will be described below.

  In FIG. 2, the electronic endoscope 10 includes a photographing lens 25 exposed through an observation window formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 14 and a CCD (imaging device) that captures image light incident through the photographing lens 25. 26, a correlated double sampling circuit / automatic gain control circuit (CDS / AGC) 27 for removing noise and amplifying the image pickup signal output from the CCD 26, and an analog / digital converter (A / D) 28 A timing generator (TG) 29 for generating various timing pulses, an endoscope microcomputer (microcomputer) 30 for controlling the CCD 26, the A / D converter 28, etc. via the TG 29, and an EEPROM (first Storage means) 31 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the EEPROM 31 includes the number of pixels of the CCD 26 (for example, 6 million pixels), the model number, and the serial number. The type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10 having the above specifications is registered. The type information 010 is read by the endoscope microcomputer 30 and sent to the main microcomputer 33 of the processor device 11 via the endoscope microcomputer 30.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the processor device 11 includes a main microcomputer 33, a digital signal processing circuit (DSP) 34, an image processing unit 35, a display control unit 36, a light source device 37, and a power supply device 38. The power supply unit 38 is connected to a general AC power source and starts driving by turning on a power switch (not shown), converts an AC voltage into various DC voltages corresponding to each unit, and a processor unit. 11 is supplied to each part on the electronic endoscope 10 side through connectors 17 and 18 in addition to the respective parts in 11.

  The main microcomputer 33 controls the operation of the processor device 11 and performs mutual communication with the endoscope microcomputer 30 when the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the processor device 11. The type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10 is received. Further, as will be described later in detail, the main microcomputer 33 includes an internal memory 33a that stores a mask image corresponding to the type information of the electronic endoscope (see FIG. 4). Then, the main microcomputer 33 reads a mask image corresponding to the type information 010 received from the endoscope microcomputer 30 from the built-in memory 33a and sends it to the image processing unit 35.

  The mask image stored in the built-in memory 33a and the correspondence between the type information and the mask image can be rewritten by connecting the personal computer (PC) 39 to the processor device 11 and operating the PC 39.

  The DSP 34 includes a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a sharpness correction circuit, a contrast correction circuit, a white balance correction circuit, and the like, and is input from the A / D 28 of the electronic endoscope 10 via the control connectors 18 and 17. Various processes are performed on the digital image data.

  The image processing unit 35 includes a resolution conversion processing unit 40 and a mask processing unit 41. The resolution conversion processing unit 40 converts the resolution of the image data input from the DSP 34 into a resolution corresponding to the monitor 12. The mask processing unit 41 superimposes the image data of the endoscopic image 42 (see FIG. 5) whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion processing unit 40 and the image data of the mask image input from the main microcomputer 33, and When a combination of an endoscope and a processor device can be used, image data of an easy-to-see observation image is created, and when a combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor device cannot be used, to inform the operator of this fact, Image data of a darkened dark image is created.

  The mask processing by the mask processing unit 41 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the built-in memory 33a of the main microcomputer 33 stores mask images corresponding to the type information of each electronic endoscope. For example, the mask image 43 is stored corresponding to the type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10 that can be used in combination with the processor device 11. Further, a mask image 44 is stored corresponding to the type information 0XX of the electronic endoscope XX that can be used in combination with the processor device 11. In addition, a mask image 46 (see FIG. 7) is stored corresponding to the type information 022 of the electronic endoscope 22 that cannot be used in combination with the processor device 11.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the mask image 43 is formed in a rectangular shape having the same size as the endoscopic image 42. The mask image 43 has an opening 43a formed in a substantially circular shape. The opening 43a is formed slightly smaller than the boundary between the image display area 42a and the invalid area 42b as shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing, and the center of the opening 43a coincides with the center of the image display area 42a. Is arranged. The opening 44a of the mask image 44 is different from the opening 43a of the mask image 43 in that the diameters are different.

  The endoscopic image 42 output from the resolution conversion processing unit 40 includes an image display area 42a indicating a subject image formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 26 by the photographing lens 25 and a portion where the subject image is not formed. And an invalid area 42b (part indicated by oblique lines). The invalid area 42 b is so-called vignetting that occurs when the photographing lens 25 forms a subject image in a substantially circular shape with respect to the imaging surface of the CCD 26.

  The boundary between the image display area 42a and the invalid area 42b is not a smooth curve, but is rough and rough due to the reflection of light within the lens barrel of the optical system. For this reason, if the endoscopic image 42 is displayed on the monitor 12 as it is, the boundary portion flickers, and the endoscopic image shown in the image display area 42a becomes difficult to see. For this reason, the mask process is performed on the endoscope image 42 using the mask image 43 corresponding to the type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10.

  When the mask processing unit 41 receives the endoscopic image 42 from the resolution conversion processing unit 40, the mask processing unit 41 superimposes and combines the mask image 43 on the endoscopic image 42, an image display area 45 a indicating the endoscopic image, and an opening. An observation image 45 including the mask region 45b in which 45c is formed is generated. In the observation image 45, the invalid area 42b of the endoscopic image 42 and the boundary between the image display area 42a and the invalid area 42b are covered with the mask area 45b, so that the endoscopic image 42 can be easily seen. Further, the mask processing unit 41 outputs the generated observation image 45 to the display control unit 36.

  The display control unit 36 converts the image data of the observation image 45 output from the mask processing unit 41 of the image processing unit 35 into a video signal (component signal, composite signal, etc.) corresponding to the format of the monitor 12, and the video signal Is output to the monitor 12. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, an observation image 45 that is an endoscopic image obtained by photographing the inside of the body cavity of the patient is displayed on the monitor 12. In the upper left corner of the observation image 45, the current date and time when the electronic endoscope 22 is operating is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the mask image 46 is formed in a rectangular shape having the same size as the endoscopic image 42, but has no opening and is entirely black. When the mask processing unit 41 receives the endoscopic image 47 from the resolution conversion processing unit 40, the mask processing unit 41 superimposes the mask image 46 on the endoscopic image 47 and synthesizes it to generate a dark image 48. The image data of the dark image 48 is converted into a video signal by the display control unit 36 and output to the monitor 12.

  When the dark image 48 is displayed on the monitor 12, as shown in FIG. 8, the display screen 12a of the monitor 12 is dark, so that the operator cannot use the combination of the electronic endoscope 22 and the processor device 11. Judge. In the upper left corner of the dark image 48, the current date and time of operating the electronic endoscope 22 are displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the light source device 37 includes a light source 50 such as a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp, a lamp driving unit 51 for driving the light source 50, and a diaphragm 52 for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light source 50. , A diaphragm driving unit 53 that drives the diaphragm 52, a condenser lens 55 that condenses the light passing through the diaphragm 52 and guides it to the incident end of the light guide 54, and communicates with the main microcomputer 33, and the lamp driving unit 51 and the diaphragm The light source microcomputer 56 controls the drive unit 53. The light emitted from the light source 50 enters the light guide 54 through the diaphragm 52 and the condenser lens 55, propagates through the light guide 54, and is irradiated from the illumination window into the body cavity through the illumination lens 57. .

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the inspection is performed by the electronic endoscope system 2, the connectors 18 and 20 of the clean electronic endoscope 10 that has been cleaned and disinfected are first connected to the connectors 17 and 19 on the processor device 11 side. The electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the processor device 11 by being inserted. In addition, st (meaning of step) 1 in the parenthesis corresponds to st1 etc. shown in FIG. The same applies to FIGS.

  When the power switch of the processor device 11 is turned on, the main microcomputer 33 sends a command signal to the light source microcomputer 56 to drive the lamp driving unit 51 and the diaphragm driving unit 53. The light emitted from the light source 50 enters the light guide 54 via the diaphragm 52 and the condenser lens 55, and is emitted from the illumination lens 57 into the body cavity and the like to illuminate the subject.

  The CCD 26 starts imaging the subject, and the image pickup signal output from the CCD 26 is denoised by the CDS / AGC 27, then amplified, and converted into digital image data by the A / D 28. This image data is sent to the processor device 11 via the connectors 18 and 17 and subjected to various processing by the DSP 34 and then input to the image processing unit 35. The image data input to the image processing unit 35 is converted into image data of an endoscopic image 42 having a resolution corresponding to the monitor 12 by the resolution conversion processing unit 40 and then input to the mask processing unit 41.

  The main microcomputer 33 performs mutual communication with the endoscope microcomputer 30 and reads the type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10 from the EEPROM 31 via the endoscope microcomputer 30 (st1). The main microcomputer 33 reads the mask image 43 corresponding to the type information 010 of the electronic endoscope 10 from the built-in memory 33a and sends it to the mask processing unit 41 (st2). The mask processing unit 41 superimposes the image data of the endoscopic image 42 and the image data of the mask image 43 to generate image data of the observation image 45 (st3).

  When the mask image 43 is selected corresponding to the type information 010, it has been found that the combination of the electronic endoscope 10 and the processor device 11 can be used (Y in st4). The image data of the observation image 45 is converted into a video signal corresponding to the monitor 12 by the display control unit 36, and the easy-to-see observation image 45 is displayed on the monitor 12 (st5).

  When the electronic endoscope 22 is connected to the processor device 11, when the power switch of the processor device 11 is turned on, the main microcomputer 33 performs mutual communication with the endoscope microcomputer of the electronic endoscope 22, and the endoscope The type information 022 of the electronic endoscope 22 is read from the EEPROM via the mirror microcomputer (st1). The main microcomputer 33 reads the mask image 46 corresponding to the type information 022 of the electronic endoscope 22 from the built-in memory 33a and sends it to the mask processing unit 41 (st2). The mask processing unit 41 superimposes the image data of the endoscopic image 47 and the image data of the mask image 46 to generate image data of the dark image 48 (st3).

  When the mask image 46 is selected corresponding to the type information 022, it has been found that the combination of the electronic endoscope 22 and the processor device 11 cannot be used (N in st4). The image data of the dark image 48 is converted into a video signal corresponding to the monitor 12 by the display control unit 36, and the dark image 48 is displayed on the monitor 12 (st6). Since the endoscopic image is not displayed at all from the dark image 48, it can be seen that the combination of the electronic endoscope 22 and the processor device 11 cannot be used. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the electronic endoscope 22 from being used while being connected to the processor device 11.

  Since the data in the built-in memory 33a can be rewritten, it is possible to respond flexibly when a new model is released or when a combination that has been unavailable until now is upgraded. Can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the dark image 48 is displayed on the monitor 12 to indicate that the combination of the electronic endoscope 22 and the processor device 11 cannot be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a warning image 63 in which a black character 62 of “NG” is drawn on a black background 61 is prepared instead of a mask image 46, and this is displayed in an endoscopic image 47. You may make it display on the monitor 12 superimposed. The warning image 63 may be any image as long as it is clearly understood that the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device cannot be used. For example, the warning image 63 may be a red “x” mark on a white background.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a warning sentence 65 of “This endoscope cannot be used” may be superimposed on the endoscope image 47 and displayed on the monitor 12 on the black background 64. In order to perform such display, as shown in FIG. 12, a character composition unit 67 is provided between the mask processing unit 41 of the image processing unit 66 and the display control unit 36 and stored in the character storage unit 68. The character data may be input, and the warning text 65 may be further superimposed on the dark image 48 that has been masked.

  The wording of the warning sentence 65 is not limited to the above example, and for example, in the case of a product for the United States, it can be arbitrarily changed such as “Not Support Scope” in English. Further, the background of the warning text 65 is not limited to the black background 64, and any color or pattern may be used as long as the warning text 65 stands out. Further, a warning text 65 may be further superimposed on the warning image 63 shown in FIG.

  If only the dark image 48 is displayed, it may be misunderstood as a malfunction of the device. However, if the white character 62 or the warning text 65 is displayed, the combination of the electronic endoscope 22 and the processor device 11 cannot be used. It becomes clearer.

  In addition, since the number of times that the electronic endoscope can be safely used is limited, some electronic endoscopes store the number of times and the usage time of the electronic endoscope in the EEPROM as a history. However, in the case of an electronic endoscope that stores the number of times of use and time of use, as described above, even when connected to a processor device that cannot be used, if the power switch is turned on, it is not actually used. However, if the electronic endoscope is used once, it is added to the history.

  In order to avoid this, as shown in FIG. 13, the type information of the electronic endoscope is read (st1) and the mask image corresponding to this type information is read from the built-in memory as shown in FIG. The data is sent to the processing unit (st2). The mask processing unit superimposes the image data of the endoscopic image and the image data of the mask image (st3). The mask image corresponding to the type information determines whether or not the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device can be used (st4). If it can be used (Y in st4), one time Is added (counted up) to the history (st11), and the observation image is displayed on the monitor (st5). If it cannot be used (N in st4), the use count is not added to the history (not counted up) (st12), and a dark image is displayed on the monitor (st6). In FIG. 13, steps having the same contents as those in FIG. Is attached.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, when the electronic endoscope is connected to the processor device and the power switch is turned on, the number of times of use for one time is added (counted up) to the history (st21). Type information is read (st1), a mask image corresponding to the type information is read from the built-in memory, and sent to the mask processing unit (st2). The mask processing unit superimposes the image data of the endoscopic image and the image data of the mask image (st3). The mask image corresponding to the type information determines whether or not the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device can be used (st4). If it can be used (Y in st4), the number of uses The observation image is displayed on the monitor without changing the history (st5). If it cannot be used (N in st4), the number of times of use for one time is subtracted (counted down) from the history (st22), and a dark image is displayed on the monitor (st6). In FIG. 14, steps having the same contents as those in FIG. Is attached. In addition, when the usage time is stored as a history, the same is true (the usage time is not started at st12, or the usage time is reset at st22).

  As described above, when the use history is determined to be unusable, the use history is not updated, so that the use history can be accurately retained.

  In the above-described embodiment, whether or not the combination of the electronic endoscope and the processor device can be used is determined by the microcomputer on the processor device side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the electronic endoscope. You may make it carry out with the microcomputer of the side. In this case, contrary to the above embodiment, the type information of the processor device is sent from the microcomputer on the processor device side to the microcomputer on the electronic endoscope side. Then, in the memory (EEPROM) on the electronic endoscope side, the type information of the processor device and the mask number of the mask image are stored. The correspondence relationship is stored.

  The microcomputer on the electronic endoscope side has a mask No. of the mask image corresponding to the type information sent from the microcomputer on the processor device side. Is read from the EEPROM and its mask No. Is sent to the microcomputer on the processor side. In the memory on the processor unit side (internal memory of the microcomputer), the mask No. And the mask image are stored in association with each other, and the microcomputer on the processor side stores the mask No. sent from the microcomputer on the electronic endoscope side. Is read from the built-in memory and sent to the mask processing unit.

  As a result, there is a processor device that has already been shipped to the market, and when the newly produced electronic endoscope is connected to this processor device, the connected electronic endoscope is supported on the processor device side. Even if it cannot be determined whether or not to perform the mask No. sent from the microcomputer on the electronic endoscope side. Thus, a mask image for displaying a black image on the entire surface or displaying an NG character is selected, and a dark image or a warning image for NG character is displayed on the monitor.

  In the above embodiment, the reason why the types of electronic endoscopes are different is that the number of pixels of the image sensor mounted on the electronic endoscope is different, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, The present invention can be similarly applied because the types of image pickup devices are different (for example, CCD type or CMOS type), and the scanning method of the image pickup device is different depending on the progressive method or the interlace method.

  In the above embodiment, a medical electronic endoscope having a patient as a subject is shown. However, the electronic endoscope is not limited thereto, and may be an industrial one having a pipe or the like as a subject. . Furthermore, although the light source integrated processor device is shown in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a processor device separated from the light source.

  In the above embodiment, the warning is performed by changing the display on the monitor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a beep sound, a voice guide (warning by sound), a patrol lamp (warning by light), and the like. But you can.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope system. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the classification information memorize | stored in EEPROM. It is explanatory drawing which shows the correspondence of the classification information memorize | stored in the internal memory, and a mask image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the concept of the mask process in case the combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus can be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the observation image was displayed on the monitor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the concept of the mask process when the combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus cannot be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the dark image was displayed on the monitor. It is a flowchart which shows displaying an observation image when the combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus can be used, and a dark image when it cannot be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the warning image displayed on a monitor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the warning text displayed on a monitor. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the image process part which displays the warning sentence shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example which does not count up the frequency | count of use of an electronic endoscope when the combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus is unusable. It is a flowchart which shows the example which counts down the frequency | count of use of an electronic endoscope when the combination of an electronic endoscope and a processor apparatus is unusable.

Explanation of symbols

2 Electronic Endoscope System 10, 22 Electronic Endoscope 11 Processor Unit 12 Monitor 17-20 Connector 26 CCD (Imaging Device)
30 Microcomputer for endoscope 31 EEPROM
33 Main microcomputer 33a Built-in memory 35, 66 Image processing unit 41 Mask processing unit 42, 47 Endoscopic image 43, 44, 46 Mask image 45 Observation image 48 Dark image 62 White character 63 Warning image 65 Warning text 67 Character composition unit 68 Character storage

Claims (9)

An electronic endoscope,
The electronic endoscope has a single connection portion that is alternatively and detachably connected, and performs image processing on image data output from the electronic endoscope connected through the connection portion. An image processing apparatus for outputting to a monitor;
A determination unit that is provided in the electronic endoscope or the image processing apparatus and determines whether or not the electronic endoscope connected via the connection unit corresponds to the image processing apparatus;
An electronic endoscope system comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning when the determination unit determines that the electronic endoscope connected via the connection unit does not correspond to the image processing apparatus . One of the electronic endoscope or the image processing apparatus that does not have the determination unit has a first storage unit that stores type information indicating the type,
Of the electronic endoscope or the image processing apparatus, the other having the determination unit is an information acquisition unit that acquires the type information from the first storage unit, and the electronic endoscope and the type for each type information Second storage means for storing the correspondence relationship of the image processing apparatus;
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit performs the determination by comparing the type information acquired by the information acquisition unit with the correspondence relationship of the second storage unit. .   The electronic endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein the second storage unit is configured so that the correspondence relationship can be rewritten.   4. The electronic internal device according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic endoscope includes the first storage unit, the type information includes specifications of a solid-state imaging device mounted on the electronic endoscope. Endoscopic system.   The warning means performs the warning by changing a display form of a display screen of the monitor when an electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is compatible with the image processing apparatus. The electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The electronic endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the warning means superimposes a full black mask on the image data output from the electronic endoscope so that the entire display screen of the monitor is darkened. system.   The warning means superimposes a mask formed with characters indicating that the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is not compatible with the image processing apparatus on image data output from the electronic endoscope. 6. The electronic endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein:   The warning means superimposes a character indicating that the electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit is not compatible with the image processing apparatus on image data output from the electronic endoscope. The electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The electronic endoscope has third storage means for storing use history information including at least one of the number of uses or use time thereof,
9. The usage history information is not updated when the determination unit determines that an electronic endoscope connected to the connection unit does not correspond to the image processing apparatus. The electronic endoscope system according to the item.

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